Behind the house, in a small wooded area.
"As a ninja, the most commonly used tools are shuriken and kunai…"
Kurenai mimicked their Academy teacher, swaying her head dramatically as she lectured.
Shuriken, also known as throwing stars, were projectiles used for long-range attacks.
Kunai, shaped like small daggers or throwing knives, could be used for close combat or thrown like shuriken.
Both were essential tools, carried by every ninja in the pouch at their waist.
More advanced uses existed—like Manipulated Shuriken Technique or Shadow Shuriken Jutsu.
"Today, we'll be learning to throw kunai."
Kurenai took out a kunai and explained.
In truth, she had only recently started attending the Academy herself. So far, they'd only been taught how to throw kunai—and even then, she wasn't all that confident.
Especially with Yukawa watching, she felt a little nervous. The last thing she wanted was to mess up.
Kurenai stiffened her expression and hurled the kunai with effort.
Thud!
The kunai hit the wooden target—but missed the bullseye.
Her cheeks immediately flushed red.
Meeting Yukawa's gaze, she quickly defended herself. "I… I meant to hit outside the target!"
Yeah, sure. Say it a few more times, and I might believe you.
Yukawa held back a smile and nodded politely.
He'd been professionally trained. No matter how funny it was, he wouldn't laugh—out loud.
"Now this is how you throw a kunai!"
Kurenai turned her attention back to the wooden target and threw another one, this time with intense focus.
With a silent prayer, the kunai struck the center—bullseye!
See? I can hit the mark!
Kurenai couldn't hide the smirk curling at the corners of her lips. "Well? What do you think?"
So cute.
Yukawa smiled and praised her sincerely. "That was great."
"Your turn!"
Pleased with his manners, Kurenai stepped forward and handed him a kunai.
Yukawa took a deep breath, steadied himself, and flicked his wrist.
As expected—something unexpected happened.
He missed the target.
Kurenai, watching from the side, felt a sense of relief.
Looks like his talent points all went into chakra refinement.
Yukawa wasn't too surprised. It felt about right.
In his previous life, even his best rock-skipping throws only bounced three or four times.
But it didn't matter—he had the system.
All he had to do was keep going until the system registered the behavior. Then things would turn around.
"It's normal to be off on your first try," Kurenai said encouragingly, handing him another kunai. "Just keep practicing."
Yukawa took the kunai and kept at it.
Time ticked by.
Before an hour had passed, he felt completely drained and flopped onto the grass, exhausted.
But his mood was great—because the system finally gave him a prompt.
[E-Rank Talent Trait: Ninja Tool Throwing (Locked)]
Trigger Condition: Reach basic proficiency in shuriken and kunai throwing.
Current Progress: 1%
---
Excellent. A progress bar. Just what he needed to fuel his inner king engine.
So only shuriken and kunai were required?
No wonder it was only an E-Rank trait.
Yukawa panted, deep in thought.
"You've got pretty low stamina," Kurenai remarked bluntly, landing a real hit. "I can usually train all morning."
"I've never trained before."
Since time was an issue, Yukawa felt he should explain.
But Kurenai wasn't wrong. This body really was too weak.
His previous self was just a frail college student. Running 1,000 meters during physical exams felt like getting punched by Saitama.
In the ninja world, physical training was just as important as chakra and ninjutsu.
Yukawa also suspected that strength training might unlock additional system traits.
Just then, footsteps approached.
"Dad!"
Kurenai's face lit up with excitement.
She ran over and took the tri-colored dango from Yuhi Shinku's hand.
"Here you go," she said cheerfully, handing one skewer to Yukawa before eating hers.
"Thanks."
Yukawa took a bite and immediately winced—it was ridiculously sweet.
Now he understood why Anko Mitarashi looked like she was made of sweet potatoes.
"You two are still young. Don't overtrain."
Yuhi Shinku glanced at the wooden targets and scattered kunai. "That's enough for today. Rest up—you've got school tomorrow."
School, huh.
Yukawa watched Kurenai lick her dango with her little pink tongue, lost in thought.
He wondered what classmates he'd meet.
As a dedicated Naruto fan, he was looking forward to seeing living, breathing side characters up close.
The main characters weren't even born yet.
---
The next morning came quickly.
Kurenai was awakened by a familiar sound.
She opened her window—and saw Yukawa already practicing kunai throwing in the yard.
He's training this early?
Kurenai's mouth dropped slightly.
Sure, ninja kids matured fast—but this level of discipline was rare.
In her eyes, paying attention in class was already plenty.
Outside of school? After so many lessons, it was time to relax and play.
Kurenai bit her lip.
She felt a sense of crisis—like she was being left behind.
If she really lost to Yukawa, her dream of being the "boss" would be shattered.
No way!
Flames of determination seemed to ignite in her ruby eyes.
"Morning, Kurenai."
Yukawa wiped sweat from his forehead and looked over.
She was still in her white pajamas, hair tousled and slightly curled.
Too bad she was still flat-chested.
In the original timeline, she'd grown into a total knockout.
"From now on, you have to train with me!"
Kurenai placed her hands on her hips. "I won't let you get ahead of me alone!"
"No problem."
Yukawa smiled and agreed instantly.
Training was always better when done with a cute girl. Pure eye candy.
(And no, once again, he was not into lolis.)
---
"Kurenai."
After breakfast, Yuhi Shinku handed them each a bento box and reminded them, "Don't forget to take Yukawa to meet your teacher."
"You already said that yesterday," Kurenai grumbled, rolling her eyes. "I know, okay?"
"See you later, Uncle Shinku," Yukawa called out, following the now-bouncy Kurenai as they left.
As they walked, he glanced around.
He'd seen Konoha plenty of times in the anime. But seeing it with his own eyes felt completely different.
"Hm?"
Yukawa stopped and squinted.
Ahead and to the left, a boy stood on a wall—arms crossed, staring coolly at the sky in a white short-sleeve vest.
It wasn't until Kurenai passed him without a glance that he finally cleared his throat.
"Asuma? What are you doing up there?"
Kurenai finally noticed him.
Asuma Sarutobi—the second son of the Third Hokage.
In the original story, he eventually married Kurenai… and died at the hands of Hidan from the Akatsuki.
Yukawa raised an eyebrow.
Without that signature beard, he hadn't recognized Asuma at all.
Already interested in Kurenai, huh?
Well, it made sense.
Even Sakura and Ino had started fawning over Sasuke during their Academy days.
Asuma jumped down from the wall and landed steadily.
He eyed Yukawa, hands in pockets. "Kurenai, who's this? I haven't seen him before."
He'd noticed him while up on the wall—and immediately sensed a threat.
He couldn't accept someone more handsome than him hanging around Kurenai.
"This is Yukawa," Kurenai said casually. "He's transferring into our class today."
"Oh?"
Asuma blinked. "So how do you two know each other?"
"Yukawa's living at my place."
Kurenai tilted her head as she spoke, completely unaware of the impact.
"...?"
Asuma froze.
Bro… I haven't even held her hand, and you're already living with her?
This hurts!
Asuma silently donned the mask of pain.