Seiryū, with his excellent hearing, caught the comment, glanced over, and saw it was someone from the Uchiha Clan, but he didn't recognize the face.
Ryota, was it?
Hmm. A background character who never even appeared in the original series.
He didn't take it to heart... but right then, a system prompt suddenly echoed in his mind.
[ Ding. Due to the Host's excellent performance, you have incurred the hostility of the noble class. As the future Soul King who will govern the Three Realms, also known as the candidate Soul King, there will be irreconcilable conflict with the noble class. Please defeat Shiba Masatai, a member of the Shiba Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Families, in the next actual combat training!]
[Mission issued: Defeat Shiba Masatai, a member of the Shiba Clan!]
[Mission reward: Hado #4: Byakurai! ]
Looking at the text materialized by the system, Seiryū couldn't help but smile. Uchiha Clan equals Shiba Clan? You've got guts, system. But I like it!
For the past month, the system hadn't issued any missions. Probably because life had been too mundane.
Missions seemed to trigger under specific conditions. Like Kurenai's challenge back then, or this time, Uchiha Ryota's hostility.
Seiryū had a vague grasp of how the system worked now. Missions only triggered after conflict, provocation, or some kind of external event...
I wonder if I'll get more missions if I actively cause trouble?
Thinking this, Seiryū was already looking forward to the next practical combat class.
Plus, Hado #4: Byakurai involved elemental transformation. In this world, it would probably evolve into a Lightning Release technique, right?
Now that was something to look forward to!
As the students completed their tool-throwing practice, the final rankings were posted.
Seiryū was still first, Kakashi second, Uchiha Ryota third, Asuma fourth... Kurenai also did well, placing seventh. Clearly, she wasn't particularly suited for hands-on work.
But even though the rankings were out, class wasn't over yet.
Oda went on to demonstrate a few throwing techniques. As a Chūnin, his basics were solid enough.
Teaching these little newbies was well within his capabilities.
Before long, the lesson ended, and it was dismissal time.
On the way home from school.
Kurenai, carrying her small bag, followed Seiryū. But she was strangely quiet, occasionally frowning, occasionally pouting, deep in thought... clearly distracted.
Seiryū naturally noticed something was off. She was usually lively. Why so glum today?
As her older brother, he felt obligated to check in. With a smile, he asked, "What's wrong? Feeling discouraged? Your results were fine. You've got elite jonin potential. I'll keep training you, and you'll definitely improve!"
"Oh." Kurenai nodded. She wasn't thinking about that at all.
She was very satisfied with her results. She had long accepted that she couldn't compare to the monster Seiryū.
What she was actually worried about... was Seiryū.
He was too popular.
What if someone else snatched him away?
It felt like something that belonged to her was about to be taken.
She really didn't like this feeling. She'd felt something similar before, when her father had explained why they adopted Seiryū.
This time... it was even more intense!!
Little girls' emotions shifted like the wind. Seiryū was puzzled. He reached out to rub her head. "What's up with you? If it's not about your scores, then what is it?"
Kurenai turned to look at him, pouting. "Seiryū, you won't leave us, right?"
He paused, caught off guard for a moment, but quickly realized what she meant. He smiled gently. "Of course. I've already said I won't leave you guys."
Hearing this, Kurenai visibly relaxed. She held out her pinky. "Then pinky swear. That's the only way I'll believe you."
Seiryū smiled and reached out. "Alright."
Their two small hands hooked together... pinky swear.
"Hehe!" Kurenai lit up with joy.
She pulled Seiryū forward. "Let's go, Seiryū. I'll treat you to dango. Mom said that if I had a little brother or sister, I should share my favorite food. Even though you're my big brother, it's still the same!"
Seiryū smiled helplessly. "Aren't you afraid of eating so much you'll turn into a little chubby girl?"
Kurenai glared at him. "You're always tricking me. I should've believed Mom. She said girls have two stomachs. I was wrong to listen to you. From now on, I'll only believe half of what you say!"
Mom… Seiryū paused for a moment. Then he rubbed her head again, smiling softly. "If Auntie said that, then it must be true. I don't know much about girls."
"Then I don't need to worry about turning into a dango!"
"You still remember that?"
The two of them chatted and laughed as they reached the dango shop.
Kurenai went inside to buy some, while Seiryū waited by the entrance. Suddenly, he heard a pair of voices getting closer. His ears twitched, and his eyes shifted toward the source.
A teenage boy and girl approached.
"I haven't been out in so long. I only get free time once a week. Do they think I'm some kind of prisoner?"
"Hahaha. Can't be helped. You are a bit special these days..."
"That rotten old Third Hokage!"
"Don't say that so loudly!"
The boy had short blond hair, energetic and cheerful, wearing a jonin vest. He looked easygoing, though his face showed some helplessness.
The girl had long red hair, wore a dress, and her delicate face was filled with displeasure and resentment.
What a coincidence! Seiryū instantly recognized them.
The "tomato and egg" duo... or rather, the future parents of the protagonist.
Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.
He hadn't expected to bump into them here.
Timeline-wise, Kushina should already be the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. He wondered if Minato had already developed the Rasengan.
With his short red hair and handsome face, and standing right at the entrance, Seiryū quickly drew their attention.
Kushina's gaze lingered on his red hair, then on his face.
She couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Oh, what a cute little girl!"
Red hair was extremely rare in Konoha. You could count all the redheads in the village on one hand. So naturally, Kushina was surprised.
And so cute too!
Seiryū: "..."
The red hair, fine. But why little girl?
What kind of eyesight was that?
He quickly corrected her with a serious expression. "Even though I'm a little good-looking, if you look closely, I'm a boy."
Kushina's eyes widened again in shock. "Oh? A boy little girl?"
Seiryū: "..."
He never expected to hear something like that from an adult.
(To be continued.)
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