Konoha White Fang Hatake Sakumo

"Take a rest."

Sarutobi Asuma sheathed his blade and stepped back, speaking.

Hatake Kakashi plopped down on the ground, gasping for air without any regard for appearances.

Every exchange, for him, was hellish difficulty.

Even though he was a genius among geniuses, he was facing the Konoha White Fang, who made the entire shinobi world tremble in fear.

"Is that your classmate?"

Sarutobi Asuma looked toward Hikawa, who was running, and asked.

"Yeah."

Hatake Kakashi exhaled a breath and said, "His name is Hikawa. His genjutsu talent is decent."

"Just genjutsu?"

Sarutobi Asuma countered.

"What did you notice?"

Hatake Kakashi asked after a slight pause.

He knew Sarutobi Asuma had insight beyond ordinary people and was sharp at reading others.

"His body energy is good."

Sarutobi Asuma rubbed his chin and said, "He carries the same confidence you do."

"He beat Asuma before, so it's normal for him to be confident."

Hatake Kakashi didn't find it surprising at all.

"I see."

Sarutobi Asuma smiled and said, "He might become your strong rival."

"He won't."

Hatake Kakashi retorted.

He wasn't Sarutobi Asuma—how could he fall for genjutsu so easily?

Sarutobi Asuma said nothing more.

Geniuses always had pride.

And his son was unmatched among his peers.

After who knew how long, Hikawa finally stopped running.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and calculated the time.

With the 'Strong Physique' trait, he had lasted half an hour longer than before.

Hatake Kakashi and Sarutobi Asuma had already left at some point.

Hikawa didn't linger either; he turned and went home.

Time trickled by.

A new week reached its end.

Over these seven days, Hikawa had only done two things.

Running at the Fourth Training Ground and practicing ninja tool throwing in the small grove outside his house.

Early Sunday morning.

Hikawa got up early and jogged to the Fourth Training Ground.

He suppressed the anticipation in his heart, adjusted his breathing, and started his laps.

After a dozen minutes, the pair of white-haired father and son appeared—one big, one small.

Hatake Kakashi and Sarutobi Asuma had both grown used to Hikawa.

The two sides trained in tacit understanding, each focused on their own practice.

"Hm?"

Sarutobi Asuma let out a soft sound of surprise.

He noticed Hikawa suddenly speed up, about a tenth faster than before.

Was it a sprint?

No, that wasn't it.

Sarutobi Asuma's gaze sharpened.

Was this a breakthrough?

His judgment was based on breathing.

After increasing his speed, Hikawa's rhythm remained as steady as before.

"Kakashi."

Hatake Sakumo said with some surprise, "It seems I was right—he really will become a formidable opponent for you."

Hikawa's speed had already reached that of an average Genin.

But that wasn't the main point; it was how fast he was improving.

"When the finals come around, I'll defeat Hikawa and apply for Early Graduation."

Hatake Kakashi hadn't noticed Hikawa's growth, but Sakumo's repeated remarks stirred his competitive spirit.

"I look forward to it."

Hatake Sakumo said with keen interest, "I'll be sure to come watch."

"I won't let you down."

Hatake Kakashi replied, pulling out a Short Sword.

He didn't think he would lose.

The father-son clash had officially begun.

An hour later, Hikawa let out a breath.

[E-Rank Talent Entry: Nimble Steps (Acquired).]
[Trigger Condition: Speed reaches the peak of an average Genin.]
[Effect: Increases foot strength by 10% on top of the base.]

He had just verified the effect of the new Entry. What they called foot strength wasn't just power—it also boosted speed.

Even if it was only a 10% increase, it was still a significant boost to his strength.

Hikawa's mind stirred, and he opened the system.

He was currently working on three Entries.

The E-Rank Entry 'Scholar' required him to get first place in the theory portion of the Final Exam.

The E-Rank Entry 'Seven Ninja Tools'—he had already mastered four: Shuriken, Kunai, Senbon, and Fuma Shuriken.

The D-Rank Entry 'Medical Ninja'—compared to the first two, he hadn't even started on this one.

Hikawa's head ached just looking at the pile of Medical Texts.

He finally understood why Medical Ninja were so rare—it was just too hard to learn.

But even if the difficulties outweighed the solutions, he still hadn't given up.

After all, Tsunade was a huge draw.

Today's physical training was enough. Hikawa closed the system and turned to head home.

He reached out and opened the door. The first thing he saw was Yuhi Kurenai.

Click.

The cabinet shifted.

Genjutsu Release!

Hikawa disrupted the flow of his Chakra, breaking the illusion.

"How is this possible?"

Yuhi Kurenai said, her face full of frustration.

"Sneak attacks won't work."

Hikawa reached out and patted her head.

"How did you figure it out?"

Kurenai didn't mind the head-pat and asked, puzzled.

"The illusion world you built isn't detailed enough."

Hikawa explained casually.

Illusion users were a bit like game modelers from his past life—the more precise they were, the less suspicion they'd arouse.

Of course, Uchiha Clan members were an exception.

As long as their dojutsu was strong enough, even if you knew you were caught in a Genjutsu, you couldn't break it.

Take Uchiha Itachi's Tsukuyomi, for example.

"I'm going to take a bath."

Hikawa took off his shoes and said, "I'll teach you Genjutsu later."

"Mm."

Yuhi Kurenai replied absently.

She was still thinking about what part of her Genjutsu hadn't been detailed enough.

Steam rose.

Hikawa let out a long, comfortable sigh.

A bath after exercise—truly one of life's great pleasures.

"Hikawa, you smell nice."

Yuhi Kurenai sniffed and said it without thinking.

Hikawa, who had just stepped out of the bathroom, almost lost his composure.

You'd better be talking about a Jetran weasel, not Uncle Hannibal.

"Hairdryer."

Hikawa said as he sat down on the sofa.

"Why don't you get it yourself?"

Kurenai put her hands on her hips and asked.

If this kept up, she wouldn't be the big sister—she'd end up a little maid.

How could she, Yuhi Kurenai, suffer long under someone else's thumb?!

"This is the price of me teaching you genjutsu."

Hikawa said with a smile.

After getting familiar with Kurenai, this level of teasing was nothing new.

"..."

Kurenai opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again.

Sullenly, she picked up the hairdryer and shoved it into Hikawa's hand.

"Don't think I'm going to dry your hair for you!"

Kurenai took a step back, lifted her chin, and said with a tsundere air.

"I actually wasn't thinking that."

Hikawa turned on the hairdryer and said with a smile.

"Damn you!"

Kurenai glared at him with her ruby-like eyes.

Hikawa slowly dried his hair.

He put down the hairdryer, casually pulled out a lollipop, and said, "For you."

Kurenai's gaze instinctively locked onto the lollipop.

But remembering Hikawa's earlier behavior, she gave a light snort and put up a front: "No!"

"Really not?"

Hikawa unwrapped the lollipop and brought it toward his own mouth.

"Hey!"

Kurenai's heart jumped, and she called out hastily.

The next second, she felt a sweetness in her mouth—the lollipop was already between her lips.

"Let's go."

Hikawa stood up and said, "I'll teach you genjutsu."

Kurenai's lips curled up slightly, her steps light as she followed him.