Chapter 15: Hoshikawa is a Good Child
The suddenly concluded battle left everyone shocked and confused.
Hoshikawa's genjutsu was only directed at Sarutobi Asuma.
From their perspective, the battle seemed utterly baffling.
Sarutobi Asuma stopped in his tracks, standing motionless.
Hoshikawa walked up to him with a kunai and easily won.
They had anticipated two outcomes.
One, Sarutobi Asuma would win decisively.
Two, Hoshikawa was secretly powerful, and the two would have a close fight.
But no one expected such a result.
"So strong!"
Rin Nohara exclaimed with admiration.
Among all ninjutsu, excluding Kekkei Genkai, medical ninjutsu and genjutsu were the most difficult.
Hoshikawa being able to learn genjutsu was undoubtedly a genius among geniuses.
Kakashi Hatake nodded slightly upon hearing this.
He was indeed interested now.
Before this, after defeating Sarutobi Asuma, he couldn't find any more opponents, so he had been preparing to graduate early.
Now, he had another goal.
That was to graduate after defeating Hoshikawa.
"It's just genjutsu!"
Obito Uchiha, seeing Rin Nohara's expression, immediately retorted dismissively, "No genjutsu means anything in front of the Sharingan!"
"Talk when you've awakened it."
Kakashi Hatake said casually.
"I will definitely awaken it!"
Obito Uchiha's face flushed with anger.
The Sharingan was different from the Byakugan; awakening it required a certain talent.
And he showed no signs of awakening it yet.
"I believe in you, Obito."
Rin Nohara quickly played mediator, saying, "Your talent is no worse than theirs."
"Heh heh!"
Obito Uchiha immediately performed a heroic face change, breaking into a silly grin.
"Let's go."
Kakashi Hatake withdrew his gaze and said, "My treat for dinner, Rin."
Obito Uchiha immediately turned to stone.
He had forgotten about the bet.
Damn it!
Obito Uchiha felt his heart ache.
This time, he had lost most thoroughly.
"Obito."
Rin Nohara turned her head and said gently, "Let's all go together."
"I have no objections."
Kakashi Hatake said indifferently.
"Rin!"
Obito Uchiha was utterly moved.
As the battle ended, the curious students gradually left.
Only Kurenai Yūhi excitedly walked up to Hoshikawa.
Who said genjutsu ninja were useless? Genjutsu ninja are amazing!
"Hoshikawa!"
Kurenai Yūhi's small face was red, like an apple.
Hoshikawa came back to his senses and smiled.
He had just been looking at the newly triggered entry:
[E-rank Talent Entry: Shippūden.]
[Trigger Condition: Defeat young Sarutobi Asuma.]
[Effect: Wind Release talent increased by 10% on the original basis.]
The new entry was unexpected for Hoshikawa.
He hadn't thought that entries could be triggered this way.
Although it was only 10%, it gave him a lot of inspiration.
If he defeated Kakashi Hatake, would he gain Lightning Release talent?
If he defeated a stronger form of Sarutobi Asuma, would the Wind Release talent bonus be even higher?
"Asuma."
Hoshikawa said sincerely, "You're very strong. If you had just held on a little longer, I would have lost the match due to chakra exhaustion."
This was a lie.
He needed Sarutobi Asuma to constantly challenge him to trigger more entries.
So, the best way was to give him hope.
To make him feel that with just a little more effort, he could win.
Sarutobi Asuma was stunned.
What did he mean by that?
Actively showing goodwill?
But... he couldn't accept it!
"I'll be back!"
Sarutobi Asuma glanced at Kurenai Yūhi, then turned and left.
Only a world where he was hurt had been achieved.
Today, my hands trembled; today, my heart ached.
Sarutobi Asuma returned home in silence.
He pushed open the door, changed his shoes, and walked straight into his room, ignoring everything.
"Asuma."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice sounded, "Why didn't you greet me?"
Sarutobi Asuma didn't even lift his head, ignoring him directly.
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face immediately stiffened.
It was one thing for him to disrespect him normally, but today there was a guest.
He now wanted to give him a good lashing.
"Old man, it's rare to see you look so deflated."
A somewhat gloating laugh rang out.
"You're making fun of me, Tsunade."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with some embarrassment.
As the God of Shinobi, when had he ever been so humiliated in front of his student?
"It's nothing, all children are like this."
Tsunade changed the subject, saying, "But Asuma seems to have encountered something."
Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled Sarutobi Asuma's behavior just now; it was indeed very unusual.
He thought for a moment and instructed, "Haru, go investigate."
Tsunade was his student, and since she was already there, he saw no need to hide anything.
"How is Minato's injury?"
While waiting, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.
"He's mostly recovered."
Tsunade smiled confidently and said, "With my intervention, you don't need to worry."
"That's true."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and said, "But I didn't expect Minato to be so severely injured."
"When the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki goes berserk, any injury is possible."
Tsunade shook her head and said, "Thanks to the Flying Thunder God Technique, otherwise the losses would have been greater."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face showed lingering fear upon hearing this.
If Kushina Uzumaki had run into Konoha Village, the situation would certainly have spiraled out of control.
"Hokage-sama."
A knock sounded at the door.
Haru, the Anbu ninja, pushed the door open and presented a scroll with both hands.
It was undoubtedly the investigation results regarding Sarutobi Asuma.
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the scroll with some curiosity.
Let's see what this is about.
Given Sarutobi Asuma's status and strength, logically, he shouldn't have been bullied at school.
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a soft "Hmm?"
He actually lost to Hoshikawa?
This is absurd!
Sarutobi Asuma's talent wasn't top-tier, but it wasn't bad either.
And most importantly, he had been learning for half a year longer.
Before enrolling, Sarutobi Asuma had already been receiving guidance from a special jonin.
What about Hoshikawa?
He had only been learning for a week.
The only explanation was that he was indeed a rare genjutsu genius.
Besides that, his temperament was also good.
After defeating Sarutobi Asuma, he wasn't smug; instead, he even comforted him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart stirred.
This was an opportunity.
An opportunity for him and Sarutobi Asuma to mend their relationship.
"Old man, are you done reading?"
Tsunade extended her hand and asked.
Hiruzen Sarutobi casually handed the scroll to her.
"Learned genjutsu in his first year?"
Tsunade scanned it and said in surprise, "Looks like another genius."
"Indeed."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and said, "I'm going to see Asuma."
"Mmm."
Tsunade put down the scroll and said, "I'll go to the kitchen to see how Sensei's wife's cooking is coming along."
She was referring to Hiruzen Sarutobi's wife, Biwako Sarutobi.
"Asuma."
Hiruzen Sarutobi knocked on Sarutobi Asuma's door.
"Not in!"
Sarutobi Asuma was still in a state of emotional distress.
"Don't you want to defeat Hoshikawa?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused and said, "I can teach you how to dispel genjutsu."
Silence fell in the air.
A moment later, the door opened.
Sarutobi Asuma's face was stern: "Tell me quickly!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, seeing this, curved his lips into a smile.
Hoshikawa is a good child.
P.S Kushina Uzumaki going berserk, injuring Minato Namikaze, and then Tsunade treating him, is from the official spin-off manga "Minato's Story."
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