After finishing the takoyaki, Kurenai put away the lollipops and continued her Water Style training. She wanted to chat with Haneul more, but with Maruboshi Kosuke watching, she was too embarrassed to slack off. Haneul didn't train. His Konoha-Style Kenjutsu had already reached the 'Proficient' level; the rest was just a matter of practice. However, besides the 'Willow' technique, there was another secret art called the Dance of the Crescent Moon, but it required the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which he hadn't learned yet.
Watching Kurenai train, he thought about her future self. How had she learned the Second Hokage's Water Style? Normally, without some special merit or connection, she shouldn't have been able to. Was it because Tsunade became Hokage?
His thoughts drifted, and he soon began to plan his training regimen for the next two months. First, medical ninjutsu. He needed to find time to practice at the Konoha Hospital to increase his proficiency and build connections, which were essential if he wanted to become Hokage. Second, Earth and Lightning Style. His Wind, Water, and Fire were already at the Chunin level, but he hadn't started on the other two. Lightning would be easy; he could get scrolls from Tsunade. As for Earth, it seemed he would have to go "exchange pointers" with Kakashi.
Finally, taijutsu. The C-Rank 'Taijutsu Chunin' Trait was a condition for synthesizing the B-Rank 'Body of Lightning Release.' The only problem was that he currently had no talent for taijutsu. So, who in Konoha was the best at it? The name Might Guy came to mind. Although "Mr. Youthful" was a bit eccentric, he was the best choice for farming a taijutsu talent.
Just then, a few lines of text appeared before his eyes.
[C-Rank Talent Trait: Novelist (Acquired)]
Activation Condition: Have three best-selling novels.
Effect: Memory is increased by 30% from its base rate.
Note: Can be synthesized into the B-Rank Trait 'Doujin Master' by adding B-Rank 'Great Novelist' and C-Rank 'Manga Artist'.
"...?" Haneul was covered in question marks. Is something wrong here? A 30% memory boost was nice, but the synthesis path was full of problems. What the hell was a 'Doujin Master'? And he didn't know how to draw manga. But he looked closer at the requirements and saw that he didn't have to draw it himself. "In that case, it's not so bad." It seemed he would have to ask Tsuchibashi for help. Adapting his already published novels into manga was undoubtedly the most time-efficient method.
After training was over, he and Kurenai walked home. "Was Roran fun?" she asked, holding his hand.
"It was interesting," he said, omitting the dangerous parts and focusing on the amazing Dragon Vein and puppets.
"Ah, what a shame," she said. "I wish I could have seen it with my own eyes."
A thought struck Haneul. If she had gone, she would have met her future self. The meeting of "Little Kurenai" and "Big Kurenai" would have been amusing.
"We're home!" Kurenai called out, pushing the door open.
We? Shinku Yuhi peeked out and, sure enough, saw Haneul holding his daughter's hand. His face darkened. You little brat, the moment you finish a mission, you immediately come to flirt with my daughter?
The next day, Haneul woke up early and ran to the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore. As before, there were no customers.
"You've come at the right time," Tsuchibashi smiled when he saw him.
"Is it about a new book again?" Haneul asked.
"Not a new book," the spy shook his head. "It's an order from Lord Raikage."
"What order?" Haneul's expression turned serious.
"Find out who the Nine-Tails jinchuriki is, if possible," Tsuchibashi said.
"...Is a war coming?" Haneul asked, genuinely surprised this time. A jinchuriki was a village's greatest trump card. Knowing their identity in advance provided a huge advantage, an advantage that was most often exploited in times of war.
"I don't know," Tsuchibashi said grimly. "Only Lord Raikage can decide that."
"I understand," Haneul said. The Third Great Ninja War should still be two or three years away. He needed to get stronger.
"Finding the jinchuriki is important, but what's more important is that you don't expose yourself," the spy added. It seemed it wasn't a mandatory order. Haneul relaxed.
"What was that about a new book you mentioned?" Tsuchibashi's expression instantly changed, becoming that of a shrewd merchant.
"No new book," Haneul said, shaking his head. "Have you ever thought about adapting the novels into manga?"
"Manga?" The spy fell into thought. "The production cost is higher than a novel, and they don't sell as well."
"But don't you think... for my friend's three novels, a manga would truly capture their essence?" Haneul asked persuasively.
"You know, you're right!" Tsuchibashi's eyes lit up. The thought of seeing the kunoichi, the elf queen, and the mermaid come to life before his eyes was exciting. "Let's try it with one book first!" he decided.
Haneul was relieved. He had taken the first step. He just wondered what the effect of the B-Rank 'Doujin Master' Trait would be. After leaving the bookstore, he went to find Might Guy, using his 8x scope to locate the two green figures running around the village.
"Haneul?" Guy's eyes lit up when he saw him. "Let us have a youthful race!"
"I..." Haneul's face changed, but it was too late.
"Seeing you two so full of energy, I can't lose either!" Maito Dai said, his youth switch flipped. "Guy! Let your youth burn!"
"Yes! Father!" Guy shouted, tears in his eyes. "An extra hundred laps today!"
"..." Haneul felt a wave of frustration. Can't you people let me finish talking?!
After running a hundred laps around Konoha, Guy was panting heavily. He looked at Haneul and was shocked to see that he still looked relaxed. "Should we... take a break?" Haneul asked, knowing it was thanks to his traits.
"Guy, do you see?!" Dai gave a thumbs-up. "Even as the top student, Haneul is still working so hard! Can you give up?!"
"I cannot!" Guy roared, his slowing pace suddenly picking up again.
"..." Haneul felt like he was about to cough up blood. He had no choice but to chase after them again. After another thirty laps, Guy finally reached his limit.
"Father!" he cried, collapsing to the ground. "I have failed!"
"No! You haven't!" Dai hugged him. "To have such an amazing classmate is to truly live your youth! I am proud of you!"
Haneul sat to the side, his lip twitching. He was truly being overwhelmed by their style. As expected of the Blue Beast of Konoha.
"Haneul!" Guy, having cried his fill, looked up. "We shall fight again next time!"
"We could try a different way," Haneul finally got his chance. "How about a taijutsu match tomorrow?"
"Of course!" Guy grinned, his teeth shining. "It is my honor to compete with you, Haneul."
"Guy!" Dai's body trembled. "You did it! Your hard work has been recognized by the strongest student in the academy!"
"Yes! Father!" Guy sobbed as he and his father embraced, tears streaming down both their faces.
"..." Haneul pressed his palm to his forehead, a sense of helplessness washing over him.
-------
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