Yukawa relaxed a bit as he gazed at the smiling face of the pretty young girl.
It's actually Hinagiku, or no—Kurenai?
In the original story, she married Asuma Sarutobi and eventually became a widow.
"Can you walk?"
Kurenai paused for a moment before saying, "I'll take you to meet my father. He'll explain everything to you."
"I can walk."
Yukawa got out of bed, silently calculating in his mind.
Kurenai's father was Shinku Yūhi, a member of the Konoha Military Police Force and a skilled jōnin.
He had tragically fallen during the early days of the Fourth Shinobi World War.
As a high-ranking genjutsu user, he was likely under Hiruzen Sarutobi's command—not Danzo Shimura's Root.
Despite Hiruzen's controversial legacy, there was no denying he devoted his life to Konoha.
Unlike Danzo, Hiruzen never embedded cursed seals in your tongue just to make you obey.
Yukawa quickly met Shinku Yūhi.
He was seated on the living room sofa, his face serious, wearing fitted black attire and a standard green jōnin vest—his aura calm and stern.
Yukawa recalled that he had died a heroic death in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
"Sit," said Shinku Yūhi, nodding slightly.
"Thank you, Uncle Shinku," Yukawa said politely.
"You'll stay here from now on. I'll teach you genjutsu."
He paused and added, "This is the Hokage's order."
Hokage?
Yukawa pondered the possibility.
Could it be due to his 'Innate Full Soul' trait?
"Eh?"
Kurenai, who had been listening nearby, asked in surprise, "Why?"
"Yukawa is naturally suited for genjutsu."
Following Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders, Shinku had examined him and confirmed it.
"Is he better than me? Didn't you say I had strong genjutsu talent?"
Kurenai puffed out her cheeks, hands on hips, visibly frustrated but still cute.
Yukawa couldn't help but laugh.
In the original story, Kurenai had a strong personality—you could tell from her taste for sake and her confident demeanor.
"Red, you're already a student at the Academy. How can you compare to Yukawa?" Shinku gave a dry cough and said with a straight face.
He wasn't belittling her—just acknowledging the difference between gifted and… exceptionally gifted.
"He's not a student?" Kurenai asked, surprised.
"Not yet," Shinku replied. "He hasn't formally learned any ninjutsu."
"I see." Kurenai glanced over at Yukawa.
Her first impression: he was handsome, unnaturally so—like a sculpture chiseled to perfection.
"Well then!"
Kurenai suddenly raised her voice, patted her chest, and declared, "From today onward, I'll take care of you!"
She tried to look commanding, but her cute face made it more endearing than anything else.
If Shinku weren't watching, Yukawa would've reached out to pinch her cheeks—they looked irresistibly soft.
But… what should he call her?
Sister Kurenai? Big Sis Red?
That sounded like it belonged in an eldercare version of Team 8.
Shinku offered a rare fatherly smile.
He turned to Yukawa and said, "Let's eat first. After that, I'll teach you the basics of being a ninja."
"Shouldn't Yukawa be going to school?" Kurenai asked instinctively.
"He will," Shinku replied. "The Hokage arranged for him to transfer into your class."
"Yay!"
Kurenai's eyes sparkled.
To her, having Yukawa around meant she'd look even more impressive among her peers.
Yukawa fell into thought.
Who were the other students in Kurenai's class?
The original timeline was messy, and he couldn't remember exactly.
After eating, Yukawa followed Shinku Yūhi into the small yard outside.
Kurenai followed too—claiming she wanted to "reinforce her basics," but she was clearly curious about Yukawa's talent.
"The first lesson of being a ninja is chakra refinement," Shinku explained calmly, standing before him.
According to the Shinobi Handbook, chakra is the fusion of physical and mental energy. It forms the foundation of ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu alike.
Once refined, chakra could be molded and transformed with hand signs to unleash techniques.
"Any questions?" Shinku asked as he observed Yukawa's serious face.
In the Ninja Academy, chakra refinement was a standard beginner lesson, but most clan children practiced early.
Especially geniuses—like Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai's classmate.
While most kids were still messing with Clone Jutsu, Kakashi was already learning Earth Release.
His father, Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, had ensured Kakashi had all the training resources he needed.
"No questions," Yukawa shook his head.
"Then try it," Shinku said, visibly intrigued. "A normal kid needs a month. A genius? Maybe three days."
"I'm a genius!" Kurenai raised her hand confidently, trying not to be outshone.
Could she be?
Thinking about it, probably. Kurenai had talent—her lackluster battle record stemmed more from bad luck than lack of ability.
Still, she was no Itachi Uchiha—a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
Yukawa exhaled slowly and focused.
He gathered energy and mental strength, activating the Innate Full Soul trait he'd been blessed with.
The result came instantly.
"Fast!" Shinku's eyes widened.
"What's fast?" Kurenai asked, confused.
"He's already refined chakra," Shinku said, visibly stunned.
"Impossible!" Kurenai froze, eyes wide in disbelief.
Three seconds. That's all it took.
A monster.
Before Yukawa could even enjoy the sensation of chakra running through him, a new trait was triggered.
[New Trait Acquired] E-Rank Trait: NinjaTrigger Condition: Successful chakra refinementEffect: Chakra refining speed +10%Note: This trait has two synthesis paths:– Combine with Clone Jutsu + Ninja Tools = D-Rank [Standard Genin]– Combine with Clone Jutsu + Ninja Tools + Academy First = C-Rank [Genin Genius]
Yukawa grasped the system's logic—most traits were triggered by actions.
Trying out new things could lead to unexpected rewards.
And "Ninja" was just the beginning.