Chapter 18: Konoha's White Fang
"Take a break."
Sakumo Hatake retreated after sheathing his sword and said.
Kakashi Hatake plopped down on the ground, ungracefully gasping for air.
Every spar was a hellish difficulty for him.
Even if he was a genius among geniuses, he was facing the White Fang of Konoha, a name that struck fear throughout the ninja world.
"Is that your classmate?"
Sakumo Hatake looked at Hoshikawa, who was running, and asked.
"Yes."
Kakashi Hatake exhaled and said, "His name is Hoshikawa, and his genjutsu talent is decent."
"Just genjutsu?"
Sakumo Hatake asked in return.
"What did you see?"
Kakashi Hatake asked after a slight pause.
He knew Sakumo Hatake possessed extraordinary vision and was very perceptive.
"His stamina is good."
Sakumo Hatake stroked his chin and said, "He has the same confidence you do."
"He defeated Asuma before, so it's normal for him to be confident."
Kakashi Hatake wasn't surprised at all.
"I see."
Sakumo Hatake smiled and said, "Perhaps he'll become a formidable rival for you."
"He won't."
Kakashi Hatake retorted.
He wasn't Sarutobi Asuma; how could he fall for genjutsu so easily?
Sakumo Hatake said no more.
Geniuses always had their pride.
And his son was practically unrivaled among his peers.
After an unknown amount of time, Hoshikawa finally stopped.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and calculated the time.
With the 'Robust Physique' entry, he had managed to continue for another half an hour longer than before.
Kakashi Hatake and Sakumo Hatake had already left at some point.
Hoshikawa didn't linger either and turned to head home.
Time flowed by little by little.
A new week was coming to an end.
In these seven days, Hoshikawa did only two things.
Running at the Fourth Training Ground and practicing ninja tool throwing in the small woods outside his house.
Sunday morning.
Hoshikawa woke up early and jogged towards the Fourth Training Ground.
He suppressed the anticipation in his heart, adjusted his breathing, and began running laps.
About ten minutes later, a tall and a small white-haired father and son appeared.
Kakashi Hatake and Sakumo Hatake were already used to Hoshikawa.
The two sides had a tacit understanding and trained separately.
"Hmm?"
Sakumo Hatake let out a soft sound.
He noticed Hoshikawa suddenly accelerated, about a tenth faster than before.
Was he sprinting?
No, that wasn't right.
Sakumo Hatake's gaze sharpened.
Had he broken through?
His judgment was based on Hoshikawa's breathing.
Even after his speed increased, his rhythm remained as steady as before.
"Kakashi."
Sakumo Hatake said with some surprise, "It seems I was right; he will indeed become a formidable rival for you."
Hoshikawa's speed was already comparable to that of a normal Genin.
But the key wasn't that; it was his incredibly fast rate of improvement.
"Final exams are coming soon. I'll defeat Hoshikawa and then apply for early graduation."
Kakashi Hatake hadn't noticed Hoshikawa's change, but Sakumo Hatake's repeated comments had stirred his competitive spirit.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Sakumo Hatake said with interest, "I'll be sure to attend."
"You won't be disappointed."
Kakashi Hatake took out a short sword and said.
He didn't think he would lose.
The clash between father and son officially began.
An hour later, Hoshikawa exhaled.
[E-rank Talent Entry: Fleet-Footed (Acquired).]
[Trigger Condition: Speed reaches the maximum level of an ordinary Genin.]
[Effect: Increases leg strength by 10% on the original basis.]
He had just verified the effect of the new entry; the so-called "leg strength" wasn't just power, but also an increase in speed.
Although it was only a 10% increase, for him, it was still a significant boost in strength.
Hoshikawa's heart stirred, and he opened the system.
He currently had three entries he was working on.
The E-rank entry 'Scholar,' which required him to get first place in the theoretical exam.
The E-rank entry 'Seven Ninja Tools,' of which he had already mastered four: shuriken, kunai, senbon, and fūma shuriken.
The D-rank entry 'Medical Ninja,' which, compared to the first two entries, he had not even begun to master.
Hoshikawa's head ached just looking at the pile of medical books.
He finally understood why medical ninjas were so rare—it was simply too difficult to learn.
Although difficulties always outweighed solutions, he still hadn't given up.
After all, Tsunade's appeal was great.
Today's physical training was sufficient. Hoshikawa closed the system and turned to head home.
He reached out and opened the door, and what greeted him was Kurenai Yūhi.
Click.
The cabinet moved.
Genjutsu: Release!
Hoshikawa disrupted the chakra flow within his body, thereby dispelling the genjutsu.
"How could this happen?"
Kurenai Yūhi said with a look of unwillingness.
"Surprise attacks are useless."
Hoshikawa reached out and patted her head.
"How did you find out?"
Kurenai Yūhi didn't mind his head-patting action and asked in confusion.
"Your genjutsu world wasn't detailed enough."
Hoshikawa explained casually.
Genjutsu users were somewhat like game modelers from his previous life; the more detailed they were, the less suspicion they would arouse.
Of course, Uchiha clan members were an exception.
As long as their dōjutsu power was strong enough, even if you knew you were in a genjutsu, you wouldn't be able to dispel it.
Like Itachi Uchiha's Tsukuyomi.
"I'm going to take a shower."
Hoshikawa took off his shoes and said, "I'll teach you genjutsu later."
"Okay."
Kurenai Yūhi replied casually.
She was still wondering what part of her genjutsu wasn't detailed enough.
Hot steam rose.
Hoshikawa let out a comfortable sigh.
Taking a shower after exercising was a beautiful thing.
"Hoshikawa, you smell so good."
Kurenai Yūhi sniffed and said subconsciously.
Hoshikawa, who had just left the bathroom, almost couldn't maintain his composure.
You'd better be talking about the weasel (Itachi), not Hannibal.
"Hairdryer."
Hoshikawa said, sitting on the sofa.
"Why don't you get it yourself?"
Kurenai Yūhi asked, hands on her hips.
If this continued, let alone being the "big sister," she'd soon become a little maid.
How could Kurenai Yūhi remain depressed under someone else's thumb?!
"That's the price for me teaching you genjutsu."
Hoshikawa said with a smile.
After getting familiar with Kurenai Yūhi, this level of playful banter was commonplace.
"..."
Kurenai Yūhi hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, then wanting to speak again.
She unhappily picked up the hairdryer and handed it to Hoshikawa.
"Don't even think I'll blow-dry your hair for you!"
Kurenai Yūhi took a step back, tilted her head up, and said haughtily.
"I actually didn't have that thought."
Hoshikawa turned on the hairdryer and said with a smile.
"Damn it!"
Kurenai Yūhi glared at him with her ruby-like eyes.
Hoshikawa slowly dried his hair.
He put down the hairdryer, casually took out a lollipop, and said, "Here, for you."
Kurenai Yūhi's gaze instinctively fixed on the lollipop.
But then she remembered Hoshikawa's earlier behavior and immediately snorted softly, saying defiantly, "No!"
"Are you sure?"
Hoshikawa unwrapped the lollipop, then brought it to his own mouth.
"Hey!"
Kurenai Yūhi's heart raced, and she quickly shouted.
The next second, she felt a sweetness in her mouth; the lollipop was already there.
"Let's go."
Hoshikawa stood up and said, "I'll teach you genjutsu."
Kurenai Yūhi's lips curled up slightly, and her steps were light as she followed him.
....
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