The small grove behind the house.
"As a ninja, the most commonly used tools are shuriken and kunai…"
Kurenai mimicked the way their class teacher would lecture, waving her head and gesturing animatedly.
Shuriken—commonly called throwing stars—were detachable hidden weapons. Kunai resembled small daggers or throwing knives; they could be used in close combat or as projectiles. Both were essential items for any ninja, carried in pouches around the waist.
There were also more advanced techniques, like shuriken manipulation or the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
"Today, we're learning kunai throwing."
Kurenai pulled out a kunai and said this, though the real reason was simpler—she had only recently joined the Academy, and they had only taught her kunai throwing. Plus, she wasn't entirely confident in her aim, especially in front of Hanekawa, which made her a bit nervous about failing.
Kurenai's face stiffened as she focused, and she threw the kunai with force.
Thwack!
The kunai hit the wooden post, but slightly off-center.
Her cheeks flushed pink. She met Hanekawa's gaze and tried to explain, "I…I aimed just outside the target."
Right, right, sure… you keep telling yourself that.
Hanekawa suppressed a smile and nodded. He had undergone professional training, and no matter how funny the situation, he would not laugh.
"Now, this is the real kunai throw!"
Kurenai readied herself again, eyes serious, and hurled the kunai toward the wooden post.
With the girl's silent prayers, it hit dead center—perfectly precise.
"Not bad… my aim isn't too shabby," Kurenai murmured, unable to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
"Impressive," Hanekawa praised with a smile.
"Your turn!"
Kurenai, satisfied with his understanding, approached and handed him a kunai.
Hanekawa focused his breathing and flicked his right hand, sending the kunai flying.
As expected… things went awry.
He missed the target.
Kurenai relaxed slightly. It seemed his talent points were allocated to chakra refinement.
Hanekawa, however, thought this was normal. In his previous life, he had skipped throwing practice more than a few times.
But it didn't matter—he had his system. As long as he persisted until the entry appeared, everything would fall into place.
"It's normal to be a little off on your first try. Just keep practicing," Kurenai encouraged, pulling out another kunai.
Hanekawa took it and continued throwing.
Time passed, minute by minute.
Within an hour, he felt his stamina drained and plopped onto the grass.
But his spirits were high—the system had provided a new notification:
[E-Rank Talent Entry: Ninjutsu Tool Throwing (Not Acquired)][Trigger Condition: Shuriken and Kunai throwing reach beginner level][Current Progress: 1%]
A solid progress bar—it got his Emperor Engine spinning.
Just shuriken and kunai? No wonder it was only an E-Rank entry.
Hanekawa panted and began thinking.
"Your body is a bit weak," Kurenai remarked bluntly. "I can train all morning without breaking a sweat."
"I just haven't trained before," Hanekawa explained. This body was too unconditioned, and time was a factor. Though in his previous life, even as a fragile university student, running a kilometer was like taking a punch from Saitama.
For a ninja, besides chakra and jutsu, physical training was essential. Hanekawa also suspected that exercising would trigger corresponding entries.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
"Daddy!"
Kurenai's face lit up with excitement. She ran forward to take a skewer of three-colored dango from Shinku Yūhi.
"Here, for you."
Kurenai didn't eat it immediately; she handed a skewer to Hanekawa first.
"Thanks."
He bit into it, instantly realizing how sweet it was. Now he understood why Anko Mitarashi could shapeshift into a sweet potato form.
"You two are young. Don't train too long."
Shinku glanced at the wooden post and the scattered kunai. "That's enough for today. Rest well—you've got school tomorrow."
School, huh.
Hanekawa watched as Kurenai stuck her tiny pink tongue out to lick the dango, mesmerized. He wondered which classmates he would meet. As a fan familiar with the original story, he was excited to see living side characters. The main characters hadn't been born yet.
The next day arrived quickly.
Kurenai awoke to a familiar sound. She opened the window and saw Hanekawa practicing kunai throws diligently.
So hardworking?
Her small mouth opened slightly in surprise. While children in the ninja world matured early, they didn't usually take it upon themselves to train this way.
In her view, paying attention in class was enough. After that, it was time to play and enjoy life.
Biting her lip, Kurenai sensed a creeping threat. If Hanekawa surpassed her, her dream of being the "big sister" of the group would vanish.
No! Her eyes blazed like fire.
"Good morning, Kurenai," Hanekawa said, wiping sweat from his brow.
She wore white pajamas, her black hair slightly curled and tousled. Unfortunately, she was still young, with a flat figure. In the original timeline, she would have been a top-tier mature beauty.
"From now on, you train with me!" Kurenai declared, hands on hips. "No sneaky solo efforts!"
"No problem," Hanekawa replied, smiling. Training with a beautiful little girl was far more pleasant than training alone.
Again, he was not a lolicon.
After breakfast, Shinku handed them both lunch boxes and reminded, "Remember to take Hanekawa to meet your teacher."
"Ugh, you already said that yesterday." Kurenai pouted. "I know, geez!"
"Goodbye, Shinku-uncle," Hanekawa called, following the bouncing Kurenai.
As they walked, he took in his surroundings. Having only seen Konoha in anime before, experiencing it in reality felt entirely different.
"Huh?"
Hanekawa noticed a kid standing on the left side of the front wall.
He wore a white short-sleeved vest, arms crossed, looking coolly at the sky.
He didn't react until Kurenai walked past without glancing up, letting out a few coughs.
"Asuma? What are you doing up there?" Kurenai called out.
Asuma Sarutobi, second son of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. In the original timeline, he would eventually marry Kurenai and die at the hands of Hidan from the Akatsuki.
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow. Without the signature beard, he hadn't immediately recognized him as Asuma.
Interested in Kurenai this early? It wasn't unusual. Sakura and Ino also started pursuing Sasuke during Academy days.
Asuma leapt down gracefully, landing smoothly. He looked at Hanekawa, hands in his pockets.
"Kurenai, who's this? I've never seen him before."
He had already sensed Hanekawa from the wall, a strong threat forming in his mind. He couldn't allow anyone more handsome than him near Kurenai.
"He's Hanekawa," Kurenai said without hesitation. "He's the new transfer student in our class today."
"Oh?" Asuma blinked. "And how do you know him?"
"Because Hanekawa lives at my house," Kurenai tilted her head, explaining casually.
"…?"
Asuma froze.
Not a friend… I didn't even hold his hand, and he's already living there?
Frustrated, Asuma immediately put on the mask of agony.