Chapter 26: The Toad Sage and the Waterfall of Mishaps part-1
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Name: Hinata HyugaShy Points: 4,800.Victories: Neji Hyuga (via Nosebleed KO).Reputation: The Siren of the Leaf / The Girl Who Makes Geniuses Faint.Next Opponent: Dosu (The Mummy).Love Interest Status: Naruto is impressed and slightly confused. Neji is recovering from anemia.
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The training ground Kurenai Sensei had chosen was beautiful, secluded, and absolutely terrifying. It was a serene river valley with a thundering waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pool. It looked like a postcard. It also looked like a slippery, wet death trap designed specifically to trigger my clumsiness.
"Today, we focus on control," Kurenai announced, standing on the surface of the water with perfect grace. "Your chakra is... volatile. When you get nervous, it spikes. When it spikes, you either stick to things, break things, or..." She paused, looking a bit flushed. "...release odd noises."
I buried my face in my hands. (Please let us never speak of the Neji incident again.)
"To fix this, you must master water walking," Kurenai instructed. "The water is constantly moving. You must maintain a steady, calm flow of chakra to stay afloat. If you panic, you sink. If you get too excited, you sink. Begin."
I stood at the edge of the river bank. I took a deep breath.
(Okay, Hinata. You bought the 'Chakra Control Boost'. You can do this. Just step on the water.)
I placed one foot on the surface. It held. I placed the other. It held.
"I... I am doing it!" I smiled, taking a tentative step forward.
[System Notification: Host is feeling confident. This is suspicious. Let's adjust the variables.]
[Activating Environment Hazard: "Slippery Moss."]
As I took my third step, the water beneath my foot seemed to lose its surface tension. It felt less like water and more like oil.
"Whoa!"
My foot slid forward. My other foot slid backward. I performed an involuntary split on the surface of the river.
"Concentrate, Hinata!" Kurenai called out.
I tried to pull my legs back together. But the Chakra Control Boost decided to kick in at that exact moment to prevent me from sinking. The result was that my feet were glued to the water, but they were sliding apart.
I began to spin. Slowly at first, then faster, like a figure skater who had lost control of her limbs.
"I cannot stop!" I cried, spinning toward the waterfall.
"Hinata!" Kurenai shouted, running across the water to catch me.
Just as she reached out, a loud, booming laugh echoed from the bushes.
"Gahahaha! What a youthful display of aquatic ballet!"
Distracted by the voice, Kurenai missed my hand. I spun past her, caught the edge of a rock, and launched myself into the air.
I flew through the curtain of the waterfall.
Splash.
I landed on a ledge behind the waterfall. Safe, but soaked.
[System Alert: Wet T-Shirt Protocol blocked by "Indestructible Leotard." Good job. However, your hair is now a seaweed disaster.]
I peeked out through the falling water. Standing on the riverbank was a massive man with long white spikey hair, wooden clogs, and a red vest. He was striking a kabuki pose. Next to him was Naruto, looking annoyed.
"Pervy Sage!" Naruto yelled. "Stop posing! We are supposed to be training!"
My heart stopped. Pervy Sage? That was... Jiraiya. One of the Legendary Sannin. And the author of Make-Out Tactics.
(Oh no. The System. The Lucky Pervert System meeting the actual King of Perverts. This is going to be a catastrophe.)
[System Alert: LEGENDARY PERVERT DETECTED. Target: Jiraiya. Threat Level: S-Class. This man is a professional. Show him some respect.]
[Mission Objective: Do not become research material for his next book.]
"Oh?" Jiraiya lowered his hand and squinted at the waterfall. "Did I see a girl fly into the grotto? A water nymph, perhaps?"
"That is my student, Lord Jiraiya," Kurenai said, stepping onto the bank and bowing respectfully, though she looked guarded. "Please do not disturb our training."
"Disturb? I am merely observing the wonders of nature!" Jiraiya grinned. He walked toward the water. "Come out, little nymph! Let this sage see your... talent!"
I pressed my back against the wet rock wall. (I am not coming out. I will live here. I will become a cave mushroom.)
"Hinata! Is that you?" Naruto called out, jumping onto a rock. "Come on out! This is the guy I told you about! He is going to teach me a cool move!"
I couldn't ignore Naruto.
"I... I am coming," I squeaked.
I stepped through the waterfall. The water crashed down on my head, flattening my hair instantly. I stepped onto the water's surface, determined to walk back to shore with dignity.
Jiraiya watched me. His eyes scanned me from head to toe.
"Hmph," Jiraiya muttered. "A bit plain. Too much clothing. But..." He sniffed the air. "She smells like... chaos."
I walked toward them.
(Don't trip. Don't trip. Don't trip.)
[System: You are thinking about tripping. Request accepted.]
[Activating Skill: "The Physics-Defying Stumble."]
A fish—a literal trout—jumped out of the river.
It did not jump back in. It slapped me directly in the face.
Whack.
"Ah!"
I was blinded by the fish. I stumbled backward. My heel caught on a floating log.
I fell forward.
But I was aiming for the shore. Jiraiya was standing on the shore.
I flew through the air, arms flailing.
Jiraiya, being a Sannin, could easily dodge. He saw me coming. He prepared to sidestep.
However, the System had other plans.
[Passive Effect: "Clumsy Aura" amplified by "Sannin Presence."]
Jiraiya stepped back. His wooden clog stepped on a perfectly round, smooth river stone.
"Nani?" Jiraiya gasped.
His foot slid out. He lost his balance.
I crashed into him.
We went down in a heap. I landed on top of his chest. My hands, seeking purchase, grabbed the lapels of his red vest.
Riiiip.
The vest tore open.
But that wasn't the worst part.
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