Hanekawa's first meeting with Kurenai's father came sooner than expected.
Yuhi Shinku sat rigidly on the living room sofa, his posture perfect, his expression stern. The black bodysuit and green jonin vest marked him as a serious man—the kind who didn't waste time on pleasantries. Hanekawa recognized the type immediately. He also knew, from the original timeline, that this man would die defending the village during the Nine-Tails attack.
"Sit," Shinku commanded.
"Thank you, Uncle Shinku," Hanekawa replied politely, settling onto the cushion across from him.
"You'll be living here from now on," Shinku explained, his tone brooking no argument. "I'll be teaching you genjutsu techniques. This is by order of the Hokage."
The Hokage? Hanekawa's mind raced. Because of the Innate Complete Soul entry?
"Wait, why?" Kurenai's voice cut through his thoughts. She'd been eavesdropping from the hallway, her ruby eyes wide with curiosity. "Why Hanekawa?"
"He has a natural aptitude for genjutsu," Shinku said simply. "Lord Hokage confirmed it personally."
"Better than me?" Kurenai's hands flew to her hips, her cheeks puffing out indignantly. "But you said I had strong talent for illusion!"
Hanekawa had to suppress a smile. Even at six years old, Kurenai's personality was unmistakable—fierce, competitive, and absolutely adorable when she was upset.
"You're already a student at the Ninja Academy," Shinku replied with the patience of a practiced father. "That's different. Hanekawa has never received formal ninja training."
"Oh." Kurenai's expression shifted as she processed this. Then, just as quickly, her face brightened. She marched over to Hanekawa and planted her hands on her hips again, striking what she clearly thought was an impressive pose. "Well then! From today on, I'll take care of you!"
She looked like a tiny general declaring war—all fierce determination wrapped in an adorable package. If Shinku hadn't been watching, Hanekawa would have reached out to pinch her cheeks. They looked impossibly soft.
Shinku smiled—a rare, warm expression that transformed his stern face. "Eat first. Then we'll begin your basic ninja education."
---
After dinner, Hanekawa followed Shinku to the courtyard. Kurenai tagged along, claiming she needed to "consolidate her foundation," though her real motivation was obvious: she wanted to see what made Hanekawa so special.
"The foundation of all ninjutsu is chakra refinement," Shinku began, positioning himself across from Hanekawa. He explained the concept clearly: physical energy combined with spiritual energy created chakra. Ninjas refined this chakra and shaped it through hand seals to create jutsu.
It was straightforward enough. Hanekawa had absorbed the information instantly.
"Any questions?" Shinku asked.
"No," Hanekawa said.
"Then try it."
Shinku's anticipation was evident. "Normally, it takes a month to refine chakra. A true genius manages it in three days."
"Three days?" Kurenai's hand shot up. "That's how long it took me!"
Hanekawa took a breath, centering himself. He visualized the Trillions of Cells in his body, their physical energy, and his own abundant spiritual energy—a gift from the Innate Complete Soul entry. He guided them together, shaped them, refined them.
Three seconds.
"So fast!" Shinku's eyebrows shot up, genuine shock crossing his face.
"What's fast?" Kurenai looked confused.
"He's already refined his chakra," Shinku said, his voice carrying a note of awe.
Kurenai's jaw dropped. She stood frozen, processing the impossible.
Monster, Hanekawa thought he heard her think.
But he barely registered her reaction. His attention had snapped inward as notifications flooded his consciousness.
---
[New Entry Obtained]
[E-Rank Talent Entry: Ninja]
[Trigger Condition: Successfully extract chakra]
[Effect: Increase chakra refinement speed by 10%]
[Note: Can be synthesized via two pathways]
[Synthesis Path One:]
E-Rank: Three Body Technique + E-Rank: Ninja Tool Throwing → D-Rank: Ordinary Genin
[Synthesis Path Two:]
E-Rank: Three Body Technique + E-Rank: Ninja Tool Throwing + E-Rank: First in Ninja Academy → C-Rank: Genius Genin
---
Oh, this is interesting. Hanekawa's mind worked through the implications. The system triggered entries based on his actions, and certain entries could be synthesized into more powerful ones. The logic was elegant—like a skill tree in a video game.
Two paths. One led to being an ordinary genin. The other required dominating the entire Ninja Academy.
Kakashi's in this class, he reminded himself. That's going to be fun.
But he didn't hesitate. He was a man with a cheat system. Ordinary wasn't an option.
"Congratulations, Hanekawa," Shinku said warmly, his stern expression softening into something almost paternal. "With talent like yours, our family's future is assured."
Hanekawa bowed respectfully. "Thank you for accepting me, Uncle Shinku."
Across the courtyard, Kurenai looked like a deflated balloon—her earlier confidence completely evaporated. She stared at Hanekawa with an expression somewhere between awe and despair.
Welcome to the club, Kurenai, Hanekawa thought with amusement. Population: everyone who isn't a genius.