In the small grove behind the house.
"As a ninja, the most commonly used tools are shuriken and kunai..." Kurenai began, mimicking her Academy teacher by shaking her head in a sagely manner as she lectured.
Shuriken were commonly known as throwing stars, a type of throwable hidden weapon. Kunai, shaped like a throwing knife or dagger, could be used for close-quarters combat or as a throwable weapon. These two tools were essential items in any ninja's hip pouch. There were also many advanced applications, like the Manipulated Shuriken Technique or the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
"Today, we will be learning how to throw kunai," Kurenai said, taking out a kunai.
The real reason was that she had only just enrolled in the Academy herself. They had only been taught how to throw kunai so far, and even then, she wasn't completely confident. Especially in front of Hagawa, she felt a little nervous, afraid of failing.
With a serious expression on her little face, Kurenai forcefully threw the kunai.
Thunk.
The kunai hit the wooden post, but it was off-target.
Kurenai's face immediately flushed red. Meeting Hagawa's gaze, she defensively explained, "I... I was aiming for the space outside the target."
"Yeah, right, right, right. Keep talking, I'll totally believe you," Hagawa thought, suppressing a laugh. He had undergone professional training; no matter how funny it was, he would not laugh.
"Now, this is a true kunai throw!" Kurenai declared, focusing on the post with a serious look before throwing another kunai.
As if her prayers were answered, the kunai struck the bullseye. A dizzyingly perfect score.
Well now, my aim is actually pretty good, she thought, unable to keep the corners of her mouth from turning up into a proud smile. "How was that?"
So cute.
"Very impressive," Hagawa praised with a smile.
"Your turn!" Pleased with his sensible response, Kurenai walked over and shoved a kunai into his hand.
Hagawa held his breath, flicked his right wrist, and sent the kunai flying.
If nothing unexpected was supposed to happen, then something unexpected was bound to happen. He completely missed the wooden post.
Seeing this, Kurenai felt a little relieved. It seems his talent points were all spent on chakra kneading.
Hagawa, however, felt this was normal. In his past life, he could only manage to skip a stone three or four times at best. But it didn't matter. He had his Traits. As long as he persisted until a new Trait appeared, everything would be fine.
"It's your first time, so it's normal for your accuracy to be a bit off. Just try a few more times," Kurenai comforted him, handing over another kunai.
Hagawa took it and continued to practice. Time ticked by. In less than an hour, he felt his stamina completely drained and plopped down onto the grass.
But his mood was wonderful, because the system had a new notification.
[E-Rank Talent Trait: Shurikenjutsu (Not Yet Acquired)]
Activation Condition: Reach the introductory level in shuriken and kunai throwing.
Current Progress: 1%
An excellent progress bar. It makes my King Engine roar.
So it only requires shuriken and kunai? No wonder it's just an E-Rank Trait, Hagawa mused, catching his breath.
"You're a bit weak," Kurenai said, dealing some true damage. "I can usually train for a whole morning."
"That's because I've never trained before," Hagawa felt the need to explain, as this was a matter of his pride.
But Kurenai was right; this body was too weak. His previous self had also been a "squishy" college student, for whom running the 1000-meter fitness test was no less painful than being punched by Saitama. For a ninja, physical conditioning was just as important as chakra and ninjutsu. Besides, Hagawa believed that physical training would likely trigger a corresponding Trait.
Just then, footsteps approached.
"Dad!" Kurenai's little face lit up with excitement. She trotted over to take the Tricolor Dango from Shinku Yuhi's hands.
"Here." Instead of eating it herself, Kurenai first offered a skewer to Hagawa.
"Thanks." Hagawa took a bite and found it to be sickeningly sweet. He could finally understand how Anko Mitarashi had achieved her "sweet potato form."
"You two are still young, so you shouldn't train for too long," Shinku said, glancing at the wooden post and the scattered kunai. "That's enough for today. Get some rest. You have school tomorrow."
School, huh.
Hagawa watched Kurenai stick out her small, pink tongue to lick the dango, a little lost in thought. He wondered which classmates he would meet. As a fan of the original work, he was quite excited to see the supporting characters alive and well. As for the main protagonists, they hadn't even been born yet.
Time quickly passed, and the next day arrived.
Kurenai was awakened by a familiar sound. Getting out of bed, she opened her window and saw Hagawa already outside, practicing his kunai throws.
He's working that hard?
Kurenai's small mouth fell slightly agape. Although children in the shinobi world matured early, they weren't usually this self-motivated. In her view, paying attention in class was more than enough. Outside of class, after so much studying, one should be enjoying life and playing to their heart's content.
Kurenai bit her lip. She felt the danger of being surpassed. If she really lost to Hagawa, her dream of being the "big sister" boss would be shattered.
No way!
It was as if flames were burning in Kurenai's eyes.
"Good morning, Kurenai," Hagawa said, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he looked up at her. She was wearing white pajamas, her black hair slightly curled and messy. Unfortunately, she was still too young, her figure completely flat. The Kurenai from the original series was a top-tier "great onee-san."
"From now on, you have to wake me up to train with you!" Kurenai declared with her hands on her hips. "I won't let you work hard in secret all by yourself!"
"No problem," Hagawa agreed with a smile. Training by himself was certainly not as good as training with a pretty loli. It was truly pleasing to the eye.
(Disclaimer: I'm not a lolicom.)
After breakfast, Shinku handed them two bento boxes and reminded them, "Kurenai, remember to take Hagawa to see his teacher."
"Gosh, you already said that yesterday," Kurenai grumbled with a pout. "I know, I know!"
"Goodbye, Uncle Shinku."
Hagawa said his farewell and followed after the skipping Kurenai. As they walked, he looked around. He had seen Konoha in the anime in his past life, but seeing it in reality felt completely different.
"Hm?" Hagawa let out a small sound of surprise.
On a wall to their left stood a "little kid bro." He was wearing a white short-sleeved vest, his arms crossed as he stared coolly at the sky. It wasn't until Kurenai walked past without even looking up that he couldn't help but let out a few coughs.
"Asuma? What are you doing up there?" Kurenai finally noticed him after hearing the sound.
Asuma Sarutobi, the second son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. In the original series, he was the one who married Kurenai, only to be killed by Hidan of the Akatsuki.
Hagawa couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Without the iconic goatee, he really wouldn't have recognized him. Is he already interested in Kurenai this early? Then again, it was normal. Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka had also launched their offensive on Sasuke Uchiha back in their Academy days.
Asuma leaped down from the wall, landing smoothly. He looked at Hagawa, hands in his pockets, and asked, "Kurenai, who's this? How come I've never seen him before?" He had spotted Hagawa from the wall and felt a strong sense of crisis. He would not allow someone more handsome than him to be around Kurenai.
"This is Hagawa," Kurenai said, not suspecting a thing. "He's a transfer student joining our class today."
"Oh?" Asuma was slightly taken aback. "Then how do you know him?"
"Because Hagawa is living at my house," Kurenai said, tilting her head.
"...?"
Asuma froze on the spot. Seriously, bro? I haven't even held her hand, and you're already living with her?
The pain was unbearable!
Asuma Sarutobi immediately put on the Mask of Pain.