While Aoki Sora and Hinata were immersed in their own rigorous training…
High atop a scenic vantage point overlooking the Hidden Leaf Village,
a woman with violet hair silently observed the boy running laps below.
"That guy… it seems he's already realized that if he wants to marry Hinata in the future, he's going to face a lot of competition, not to mention the obstacles from the Hyuga clan."
"So, he knows he has to get stronger."
"Now that everyone knows Hinata will grow up to be stunning, it's no surprise that he's no longer the only one interested in her. I bet a whole wave of rivals is about to pop up."
The woman narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
Then her gaze shifted to the quiet grove where the Hyuga girl was practicing her Gentle Fist with focused determination.
"And Hinata… she's pushing herself so hard too."
"Is it because of the image she just saw, the one where her uncle dies, that she's now resolved to grow stronger?"
"Or is she trying to prepare herself to one day stand beside a certain someone, with enough strength and confidence to face down the opposition from her clan?"
"Either way… they're both giving it their all."
"What a lovely couple they make."
The violet-haired woman let her thoughts drift, as if she could already see straight into the hearts of the boy and girl.
She felt genuinely drawn to their budding love story.
Although she had once worked in ANBU, where missions often demanded cold calculation and ruthless efficiency, at the end of the day, she was still only twenty-two.
And when it came to those romantic tales of two lovers breaking through familial obstacles, enduring hardship together, and fighting just to be with one another… well, how could she not be moved?
A boy and a girl, working tirelessly to become strong enough for each other.
How romantic is that?
After all, every girl carries a little dream of romance in her heart.
"If only I could experience a love like that someday…"
Just as she was thinking that,
a second figure approached the high ledge. A woman with black hair and crimson eyes stepped into view.
The two locked eyes.
The violet-haired woman tilted her head slightly.
"Judging by that outfit and your striking appearance, you must be Yuhi Kurenai, recently promoted to Special Jonin thanks to your outstanding talent in Genjutsu?"
"That's right," replied the woman calmly.
It was none other than Yuhi Kurenai, team leader of Squad 8 and distant relative and neighbor to Aoki Sora.
Kurenai gave the newcomer a quick once-over.
"And you are…?"
"Yugao Uzuki," the other woman answered. "I've just been assigned as the jonin leader for Squad 11."
"So it's you," Kurenai nodded in recognition.
Her gaze dropped down again, to the boy running relentless laps below.
"Sora, huh… I'll be counting on you to guide him well," she said.
"That's my job," Yugao replied. "Besides, he's already working hard enough on his own."
She smiled faintly.
"Truth be told, this is my first time serving as a team leader. I'm not exactly experienced in guiding genin…"
Kurenai gave a small, amused sigh.
"I'm the same," she admitted.
She had only been promoted to Special Jonin not long ago, and aside from that one time she was asked to retrieve Hinata, she'd barely had any mentoring duties before now.
Yugao suddenly thought of something and smiled.
"How about this, we occasionally train together?"
It would help their teaching schedules stay coordinated.
And more importantly,
they could discreetly help support that romantic little duo.
"...Sure!"
The suggestion hit just the right chord with Kurenai.
"Honestly, I'm not that skilled in Taijutsu. There are times where Hinata would benefit more from your guidance anyway."
"Then it's settled."
"Mm."
And just like that, the two jonin formed a quiet alliance.
They would train together from time to time, not just to improve their teaching methods, but also to give that young couple a little space to grow closer in the process.
After all, everyone already knew,
there was a "route" between those two.
Meanwhile, at that exact moment…
"Huff… huff…"
Aoki Sora was still pushing himself, every second used to its fullest.
He didn't have the luxury of wasting time.
Because—
"The Kurenai route, the Yugao Uzuki route. They both lead to maxed-out 100 percent High-Grade God Tree Constitution in the late game."
"But without cheats, they're also the hardest routes to start on."
The early game was brutal. His initial stats were way too low.
And with the video footage shifting public attention onto him, he'd soon be in the spotlight.
Once others started targeting him, even basic self-defense would become a challenge.
He needed strength.
He needed a foothold.
Chasing girls? That could wait.
Aoki Sora had only one thought in his mind:
"Women just slow down my draw speed. Right now, all I care about is staying alive."
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Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 450,800,1200 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!