"Keep pushing forward!"
"I need more time to slowly build up my strength!"
Haruno Sho had racked his brains just to survive safely in this dangerous world of shinobi.
In the past, he never dared to act too boldly within the village, fearful of drawing Danzo's attention. At the same time, to avoid becoming cannon fodder, he couldn't afford to be an insignificant nobody either.
To learn new jutsu, he quietly cultivated his own network of connections, exchanging knowledge with trusted friends in private.
Otherwise—how else could he have mastered advanced techniques like the Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Earth Release: Underground Submersion Technique at such a young age?
Most of these techniques were painstakingly acquired through sheer perseverance and thick skin. But even then, he had never obtained anything above A-rank from anyone.
After all, A-rank and higher jutsu were powerful trump cards—secrets guarded as family heirlooms.
In the world of shinobi, who would willingly reveal their clan's most guarded techniques without a special bond?
After tidying up the living room, Haruno Sho picked up another scroll and resumed his studies.
Life is endless, and so is learning.
Time flew by; three years passed in the blink of an eye.
Now, Haruno Sho had grown into a young man over 1.7 meters tall, handsome and composed. His soft, ear-length pink hair gave him the gentle air of a dependable older brother—silently winning the admiration of many young girls.
"Sho-nii! Sho-nii…!"
"What's our training plan for tonight?"
Over these three years, Izumi Fujimoto had grown much closer to him, treating him as a respected older brother. With her lively personality, she often acted impulsively and felt little awkwardness around her teacher, Haruno Sho.
"Ah… who would've thought Izumi would grow into such a pretty young lady?"
"How about we do some taijutsu sparring tonight?"
Sho spoke calmly, eyes still focused on the scroll in his hands.
"Yes! Yes!"
"Taijutsu training with Sho-nii is my favorite!"
Though Izumi was still young, she had improved at an astonishing rate under his careful guidance. She was already half a head taller than her peers at the academy, and her taijutsu was so refined that even ordinary genin of the Hidden Leaf might struggle to match her.
Clack! Clack—clack!
Before long, the courtyard was filled with traces of their sparring.
The grass, the trees, the walkway, the rooftop—two figures darted above and across everything, exchanging rapid blows.
Izumi used every part of her body as a weapon, launching relentless attacks at her teacher.
As a taijutsu master, Haruno Sho handled her movements with ease, guiding her momentum and pointing out her weaknesses.
Their strikes echoed through the house like rhythmic applause.
"Sho-nii… can—can we take a break…?"
"I… I can't keep going…"
Sweating profusely after the close-quarters bout, Izumi finally reached her limit. She was, after all, still a young girl.
Compared to Sho—gentle on the outside but secretly built with tightly honed strength—they weren't even on the same level.
"Here, wipe your face."
Sho grabbed a towel he had prepared beforehand and tossed it to the exhausted girl sprawled on the grass, her clothes soaked with sweat.
"I want a drink too…"
Seeing Sho sitting on the porch drinking, Izumi mustered her remaining strength, staggered over, and grabbed the special recovery drink prepared for her. She gulped it down eagerly.
"Ahh… that's refreshing…"
"I feel alive again!"
"Sho-nii, I can go another round!"
The drink Sho made restored her stamina quickly, rekindling her fighting spirit.
"No."
"How many times have I told you? This drink only replenishes nutrients. It reduces fatigue, but your bruises and muscle strain are still real."
"You—calm down."
"Lie down. Let me take a look."
A soft green glow lit up Sho's hands. He placed them gently over her injuries, easing her onto the wooden porch.
"Mmm…"
As his chakra flowed across her body, warmth spread through her limbs, soothing the soreness accumulated from training. Izumi let out a small involuntary sigh of relief.
In moments, Sho had healed the minor injuries from their sparring. Her skin regained its healthy softness, with no lingering marks.
His medical skills were growing more refined by the day—