Does Izuna Like Fish?

"Mm—"

"Ugh! That hurts... Tobirama, couldn't you go a little easier on me?"

Senju Kyogawa clutched the big bump on his head and complained to Senju Tobirama.

Senju Kyogawa blinked his large, almond-shaped eyes. His fair, delicate face was full of grievance, making him look pitiful. Sunlight fell on his white hair, reflecting a pale glow.

Senju Tobirama was briefly dazed.

Senju Kyogawa had always been the brother who looked most like Senju Haruko. Now that his hair had grown long, his delicate little face looked even more androgynous, making it hard to tell his gender.

Senju Tobirama couldn't help feeling a little nostalgic for Senju Haruko, but then he shook his head.

"Kyogawa, you're too weak. You can't even break out of the lowest-level genjutsu," Senju Tobirama said sternly.

Seeing that his acting cute wasn't working, Senju Kyogawa pursed his lips and fell silent, continuing his training under Senju Tobirama.

Senju Tobirama was right. Senju Kyogawa's talent for genjutsu was nowhere near as good as his talent for Taijutsu. He had already been training for several days, but still couldn't avoid even the most basic genjutsu, and kept falling into Senju Tobirama's traps.

However, after several days of training with Senju Tobirama, Senju Kyogawa's resistance to genjutsu had grown stronger, and the time he spent trapped by it had become shorter.

But on a ninja battlefield, every second was precious. Some ninjas might lose their lives simply because they were a second too slow. So Senju Kyogawa still needed more practice with genjutsu.

Besides genjutsu, Senju Tobirama had also been teaching Senju Kyogawa how to use chakra over the past few days.

Ever since he stopped using Healing Jutsu on himself, Senju Kyogawa's chakra reserves had been growing. They were still lower than those of other Senju ninjas his age, but at least he had enough chakra to use most ninjutsu.

But training in ninjutsu wasn't just about having enough chakra.

Senju Kyogawa also had to train his Hand Seals speed and chakra control.

These past few days, Senju Kyogawa had been struggling with the Hand Seals for ninjutsu. He really couldn't understand why there were so many steps and so many seals to memorize, or why different ninjutsu required different sequences of seals.

Senju Kyogawa had been working so hard to memorize the Hand Seals that it rivaled the frantic studying he'd done before his college entrance exams in his previous life.

He had been neglecting sleep and food. He'd lost count of how many bumps Senju Tobirama had knocked onto his head, and his fingers were nearly tied in knots from practicing Hand Seals. His whole body ached.

As for chakra control... Senju Tobirama had told him to try Water Walking on trees and water.

That day, Senju Tobirama went on another mission, and Senju Kyogawa finally got a day off.

The reason Senju Kyogawa wasn't going on missions was, of course, that there hadn't been many escort missions lately. At his age, he could only take on missions like escorting people, but most of those jobs had already gone to ninjas a year or two older than him. There was no way they'd fall to Senju Kyogawa.

Now that he finally had a few days to rest, Senju Kyogawa went to check on the crops he'd planted.

Ever since he learned that his Healing Jutsu could also stimulate cell metabolism and regeneration, an idea had taken root in his mind—

If a plant seedling were "healed," would it grow faster?

Today, Senju Kyogawa finally had time to try it.

He spread Healing Jutsu across his palm and carefully moved closer to a healthy-looking potato seedling.

The potato seedling was "healed."

Senju Kyogawa held his breath and watched it closely.

Just as he'd expected, the potato seedling grew a little taller, but after that small burst of growth, it stopped.

Senju Kyogawa decided to try again the next day.

The next day, the potato seedling grew a little taller under the effects of Healing Jutsu.

It seems Healing Jutsu really does work on potato seedlings. I just don't know what the potatoes will turn out like...

Senju Kyogawa decided to wait and see.

Whatever the outcome, getting plant seedlings to grow with Healing Jutsu was still quite a discovery.

Senju Kyogawa had come to the Naka River again, at the boundary between the Senju and the Uchiha Clan. It was worth noting that this time he'd come to his usual fishing spot, not the place where Hashirama often "went on dates" with Madara.

He'd come to catch fish again, and also hoped to catch some wild chickens, rabbits, or other animals to raise. He couldn't help it—Senju Kyogawa loved meat and couldn't stand eating vegetarian meals every other day.

Of course, after that, he'd also practice Water Walking.

Senju Kyogawa quickly spotted several fish and skillfully snatched them up.

Good, I haven't lost my touch! Senju Kyogawa thought happily.

Senju Kyogawa put the fish in the large bucket he'd brought, then formed Hand Seals and used a little Water Release to add water to the bucket, keeping the fish alive.

After catching the fish, Senju Kyogawa set the bucket on the bank. Then he looked at the water and decided to start practicing Water Walking.

Senju Kyogawa warmed up first, then carefully gathered chakra at the soles of his feet and slowly stepped onto the water.

When one foot touched the surface, Senju Kyogawa found it novel. It felt no different from stepping on solid ground. He couldn't help marveling at what a remarkable power system chakra was.

Huh? I did it? Senju Kyogawa slowly put his other foot on the water. He wobbled a little at first, but soon steadied himself.

Then Senju Kyogawa tried walking on the water. He managed one step, then two...

Then he felt the ground vanish beneath his feet and fell into the river with a splash.

"Cough, cough... Bleh!"

Senju Kyogawa flailed in a panic, then floated to the surface and spat out the water he'd choked on before he could react.

His damp, mid-length white hair clung together, and a few strands of bangs stuck to his face. His fair cheeks were flushed from choking on water. He looked utterly wretched.

"Pfft—"

Senju Kyogawa suddenly heard someone trying to stifle a laugh on the bank. He looked up and saw someone he hadn't expected—

Izuna, the boy who might have been from the Uchiha Clan.

Senju Kyogawa was a little surprised. He'd come to the Naka River to fish many times before, but never run into Izuna. Why today...

However, Izuna looked a little pale, unlike his usual healthy self. His skin was still fair, but no longer had that rosy glow.

Seeing that it was Izuna, Senju Kyogawa's surprise gave way to embarrassment.

He couldn't believe Izuna had seen him fall into the water. Senju Kyogawa felt both ashamed and mortified.

Senju Kyogawa slowly swam to the bank, then climbed out.

"Izuna, what brings you here? I haven't seen you in ages." Senju Kyogawa pushed his embarrassment aside, hoping to change the subject and distract Izuna.

When Izuna heard Senju Kyogawa ask him that, his attention was indeed diverted. He stammered for a while, then lowered his eyes and replied:

"I came to clear my head..."

From Izuna's reaction, Senju Kyogawa could tell something was up. But Izuna really did look down, so maybe "clearing his head" wasn't just an excuse.

After saying that, Izuna fell silent. He stared at the water, lost in thought.

Seeing Izuna in such low spirits made Senju Kyogawa feel uneasy for some reason. He was more used to seeing Izuna arrogant and full of energy, not silent and sad like this.

Senju Kyogawa moved a little closer, but kept a comfortable and safe distance. He was still soaked and didn't want to get Izuna wet too.

He'd only meant to keep Izuna company quietly, hoping to cheer him up a little. But as he moved closer, Senju Kyogawa caught a faint whiff of blood. It was very slight, but he knew the smell well enough to recognize it at once.

Senju Kyogawa's expression changed, and he asked worriedly:

"Izuna, are you hurt?"

Izuna looked up in surprise, perhaps because he hadn't expected Senju Kyogawa to smell it, or perhaps because he hadn't expected him to care so much.

Senju Kyogawa didn't care what Izuna thought. To him, Izuna was his first "friend" in this other world. They'd only met a few times, but he liked Izuna's pride, ability, resolve, and perseverance. Izuna's appearance also happened to suit Senju Kyogawa's tastes.

Senju Kyogawa raised his hands and covered them with Healing Jutsu.

A faint green glow, the color of healing, shone from his hands.

Izuna stared at Senju Kyogawa's hands in surprise, stunned. He hadn't expected Kyogawa to know Medical Ninjutsu.

Senju Kyogawa smiled and asked:

"Izuna, let me treat you."

Then, as if worried Izuna wouldn't believe him, he added, "My medi—my Medical Ninjutsu is really good!"

Izuna hesitated, but in the end decided to trust him. After all, he felt some affection for Senju Kyogawa too. From their few encounters, he'd come to think that Senju Kyogawa was a kind-hearted child who wouldn't hurt him. Besides, even if Senju Kyogawa tried to harm him, Izuna was confident he could react in time.

So Izuna took off his shirt, revealing his upper body, wrapped in thick bandages.

Even through the bandages, it was clear that Izuna had a beautiful back. He was lean, with well-defined arms that weren't bulky, elegant shoulder blades, and a straight spine.

He unwound the bandages. When he pulled off the innermost layer, skin stuck to the rough fabric, and he couldn't help groaning as his brows furrowed.

The wound was long and deep. It looked like a cut from a blade, stretching from Izuna's right shoulder to his lower back on the left.

Izuna's skin was so fair it almost dazzled, making the wound stand out even more and look terrifying. Senju Kyogawa felt a little sorry that such a beautiful back had been slashed diagonally, but then he was glad it had only been a single slash. Otherwise, Izuna might have died on the spot.

He couldn't help thinking that the Ninja World really was a brutal place.

The skin around the wound was slightly red, though it was hard to tell whether it was a little inflamed or chafed by the rough bandages.

Senju Kyogawa first used "fire" to dry the water on his hands, then held them just above Izuna's wound and slowly applied Healing Jutsu, working from the upper right to the lower left.

Izuna's back trembled slightly. It was hard to tell whether the wound hurt or he was nervous—but it couldn't have been because he was cold. The temperature was around thirty-seven or thirty-eight degrees, hot enough to make his skin burn.

Senju Kyogawa quickly healed the wound on Izuna's back, leaving not even a scar and revealing his beautiful back once more.

Senju Kyogawa was satisfied.

Izuna put his shirt back on and thanked Senju Kyogawa.

He suppressed his shock. He hadn't expected Senju Kyogawa to be so skilled at Medical Ninjutsu.

But Izuna soon said he had to leave. Before he went, Senju Kyogawa gave him a few fish, saying they were for him to take home and stew into soup to build up his strength.

Izuna was a little stunned, but still accepted the fish and thanked him very earnestly.

At the same time the next day, Senju Kyogawa was still here catching fish, then practicing Water Walking.

As expected, he still couldn't stay on the water for more than a few steps.

He returned to the bank and wrung the water out of his clothes.

"Hey—you're Kyogawa, right?" A familiar voice suddenly called from the opposite bank.

Senju Kyogawa looked up. It was Izuna.

He was a little surprised that Izuna had come again today.

But Senju Kyogawa soon put his surprise aside, smiled, and replied, "Yes, I'm Kyogawa. What is it, Izuna?"

Izuna's face across the river was a little red. It was hard to tell if the heat was to blame.

Izuna gathered chakra under his feet and walked across the water. He moved quickly and steadily.

Seeing how steadily Izuna Water Walked, Senju Kyogawa couldn't help feeling envious.

He was nowhere near as quick or steady as Izuna. He could barely take two steps before sinking into the water.

Izuna soon reached him and stood in front of Senju Kyogawa. His face was slightly red as he asked:

"Can you teach me how to catch and grill fish? In return, I'll teach you the tricks to Water Walking..."

Izuna looked embarrassed, his eyes darting about. It wasn't that he particularly liked fish. Some younger members of his clan had been injured on the battlefield recently, and he wanted to help them regain their strength.

Those younger members had always admired Madara, and Madara had recently been worried about their health too. As someone who doted on his older brother, Izuna naturally cared about them.

Besides, he also wanted to repay Senju Kyogawa for treating his wound the other day. He was just using fishing lessons as an excuse.

It was only Water Walking, a basic ninja skill—not some secret clan technique or anything...

Senju Kyogawa's eyes turned into puzzled dots.

He'd thought Izuna was going to say something important, but it turned out he wanted lessons in catching and grilling fish.

He understood the reason at once.

Senju Kyogawa smiled to himself. Izuna really was an arrogant but adorable kid.

Thinking it over, catching fish wasn't hard, but it did take some skill. Izuna didn't look like someone who knew how to fish.

Senju Kyogawa's thoughts turned, and he happily said:

"Of course! It's no big deal~"

And so Izuna and Kyogawa began their cheerful lessons.