After the morning's theory class, it was time for the lesson Yukawa had been eagerly anticipating — Ninja Tool Throwing.
Under the lead of Eijirō-sensei, the class made their way to the training field.
The ninja tool class was divided into two parts: the first being a lecture by Eijirō, and the second, hands-on throwing practice.
Yukawa listened intently. After all, this was crucial to unlocking a new system entry quickly.
In contrast, Sarutobi Asuma had already mastered the basics of throwing techniques before even entering the Academy. As the son of the Hokage, he had a personal tutor — a Tokubetsu Jōnin.
In the entire class, aside from Hatake Kakashi, Asuma was confident he could beat anyone.
Yet… Asuma found himself looking at Yukawa and Yūhi Kurenai with growing resentment.
Why?! He was here first! Jealousy burned within Sarutobi Asuma.
Normally, Yūhi Kurenai would be standing next to him, but today, she stood by Yukawa's side.
Aha! I've got it! Asuma suddenly came up with a way to win her back.
Simple — defeat Yukawa.
In the shinobi world, the ultimate rule is that might makes right.
And besides, there was a clear gap in strength between them.
Victory was in the bag.
"Let's begin ninja tool throwing practice," Eijirō announced.
He set up a row of wooden stakes.
"If you make any mistakes, I'll point them out."
"Sensei, I'll go first!" Asuma raised his head proudly, declaring it.
Then, he flashed Kurenai a look that said, Watch me shine.
Yukawa couldn't help but recall a saying — "A rooster among roosters." Sarutobi Asuma was clearly bursting with hormones.
But Kurenai didn't seem to catch his signal, tilting her head in confusion.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Asuma threw three kunai with flair — all of them striking the bullseye.
He turned around, flashing a smug smile at Yukawa — then froze.
Kurenai was looking down, speaking quietly with Yukawa.
"Not bad!" Yukawa praised.
Eijirō clapped, setting off a round of applause.
But Asuma wasn't happy at all.
The applause was for them. He got nothing.
Was his strategy flawed? No way.
"Thanks, Kurenai," Yukawa said after receiving some private tips from her.
As for Asuma's perfect throws — no one was surprised.
He was the Hokage's son, after all.
Yukawa found a nearby wooden stake and applied the technique Kurenai had taught him.
He threw a kunai.
It hit — but it was still some distance from the center.
"That's it?" Asuma, who had been watching, couldn't hold back.
"Keep it up!" Kurenai clenched her small fist in encouragement.
"..."
Asuma was livid.
Why?! Bro, I'm suffocating over here.
The ninja tool practice ended.
Yukawa's system progress bar was now at 10%.
For E-rank Ninja Tool Throwing, the requirements were simple — just proficiency with kunai and shuriken. Not too difficult.
"Kakashi! Let's have a youthful duel!"
A flash of green darted past Yukawa's eyes.
He looked up instinctively — and saw Might Guy.
The very man who nearly kicked the series into its finale using the Eight Gates.
Though, his personality and behavior were... eccentric.
"Next time, for sure!" Hatake Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique to vanish.
Since entering the Academy and showing extraordinary talent, he had been relentlessly pursued by Guy.
At first, Kakashi humorously accepted a few challenges.
But Might Guy was like an unkillable cockroach — passionately throwing down challenges day after day.
Kakashi just couldn't handle it.
"What speed!" Guy's eyes sparkled as he smiled, "As expected of my eternal rival!"
Watching their cat-and-mouse chase, Yukawa was reminded of his plan to work on his physical conditioning.
But training with Guy? He wouldn't survive.
Not mentally, and certainly not physically.
To master the Eight Gates like Might Guy, one needed peerless talent in taijutsu.
Following his training method for even a week — Yukawa imagined Kurenai weeping at his funeral.
"Yukawa!"
Sarutobi Asuma stepped in front of him.
"I challenge you to a duel!"
He had just been inspired by Might Guy.
"Asuma," Kurenai frowned, "Are you seriously picking on someone?"
She had once had a good opinion of Asuma, but now he just seemed unreasonable.
Yukawa had only been studying shinobi basics for two days. He was barely different from a civilian.
"I-I didn't mean it like that!" Asuma quickly explained, "I can wait until the final exams to duel!"
Blinded by love — poor kid.
To be fair, in the original story, Sarutobi Asuma was a decent guy.
Right now, though, he was acting like a rebellious brat.
But you couldn't really blame him.
He was just a child — kids tend to act without restraint.
As for the duel — it came at just the right time.
Yukawa had just unlocked the system. No reason to hold back.
And Asuma was the perfect test subject — a solid benchmark for what a talented student should be.
"Sure," Yukawa agreed.
Final exams — about three months away.
If he couldn't beat a six-year-old Asuma with his cheat system, he might as well headbutt Tsunade and end it all.
Kurenai hesitated, clearly concerned.
"Excellent!" Asuma was thrilled.
But he didn't notice Kurenai's attitude had already changed.
With the duel set, Yukawa felt even more motivated.
After dinner, he ran to a grove behind his house to continue his training.
That night, after a shower, he lay in bed and opened his system interface.
After an evening of practice, the "Ninja Tool Throwing" entry had increased by another 5%.
At this pace, he'd unlock it in about a week.
But overall, he still lacked enough entries.
Yukawa resolved to start physical training early the next morning — the faster he generated entries, the better.
That way, he could see tangible progress on his system tracker.
Besides training his body, he still needed to learn the Three Basic Jutsu and practice chakra control.
Thinking about his future plans, Yukawa slowly drifted off to sleep.
"Yukawa… Yukawa…"
In the quiet night, a ghostly whisper echoed.
Yukawa sat up abruptly, rubbing his eyes.
What the hell? Who's summoning spirits in the middle of the night?
Just then, the voice stopped.
"…?"
He instinctively looked toward the window.
Under the moonlight, a faint line of chakra shimmered, revealing a glowing message:
"Sunday morning, 9:00 AM — Meet at Konoha Bookstore."
It lasted only a few seconds before fading into nothingness.
Yukawa's heart skipped a beat.
A message from a Kumo-nin?! Is this finally a contact between undercover agents?!
Except… shouldn't this be happening on a rooftop? This felt off.
He had no idea who the contact might be.
When he thought of Kumogakure, the people who came to mind were the ever-present "Conceptual God" Raikage from the fanbooks — and Samui, who could rival Tsunade in certain areas.