"Why are you even happier than I am?"
Yukawa looked at the bouncing, cheerful Kurenai Yuhi and asked.
"Because you beat Asuma with genjutsu!"
Kurenai tilted her head and offered a reason. "Maybe one day I can do that too."
"Then you'll have to work hard."
Yukawa recalled the original storyline and replied.
"I know that already!"
Kurenai huffed in dissatisfaction.
"I'll teach you when there's time."
Yukawa couldn't help but chuckle.
She looked rather cute puffing up like that.
"You said it, okay!"
Kurenai's ruby-like eyes sparkled. "You have to teach me how to beat Asuma!"
"Why would you want to beat him?"
Yukawa raised an eyebrow, curious. "Do you dislike him?"
"Not exactly."
Kurenai pouted. "He's always showing off in front of me with that smug look on his face."
Typical behavior for a kid trying to impress others.
Maybe in the original timeline, that's how Sarutobi Asuma won Kurenai's heart.
But now that Yukawa was here, things were different.
"Alright, I'll teach you," Yukawa said with a smile.
Normally, Kurenai wouldn't be able to beat Asuma.
But with some clever planning and focused training, winning a few times wasn't out of reach.
After all, Sarutobi Asuma was only six years old at this point.
No matter how skilled, there was a limit at that age.
The only real concern was his father—Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He would definitely step in if necessary.
The two soon arrived home.
Kurenai opened the door, kicked off her shoes, revealing her small feet, and called out, "I'm back!"
"Welcome home."
Yuhi Shinku (Kurenai's father) appeared quickly and said, "Go wash up. Time for dinner."
Yukawa nodded slightly.
After dinner, he thought about the new system entry he had acquired—Shippuden.His Wind Release aptitude had been boosted by 10%.
In the Naruto world, chakra natures are categorized into five basic elements: Water, Fire, Lightning, Wind, and Earth, with Yin and Yang as special attributes.
Everyone is born with one or more chakra natures, but discovering them requires a chakra paper test.
Yukawa didn't know what his natural affinity was.
In the original series, Kakashi tested Naruto's chakra nature only after the Chūnin Exams—fairly late in the story.
Most likely because chakra nature transformation isn't a priority until reaching Chūnin level.
For Genin, learning basic techniques like the Three Basic Jutsu and chakra shape manipulation is enough.
Speaking of chakra shape manipulation, it inevitably leads to the Rasengan.
The original series explained how to train for the Rasengan.
Whether that training method would work in reality was another question.
"Uncle Shinku," Yukawa raised his head and asked, "Do you have chakra paper?"
"Chakra paper? What's that?" Kurenai asked curiously.
"It's used to test your chakra nature."
Yuhi Shinku thought for a moment and said, "It's a bit early for that, but knowing in advance doesn't hurt."
He got up and returned with two square sheets of paper, each about the size of a palm.
"Just infuse them with your chakra," he explained. "The paper will react depending on your affinity."
"I'll try!"
Kurenai excitedly took a chakra paper.
Soon, the paper reacted.
The right half ignited, while the left became soaked—wet to the touch.
"Amazing!" Kurenai exclaimed at the fusion of fire and water.
"Fire and Water Release."
Yuhi Shinku seemed surprised. "Those two elements counter each other. It's rare to see both appear simultaneously."
"Does that mean I can learn both Fire and Water Release jutsu?" Kurenai asked, blinking.
"Yes."
Shinku nodded but then added seriously, "But there's no need. Mastering genjutsu alone is more than enough."
Being able to control two chakra natures proficiently was already the level of a jōnin.
Which shows just how difficult it is.
Given Kurenai's natural talent, specializing in genjutsu would allow her to reach jōnin level faster than dabbling in elemental ninjutsu.
While they were talking, Yukawa had already completed his test.
His chakra affinities were Lightning and Fire.
'So I can pick up a sword and learn that path too?'
Yukawa was thoughtful.
His natural affinity didn't include Wind Release.
Normally, he'd have to spend time training it.
But now that he had the system, he had an alternate route.
"Yukawa, you too—focus on genjutsu first," Yuhi Shinku reminded him to avoid scattering his efforts.
"Mhm."
Yukawa didn't object and nodded.
"Did you know? Yukawa beat Asuma today!"
Kurenai suddenly remembered and said proudly, "Genjutsu is way more powerful than Wind Release!"
The information shocked Yuhi Shinku so much he froze for a moment.
Yukawa had only been learning for a week and already defeated the Hokage's son?
What a prodigy!
After a few seconds, Shinku smiled and said, "Very good. Genjutsu gives you a great edge in battle."
That was a solid statement.
Assuming you're not fighting the Uchiha clan.
The Sharingan's ability to cast genjutsu without hand signs was a direct counter to ordinary genjutsu users.
Yukawa didn't react much, but Kurenai was suddenly more motivated than ever.
After a short rest, she ran off to train her genjutsu.
Yukawa went out to the small forest near the house, practicing his ninja tool throwing under the lamplight.
The next day
Yukawa noticed his popularity in class had skyrocketed.
More and more people came up to talk to him—especially the girls.
In the shinobi world, strength is everything.
And Yukawa was not only good-looking, but strong.
Naturally, he attracted attention.
After all, children are straightforward with their preferences.
Watching Yukawa get surrounded, Kurenai felt an odd emotion for the first time—like something that belonged to her was being taken away.
As for Sarutobi Asuma, he gave a glance and then ignored it.
Last night, Hiruzen had taught him how to break out of genjutsu.
But instead of rushing into a rematch, Asuma decided to wait until he was sure he could win.
Time in class passed quickly, and Saturday soon arrived.
Yukawa woke up early.
Besides training, he planned to visit the orphanage.
He jogged around the village before heading toward the orphanage.
Before he even arrived, several lines of text appeared in his field of vision:
[E-rank Passive: Strong Physique (Acquired)]Trigger Condition: Reach basic Genin-level physical strength.Effect: Increases stamina recovery rate by 10%.Note: Can be synthesized via two routes:
Route 1: Combine with E-rank 'Fleetfoot' and E-rank 'Thousand Years of Death' to synthesize D-rank 'Taijutsu: Genin'.
Route 2: Combine with D-rank 'Medical Ninja' and E-rank 'Fleetfoot' to synthesize C-rank 'Innate Strength'.
Yukawa paused.
He wasn't surprised by acquiring "Strong Physique." That was a natural result of his training.
The 10% stamina recovery boost was decent—it allowed him to train longer.
What truly intrigued him were the two synthesis paths.
Though more difficult, Yukawa didn't hesitate and chose the second one.
That C-rank trait—Innate Strength—when paired with the Innate Full Soul trait, most likely pointed to a Yang Release affinity.
"Yukawa? You're here early. Did you eat?"
A gentle voice called out—it was Nonō Yakushi.
"Director."
Yukawa came back to his senses. "I had some rice balls earlier."
"Here."
Nonō handed him a glass of milk. "Finish it up. I'll take you to meet Lady Tsunade."
"Okay."
Yukawa gulped down the milk.
The two of them headed out and soon arrived at Konoha Hospital.
Yukawa followed Nonō upstairs, and finally, in one of the offices, he met Tsunade.
She was dressed in a tea-green haori, seated on the sofa—her long legs…