Hikawa watched Yuhi Kurenai practice genjutsu, but his attention was focused on the system before him.
Three genjutsu entries had been collected, enough to synthesize a new entry.
D-Rank Talent Entry: Genjutsu Genin Trigger Condition: Possess three genjutsu entries. Effect: The power of all genjutsu increases by 30%. Note: Learning more genjutsu can allow it to be deduced and upgraded into the C-Rank Entry, Genjutsu Chunin.
According to Ninja World standards, mastering the Three Body Technique was enough to become a genin.
Hikawa had now learned three genjutsu, so calling him a Genjutsu Genin was indeed well deserved.
And a 30% increase in genjutsu power was enough to give him a major advantage in battle.
Perhaps he could even contend with an ordinary Sharingan.
The only thing that surprised Hikawa was how perfunctory this entry seemed, or rather, how its end could be seen at a glance. It was essentially the path Yuhi Shinko had taken.
But on further thought, it was quite reasonable.
In the Ninja World, no matter how strong genjutsu was, could it surpass the Mangekyō Sharingan?
The path of genjutsu could only serve as a transition.
Ninjutsu and taijutsu were more worthy of investment, at least because their upper limits were higher.
Unless the system gave him a pair of Sharingan.
After recovering his Body Energy, Hikawa called out a greeting and headed to the small woods outside.
His current Chakra reserves were not enough to support learning more advanced ninjutsu. He would wait until his foundations caught up.
Hikawa stopped before a wooden post and casually took out a Senbon he had prepared long ago.
A Senbon was, in essence, a slender needle-shaped ninja tool.
It was the third commonly used ninja tool, besides Kunai and Shuriken.
With a casual throw, Hikawa struck the bullseye perfectly.
Like Shuriken, Senbon were thrown concealed weapons, so the techniques involved were not too different.
The pleasant Sunday quickly passed.
Hikawa looked at the rapidly rising progress bar of the 'Seven Ninja Tools' entry and smiled with satisfaction.
It was another new week.
Early in the morning, the Year 1 Class A classroom was already quite lively.
Since class had not begun yet, everyone had gathered in pairs to chat.
Yuhi Kurenai rested her chin in her hands, feeling increasingly irritated.
Sarutobi Asuma was beside her, endlessly prattling on about his weekend.
She did not want to hear any of it.
Yuhi Kurenai subconsciously looked toward Hikawa.
He was currently reading with a serious expression, making her reluctant to disturb him.
In her memories, Hikawa had been this diligent ever since the day he enrolled.
At any rate, she could never manage it.
Whenever she read for more than half an hour, her attention began to wander. Even the slightest disturbance could draw her notice.
Yuhi Kurenai could not help spacing out.
Her little brother was rather good-looking.
Although she had given up on defeating him, her dream of becoming the big sister was still alive.
After all, without dreams, she would become a salted fish.
As Sarutobi Asuma went on, he noticed something was wrong.
Following Yuhi Kurenai's gaze, he immediately lost his composure.
It was him! It was him! Him again!
That evil little brat Hikawa!
Sarutobi Asuma was so angry that he glared furiously.
No, he could not let Hikawa steal the spotlight.
"Kurenai."
Sarutobi Asuma lifted his chin slightly and said smugly, "I learned a Wind Style Ninjutsu yesterday."
At the Ninja Academy, being able to learn ninjutsu beyond the Three Body Technique was undoubtedly enough to be called a genius.
Especially when they had only been enrolled for two months.
In the entire class, only Hatake Kakashi was no weaker than him.
He could practically imagine Yuhi Kurenai's reaction. The corners of his mouth curled up, and he was just short of breaking into villainous laughter.
"So what?"
Yuhi Kurenai asked casually.
The smile on Sarutobi Asuma's face froze.
Was that not impressive?
You would not even praise me once?
"Hikawa learned three genjutsu yesterday!"
Noticing his expression, Yuhi Kurenai spoke proudly.
It was as though she were the one who had learned three genjutsu.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Sarutobi Asuma leaned back dramatically as he spoke.
Adaptation was not random fabrication, and embellishment was not nonsense.
How could anyone learn three genjutsu in a single day?
"You don't believe me?"
Yuhi Kurenai gave a soft snort and asked.
"I don't."
Sarutobi Asuma answered as if it were only natural.
Liars had to swallow three thousand silver needles.
As the Hokage's son, with a Special Jōnin as his tutor, his knowledge surpassed that of his peers.
Yuhi Kurenai had definitely been deceived by that evil little brat Hikawa and kept in the dark.
He had never heard of anyone learning three genjutsu in a day.
"Just wait."
Yuhi Kurenai wore an expression that was thirty percent mocking, thirty percent proud, and forty percent indifferent.
She stood and walked over to Hikawa.
But at the last moment, she hesitated.
Would this cause him trouble?
"What is it?"
Hikawa raised his head and looked at her.
Yuhi Kurenai pursed her lips and explained what had happened.
"It's nothing."
Having been engrossed in training these past few days, Hikawa had nearly forgotten about Sarutobi Asuma.
He immediately recalled their three-month agreement.
When would he defeat Sarutobi Asuma?
There was no need to wait three months. It would be today!
He had just obtained the 'Ninja Tool Throwing' and 'Genjutsu Genin' entries, and he was itching to try them out.
Even if Yuhi Kurenai had not brought it up, he would have found a way to move it up.
"Asuma."
Hikawa sat down in Yuhi Kurenai's seat.
"What is it?"
Sarutobi Asuma put on a stern face, sparks seeming to fly from his eyes.
Nearby, Mizuki subconsciously pricked up his ears, an expression of gossip on his face.
"I want to move our duel up," Hikawa said bluntly. "How about today?"
"Move it up?"
Sarutobi Asuma was stunned at first, but he soon flew into a rage.
This was clearly looking down on him!
Only a week had passed, and Hikawa already thought he had a chance of winning?
What a fool's dream!
"Wait for me after school!"
Sarutobi Asuma crossed his arms. "I hope you don't cry when you lose!"
Hikawa nodded slightly.
He stood, exchanged a glance with Yuhi Kurenai, then returned to his seat.
Dueling Sarutobi Asuma was only a secondary matter.
His most urgent task was still taking first place in the theory exam to obtain an entry.
Fortunately, having lived two lives, he had an adult's memories, far surpassing those of children. Studying was not that difficult for him.
"Damn it!"
Seeing how calm he was, Sarutobi Asuma immediately became dissatisfied.
At least show me some respect!
Am I not worthy of being your opponent?
Sarutobi Asuma gritted his teeth. After school, he would definitely crush Hikawa.
Then he should be able to win Yuhi Kurenai back, right?
"What's wrong, Kakashi?"
Rin Nohara noticed Hatake Kakashi's gaze. She looked over and discovered he was watching the new student, Hikawa.
"They're going to duel after school."
Hatake Kakashi spoke calmly.
Man, you have successfully piqued my interest.
Hikawa had only been enrolled for a week, yet he dared challenge Sarutobi Asuma. It truly surprised him.
Moreover, Sarutobi Asuma was not weak. Even he would have to put in considerable effort to defeat him.
Hatake Kakashi sensed the aura of a kindred spirit.
"How do you know they're going to duel?"
Obito Uchiha asked in confusion.
"I heard them."
Hatake Kakashi glanced at him. "As a ninja, isn't having sharp Five Senses perfectly normal?"
"Bastard!"
Obito Uchiha snapped under the mockery and said, "Let's go outside and settle this one-on-one!"
"Not interested."
Hatake Kakashi answered with an indifferent expression.
"Obito."
Seeing this, Rin Nohara hurriedly tried to mediate. "Don't fight. Class is about to start."
"For Rin's sake, I'll let you off this time!"
Obito Uchiha gave a soft snort as he spoke.
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