The Branches Bear Ripe Fruit

Kazuhiko and Kurenai Yuhi locked eyes, he taking the initiative to lean closer to her.

Slowly.

Swiftly.

Soon, their breaths mingled.

Kazuhiko's nostrils were filled with the crisp scent of sake and the sweet fragrance of the beauty's breath.

Kurenai Yuhi's gaze flickered away, defeated in their silent confrontation.

She turned her head to lean against the back of the chair, actively increasing the distance between herself and the man, her voice dry as she said:

"You really are just making excuses."

Her cheeks were flushed with a tipsy glow, and even her earlobes were rosy and translucent.

This distance was actually just right, allowing Kazuhiko to admire Kurenai Yuhi's insincere demeanor at close range.

Light and shadow flickered.

The beauty was slightly intoxicated.

Not giving a clear refusal was, in a way, a form of consent.

Kazuhiko's style in these matters had always been aggressive.

He believed that if you were out on a date drinking, you had to be bold enough to escalate the relationship and brave enough to take responsibility.

With that, he lunged forward, bracing his other hand against the back of Kurenai Yuhi's chair—a "wall-pin"—trapping her within.

"Kazuhiko! You're drunk."

Kurenai Yuhi pressed against the back of the chair, pushing hard against his chest, not wanting Kazuhiko to get any closer, appearing as weak as a medical genin.

Kazuhiko said nothing, his face drawing ever closer.

"Wait."

Kurenai Yuhi's brain had almost completely shut down.

She possessed a certain level of "tea-art" savvy; she knew how to screen suitors and how to reject men she disliked.

But this current situation was something she was experiencing for the first time.

Faced with Kazuhiko, whose modeling and tactics were far too advanced, the still-inexperienced Kurenai Yuhi was completely flustered.

Her moist, crimson pupils were filled with helplessness.

"It's too fast... we've only known each other for a few days... it feels..."

"How long do you feel it takes to like someone?"

"I... I don't know."

Kazuhiko stared at her luscious, delicate face, having long since seen through her bottom line.

"Some people know each other for a lifetime yet remain strangers, while for others, a single meeting is enough to last an eternity."

"But..."

There were no "buts."

Kazuhiko stopped wasting words and directly kissed Kurenai Yuhi's mouth-watering red lips.

The next day, at the clan training grounds, the target range.

Kazuhiko felt he was in good condition; his body had basically recovered, two days earlier than expected.

His physical constitution and recovery ability were far stronger than he had estimated.

Clearly, this was the improvement and change brought about by the traits [Sharingan], [Robust Physique], and [Chakra Thickening].

The system panel couldn't quantify it, but the enhancement manifested in every aspect.

For instance, right now.

Watching Itachi practice the Shuriken Manipulation Technique, Kazuhiko felt an urge he couldn't keep to himself.

The key to this throwing ninjutsu lay in the manipulation of chakra threads, pulling physical wires to allow the blades to change direction freely and be retrieved.

Itachi was currently following Shisui's teachings, manipulating eight shuriken to collide and change trajectories in mid-air, each striking the bullseye.

"Flashy and useless."

That was Kazuhiko's assessment of Itachi's Shuriken Manipulation Technique.

Itachi was slightly stunned; ever since he began learning ninjutsu, everyone had called him a "monster" or a "genius."

No one had ever used such words to evaluate his ninjutsu.

Itachi remained expressionless, ten shuriken appearing in his hands as he threw them once more.

Ding, ding, ding!

After a fierce collision, unsurprisingly, all ten shuriken hit the bullseye, including two targets in blind spots.

"No matter how many shuriken you throw or how many times they change direction, from the moment you raise your hand, the enemy already knows your target."

"An experienced ninja would never be injured by this kind of ninjutsu."

In the eyes of Uchiha Kazuhiko, relying on the Shuriken Manipulation Technique for frontal kills or trying to one-shot someone with a surprise ricochet was purely for show.

Isn't that just nonsense?

Which Uchiha relies on this kind of ninjutsu to kill?

"The greatest utility of this ninjutsu is to restrict movement, force the opponent into continuous blocking, and maintain tactical pressure."

"Watch closely, this is how the Shuriken Manipulation Technique is used."

Kazuhiko walked into the range, took out his shuriken, and began his demonstration.

He aimed at the targets and threw eight shuriken simultaneously.

In an instant, one shuriken had already struck the bullseye.

The remaining shuriken collided in mid-air, one after another, "thud, thud, thud," striking their respective targets from different angles in rapid succession.

Itachi, standing to the side, had initially been dismissive.

This Shuriken Manipulation Technique was taught to me personally by Shisui-nii; how could a mere medical ninja be better than an Anbu Jonin?

But when he saw Kazuhiko's performance, his eyes couldn't help but light up.

This psychologist's Shuriken Manipulation Technique is actually quite impressive!

Making simultaneously launched shuriken hit their targets at different times was clearly meant to force the enemy into continuous defense, leaving them exhausted and overwhelmed.

At this moment, the final shuriken ricocheted and shot past the side of the target.

"Did you miss?"

Seeing this, Itachi couldn't help but ask.

Given the level of control Kazuhiko had just displayed over the Shuriken Manipulation Technique, such a thing seemed impossible.

Kazuhiko did not answer Itachi.

He gave his thumb a slight flick, using chakra threads to provide one final guidance to the shuriken.

The next moment, the shuriken that had missed the target whipped back, striking the bullseye from the rear and piercing clean through the wooden board.

So that's how it is!

A look of sudden realization appeared in Itachi's eyes.

His sharp Combat Thinking instantly grasped what Kazuhiko was demonstrating to him through this ninjutsu.

The point of the Shuriken Manipulation Technique is not to have the shuriken hit the target all at once.

It is to keep the enemy constantly on guard, reacting to shuriken that could strike at any moment.

If you make all the shuriken hit at once, no matter how flashy your ricochets are, the enemy only needs to block or use a Substitution Jutsu to neutralize the attack entirely.

But with the way Kazuhiko used the Shuriken Manipulation Technique, the enemy is forced to focus their attention and maintain a continuous defense.

Whether from a tactical or strategic perspective, this was superior.

His approach to the Shuriken Manipulation Technique was simply crushing compared to that of a seven-year-old healthy Itachi.

Having realized this, Itachi still found it incredible.

Is this the kind of Combat Thinking a medical Genin should possess?

Didn't Father say he nearly died on the battlefield?

Why is he just like Shisui-nii, acting like a battle-hardened Anbu ninja?

Kazuhiko didn't know what Itachi was thinking.

He only felt a secret thrill in showing off his shuriken skills in front of Itachi.

After all, this boy would go on to invent the Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson and make a Tailed Beast-transformed Killer B howl in pain.

But for now, Uchiha Kazuhiko is greater than healthy Itachi!

If you're weak, just practice more!

"Remember well, this is how the Shuriken Manipulation Technique is practiced."

[Hidden Weapon Master (Deep Green)]

[Trait Permanence Progress: 20%]

Looking at his recent gains, Kazuhiko was in a great mood.

He faced the blowing breeze, reached out to feel it, and reminisced about the wonderful sensation of Kurenai Yuhi from last night.

D-cups, delicate branches bearing heavy fruit...

Exquisite, truly beyond words.

Last night, emboldened by the alcohol...

He attacked with the speed of the wind and the aggression of fire, even catching a glimpse of the white panties beneath Kurenai Yuhi's red skirt.

It was a pity that Kurenai Yuhi's alcohol tolerance was too high; once her bottom line was touched, she sobered up instantly and her attitude became incredibly resolute.

What a shame. If only we weren't in a place like a tavern, I would have had a chance to reach her heart through her stomach...

Kazuhiko composed himself and headed toward the Hokage Building.

Today, he was setting off to treat Tsunade's hemophobia, intending to prove his loyalty to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

It is the final day, so dear readers with monthly tickets, please remember to cast your votes.

Also, thank you to the readers who have been following and voting all this time. Thank you all for your support, and I wish everyone a happy May Day.

Chapter two will be updated a bit later.