[The Next Morning - The Woods]
The morning sun filtered through the canopy, dappling the forest floor in light and shadow. The air was crisp, smelling of pine and dew.
Kakashi, leaning heavily on his crutches but looking alert, led us to a clearing dominated by massive, towering trees.
"Alright," Kakashi said, tapping his crutch against a thick root. "The training is simple. You are going to climb trees."
"Climb trees?" Naruto groaned, throwing his head back. "I can already do that! I'm good at monkeys! I want to learn Ninjutsu! Fireballs! Dragons!"
"Not with your hands," Kakashi corrected, his eye curving into a smile. "With your feet."
He walked up to a massive tree. Without using his hands, he walked vertically up the trunk, defying gravity. His body was perpendicular to the wood, yet he moved as casually as if he were strolling down a sidewalk. He reached a high branch and hung upside down like a bat.
"Focus chakra to the soles of your feet," Kakashi explained from his inverted position. "Too little, and you slip. Too much, and the bark breaks, pushing you off. It requires constant, precise, and subconscious control. If you master this, you can master any jutsu."
He dropped three kunai to the ground.
"Mark your progress with these. Start."
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged glances. The competitive fire was lit. They grabbed their kunai and sprinted at the trees.
THUD.
Naruto slipped instantly on the first step, slamming his forehead into the bark. "Ow!"
CRACK.
Sasuke stepped too hard. The wood splintered under his foot, blowing a chunk of bark off. He lost traction and backflipped off, landing gracefully but frowning.
"Damn it!" Naruto yelled, rubbing his head. "This is hard!"
Sakura, however, closed her eyes. She clasped her hands, focusing.
She ran up.
Step. Step. Step.
She didn't slip. She didn't break the bark. She walked all the way to the top branch, sat down, and waved.
"Hey! I did it!" Sakura cheered. "Kakashi-sensei, look!"
"Good job, Sakura!" Kakashi smiled. "You have the best chakra control of the three. You might become Hokage before Naruto does."
Naruto pouted. "Not fair!"
Sasuke clicked his tongue, glaring at the tree as if it had insulted his clan.
"And you, Kenji?" Kakashi looked at me. "Why aren't you trying?"
I was sitting against the base of a tree, legs crossed, reading Make-Out Tactics (Beta).
"Sensei," I sighed, marking my page and closing the book. "Do you really need me to demonstrate? It's embarrassing to show off. It hurts their self-esteem."
"Just do it," Sasuke snapped, his insecurity showing. "Or can you not?"
I stood up. I dusted off my pants.
I didn't run. I didn't gather momentum. I didn't clasp my hands to focus chakra.
I put my hands in my pockets.
I walked up to the tree trunk.
I stepped onto the vertical surface as if it were a flat floor.
One step. Two steps.
I walked leisurely up the trunk, whistling a tune. My body defied physics, but my posture remained relaxed. I reached the branch where Sakura was sitting.
"Yo," I sat down next to her, swinging my legs. "Nice view. Though the view down there"—I glanced at the top of her head—"is a bit lacking."
Sakura stared at me, ignoring the insult in her shock. "H-How? You didn't even focus! I didn't feel your chakra fluctuate at all!"
"I'm always focused," I lied smoothly. "It's all about... suction. Think of your feet like plungers. Or like a persistent ex-girlfriend. They just won't let go."
I looked down at Naruto and Sasuke, who were covered in dirt and frustration.
"Hey, peasants!" I cupped my hands around my mouth. "The air is great up here! Smells like talent! And victory!"
"DAMN YOU KENJI!" Naruto screamed, running at the tree again. BONK. He fell.
"Hn," Sasuke glared, his competitive spirit igniting into an inferno. He charged the tree again, determined not to lose to the pervert.
Kakashi watched from below, his visible eye narrowed.
Sakura has natural control because her reserves are low. Sasuke and Naruto have power but lack finesse. But Kenji...
Kakashi analyzed my chakra signature.
He walked up that tree without fluctuating his chakra signature. It was perfectly static. Automatic. Like breathing. That's not just talent; that's mastery that rivals a Jonin. When did he learn this? Or is his control just naturally perfect?
"Alright," Kakashi called out. "Sakura, Kenji, you two are done. You can guard Tazuna at the bridge. Naruto, Sasuke... you don't eat until you climb the tree."
"WHAAAT?!" Naruto wailed. "But I'm growing! I need nutrients!"
I jumped down, landing silently without bending my knees.
"Don't worry, Naruto," I whispered, passing him. "I'll ask Tsunami to save you some dinner. She likes me. I have a way with mothers."
"Really?!" Naruto beamed. "Thanks, Kenji!"
"Yeah. Now climb, monkey. Climb."
*****
While Naruto and Sasuke proceeded to destroy the forest with their failures, I accompanied Sakura and Tazuna toward the bridge construction site as Kakashi-sensei instructed.
Well, sort of.
We reached the crossroads. To the left, the bridge. To the right, the house.
"Hey, Sakura," I stopped. "You go ahead. I remembered I have something to do."
Sakura frowned, adjusting her headband. "Something to do? Where are you running off to? We have to guard Tazuna-san!"
"I need to... patrol the perimeter," I said, pointing vaguely into the woods. "Make sure no Hunter-nin are sneaking around the back. Strategic depth, Sakura. You wouldn't understand."
"You're just skipping work!" Sakura accused.
"I'm securing our rear," I winked. "Good luck with the bridge. Don't let Tazuna drink too much."
Before she could argue, I flickered away using [Body Flicker].
"Wait! Kenji!" Sakura shouted at the empty air. "Ugh! That jerk!"
"Let him go," Tazuna grunted. "One ninja is enough to watch me mix cement. Let's go, pinky."
*****
I wasn't patrolling the perimeter. I was heading straight back to the house.
Why?
Because of the notification flashing in my vision.
[System Mission Alert]
[Mission: The Lonely Widow] [Target: Tsunami] [Difficulty: C-Rank (Social) / S-Rank (Pleasure)]
[Description:] Tsunami is a faithful woman, dedicated to her family. But she is also a widow. Her husband died years ago. The body has needs, and the heart has voids. Since the death of Kaiza, she has been living in a drought. You are the rain.
[Rewards:]
5,000 Shameless Points.Item: [The Transparency Spray] (Origin: Doraemon World).
Effect: Makes the user invisible for 1 hour.
Warning: Does not mask scent or sound.
I grinned as I ran through the trees.
5,000 Points and a Doraemon gadget? This is a heist.
This was the perfect time. Tazuna was at the bridge. Sakura was guarding him. Naruto and Sasuke were training in the woods with Kakashi. Inari, the brat, usually went to the cliff to cry about heroes around this time.
Tsunami would be alone. Doing chores. Vulnerable.
I slowed down as the house came into view. I fixed my hair, straightened my headband, and checked my breath.
[Passive Skill: Pheromone Release (Low) - Active]
"Time to be the hero this family needs," I whispered.
I walked up to the door and knocked gently.
Knock. Knock.
"Coming!" Tsunami's voice called out from inside.
The door opened. Tsunami stood there, wiping her wet hands on her apron. She looked surprised to see me.
"Kenji-kun?" she blinked, her large eyes confused. "I thought you went to the bridge with Father?"
"I did," I said, putting on a worried, responsible expression. "But I came back to check on the house security. With Zabuza out there... I couldn't leave the home unguarded. Especially with you and Inari here alone."
Tsunami put a hand to her cheek, touched. "Oh my. You came all the way back just for us? You're so thoughtful, Kenji-kun."
"It's my duty, Tsunami-san," I stepped inside as she moved aside. "Safety first."
I closed the door behind me.
Click.
The lock engaged.
I looked at her.
[Anatomy Scan Status: Target is alone. Target is stressed. Target needs... relaxation.]
"Is Inari home?" I asked casually.
"No, he went out to play," she sighed. "So it's just me."