"Why are you happier than I am?" Hagawa asked, looking at the skipping Kurenai.
"Because you used genjutsu to defeat Asuma," Kurenai said, tilting her head as she came up with a reason. "Maybe I can do it too someday."
"You'll still have to work hard for that," Hagawa said, recalling the plot.
"I know!" Kurenai snorted, a little dissatisfied.
"I'll teach you sometime," Hagawa couldn't help but smile. Her puffed-up cheeks were quite cute.
"You said it!" Kurenai's ruby-red eyes lit up. "You'll teach me how to defeat Asuma!"
"Why do you want to defeat him?" Hagawa raised an eyebrow, curious. "Do you hate him?"
"I wouldn't say I hate him," Kurenai said with a pout. "He's just always showing off in front of me, acting all smug."
It was normal for kids to like showing off. Perhaps in the original series, that was how Asuma won Kurenai over. But now that he was here, the situation was different.
"Alright, I'll teach you," Hagawa said with a smile. Under normal circumstances, Kurenai definitely couldn't beat Asuma. But with the element of surprise and some special training, winning once or twice wasn't a big problem. After all, Asuma was only six years old. There was a limit to how strong he could be. The only one to worry about was his father, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He would surely step in to help.
The two soon arrived home. Kurenai pushed open the door, kicked off her shoes to reveal her small feet, and shouted, "I'm home!"
"Welcome back," Shinku Yuhi appeared before them. "Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner."
Hagawa nodded slightly. After dinner, he thought about his newly acquired Trait, [Shippuden], which increased his Wind Release talent by 10%. Chakra natures were divided into five types—Water, Fire, Lightning, Wind, and Earth—plus the special Yin and Yang. Everyone is born with an affinity, but it needs to be tested with chakra paper.
Hagawa didn't know his own innate affinity. In the original series, Kakashi only tested Naruto's affinity after the Chunin Exams, which was quite late. This was likely because ninja only started to consider training in chakra nature transformation once they reached the Chunin level. For Genin, learning the three basic jutsu and chakra shape transformation was enough.
Speaking of the pinnacle of chakra shape transformation, one had to mention the Rasengan. The original series even provided the training method. He just didn't know if it would work in reality.
"Uncle Shinku," Hagawa looked up and asked, "do you have any chakra paper?"
"What's chakra paper?" Kurenai asked curiously.
"It's used to test your chakra affinity," Shinku said after some thought. "Although it's a bit early, there's no harm in knowing." He went to his room and came back a moment later with two square, palm-sized slips of paper.
"Just channel your chakra into it," Shinku explained. "The paper will react differently based on your chakra affinity."
"Let me try," Kurenai said, taking a slip of paper with an expectant look. Soon, the paper began to change. The right half caught fire, while the left half became soaked with water.
"How magical!" Kurenai exclaimed, looking at the sight of fire and water coexisting.
"It's Water and Fire Release," Shinku said, a little surprised. "It's rare to see two opposing natures like water and fire appear at the same time."
"Does that mean I can learn water and fire ninjutsu?" Kurenai asked, blinking her eyes.
"Yes," Shinku nodded, then said seriously, "but it's unnecessary. It's more than enough for you to master genjutsu." Being proficient in two chakra natures was already the mark of a Jonin, which showed how difficult it was. With Kurenai's talent, specializing in genjutsu would allow her to become a Jonin much faster than trying to master water and fire.
While they were talking, Hagawa had finished testing his own chakra affinity. It was Lightning and Fire. Should I pick up a sword and start "enlightening" people? Hagawa mused. His innate affinity didn't include wind. Normally, he would need to spend a lot of time training to learn it. But now, with the system, he had a new path.
"Hagawa, the same goes for you. Focus on mastering genjutsu first," Shinku reminded him again to prevent him from wasting his energy.
"Mm." Hagawa didn't argue, just nodded.
"Let me tell you, Hagawa defeated Asuma today!" Kurenai suddenly remembered and said proudly. "Genjutsu is way stronger than Wind Release!"
The amount of information was too much for Shinku to process at once. Hagawa, who's only been training for a week, defeated Lord Hokage's son? A true genius!
After a few seconds, Shinku recovered and said with a smile, "That's right. Genjutsu can give you a huge advantage in battle." This statement was indeed true, provided you weren't fighting an Uchiha. The Sharingan's ability to cast genjutsu without hand seals was a heavenly counter to ordinary genjutsu users.
Hagawa had no reaction, but Kurenai was filled with unprecedented motivation. After a short rest, she ran off to practice genjutsu. Hagawa, on the other hand, went to the small grove outside and, under the lamplight, began his ninja tool training.
The next day, Hagawa found his popularity in class soaring. People kept coming up to talk to him, especially the female students. In the ninja world, strength commanded respect. Hagawa was now both handsome and strong, so he naturally became sought after. After all, children are pure.
Kurenai watched Hagawa being surrounded and felt a strange feeling for the first time, as if something that belonged to her was being stolen away.
As for Asuma, he glanced over once and then paid it no more mind. Last night, Hiruzen had taught him how to break genjutsu. But he didn't rush to challenge Hagawa again, deciding to wait until he was confident.
Class time flew by, and soon it was Saturday. Hagawa woke up very early. Besides his training, he had to go to the orphanage. He first ran a lap around the streets, then headed towards the orphanage. Before he even arrived, several lines of text appeared in his vision.
[E-Rank Talent Trait: Robust Physique (Acquired)]
Activation Condition: Reach the minimum physical level of a Genin.
Effect: Stamina recovery speed increased by 10% from its base level.
Note: Has two evolution paths.
Path 1: Combine with E-Rank Trait [Fleet-footed] and E-Rank Trait [One Thousand Years of Death] to synthesize the D-Rank Trait [Taijutsu Genin].
Path 2: Combine with D-Rank Trait [Medical Ninja] and E-Rank Trait [Fleet-footed] to synthesize the C-Rank Trait [Innate Divine Strength].
Hagawa couldn't help but stop. Acquiring [Robust Physique] was something that happened naturally, so he wasn't surprised. The stamina recovery was also nice, allowing him to train for longer. What did surprise him were the two evolution paths. Although the difficulty had skyrocketed, Hagawa chose the second path without hesitation. The C-Rank Trait [Innate Divine Strength], when considered alongside his C-Rank Trait [Innate Full Soul], was very likely the path to a Yang Release talent.
"Hagawa? You're here so early? Have you eaten?" Nonō Yakushi's voice called out.
"Matron," Hagawa said, snapping out of his daze. "I had a rice ball earlier."
"Here." Nonō handed him a glass of milk. "Drink this, and then I'll take you to see Lady Tsunade."
"Okay." Hagawa gulped down the milk.
The two of them walked out and soon arrived at Konoha Hospital. Hagawa followed Nonō upstairs and finally met Tsunade in an office. She wore a tea-green gown and sat on a sofa, her long, slender legs crossed, showing off their shapely form. Her golden hair was tied into a ponytail, and the diamond-shaped Yin Seal was on her forehead. Her face was beautiful and delicate.
Her sleeveless top was bulging, revealing a hint of fair skin and forming a distinct curve. Hagawa's gaze subconsciously fell into that abyss.
Greatness needs no further words. It was even more stunning than in the anime. It wasn't until his eyes met a pair of bright brown ones that he shivered.
Crap, I forgot to turn off the aimbot.
-------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (60 Chapter)
Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (60 Chapter)
MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (60 Chapter)
BLEACH: Blade of Purification (31 Chapter)
Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (112 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.