When first exposed to something novel, anyone can become obsessed with it for a while.
Ino, who used to spend her time playing cat's cradle or ninja games, wasn't yet qualified to learn her clan's ninjutsu. The ninja academy primarily focused on theoretical knowledge at this stage, with very little practical combat training.
Neither Ino nor Sakura had even mastered the three basic ninjutsu techniques yet.
So, for Ino, the experience of defying gravity and walking up trees was incredibly thrilling and fun.
Unfortunately, her chakra reserves were still too low.
Perhaps because of this, she suddenly lost the feeling she had earlier and began failing repeatedly.
Ryūsei wasn't surprised by this.
The hardest part of tree-walking wasn't chakra control—it was multitasking.
When one foot successfully adhered to the tree trunk, her attention would instinctively shift to the other foot. While gathering chakra, she would either neglect the first foot or disrupt its balance.
Ryūsei had struggled with this very issue when he first started.
By the time Ino exhausted her chakra and was left panting from exertion, Ryūsei turned to Sakura and said, "Sakura, why don't you give it a try?"
"Mm!"
Sakura nodded eagerly—she had been itching to try.
Forming the Ram seal with her fingers, she approached the tree marked with Ino's small footprints.
What happened next left Ino utterly stunned.
As soon as Sakura placed one foot on the trunk, she lifted the other and stepped forward, her body forming a perfect right angle with the ground.
Maintaining the Ram seal, she slowly walked upward.
One step, two steps, three, four, five, six, seven…
Only when she reached over three meters in height did she finally make a mistake, her petite body beginning to fall.
"Ah—!"
Sakura let out a startled cry, her eyes squeezing shut instinctively.
But when the sensation of falling stopped, the expected pain never came. Instead, a familiar voice reached her ears—just like the one that had once pulled her out of darkness.
"Don't be afraid. I told you I'd catch you both."
Opening her teary eyes, Sakura stared at Ryūsei, who was holding her, completely mesmerized.
Ryūsei set her down and praised, "Who would've thought that out of the three of us, you'd have the best chakra control?"
"Yeah, yeah! Sakura, you've been way too low-key!" Ino chimed in, nodding vigorously.
"N-No way… That was just luck," Sakura mumbled shyly, lowering her head.
Watching this girl, who was as bashful as Hinata, Ryūsei couldn't help but marvel at how terrifying a crush could be.
Who could have imagined that this incredibly gentle girl would awaken a violent second personality and undergo a complete change in demeanor?
As for Sakura—a heroine whose popularity was overshadowed by female side characters—Ryūsei had always held a certain fondness for her.
In his past life, many people disliked her because they viewed the story from Naruto's perspective.
But if one viewed things from Sasuke's angle, Sakura and Karin were no different from Obito—ultimate simps.
Anyone who's ever simped knows just how lofty and untouchable the object of their affection seems.
Who wouldn't want a simp like that?
Especially after Boruto came out, Sakura's charm as a wife helped salvage her reputation quite a bit.
Sakura continued her attempts at tree-walking.
Unlike Ino's unstable progress, Sakura reached five meters on her second try.
In fewer than five attempts, she successfully climbed to the top of the tree, effortlessly mastering a technique not even taught at the academy.
"It's so beautiful!"
Standing high up, Sakura gazed at the snowy scenery in awe.
Seeing this, Ino, who had been exhausted just moments ago, suddenly felt reinvigorated and was about to challenge the tree again.
But Ryūsei stopped her, advising, "Don't rush. Wait until your chakra recovers. This technique isn't just about talent—it's also about emotional stability. It's not something you'll master in a day or two. At home, you can lay out a mattress and practice against a wall."
"…Alright."
Though reluctant, Ino nodded obediently.
Given her personality, she'd undoubtedly practice diligently once she got home.
After all, Ino was a proud girl—the leader of their little group and Sakura's self-proclaimed "big sister."
Being surpassed by the very girl she protected was something Ino couldn't accept.
This competitive drive was exactly what Ryūsei wanted to see.
Teaching them a genin-level technique in their first year wasn't without ulterior motives.
The three stayed in the woods until lunchtime before Ino and Sakura reluctantly headed home.
After parting ways with them, Ryūsei didn't return immediately. Instead, he went to buy groceries.
Just then, snow began falling again.
As he passed by a park, the sound of children taunting someone reached his ears.
"Hey, you white-eyed freak, can't even apologize properly?"
"Kneel down and say sorry!"
"…"
Ryūsei had initially planned to ignore it, but certain words made him pause.
A strange expression crossed his face as if recalling something. "No way… what are the odds?"
But reality often worked in strange ways.
Following the voices, Ryūsei soon spotted two boys shoving a girl.
Faced with their bullying, the girl didn't resist—she simply wiped her tears silently.
Yet her meekness only encouraged the boys further. They grabbed her shoulders, trying to force her to kneel.
Thwack!
Two snowballs suddenly smacked into their faces.
"Ow! Ow! Who was that?!"
The snow temporarily blinded them.
Thwack! Thwack!
Before they could wipe their faces, two more snowballs struck, this time with greater speed and force, knocking them onto their backsides.
Their faces red from the impact, the boys burst into tears.
"Scram. Or do you want a few more?"
Tears melted the snow, allowing them to see their attacker.
Seeing Ryūsei casually tossing snowballs in his hands, they abandoned any thought of revenge and scrambled away in panic.
Having driven off the brats using the precise shuriken-throwing skills he'd honed during exams, Ryūsei approached the stunned girl with a smile.
"Figured it was you. Lost again?"
"R-Ryūsei…"
Hinata's face, already red from crying (or maybe the cold), flushed even deeper.
The joy bubbling up in her heart instantly washed away her earlier humiliation.
"Why didn't you fight back?" Ryūsei asked, feigning curiosity. "If I remember right, your taijutsu scores are pretty high."
"I… I…" Hinata instinctively lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting nervously.
Perhaps too flustered, she couldn't find the words to explain.
"Lady Hinata—!" A voice called out.
A young man in a green flak jacket, wearing a forehead protector and sporting the Byakugan, hurried over with a bag in hand.
Seeing this, Ryūsei understood.
Hinata must have been waiting for her clansman when those two boys targeted her.
After all, to children, white eyes were as strange and frightening as the "demon fox" their parents warned them about.
With a smile, Ryūsei said, "Don't be so kind next time. If someone bullies you, fight back. If they get away with it once, they'll keep doing it—not just to you, but to others too. Only by making them afraid will they stop. Your clansman's here. See you at school."
With that, he turned to leave.
Watching his retreating figure, Hinata suddenly remembered an encounter from two years ago.
Back then, Ryūsei had been much shorter.
Yet even then, he hadn't been afraid to go out alone at night.
'Whether it was the Ryūsei from back then or now… he was so amazing!' A feeling of admiration quietly took root in her heart.
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Extra Chapter: On Every 50 power stones
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