Wow, I Want to Spray Out Such a Fierce Water Jet Too!

Mikami Yu froze for a moment, then quickly understood.

Right, who could understand the Three Techniques better than the Three Techniques themselves?

He cleared his throat and began speaking according to the Transformation Technique's guidance. "Kurenai, your chakra is too scattered. Spread it evenly throughout your body... Yes, like that. It feels much more solid than before... Wait, the flow around your ankle is a little sluggish. Adjust it again..."

Following Mikami Yu's instructions, Yuhi Kurenai diligently adjusted herself. She could clearly feel the warmth from the palm against her back. Her heartbeat unconsciously sped up, and her cheeks grew even redder.

Fortunately, they were facing away from each other and could not see one another's faces, so it did not affect them much.

Time quietly passed.

An hour later.

Mikami Yu finished the lesson.

By now, Yuhi Kurenai's forehead was covered in a thin sheen of sweat from repeatedly using the Three Techniques, but her eyes sparkled with the joy of progress.

Under his guidance, her Transformation Technique and Clone Technique were still not as exquisite as Mikami Yu's, but they had indeed improved greatly. When she used them, the chakra within her body flowed more smoothly and naturally, and the consumption was slightly reduced. Yuhi Kurenai could clearly feel both changes.

"Thank you, Mikami! Your guidance was really useful!"

Yuhi Kurenai pressed her hands together and sincerely thanked Mikami Yu. Then she rummaged through the bag she had set aside, pulled out several banknotes, counted them, and somewhat awkwardly held them out to him. "Um... I only brought one thousand ryo today. Can I make up the rest the next time we meet?"

"No problem."

Mikami Yu readily accepted the money. "Then let's make it two days from now? You can use that time to properly digest what you learned today."

"Mm!"

Yuhi Kurenai nodded vigorously, a relaxed smile on her face. "Then it's settled! I'll head back first. Goodbye, Mikami!"

"Goodbye."

Mikami Yu watched Yuhi Kurenai leave, then remained in the training ground and began practicing alone.

The Three Techniques were definitely something he had to practice.

These three ninja techniques were the first ones he had begun working on, and they currently had the highest progress. The Transformation Technique in particular had already reached the third stage. Mikami Yu really wanted to see whether reaching the full 100 favorability would bring about some qualitative change.

Then there were the Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu and Wild Water Wave.

Because he had gone easy on Hizashi Hyuga during their previous battle, the former had been a little sulky these past two days. It always acted aloof during [Dialogue], but [Practice] still increased favorability normally. By his estimate, another three to five days would be enough to reach 50 favorability and unlock the second-stage trait.

As for Wild Water Wave...

[By a stream in Konoha, you encountered a silver-haired girl standing beside the water, her cool temperament like the moon reflected in a mirror. Barefoot, she stood suspended above the stream and danced gracefully with the rolling waves. Her beautiful figure captivated you deeply. Please attempt to converse with her: Yes/No]

"Yes."

With Mikami Yu's choice,

A dialogue box unfolded, rippling like water and edged with a clear silver glow.

[Water Release: Water Shockwave: ...Hm? Young man over there, you've been watching for so long. Do you have any insightful opinions about my "work"? (She did not turn around. She merely raised a hand lightly, and a stream of water flowed across her palm like silk.)]

[A: Sorry for disturbing you! I've never seen such an elegant dance. It's practically the creation of an art form—truly breathtaking.]

[B: Wow, that's amazing! Can you teach me? I want to spray out such a fierce water jet too!]

[C: A beautiful creation that vanishes in an instant, just like this water. Rather than wither alone, how about joining me and etching this beauty upon the Shinobi World?]

"Seriously..."

What the hell was that B option? Was he sure what he wanted to spray out was really a "water jet"?

Mikami Yu complained helplessly.

Thinking back, the Gala System's B options seemed to have never been serious. The only time one had been the correct choice was when he [Encountered] the Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu. Most of the time, this option could simply be ignored.

As for the remaining two...

They looked similar, but A was probably more proactive?

Mikami Yu made his choice.

[Water Release: Water Shockwave: ...Oh? It seems you're someone who understands how to appreciate art. Unlike those ninjas who simply regard water as a tool, you're quite rare.]

[Water Release: Water Shockwave: But do you understand the true meaning of "form"?]

"Not really. Please enlighten me."

[...]

The encounter with Wild Water Wave went fairly smoothly.

Mikami Yu had, after all, been bombarded with information in modern society. Even if he did not truly understand art, saying pretty things and crafting an "art enthusiast" persona for himself was no problem. Besides, the art Wild Water Wave spoke of was not all that profound or sophisticated.

So very soon,

Another entry was added to Mikami Yu's strategy list, bringing the total to six.

He tried [Practice] with Wild Water Wave several times and barely succeeded once or twice, but he could only spray out a stream of water that was not particularly thick, blasting a small patch of aquatic grass ahead of him into a crooked mess. It was still quite far from possessing real destructive power.

But there was no rush.

It had entered the strategy list anyway. He could take it slowly; he could not become fat in one bite.

Compared with the other techniques, practicing the Healing Technique was a little more troublesome.

He could not practice it alone, because it required something to heal. Considering that both he and Nohara Rin were merely Medical Corps auditors, they obviously could not practice on real people. They could only figure something out with animals.

"...It's a little late today. Tomorrow, I'll buy a fishing net and catch some fish around here to use as 'patients.'"

"Mm, I can invite Nohara Rin and Obito along then."

They were all auditors and all needed practice. It was not unreasonable to split the cost of the fishing net together, right?

That round of training took quite a while.

By the time the sun had completely set and starlight began twinkling at the edge of the sky,

Mikami Yu finally set off for home, exhaustion covering his body.

When he was almost at his doorstep, he saw Nohara Rin practicing the Three Techniques alone beside the fence of the neighboring yard. She seemed to have just completed a transformation, and when she changed back to her original form, she happened to spot Mikami Yu approaching.

"Huh, Yu? You're back?"

Nohara Rin jogged over to the fence, a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead. She rose slightly onto her toes and looked out of the yard. "Why were you practicing so late?"

"Ah, I did a little extra training and got held up."

Mikami Yu stopped walking and replied with a smile.

Nohara Rin's gaze lingered on his face for a few seconds before she seemingly casually asked, "Um... Did Yuhi get home this late too?"