On the training field, after Shino's little "autism incident," he finally agreed to Itsuki's conditions—help Hinata train her new ability.
Now, Hinata stood surrounded by a swarm of Shino's Parasitic Insects, her palms sweaty and her breathing shallow.
This was it.
She remembered from the future video—it was right here that she unleashed that unimaginable technique, blocking every one of Shino's insects.
But right now? She had only a vague grasp of the move, not even a proper beginning.
"I can do it…" Hinata whispered, her eyes firming as she shifted into a Gentle Fist stance.
The future video had never been wrong before. She couldn't let it be wrong now.
Following Itsuki's subtle eye signal, Shino sent a tide of insects rushing toward her.
Hinata tried to use the Eight Trigrams Protective Palms, the technique she had barely started learning.
The result? Total failure.
Her first strike fizzled, and she panicked immediately. Within seconds she was screaming, dropping to a crouch with her arms over her head, letting the insects crawl all over her.
No! I can't do it! I really can't…!
Tears welled up in her eyes, her body trembling with frustration.
Shino calmly recalled the insects, saying nothing.
He was only following Itsuki's directions—he had no clue what Hinata was actually training for.
Itsuki, however, had been observing everything with his Sharingan. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
The problem wasn't her technique. It was her personality.
If Hinata failed here, the credibility of his "future videos" would collapse.
He couldn't let that happen. The Fabrication System had already approved this scene—Hinata could succeed.
"I told you from the beginning, this won't work like that," Itsuki said flatly. He didn't try to comfort her.
"No matter the technique, you need to hold your breath and then release it all at once—just like I taught you how to speak up. You did well just now. Next time, use that method when you strike. Believe in yourself."
Hinata froze, staring at him with tearful eyes. What she needed wasn't pity—it was affirmation.
She nodded, wiped her face, and stood again.
Shino, without hesitation, sent the insects forward.
This time, Hinata was much steadier. She blocked with the Protective Palms technique.
Some attempts failed, but she dodged smoothly, managing to succeed several times in a row.
"I… I found the feeling!" Her Byakugan flared with light.
But her brief distraction cost her. Her chakra faltered, and she instinctively switched back to the Gentle Fist she was familiar with.
The mismatch ruined her rhythm, and she stumbled. In an instant, the insects swarmed her again.
Shino pulled them back before they could overwhelm her completely, but his jaw tightened at the sight of dozens of dead Parasitic Insects split apart by her strikes.
Though he could easily breed more, they were still living creatures.
But even he couldn't help but admit: Hinata had just unleashed something new.
"A new branch of the Gentle Fist?" he muttered. If honed, it could make her incredibly strong.
"That's enough for now." Itsuki walked up and gently patted Hinata's head. His eyes were calm but approving.
Hinata, still shaky, wasn't discouraged. She'd touched the edge of something real.
"Thank you, Itsuki-kun!" she said, voice trembling but full of joy.
It wasn't about the technique—it was about proving herself, and being acknowledged.
"You broke the rules again. That means punishment."
Bonk.
Itsuki rapped her lightly on the head.
Originally, he'd considered spanking her to embarrass her into improving, but realized it was too much for a girl like Hinata.
Hinata stiffened, then shouted with flushed cheeks: "Th-thank you, Itsuki-kun!"
"Good." Itsuki nodded, his tone firm. "Remember this the technique you're training is made for protection. When you use it, discard all thoughts except one—protect. Protect your comrades. Protect yourself. Protection is power too."
The Gentle Fist was an offensive art. The Protective Palms were defensive.
Hinata's kind heart was poorly suited for pure offense—every time she hurt someone, she felt guilt.
That hesitation weakened her strikes, breaking her flow mid-combat.
That's why when Neji could unleash 128 Palms, Hinata stalled at 32. Even in the Fourth Shinobi World War, with Naruto's chakra, she barely managed 64.
But with a defensive technique, her heart would hold steady. She wouldn't need to hesitate.
After a few more rounds, Itsuki called Kiba and Akamaru to join the drills, then quietly stepped back.
"Kurenai Sensei!" Itsuki raised his voice toward a tree nearby.
From the trunk, Kurenai Yuhi revealed herself, her crimson eyes widening slightly in surprise.
"You noticed me? So your perception skills are quite good," she said.
Team 8 hurried to greet their teacher, but Kurenai waved them off.
"Keep training. Don't mind me." She glanced at Itsuki. "Itsuki, come with me."
She led him to an open clearing.
"I heard you healed Kiba and Akamaru. Do you know medical ninjutsu?" she asked.
She hadn't seen the start of training, but their reactions earlier made it obvious.
After her mission yesterday, she'd even asked Anko Mitarashi about Itsuki. The more she learned, the more curious she became.
Anko's words had been simple: 'Don't be surprised by anything Itsuki does. He's a treasure boy.'
And she was right.
This was only her second time meeting him, but he had already shown strength on par with a jōnin.
He guided Hinata to a new breakthrough, commanded respect from her team, displayed advanced perception, and even healing ability.
No wonder even someone as bold as Anko wanted to stick to him like family.
To be honest, Kurenai herself was tempted.
Itsuki's future was bright, and anyone who invested in him would surely reap the rewards.
But more than that—he had a strange aura that simply drew people in.
It was impossible not to feel good about him.
...
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