Behind the house, in a small forest.
"As a ninja, the most commonly used tools are shuriken and kunai..."
Kurenai Yuhi imitated her class teacher, speaking in a lecturing tone while swaying her head for emphasis.
Shuriken, commonly referred to as throwing stars, are small projectile weapons.
Kunai, resembling daggers or throwing knives, can be used for close combat as well as ranged attacks.
These two tools are essential items carried in every ninja's waist pouch.
There are also advanced techniques, like Manipulated Shuriken Jutsu or Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Today, we'll be learning kunai throwing," Kurenai announced, pulling out a kunai.
The real reason was that she had only recently joined the academy and had only learned kunai throwing. She wasn't entirely confident in her ability, especially with Hanekawa watching. She felt a bit nervous and feared making a mistake.
With a serious expression, Kurenai tightened her face and threw the kunai forcefully.
The kunai hit the wooden post—but missed the target entirely.
Kurenai's cheeks flushed slightly red.
She met Hanekawa's gaze and quickly defended herself, "I-I was aiming for outside the target."
Sure, sure, say a few more sentences, and I might believe you.
Hanekawa suppressed a laugh and nodded.
He had undergone professional training—no matter how funny something was, he wouldn't laugh.
"Now for some real kunai throwing!"
Kurenai turned back to the wooden post, adopting a serious expression. She threw another kunai with all her focus.
Under her prayers, the kunai hit the bullseye—a perfect shot.
See? I'm actually pretty good at this.
Kurenai couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. She turned to Hanekawa and asked, "What do you think?"
Hanekawa smiled and praised her, "That was amazing."
Pleased by his understanding, Kurenai handed the kunai to Hanekawa.
Hanekawa steadied his breath, focused, and flung the kunai.
If nothing else, something unexpected happened.
He completely missed the wooden post.
Seeing this, Kurenai felt a bit more at ease. It seemed his talents were more in chakra refinement than ninja tools.
Hanekawa, however, thought it was perfectly normal. In his previous life, his best attempt at skipping stones only managed three or four skips.
No matter—it didn't bother him. He had the system.
As long as he persisted, the system would eventually reward him.
"It's normal to miss on your first try. Just keep practicing," Kurenai said comfortingly as she handed him another kunai.
Hanekawa accepted it and continued throwing.
In less than an hour, Hanekawa felt completely drained and collapsed onto the grass.
But his spirits were high because the system had displayed a new notification:
[E-Rank Talent: Ninja Tool Throwing (Not Acquired).]
[Trigger Condition: Reach beginner proficiency in shuriken and kunai throwing.]
[Current Progress: 1%.]
A progress bar! Perfect for powering up my engine.
Only shuriken and kunai? No wonder it's just an E-Rank talent.
Panting heavily, Hanekawa sat deep in thought.
"You're a bit weak physically," Kurenai said, delivering a critical hit. "I usually train all morning without getting tired."
"I've never trained before," Hanekawa explained, feeling the need to defend himself given the time constraints he had been under.
But Kurenai wasn't wrong—this body was indeed lacking.
In his previous life, he was a frail college student who felt like he'd been hit by Saitama after running a thousand meters during fitness tests.
For a ninja, physical training was just as crucial as chakra and jutsu.
Hanekawa also suspected physical training might trigger related system talents.
Just then, footsteps echoed in the forest.
Kurenai's face lit up with excitement.
She ran over to meet Shinko Yuhi and took the dango he was carrying.
"Here, this is for you," Kurenai said, offering a skewer to Hanekawa before taking a bite herself.
Hanekawa bit into the dango and found it overly sweet.
Ah, now I understand why Anko Mitarashi turned into a fat pig
"You're still young, so it's not suitable for you to train for too long."
Kurenai Shinko glanced at the training posts and the kunai scattered all over the ground, then said, "That's it for today. Get some good rest; you still have academy tomorrow."
Hanekawa watched Kurenai licking the three-colored dango with her small pink tongue, momentarily dazed.
He wondered what classmates he'd meet.
As someone who had read the original story, he was quite looking forward to seeing the living side characters.
As for the main characters? They weren't even born yet.
Time quickly moved to the next day.
Kurenai was woken up by a familiar sound.
She got out of bed, opened the window, and saw Hanekawa practicing kunai throwing.
Kurenai's small mouth opened slightly in surprise.
Although kids in the ninja world matured early, they weren't usually this self-disciplined.
In her opinion, just paying attention in class was more than enough.
As for after school, after such long classes, kids should relax and play to their hearts' content.
She felt the pressure of being surpassed.
If Hanekawa actually surpass her, her dream of becoming the boss of the group would be out of reach.
Kurenai's eyes burned with determination.
"Good morning, Kurenai."
Hanekawa wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at her.
She was dressed in white pajamas, her black hair slightly curly and a little messy.
Too bad she was still too young and had no figure to look at
In the original story, she was an unparalleled beauty and the epitome of an elegant older sister type.
"From now on, call me when you train!"
Kurenai put her hands on her hips and said, "I won't let you secretly work hard alone!"
Hanekawa agreed with a smile.
Training alone couldn't compare to working out with a cute little girl—it was a feast for the eyes.
And to clarify, he was not a lolicon.
After breakfast, Shinku Yuhi handed them two bento boxes and said, "Remember to take Hanekawa to meet your teacher."
"Ugh, you said that yesterday too."
Kurenai pouted. "I know already!"
"See you, Uncle Shinku," Hanekawa said with a wave, then followed the hopping Kurenai.
As they walked, he looked around.
He'd seen the Hidden Leaf Village in anime in his past life, but the real-life version felt completely different.
Hanekawa made a curious sound.
Ahead of them, a boy stood on a wall to their left.
He wore a white short-sleeved vest, arms crossed, looking coolly at the sky.
It wasn't until Kurenai walked past without looking up that he couldn't resist coughing to draw her attention.
"Asuma? What are you doing up there?"
Hearing the sound, Kurenai noticed him.
Sarutobi Asuma—the second son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In the original story, he would later marry Kurenai and eventually die at the hands of Hidan from the Akatsuki.
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.
Without his signature beard, Hanekawa hadn't even recognized him as Sarutobi Asuma.
Interested in Kurenai already?
It made sense, though.
Even Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka had competed for Sasuke Uchiha's attention during their time at the ninja academy.
Sarutobi Asuma leaped down smoothly and landed gracefully.
He looked at Hanekawa, hands in his pockets, and asked, "Kurenai, who's this? I've never seen him before."
He'd already noticed Hanekawa from the wall and felt a strong sense of threat.
He couldn't allow anyone better-looking than him to be near Kurenai.
Kurenai, unsuspecting, replied, "He's the transfer student joining our class today."
Asuma froze slightly and asked, "How do you know him?" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⟡fire.net
"Because Hanekawa lives at my house."
Kurenai tilted her head as she spoke.
Asuma froze on the spot.
Bro, I haven't even held her hand, and you're already living with her?
Asuma silently put on the mask of pain.