On the open ground outside Tsunade's house.
Hikawa leaped into the air and completed a perfect high jump.
Sarutobi Asuma watched with a puzzled expression.
Was this kind of training really useful?
"Why aren't you training?"
Hikawa looked at him and asked.
"I don't need this kind of training."
Sarutobi Asuma hesitated before answering.
"Train however you normally train."
Hikawa said casually.
"Huh?"
Sarutobi Asuma paused, then asked, "You're not going to teach me?"
He had thought Hikawa had invited him to train together because he intended to teach him how to become stronger.
"I don't understand Wind Style. How could I teach you?"
Knowing that he had misunderstood, Hikawa smiled. "I can't teach you, but I can be your sparring partner."
Sarutobi Asuma's eyes lit up.
That man—his father, Sarutobi Hiruzen—had once said that ninja battles were information wars.
He had sparred with Hikawa three times, and each time, he had been utterly defeated.
But thinking about it carefully, a major reason was that he knew too little about Hikawa.
A sparring partner meant they could fight anytime, anywhere. Maybe once he learned enough about him, he could defeat him.
As the Hokage's Son, Sarutobi Asuma had a Special Jōnin as his teacher, who also sparred with him.
But because of Sarutobi Asuma's status, he held back and did not dare strike too hard.
Sarutobi Asuma looked around, plucked a leaf from a tree, and held it in his hand.
Hikawa perked up.
The Wind Style Chakra Nature Transformation training he wanted had finally come knocking.
But he was in no hurry and turned around to continue his physical training.
After an unknown amount of time, Sarutobi Asuma looked at the leaf in his hand, finally cut in half, and let out a breath.
He wiped the sweat from