Shinku Yuhi watched his daughter, feeling both reassured and conflicted.
He was reassured that his daughter had found a goal and was willing to take the initiative to grow stronger.
What left him conflicted was that his precious little girl really did seem about to be swept away by some boy.
Even if that boy did sound quite talented.
Shinku Yuhi gave a light cough.
"So you want to get stronger for him?"
Kurenai Yuhi did not deny it again.
She lowered her head and clenched her fingers, her voice soft but firm.
"I don't want him to leave me too far behind."
"I want to be able to stand beside him someday."
Shinku Yuhi fell silent for a moment.
That answer moved him more than a simple desire to outdo others would have.
Kurenai had always been sensible and hardworking.
But this was the first time she had asked for extra training on her own.
Shinku Yuhi nodded.
"All right. I'll teach you."
Kurenai Yuhi looked up, delight spreading across her face.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Shinku Yuhi looked at her.
"But I'll be taking a good look at this Fang Xu, too."
"If he matters this much to my daughter, I ought to find out what he's made of."
Kurenai Yuhi's cheeks reddened again.
"Father..."
Shinku Yuhi stopped teasing, his tone turning serious.
"One more thing, Kurenai. Training isn't just talk."
"It's going to be hard from here on."
"Whether it's genjutsu, taijutsu, or chakra control, none of them will let you grow stronger without effort."
"Since you've asked, you can't give up halfway."
Early the next morning, Fang Xu went out for his morning training as usual.
It was not quite light yet, and only a scattering of pedestrians were on Konoha's streets.
He jogged along his familiar route, keeping his breathing steady.
After this period of Lightning Body Tempering and sword training, he no longer panted heavily after just two laps as he had at the start.
His physical foundation was still not particularly strong, but his progress was clear.
On his second lap, a clear voice suddenly called out behind him.
"Fang Xu!"
Fang Xu slowed and looked back.
Kurenai Yuhi hurried up from behind.
She had changed into training clothes that allowed her to move freely, her black hair tied up, fine beads of sweat on her forehead and her pretty face flushed from running.
"Morning, Kurenai."
Fang Xu was a little surprised.
"What brings you here?"
Kurenai Yuhi took a couple of breaths, trying to steady her breathing.
"I wanted to do some morning training, too."
Fang Xu smiled. "Suddenly so enthusiastic?"
Kurenai Yuhi's face reddened a little more, but she did not avoid his gaze.
"It's not exactly sudden."
"I thought about a lot of things after your fight with Asuma yesterday."
"You've been improving so fast lately. I don't want you to leave me too far behind."
She paused, her voice growing a little more earnest.
"And I want to become a great kunoichi like Lady Tsunade, too."
Fang Xu looked at her.
The girl's eyes shone as she spoke. She was not just saying it.
Of course Fang Xu could tell that Kurenai Yuhi's attitude toward him had changed.
From being deskmates at the start, to her concern over the past few days, to taking the initiative to join his morning training today, her affection was already quite obvious.
Fang Xu did not play dumb, either.
Kurenai Yuhi was pretty and had a good personality, earnest and gentle.
With a girl like her taking the initiative to draw closer, it was not as though he were made of wood.
But they were both still young, and the Shinobi World was unsettled. There was no need to rush to spell certain things out.
Fang Xu slowed his pace and ran beside her.
"Getting stronger isn't a bad thing."
"A little more strength means at least a little more ability to protect yourself when danger comes."
"The Shinobi World hasn't been peaceful lately. There's no telling what missions and wars might bring in the future."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded lightly.
"Father said the same thing."
"He said kunoichi need to learn to protect themselves even more, and can't just rely on others."
At that, she glanced at Fang Xu, sounding a little embarrassed.
"So I'll be counting on your help with morning training from now on."
Fang Xu smiled.
"We'll help each other."
The corners of Kurenai Yuhi's lips lifted.
Neither said much more as they continued jogging around Konoha's outskirts.
The morning breeze swept through the streets, their footsteps falling one behind the other before gradually settling side by side.
By the time they finished the final stretch, Kurenai Yuhi's forehead was covered in sweat from exhaustion.
Fang Xu handed her his water bottle.
"It's your first morning training session. Don't push yourself too hard."
Kurenai Yuhi took the water and said softly, "I'll stick with it."
Fang Xu nodded.
"Then see you tomorrow morning."
Kurenai Yuhi looked up at him, a smile in her red eyes.
"See you tomorrow morning."
That morning, in a classroom at the Ninja Academy.
Kurenai Yuhi had barely sat down when Rin Nohara leaned over.
"Kurenai, why did you get here a little later than usual today?"
Kurenai Yuhi's hands paused as she arranged her textbooks.
"I went out for morning training."
Rin Nohara froze.
"Morning training?"
"Mm."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded.
"I ran a few laps with Fang Xu."
Rin Nohara's eyes lit up.
"You went together?"
Kurenai Yuhi's cheeks flushed slightly, but she still said, "He's been training every morning lately. I felt I couldn't keep slacking off, so I went, too."
Rin Nohara looked toward Fang Xu's seat.
Fang Xu had just sat down and opened his textbook, as though he had not heard their conversation.
But something stirred within Rin Nohara.
She could see very clearly that Fang Xu was growing stronger.
Kurenai Yuhi had started working hard, too.
If she kept going at her old pace, she would fall behind sooner or later.
Rin Nohara said earnestly, "Kurenai, I'll come tomorrow, too."
Kurenai Yuhi was a little surprised.
"Rin, you want to come, too?"
"Mm."
Rin Nohara smiled and nodded.
"I want to get stronger, too."
"I can't keep letting everyone protect me forever."
Kurenai Yuhi smiled.
"Then let's go together tomorrow."
Asuma heard every word of their exchange.
Sitting not far away, he nearly snapped the pen in his hand. Kurenai had actually gone out for morning training because of Fang Xu, and had even trained with him.
Asuma felt terribly jealous.
But remembering how Fang Xu had defeated him in an instant yesterday, he could not bring himself to make any bold threats.
A loss was a loss. Talking tough would not change anything.
I can't keep slacking off.
Asuma lowered his head and gritted his teeth.
I'm going to catch up to Fang Xu.
Elsewhere, when Obito heard that Rin Nohara would be joining morning training tomorrow, he instantly perked up.
Rin's going to do morning training, too?
He had been thinking about getting some extra sleep during the lunch break.
Now all his drowsiness was gone.
If even Rin was going to work hard, how could he keep falling behind?
Obito clenched his fists and silently swore to himself.
I'll go tomorrow, too!
I absolutely can't let Rin think I'm not working hard!