Nonō's Advice

"How does it feel?" Might Duy asked, arms folded across his chest, his eyes shining brightly.

Houka held out his hands and gently flexed his fingers. "Uncle Duy, it feels like the restraints my brain placed on my body have disappeared. I can use all of my strength!"

Might Duy's expression turned solemn. "Of course, but remember, Houka: you must keep an eye on your body in this state. Never push it past its limits."

"I understand!"

Houka slowly "closed the gate." The sensation of liberation vanished at once, and his body felt as if it had been shackled. It was no longer as nimble or powerful as before.

Guy watched from the side, eyes shining with envy.

"Father, I'll train even harder! I'll pour all my youthful passion into it and catch up with Houka!" Guy shouted excitedly.

"Guy, it's wonderful that you think that way! Sob... Dad will always be proud of you!" Might Duy burst into tears without a second thought.

"Father, you're my pride, too!" Guy was just as worked up, clutching Might Duy as he sobbed.

Maybe I should find a chance to bury them.

Houka's eyes were about to go blind.

In the days that followed, just as Guy had said, he devoted all his energy to training.

Guy's daily limit training grew more and more insane. He exhausted himself every time, and he insisted on bleeding a little, too. Otherwise, he felt uncomfortable.

After a while, Guy's enthusiasm rubbed off on Houka. The two of them went further and further down the road of pushing themselves to the brink. Their small bodies were covered in scars, and Houka's Medical Ninjutsu was barely keeping up with their training.

Two months later, Guy successfully opened the Gate of Opening!

"Roar!!!"

With a furious roar, an overwhelming aura burst from Guy's body. He slammed a punch into the wooden post in front of him.

The post was half a meter in diameter, but Guy's powerful punch shattered it outright. Wood chips scattered like rain, making for quite a spectacular sight!

"Father, I did it!" Guy struck a Super Saiyan pose. His hairstyle and thick, bushy eyebrows would have ruined the look, if not for those. For the record, Houka had absolutely no prejudice against his eyebrows!

Believe it or not, that was what Houka told himself.

"Guy, keep working hard. Yesterday, Houka successfully opened the Gate of Healing!" Might Duy encouraged him.

"What? Already?" Guy looked at Houka, unwilling to accept it. "I was hoping to challenge Houka in this state!"

"If you're looking to get beaten up, I'd be happy to oblige." Houka beckoned with a finger, offering him a taste of springtime spinach.

"By the way, Houka, I heard Kakashi is going to take this year's Chunin Ninja Exams. What do you think? Do you want to prove yourself?" Might Duy looked at Houka, brimming with excitement. "Hatake-sama is looking forward to seeing what you can do, too!"

Houka frowned. "Are the Chunin Ninja Exams held after the Ninja Academy graduation season?"

"Of course. Once you graduate from the Ninja Academy, you can take the Chunin Ninja Exams right away!" Might Duy said. "With your foundation, passing the exams won't be a problem!"

Houka was torn.

Kakashi was a genius. More importantly, he was the son of the White Fang of Konoha and had powerful backing. No one would secretly harm him, no matter how exceptional his talent was. But what about Houka?

Ever since arriving in this world, Houka had never felt safe. He had hidden himself most of the time, like a turtle that retreated into its shell whenever danger appeared, only to come out again after it passed. But was that really a good idea?

Had those dangers truly disappeared?

Had Shimura Danzō, the Uchiha Clan, and even the Hyuga Clan really turned their attention away from him?

If I've already chosen the Third Hokage, why am I still hiding and walking on eggshells? I'm not planning to become a Missing-nin! I should show my true abilities in full. Only then will I draw the Third Hokage's attention and truly be accepted by his faction. If I keep hiding, I'll always be nothing but a coward!

Houka's eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if two dazzling stars were burning within them.

Hadn't I decided this long ago? Either I die at the peak, or I die on the road to the peak!

Might Duy watched him and nodded slightly.

Houka, I've finally lit the fire of youth in you! Burn, blaze, and show the world just how terrifying your potential is!

"Uncle Duy, I'll take the Chunin Ninja Exams!" Houka said resolutely.

"Very good. For the next two months or so, I'll put you through combat training. Prepare yourself to face death!" Might Duy said gravely.

"Of course!" Houka smiled. Behind that smile was a heart burning fiercely.

After training, Houka returned home and found someone already there.

"Yakushi-san, what brings you here? I'm so glad to see you!" Houka was delighted to see Yakushi Nonō. "Let me treat you to dinner!"

"Even so, you still have to pay me back," Yakushi Nonō said, pretending to be annoyed.

"Hehe, Yakushi-san, once I become a ninja, I'll earn money on missions and pay you back." Houka took several delicate dishes out of the kitchen. They had all been made by his Shadow Clone, so they were still warm.

"Yakushi-san, give them a taste." Houka watched her expectantly.

Yakushi Nonō nodded and casually tried a couple of bites before setting down her chopsticks.

"What's wrong?" Houka could tell something was bothering her.

"Houka, I need to ask you something." Yakushi Nonō looked at him seriously.

"Go ahead."

"Have you... awakened your Sharingan?" Yakushi Nonō stared gravely at Houka's eyes.

"What?" Houka froze. He had never expected Yakushi Nonō to ask him that. His first instinct was to deny it, retreat into his shell, and wait for the danger to pass. But then the burning heart inside him made him swallow the words before they left his mouth.

"Yes. I've awakened it!"

Houka narrowed his eyes, then opened them again. His black-and-white pupils had transformed into the Two-Tomoe Sharingan.

Two tomoe slowly revolved around his pupils. A bloody, ominous aura seeped from his eyes, as if a demon had opened the eyes of hell.

Yakushi Nonō hurriedly reached out and covered Houka's eyes. "Put them away! You idiot!"

Houka felt the calloused skin against his cheek, but it didn't feel rough. Instead, it was indescribably gentle.

"Yakushi-san, there's no one else here." Houka smiled, though his body obediently put away the Sharingan.

"It wouldn't be good if anyone saw. Sigh, you shouldn't have admitted it. No, this is my fault. I shouldn't have asked you." Yakushi Nonō reproached herself, then smiled. "Thank you, Houka. You still trusted me."

"Yakushi-san, I'll always trust you!" Houka said solemnly.

"Thank you." Yakushi Nonō took a deep breath. It was a long while before she spoke again. "Houka, I've learned that the Third Hokage is paying close attention to you. You have to keep working hard and make sure you become part of his faction. Remember that. Never forget it!"

Houka was startled. "Yakushi-san, did something happen?"

Yakushi Nonō looked conflicted. Shimura Danzō's ambition and desires were growing at a terrifying pace!

What was more, Yakushi Nonō had more than once seen the way Danzō silently gazed at the three-tomoe Sharingan taken from Crow Ghost. The longing in his eyes was chilling!

"Houka, promise me you'll join the Anbu!"

In Konoha, the only force capable of resisting Root's encroachment was the Anbu!

"All right, I promise." Houka nodded. From Yakushi Nonō's expression, it was clear that the twisted Danzō was up to something again. (To be continued)