Chapter 180: Meeting the Family for the New Year
Hoshikawa glanced around, his eyes finally settling on a distant rock.
He swung the Lightning Fire Sword, and the drawn lightning immediately discharged, shattering the rock.
Hoshikawa couldn't help but nod.
Normally, destroying that rock would have required a significant amount of chakra.
Drawing lightning now saved him about half the chakra consumption by comparison.
And in terms of pure destructive power, it was noticeably stronger.
Hoshikawa put away the Lightning Fire Sword and took out the intelligence report given by Haru.
There were two pieces of information.
The first was that Kakashi Hatake had become a Special Jōnin.
The second was that Sakumo Hatake was leading a team deep into the Land of Lightning, where he destroyed a supply convoy dispatched by the Lightning Daimyō.
Hoshikawa rubbed his chin.
That was quite a coincidence; both Hatake father and son were making moves at the same time.
In the original story, Kakashi Hatake became a Jōnin at age twelve, but now he was only a Special Jōnin.
Needless to say, this was due to Hoshikawa 's butterfly effect.
In fact, he thought that at the same age, Kakashi's actual power was slightly greater than his canon self.
After all, Hoshikawa had applied pressure to him from childhood.
However, once the war with Iwagakure started, Kakashi Hatake becoming a Jōnin shouldn't be an issue.
As for Sakumo Hatake, when did they go to the Kumogakure battlefield?
Hoshikawa hadn't known about this before.
He guessed they had only recently been deployed.
It seemed Orochimaru and Danzō Shimura were under a lot of pressure.
But was Hiruzen Sarutobi really comfortable sending Asuma Sarutobi to such a dangerous place?
"What are you doing, kid!"
Tsunade's displeased voice rang out behind him.
"Teacher, did I wake you?"
Hoshikawa turned around and looked at her.
"Is that the point?"
Tsunade glared at him, arms crossed. "If you keep this up, all the trees and rocks near my house will be ruined!"
"Ah, that."
Hoshikawa cleared his throat, sounding apologetic. "I'll run farther away next time."
He had been too eager to test his new sword.
"Teacher, this is the report Haru passed on."
Hoshikawa 's gaze subconsciously skimmed over the voluminous nightgown, where the neckline revealed a swathe of pale skin.
"Do you want to become a Jōnin?"
Tsunade finished the report and asked.
"I'm not rushing."
Hoshikawa said casually.
"Jōnin can lead their own teams and get better pay."
Tsunade asked casually, "Doesn't that tempt you?"
"What's so tempting about that?"
Hoshikawa blinked. "I much prefer being led by you, Teacher."
He certainly didn't lack for money.
He could consider becoming a Jōnin later if he wanted to take on students.
For now, he'd rather stay nestled in Tsunade's embrace.
"That's a good reason."
Tsunade smiled at that, adding offhandedly, "Then wait a few more years."
She wouldn't feel comfortable if Hoshikawa went out to lead a team by himself.
In her opinion, his strength was sufficient, but he still lacked some experience, and leading a team alone might put him in danger.
Not long after, Kurenai and Rin arrived together.
Hoshikawa told them about Kakashi Hatake becoming a Special Jōnin.
"Damn it!"
Kurenai's eyes widened. "He actually beat me to it!"
She had always thought Hoshikawa would be the first of their generation to become a Special Jōnin or Jōnin, not Kakashi.
"It's a shame we can't congratulate him in person."
Rin smiled.
"Is it just Kakashi?"
Kurenai suddenly thought of something. "What about Gai and Obito?"
"They haven't."
Hoshikawa shook his head.
"Good!"
Kurenai announced with renewed fighting spirit. "I'll be the second!"
"Go for it!"
Hoshikawa smiled and patted her head.
"What about you?"
Kurenai's eyes lit up, her ruby-red eyes sparkling. "You could definitely be the first Jōnin among us!"
While Special Jōnin and Jōnin were both Jōnin ranks, there were slight differences.
A Jōnin was an all-around capable ninja, while a Special Jōnin possessed unique talent in specific areas.
Hoshikawa guessed Kakashi had become a Special Jōnin based on his swordsmanship or assassination skills.
"Your strength is already greater than many Jōnin," Rin echoed.
After all, even the famous Kushimaru Kuriare, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, had died by his hand.
"We'll see when the time comes."
Hoshikawa said dismissively. "That kind of empty title doesn't mean much."
"If that's the case, maybe I'll become a Jōnin before you do!"
Kurenai put her hands on her hips, a triumphant look on her face.
"Not bad, full of energy."
Hoshikawa said with a smile. "Let's begin today's training!"
"Bring it on!"
Kurenai grabbed him and pulled him outside.
Rin quickly followed.
Kurenai was practicing Water Release jutsu.
She had already mastered the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique she acquired previously.
Rin's Spirit Transformation Jutsu still needed work.
She stood a short distance from Hoshikawa , closed her eyes, and quickly projected her soul.
Hoshikawa split his attention to observe her while forming hand signs.
Ninja Art: Creation Rebirth—Strength of a Hundred Technique!
The diamond mark on his forehead immediately spread outward, forming dark red markings.
But the markings stopped at his neck.
This signified a failed activation of the technique.
Because a successful activation would cover his entire body.
Hoshikawa didn't feel discouraged. After all, it was an S-rank jutsu; it wouldn't be easy to learn.
Two months slipped by quickly. Once December arrived, Konoha Village took on a festive New Year atmosphere.
However, this year was noticeably quieter than previous years.
After all, over four thousand Konoha ninja couldn't return home from the Kumogakure battlefield.
Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!
Hoshikawa stood outside Kurenai's house, forming hand signs.
In front of him, the ground liquefied, instantly forming a vast swamp.
This jutsu was very useful against large Summoning Animals.
In the original story, Jiraiya used it to trap Orochimaru's summoned Great Serpent.
With Hoshikawa 's use, the progress bar finally hit 100%, and he gained a new trait.
[B-Rank Talent Trait: Earth Release Special Jōnin.]
[Trigger Condition: Nine Earth Release jutsu traits reach the 'Mastered' proficiency level.]
[Effect: All Earth Release effects increased by 100%.]
[Note: Learning and mastering more Earth Release jutsu can lead to promotion to the A-Rank trait 'Earth Release Jōnin'.]
It wasn't a surprising trait, but Hoshikawa was one step closer to his A-Rank trait, 'All-Purpose Jōnin'.
He now only needed the B-Rank traits 'Wind Release Special Jōnin' and 'Sensor Special Jōnin' for the final synthesis.
Hoshikawa let out a breath.
The effort of the last two months hadn't been wasted.
Besides the B-Rank trait 'Earth Release Special Jōnin', he had gained another B-Rank trait.
But it wasn't a talent trait; it was a jutsu trait: the Lightning Water Dragon Bullet, the Compound Jutsu given by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Although he only gained one jutsu trait, Compound Jutsu effectively required multiple jutsu to use.
Simply put, in a battle, for the same amount of time, an opponent might only need to use one jutsu, while Hoshikawa had to use two or more.
This was why Hiruzen Sarutobi said Compound Jutsu was difficult and required deep knowledge of multiple elements.
If one wasn't proficient, a slower casting speed would render even greater power useless.
Fortunately, he had the advantage of his fast hand-seal speed.
Hoshikawa refocused and, after a brief thought, began practicing his Sensory Ninjutsu.
He closed his eyes, and the surrounding environment instantly manifested in his mind.
Not far away, Kurenai was practicing the Water Release: Water Trumpet Jutsu.
Hoshikawa could even sense the water flowing indiscriminately across the ground.
The time approached dusk.
Kurenai reached up and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
After a day of training, her chakra reserves were mostly depleted.
Unlike Hoshikawa 's Trait System, she couldn't simply master a jutsu instantly; she had to dedicate a huge amount of time to practice.
"Hoshikawa !"
Kurenai bounded over to Hoshikawa in a few quick steps.
Her cheerful demeanor made it seem as though her earlier exhaustion had simply vanished.
"Kurenai."
Hoshikawa looked at her and said with a smile, "I just had an idea. How about we spend New Year's at Teacher's place this year?"
In previous years, he had always spent New Year's at Kurenai's house, only visiting Tsunade the following day.
"Eh?"
Kurenai was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened.
"Why such a big reaction?"
Hoshikawa asked, confused. "You don't want to go?"
"I want to go."
Kurenai answered instinctively, but a light blush crept onto her face.
"...?"
Hoshikawa was even more puzzled.
Why are you blushing?
You see Tsunade every day. What's there to be shy about?
"So, are you coming?"
Hoshikawa pinched her cheek and asked.
She's rather cute like this.
"Of course I'm going!"
Kurenai bit her lip, her expression slightly conflicted, but her answer was decisive.
"Let me think about what dishes to make." Hoshikawa mused.
"Let's prepare gifts first."
Kurenai suddenly grabbed his wrist, a little nervous, and asked, "What kind of New Year's gift does Teacher Tsunade like?"
"Huh? Do we need gifts?"
Hoshikawa blinked, shaking his head. "Don't bother. Teacher won't mind if you don't bring anything."
"What do you mean, no need?"
Kurenai complained, "This is the first time we're celebrating New Year's there!"
"Teacher likes money."
Hoshikawa said with amusement. "If you give her money, she'll definitely be happy."
"How can we be so casual?" Kurenai said, dissatisfied.
"I don't see you being this formal normally," Hoshikawa said, raising an eyebrow.
"The New Year is different!"
Kurenai put her hands on her hips, then remembered something, dropped her hands, and said, "Let's go buy two kimonos!"
"That works too."
Hoshikawa nodded slightly. "We can go grocery shopping while we're at it."
"What should we give her?"
Kurenai put a finger to her chin, thinking seriously.
"If you really want to give her something, you could buy a kimono," Hoshikawa suggested after a brief thought.
"That's a great idea!"
Kurenai's eyes sparkled at the suggestion. "Teacher Tsunade rarely wears kimonos! We'll buy her one so she can wear it for the New Year!"
She's actually worn one before, just very rarely.
Tsunade doesn't like kimonos because they are so complicated to wear.
Hoshikawa mused that he might be able to help her wear it someday.
He was quite confident in his ability to dress someone in a kimono.
"Let's go inside and eat."
Hoshikawa held Kurenai's hand and walked into the house.
"Go wash your hands."
Shinku Yūhi was so used to their closeness that he simply ignored the hand-holding.
While eating, Hoshikawa suddenly realized something.
Kurenai was being so careful... was it because she thought she was meeting his family?
Thinking about it, that was very possible.
Hoshikawa was an orphan, and Tsunade was his only elder, essentially his parent.
Given the special timing of the New Year, it was normal for Kurenai to misunderstand.
Hoshikawa couldn't help but marvel that the girl was growing up and starting to pay attention to such things.
Time moved on to December 31st, Ōmisoka, or New Year's Eve.
"We're leaving, Dad!"
After breakfast, Kurenai grabbed Hoshikawa and ran outside.
Shinku Yūhi let out a long sigh.
His daughter was spending New Year's outside; he naturally understood the implication.
A daughter grown is like water poured out.
But Hoshikawa was genuinely outstanding, so he had no real complaints.
"Wow! It's so lively!"
Kurenai looked at the pedestrians moving back and forth on the street, growing more excited.
"It is New Year's tomorrow, after all."
Hoshikawa brushed the snow from her shoulders. "Should we get an umbrella?"
"It's fine, the snow isn't heavy."
Kurenai's cheeks were slightly red. "Besides, snow makes it feel more like the New Year."
"Scarf."
Hoshikawa handed her a white scarf.
Kurenai wrapped it around her neck. Paired with her red coat, she looked soft and fluffy.
Seeing this, Hoshikawa couldn't resist stroking her head.
"Hey! Don't mess up my hair!"
Kurenai shot him a glare, but didn't stop him.
"How about that kimono shop? It looks pretty busy," Hoshikawa asked, noticing a store not far away.
"Let's go look!"
Kurenai walked into the shop and immediately started looking around.
"How about this black and red kimono?"
Hoshikawa pointed to a kimono on the wall. "I think you'd look absolutely beautiful in this one."
"I'll take it then!"
Kurenai glanced at him, then at the kimono, and declared.
"Huh?"
Hoshikawa looked surprised. "Aren't you going to choose two more?"
"I trust your taste!"
As Kurenai spoke, her cheeks felt warm.
"I'll buy it for you."
Hoshikawa paused, then asked, "While you're at it, look for a kimono that suits Teacher."
"Shoot!"
Kurenai suddenly remembered something. "I forgot to ask Teacher Tsunade her size."
"It's fine, I know it."
Hoshikawa said casually.
"How do you know?" Kurenai instinctively looked at him.
"I bought clothes for her before."
Hoshikawa changed the subject without missing a beat. "What do you think of this kimono?"
Kurenai looked up.
It was a mostly white kimono, but the outer layer on the upper body was a light green subtly interwoven with gold.
"It looks a little like the clothes Teacher usually wears," Kurenai mused.
Hoshikawa nodded.
That kimono reminded him of the 'Wandering Hero Tsunade' skin from the Naruto mobile game.
(End of Chapter)
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