Traces of sweat-wiping marked her face, the collar of her clothes clinging to her fair neck.
She looked somewhat disheveled. Yet, she possessed a unique charm.
Tetsu simply felt that Natsu had become even more beautiful. He couldn't quite put his finger on where the beauty lay.
It was a feeling conveyed by her every gesture.
Compared to her previous naiveté, a touch of maturity had appeared out of nowhere.
Her skin seemed even more delicate and smooth, and her eyes held a captivating allure.
What kind of ninjutsu could achieve this effect?
Tetsu was completely baffled.
"We discussed some ninjutsu." Natsu said.
Noticing Tetsu's unwavering gaze, a sense of superiority inexplicably rose within her.
People's happiness is often born from comparison.
Even in her current miserable state, as long as she pleases Kiyoshi well, she might be able to undo the Caged Bird Curse Seal.
Although she would still be a servant to the main family, her heart wouldn't be constantly filled with fear.
Secretly, she could be a "person."
"Would you like to take a walk here?"
A hint of crimson appeared on Tetsu's face, his ears turning red.
The young man, seeing the suddenly more beautiful girl, felt a bit shy for a moment.
"No, thank you."
Natsu gently shook her head, her voice soft and gentle.
She didn't have much energy right now, even standing here was exhausting.
She just wanted to reply to Ginka as soon as possible and then rest.
"… Okay, then let's go together next time."
Tetsu sincerely invited Natsu.
He had heard Homura say that to pursue a girl, one must be persistent.
Natsu didn't reply, but instead looked at Tetsu with a complicated expression.
'Tetsu, you and I are not on the same path at all.' Natsu sighed softly.
The branch house receives loyal education from the main family, and people like Tetsu had already accepted their fate, even taking pride in guarding.
But she… still yearned for freedom after all.
But Natsu didn't say these words, for fear of discouraging Tetsu.
The two were, after all, childhood playmates.
Tetsu could only watch Natsu's departing figure. The way she walked seemed a bit strange.
"What kind of ninjutsu did they talk about inside?"
Tetsu couldn't figure it out. Soon, he suppressed the matter.
Natsu had become more beautiful.
This gave him even more motivation. One day, he would be able to create a happy and joyful family with Natsu.
In that case, Natsu will no longer look for Kiyoshi.
The Hyuga clan has strict etiquette. After marriage, women have to keep their distance from other men besides their husbands.
"I need to earn more money first." Tetsu cheered himself up secretly and walked in another direction.
Ninjas are basically mercenaries, and participating in such a war would result in the Land of Fire's daimyo allocating a large amount of funds to the village, which the village would then distribute to the ninjas as rewards.
So war was also an opportunity to make a fortune.
…
The next day
"You have acquired the trait: [Water Release Chunin (Blue)]."
[Water Release Chunin (Blue)]
[Requirements: You can now easily learn C-rank Water Release ninjutsu and are starting to advance to Jonin.]
[Progress: Completed]
[Effect: You now have the minimum requirements for developing ninjutsu, and your Water chakra resistance is increased by 40% on the original basis.]
[Note: Can be upgraded.]
[Upgrade Route 1: Integrate it with Lightning Release Chunin (Blue) and Fire Release Chunin (Blue) and Wind Release Chunin (Blue) and Water Release Chunin (Blue) to advance to Natural Ninja (Purple).]
"Natural Ninja…"
Kiyoshi touched his chin, didn't think much, and clicked on the upgrade with his mind.
"You have acquired the trait: [Natural Ninja (Purple)]."
[Natural Ninja (Purple)]
[Requirements: Proficient in four types of chakra nature transformations.]
[Progress: Completed]
[Effect: You will obtain all chakra natures and are a natural ninja.
Your talent in the way of ninja is extraordinary, and when your understanding of a certain chakra nature reaches the standard, your soul will be enhanced in a certain proportion.
The training speed of all chakra nature transformations is increased by 100% on the original basis.]
[Note: Can be upgraded.]
'As expected, compared to the blue traits, it's more luxurious.' Kiyoshi thought to himself.
In addition to the increase in basic stats, it also gave other special effects.
For example, he would gain all chakra natures.
Before this, he only had six: Lightning, Fire, Wind, Water, Yin, and Yang.
He was still short of Earth Chakra nature. After all, he hadn't gotten Earth Release Seed by defeating others.
Unexpectedly, the purple trait he got today made up for this omission.
"As for this strengthening of the soul…"
Kiyoshi felt that everything else was easy to understand, but this strengthening of the soul was a little complicated.
After thinking about it, Kiyoshi had no clue. He could only slowly experiment in the future.
…
In a certain tent
"Nobuhiko, you have to be careful this time." Ginka said worriedly.
The higher ups of Konoha had sent an order from the rear to transfer a batch of Hyuga ninjas away, and Nobuhiko happened to be among them.
"Don't worry."
Nobuhiko smiled, signaling Ginka not to be sad.
"I will marry you when the war is over."
He and Ginka were already engaged, and they only needed a formal wedding to be considered husband and wife.
"Okay,"
Ginka nodded, thinking of the beautiful life in the future. Suddenly, a layer of haze enveloped her eyes.
The figure in the haze was… Kiyoshi.
The more Ginka thought of Kiyoshi, the more ominous she felt when talking to Nobuhiko now.
She was afraid… afraid that all the peaceful days now would turn into nothingness because of her indiscretion.
"Ginka?"
Nobuhiko asked, noticing that Ginka's face seemed not very good.
"It's nothing, who knows when this war will end?"
Ginka avoided his gaze and made an excuse.
Nobuhiko, who trusted Ginka extremely, didn't feel anything was wrong and quite agreed.
"Who can say these things clearly?"
The situation today is confusing, and perhaps only those big figures can sit in the back and see the situation clearly.
Nobuhiko sighed.
In war, human life us the most worthless thing.
"Ginka-sama… Nobuhiko-sama." Natsu reported from behind with her head buried.
"Natsu."
Nobuhiko recognized this branch house member who served Ginka.
He also had one himself, about the same age as Natsu.
"Natsu…"
Ginka looked at Natsu, eagerly wanting to know the result.
"It's getting late today, Nobuhiko, I'm going to rest first."