Hinata and Ino quickly noticed that Yoruha's ninja sword had just been used—and possibly broken.
They paused their training immediately and hurried over.
"Brother! What happened to your sword?" Ino blinked curiously, like she'd just stumbled on a juicy secret.
"Hm… Yoruha-kun…" Hinata looked up at him with gentle admiration. "That chakra you used just now… It seemed like wind-natured chakra. Have you already learned Wind Release?"
"Eh? Wind Release?!" Ino's eyes widened. "Brother, are you saying you can develop elemental techniques just from sword training?"
She pouted slightly and muttered, "You're too talented… I might as well hand over the responsibility of mastering Yin Release to you. I'll just focus on becoming a sword girl!"
A sly glint sparkled in her eyes.
Lately, she'd been grinding away at Yin Release, but making zero progress. In truth, she was already looking for an excuse to drop it.
But Yoruha quickly shut that idea down.
Let Ino run around with a sword?
No way. What if she bulked up and became a muscle girl?
Where would her beauty go then?
Besides, he—Yoruha—was born with some crafting talent. A natural at weaving illusions and precision.
He wasn't really special.
Just, you know…
Running on cheat codes.
Low-profile, of course.
Time passed.
Two years, gone in a blink.
Over that time, Yoruha completed dozens of sign-in tasks.
The system, as always, delivered.
Now?
He had fully mastered both Wind Release and Fire Release, along with a collection of support ninjutsu.
As for ninja swords?
Yoruha had gone through more than he could count. He'd visited the weapon shop so many times he felt a little awkward every time the same girl greeted him with a knowing smile.
But still…
The results spoke for themselves.
Using Wind-infused flat slashes, Yoruha could now cleave boulders like tofu.
He'd even experimented with Fire Release enchantments.
But…
Fire chakra burned way too hot.
Even the most high-end ninja swords—one of which had cost him a whopping 100,000 ryō—melted or shattered under the pressure.
Eventually, he gave up on Fire Release for weapons and focused entirely on Wind.
On the emotional side of things?
His bond with Hinata had only grown stronger over the past two years.
They were still young, so there were no official labels like boyfriend or girlfriend, but…
Nowadays, Yoruha would sometimes gently bump foreheads with her or act a bit more openly affectionate.
Hinata would still get flustered.
But she no longer fainted.
That shyness now?
It was tinted with sweetness.
As for Ino?
No comment.
She'd basically spent two years being force-fed romantic fluff.
Still, she somehow managed to power through it. Her sheer willpower led her to finally master the Yamanaka clan's signature jutsu—Mind Body Switch Technique.
Training ground, present day.
Three nimble figures clashed on the dirt, their movements blurring as punches and kicks whipped the air into gusts.
"Yoruha! Ino! It's time!" Hinata called, leaping back from the exchange with a graceful tap of her toes. She widened the distance between them, assuming her ready stance.
"Got it! I'm up next!" Ino called out.
She also retreated, then reached into her ninja pouch with both hands—
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
A flurry of miniature shuriken rained through the air, spinning with deadly precision.
Though small, each one was aimed cleanly at vital points.
No mercy.
And Yoruha loved it.
Two years of training with her had paid off.
At this point, Ino's hidden weapon technique had surpassed Genin level. Even most average Chūnin would be pressed to dodge her volleys.
In response?
Yoruha casually unsheathed the ninja sword slung behind his back.
Flash—
A streak of silver-white sliced through the air, deflecting every shuriken.
And then?
He turned and rushed straight at Hinata.
She stood still in her white training gi. Her long, lavender hair—grown out for Yoruha's sake—fluttered like a ribbon in the wind.
Her expression was focused, serious—but calm.
No panic.
She slid into her Gentle Fist stance, chakra already concentrated in her palms.
Eight Trigrams Two Palms!
Four Palms!
Eight Palms!
Sixteen Palms!
Thirty-Two Palms!!!
Her hands moved like a storm of wind and water.
Each strike precisely intercepted a different shuriken, deflecting them at an angle that sent them flying into distant targets arranged around the field.
Bang, bang, bang!
Each target was struck dead-on.