Chapter 26: A Mutually Beneficial Arrangement
Kurenai's shoulders slumped, her voice barely a whisper. "But… I still lost to you." The admission hung in the air, heavy with the sting of defeat. Her crimson eyes, usually bright with determination, were clouded with frustration.
Takumi regarded her coolly. His encouragement was not born of kindness, but of calculation. "A single loss doesn't define your potential. The Sharingan is a tool, not a guarantee of victory. Perhaps next time, the outcome will be different."
He spoke the truth as he understood it. The Sharingan's power was not static; it was a reflection of the user's own growth. To evolve the tomoe, to unlock the fabled Kaleidoscope, required a harmony of spirit and ocular prowess—a deep well of Yin Release energy that was the Uchiha's birthright. It was a path of constant refinement, not a predetermined destiny.
His words seemed to kindle a small flame within her. Kurenai lifted her chin, a flicker of her usual resolve returning to her gaze. "You're right, Takumi. I will prove myself. I'll get stronger."
"Good," he replied with a simple nod. He was aware of her father's reputation. Yuhi Shinko was said to be a genjutsu master of considerable skill, though rumors of him reflecting a Mangekyo's power were likely exaggerations. True power of that caliber was not so easily found, nor so carelessly lost.
Seeing the renewed determination in her eyes, Takumi offered no further praise. Get stronger, he thought. The more you grow, the more valuable a challenge you become.
Asuma chose that moment to interject, his tone awkward. "Kurenai, that's… that's what I was trying to say."
Kurenai ignored him, turning away sharply. Asuma sighed, running a hand through his hair before hurrying after her, his placating words fading into the distance.
Left alone, Takumi returned to his training. The 'Lightning Release: Iron Fortress' technique was effective, but it had its limits. For building foundational strength and endurance, there was no substitute for raw, physical exertion.
He moved to the riverbank and began to run, his feet barely touching the water's surface. Each step was a lesson in chakra control, a draining exercise that pushed his reserves to their limit. It was a brutal, efficient regimen, one that left him breathless and soaked in sweat by the end.
Evening
Takumi trudged back toward his home, his body aching with fatigue. As he approached, he saw a familiar figure waiting by his door.
Kurenai? Again? He hadn't expected her to return so soon, and he certainly hadn't told her where he lived. It seemed his privacy was a fragile thing in Konoha.
"Back to challenge me again?" he asked, his voice flat.
"I want to discuss genjutsu theory," she said, holding up a scroll. "My practical skills need a stronger foundation. You seem to have a firm grasp of the principles. I think I could learn from you."
Takumi's first instinct was to refuse. Time was a currency he couldn't afford to waste. "I was planning to find part-time work. I don't have time for lessons."
"You need money?" Kurenai looked genuinely surprised. Then, a thought seemed to occur to her. "I… I could pay you. For tutoring." She began rifling through her pockets, producing a handful of ryo. "It's not all I have. I have more at home."
The sight of the money shifted something in Takumi's perspective. His financial constraints were a constant obstacle. Here was a solution, delivered to his doorstep. A slight, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.
"Upon further consideration," he said, his tone shifting to one of academic interest, "a scholarly exchange could be mutually beneficial. A deeper theoretical understanding would undoubtedly aid my own development. Please, come in."
He opened the door, his earlier reluctance gone. Kurenai was no longer just a potential source of combat entries; she was a patron. Her family's wealth could fund his training, buy his gear. It was a legitimate, convenient arrangement.
"Really?" she asked, stepping inside hesitantly.
"Of course," Takumi said, already organizing his thoughts. He launched into an explanation of chakra flow and sensory manipulation, using the lesson to solidify his own understanding. The evening light cast long shadows across the room as Kurenai listened, her focus complete.
A Few Days Later
The advance on his tutoring fees felt heavy and satisfying in his hand. It was enough. Takumi stood in his courtyard, a newly acquired, second-hand daitō at his hip. The wind stirred, sending a dry leaf skittering across the packed earth. His dark eyes tracked its movement, his hand resting lightly on the sword's hilt.
Swish.
A stronger gust rustled the trees, a promise of the storms to come.
(End of Chapter)
♧♧♧♧♧
IF YOU LIKE MY WORK, POWER STONE WOULD BE APPRECIATED
♧♧♧♧♧
YOU CAN ALSO JOIN MY PATREON AT
Patreon: Patreon.com/ShadowQuill7
FOR ACCESS TO 20 EARLY CHAPTERS
BE A PART OF THE STORY AND SUPPORT ME
JOIN NOW FOR 10% OFF