I Really Deserve to Die!

Tying steel wires?

Isn't that the Shuriken Manipulation Technique?

Yuhi Shinku watched Akiyama Shun's focused movements; rather than stopping him, he was quite encouraging.

"This is called the Shuriken Manipulation Technique. It is something you would only learn in the higher grades, but if you wish to learn it in advance, I can teach you."

"I have heard of your grades, so there is no need for you to practice on stationary targets. Go practice on the moving ones."

Yuhi Shinku gestured with his hand. Under his direction, Akiyama Shun stood at the throwing point, holding three shuriken between his fingers and aiming at the three moving targets in the distance.

However, for the current Akiyama Shun, there was no difference between stationary and moving targets.

The three shuriken flew from his fingertips simultaneously, striking the bullseyes of the three moving targets with precision.

Yuhi Kurenai stood beside Yuhi Shinku, observing Akiyama Shun's movements intently, attempting to learn something from them.

"Next... no, you should start by using your own understanding of the Shuriken Manipulation Technique, and then I will guide you on where there might be issues."

Originally, Yuhi Shinku had intended to teach Akiyama Shun the technique directly, but he suddenly recalled the boy's talent and wanted to see to what extent he could perform without any prior instruction.

"Understood."

That is exactly what I wanted to hear!

Akiyama Shun threw the shuriken once more. The difference was that this time he threw six shuriken at once, and they were all heading toward different locations!

As the shuriken flew, Akiyama Shun began to apply force to the steel wires in his hands. The six shuriken, which had been heading toward the moving targets, suddenly changed their flight paths due to the tension of the wires.

Not only that, but even the shuriken that had originally been embedded in the three moving targets were pulled free under Akiyama Shun's guidance.

For a moment, the nine shuriken seemed to come alive, dancing wildly throughout the training ground.

Occasionally, two shuriken would collide, producing a "ping" sound of clashing metal.

Although Yuhi Kurenai could not see clearly, she could hear the sounds of the collisions. Her expression turned somewhat worried, and she tugged gently on Yuhi Shinku's sleeve.

"Father, did Shun make a mistake? Why are the shuriken colliding with each other?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Yuhi Shinku's hand rested upon her head.

"No, Shun did not make a mistake..."

With the eyes of a Jonin, Yuhi Shinku could naturally see the flight path of every shuriken; those collisions were entirely intentional on Akiyama Shun's part.

"He is using the collisions between the shuriken to control their flight trajectories."

In Yuhi Shinku's view, Akiyama Shun could have hit the bullseyes long ago. Performing these extra movements was a deliberate display of his understanding of the Shuriken Manipulation Technique, so that he could be better guided later.

After hearing her father's explanation, Yuhi Kurenai looked at Akiyama Shun with shining eyes. She had not expected Akiyama Shun to be this strong already; it seemed she would have to continue working hard herself!

Finally, Akiyama Shun pulled back with both hands simultaneously, and the nine shuriken, all under the tension of the wires, shot out at once!

Following nine consecutive, dense "thud" sounds.

The nine shuriken shot toward the same moving target from different angles!

All of them hit!

Afterward, Akiyama Shun applied force with his hands again, and the nine shuriken simultaneously detached from the moving target, flying back into his hands under the guidance of the steel wires.

Having finished all this, Akiyama Shun lowered the wires and shuriken, turning to look at Yuhi Shinku.

"How was that? Lord Shinku, do I have any issues?"

It was not until he heard Akiyama Shun's voice that Yuhi Shinku snapped back to reality.

"You did very well. There are no issues at all."

Yuhi Shinku tried his best to suppress his emotions, not letting Akiyama Shun hear the shock in his tone.

When he was in school, he was considered a well-known genius, yet it had taken him two and a half years of diligent practice to reach the level Akiyama Shun was at now.

At this level, Akiyama Shun was already better than the vast majority of Genin; he was fully capable of going to the battlefield to kill enemies!

And yet, Akiyama Shun was saying this was his first attempt?

Yuhi Shinku could actually understand that some people could learn another person's ninjutsu through observation, but that was usually achieved through special Kekkei Genkai. For instance, the Uchiha Clan in Konoha could gain the ability to copy ninjutsu after awakening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

But the problem was, Akiyama Shun was merely a civilian ninja. Without a Sharingan, he was able to achieve this level!

Did such terrifying talent really exist in this world?

Or perhaps...

"Akiyama Shun, have you really never practiced this in private before?"

Upon hearing this, Akiyama Shun scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Lord Shinku, the inheritance my parents left me is not much. It is already a struggle to feed myself; I have no extra money to buy shuriken for training."

What did I just ask?

To think I would doubt a child like this?

I am truly despicable!

Upon hearing Akiyama Shun's reply, a thick sense of guilt washed over Yuhi Shinku.

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

Sighing, Yuhi Shinku stepped forward, crouched down in front of Akiyama Shun, and reached out to gently pat his shoulder.

"It has been hard on you. Why didn't you tell me about this sooner? If you find yourself short on living expenses or funds for your training in the future, just come to me."

Upon hearing this, Akiyama Shun immediately expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Lord Shinku."

"Don't call me Lord Shinku anymore; just call me Uncle from now on."

"Understood, Uncle Shinku."

As expected, once one displayed sufficient talent, there was no longer any need to worry about financial matters.

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

Yuhi Kurenai suddenly trotted over to Akiyama Shun, shaking his arm and acting spoiled.

"Of course I can."

Akiyama Shun stroked Yuhi Kurenai's small head and smiled as he agreed.

Watching the two of them getting along so well, Yuhi Shinku also broke into a smile.

Naturally, he was even happier to see his daughter spending time with such a genius.

Suddenly, Yuhi Shinku's ears twitched slightly as if he had heard something; he turned his head toward the back, then vanished from the spot using the Body Flicker Technique.

When he reappeared, he was already in his own backyard.

At this moment, two masked Anbu were already waiting there.

They were the very same two Anbu that Sarutobi Hiruzen had arranged.

The moment he saw them, Yuhi Shinku understood exactly why they were there.

Yuhi Shinku answered their inquiries truthfully.

He even made a point to mention Akiyama Shun's earlier performance with the Shuriken Manipulation technique.

The two Anbu possessed truly high professional standards; even if they were shocked internally, their outward demeanor remained extremely composed.

After nodding, they vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.