I Really Am the Worst!

Tying on wire?

Isn't that the Shuriken Manipulation Technique?

Yuhi Shinku watched Akiyama Shun's serious movements without stopping him. In fact, he seemed quite encouraging.

"This is called the Shuriken Manipulation Technique. It's something you'll learn in the upper grades, but if you want to get a head start, I can teach you."

"I've heard about your grades, so you don't need to practice on stationary targets. Go practice on moving ones."

Yuhi Shinku gestured, and Akiyama Shun took his place at the throwing line. He held three shuriken between his fingers and aimed at three targets moving in the distance.

But for Akiyama Shun, stationary and moving targets made little difference.

The three shuriken shot from his fingertips at the same time, each striking the bull's-eye of a moving target.

Yuhi Kurenai stood beside Yuhi Shinku, watching Akiyama Shun closely, hoping to learn something from him.

"Next... No, first, do the Shuriken Manipulation Technique as you understand it. Then I'll point out anything you need to work on."

At first, Yuhi Shinku had planned to teach Akiyama Shun the Shuriken Manipulation Technique directly. But then he remembered the boy's talent and wanted to see how much he could do without any instruction at all.

"All right."

That's exactly what I wanted to hear!

Akiyama Shun threw the shuriken again. This time, however, he threw six at once, sending them flying in different directions!

As the shuriken flew, Akiyama Shun tightened his grip on the wires. The six shuriken that had been heading toward the moving targets were pulled by the wires and suddenly changed course.

Not only that, but even the shuriken already embedded in the three moving targets were pulled free under Akiyama Shun's control.

In an instant, the nine shuriken seemed to come alive, whirling freely around the training ground.

Now and then, two shuriken collided, clanging together with a metallic clang.

Yuhi Kurenai couldn't see clearly, but she could hear the collisions. Looking worried, she gently tugged on Yuhi Shinku's sleeve.

"Father, did Shun make a mistake? Why did some of the shuriken collide?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Yuhi Shinku placed a hand on her head.

"No, Shun didn't make a mistake..."

With his skill as a jonin, Yuhi Shinku could easily follow every shuriken's trajectory. Those collisions were clearly intentional on Akiyama Shun's part.

"He's controlling their trajectories by making the shuriken collide with each other."

Yuhi Shinku thought Akiyama Shun could have hit the bull's-eyes from the start. He'd added all those unnecessary movements to show off his understanding of the Shuriken Manipulation Technique, so Yuhi Shinku could give him better guidance afterward.

After hearing her father's explanation, Yuhi Kurenai watched Akiyama Shun with shining eyes. She hadn't realized he was already so strong. She'd have to keep working hard herself!

At last, Akiyama Shun pulled back with both hands. The nine shuriken were tugged by the wires and shot out!

Nine rapid thunks rang out.

The nine shuriken struck the same moving target from different angles!

Every one of them hit!

Then Akiyama Shun pulled with both hands again. The nine shuriken came free of the target and, drawn by the wires, flew back into his hands.

After finishing, Akiyama Shun lowered the wires and shuriken and turned to Yuhi Shinku.

"How was that, Lord Shinku? Did I do anything wrong?"

Yuhi Shinku only came back to himself when he heard Akiyama Shun's voice.

"You did very well. There's nothing wrong."

Yuhi Shinku tried to keep his emotions in check, not wanting Akiyama Shun to hear the shock in his voice.

Back when he was in school, he'd been a widely renowned prodigy. Yet it had taken him two and a half years of hard practice to reach Akiyama Shun's current level.

At this level, Akiyama Shun was better than most genin. He was entirely capable of going to the battlefield and killing enemies!

And yet Akiyama Shun had just said this was his first time trying it?

Yuhi Shinku could understand how some people learned an opponent's jutsu just by watching. But that was only possible through special Kekkei Genkai. For example, the Uchiha Clan of Konoha could copy jutsu after awakening the three-Tomoe Sharingan.

The problem was, Akiyama Shun was just a civilian ninja. He didn't have the Sharingan, yet he could still do this!

Could someone really be born with such terrifying talent?

Or was there something else...?

"Akiyama Shun, are you sure you've never practiced on your own before?"

Akiyama Shun heard him and awkwardly scratched his head.

"Lord Shinku, my parents didn't leave me much. It's already hard enough to support myself. I don't have any spare money to buy shuriken for training."

What had I just asked?

How could I suspect a child like this?

I really am the worst!

After hearing Akiyama Shun's answer, Yuhi Shinku was overcome by a deep sense of guilt.

He felt like he wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight.

With a sigh, Yuhi Shinku stepped forward and crouched in front of Akiyama Shun, gently patting his shoulder.

"You've had it rough. Why didn't you tell me about this sooner? If you're ever short on living expenses or money for training, come to me."

Akiyama Shun immediately thanked him. "Thank you, Lord Shinku."

"And don't call me Lord Shinku anymore. From now on, call me Uncle."

"All right, Uncle Shinku."

Sure enough, once he'd shown enough talent, he no longer had to worry about money.

"Shun, can you teach me how to throw shuriken too?"

Yuhi Kurenai suddenly ran up to Akiyama Shun and began coquettishly tugging at his arm.

"Of course."

Akiyama Shun patted Yuhi Kurenai's little head and agreed with a smile.

Watching the two of them get along so well, Yuhi Shinku smiled too.

He was naturally delighted to see his daughter spending time with such a talented kid.

Suddenly, Yuhi Shinku's ear twitched slightly, as if he'd heard something. He turned to look behind him, then used the Body Flicker Technique to vanish.

When he appeared again, he was in his backyard.

Two masked Anbu were already waiting there.

They were the two Anbu Sarutobi Hiruzen had assigned earlier.

The moment he saw them, Yuhi Shinku understood why they'd come.

He answered their questions truthfully, of course.

He even made a point of mentioning Akiyama Shun's earlier display of the Shuriken Manipulation Technique.

The two Anbu were highly professional. Even though they were shocked, they remained composed.

After nodding, they used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.