Seiryū lay flat on the bed until Kurenai called him to get up and eat. Only then did he climb out of bed.
After washing up.
At the dining table.
Shinku spoke to Seiryū while eating. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. After all, you're only six years old. There's no need to rush to apply for graduation."
Seiryū had seemed a little restless lately.
He guessed he might be feeling pressure because of the talk about early graduation and becoming Jiraiya-sama's disciple.
Was Seiryū under pressure?
As a guardian, he felt he should advise him.
A six-year-old child really should not be in such a hurry.
"Mm. I'll wait until the time is right. I don't plan to graduate from the Ninja Academy too early anymore," Seiryū nodded. He truly was not in a hurry now.
The system's unreliability was actually somewhat useful.
He wanted to take on more missions while staying at the Ninja Academy to earn more rewards. Since they were being offered, why not take them? Opportunities like this did not come twice.
This stupid system did not even give him a Kidō gift pack that explained all the principles. If it did, why would he need to worry so much?
Shinku nodded lightly. "That's a good way to think."
Kurenai chewed her food, swallowed, and her tone became a bit happier. "Seiryū, you really don't plan to graduate early anymore?"
To be honest, she did not want Seiryū to graduate too early. She still wanted to spend more time with him at the Ninja Academy.
If Seiryū graduated, would she not be left alone at school?
"No. With my strength, I can graduate at any time, so there's no rush," Seiryū said as he took a bite of the omelet.
Hmm. It tasted a little strange.
Sweet.
It had to be Kurenai's doing, mistaking sugar for salt.
Lately, Kurenai had started having trouble with cooking. When asked why, she would not say.
Seiryū did not ask further. It was probably a little girl's secret.
Kurenai made a small sound and picked up an omelet herself. She took a bite, chewed, then froze.
"Ah, why is it sweet? Did I mix up sugar and salt? Darn it, why do these two look so similar?"
Cooking was too difficult, even harder than the Three Basic Jutsu.
How was she supposed to be a good wife in the future?
No, she needed to work harder.
Kurenai secretly made up her mind. During the holidays, she would diligently practice cooking and strive to become a good wife in the future.
Seiryū was silent.
This was not the first time. He was too lazy to complain.
How could sugar and salt look similar? Their grains were clearly different.
Shinku took only one bite of the omelet and did not touch it again. He did not like sweet food and preferred savory flavors.
Remembering something, he asked, "By the way, Seiryū, how have things been with Jiraiya-sama recently?"
He trusted Seiryū's character. He would not cause trouble.
Still, he was a little curious about what Jiraiya was teaching him.
"It's fine," Seiryū replied, taking another bite of the sweet omelet. He did not dislike sweet omelets.
In his previous life, he liked sweet foods. He considered savory-only eaters heretics.
And compared to the completely burnt food from the beginning, Kurenai's cooking had already improved quite a bit.
He continued, "Because the academy schedule is pretty tight, I haven't met Sensei very often. But today, he asked me to go to Training Ground Three."
In the past month, about twenty days had passed.
With one day off each week, that meant only three Sundays.
Perhaps because he knew Seiryū was a Ninja Academy student, Jiraiya did not call him over often. He also needed time to "gather material," so they had not met much.
But today was a holiday, and Jiraiya remembered him, asking him to go to Training Ground Three.
"Training Ground Three?" Shinku recalled that it was near the Forest of Death and smiled. "You're still young. Laying a solid foundation is the most important thing. There's no need to rush. Just take things step by step."
"I know," Seiryū said.
After breakfast, Seiryū headed toward Training Ground Three.
Kurenai actually wanted to go with him, but for certain reasons, she did not insist and could only stay home, feeling a bit down.
Having always been with Seiryū, now that he was not by her side, she felt unaccustomed.
Not happy.
Not only did Kurenai feel unaccustomed. Seiryū did too.
Without Kurenai's constant chatter, everything felt a little strange.
He shook his head and muttered to himself, "I'll ask later and see if I can bring Kurenai along next time."
As he walked, Seiryū suddenly heard two "youthful" voices approaching from behind.
"Keep it up, Guy. Five more kilometers and we can eat."
"Oh oh, I will work hard, Father. This is youth."
Seiryū turned around and saw two figures in green jumpsuits, running wildly on their hands, drenched in sweat.
Habit truly was a frightening thing.
Although he still found them unconventional, Seiryū realized he was already getting used to it.
He waved at them. "Yo, Guy, Uncle Duy, still training?"
These two were none other than Might Duy and Guy.
In order to build a good relationship, Seiryū had met Duy more than once. He had seen the father and son training many times. After several encounters, he was no longer unfamiliar with them.
"It's Seiryū," Guy said happily, still upside down.
Meeting a rival he wanted to surpass on the first day of the holiday felt like fate's arrangement. His voice was filled with passion.
"Do you want to join us for a youthful handstand run?"
"Hahaha. Guy is right," Duy laughed, deeply pleased with his son's enthusiasm. This was youth, vibrant youth.
He also invited Seiryū. "Seiryū, youth must not be wasted. Come and join our passionate training."
At the Ninja Academy, Seiryū was the typical "other people's child" that adults talked about. Duy was also very glad that his son had such an outstanding friend and goal.
This was youth. He was fired up.
Seiryū quickly waved his hands. "No, Guy, Uncle Duy. I have something to do today. Let's burn our youth together another time."
"What a pity," Guy said regretfully. He had actually wanted to take this chance to compete with Seiryū.
But hearing Seiryū say "another time" and "burn our youth," his eyes lit up. He flashed a bright smile, his tone full of excitement.
"Then let's compete next time."
Seiryū's mouth twitched. "Yeah. Next time. Definitely next time."
Duy was moved again, tears streaming down his face. He was deeply touched by the youth of the two children.
Wiping away his tears, he said excitedly, "This is youth. Guy, Seiryū, you are both amazing. Having such encouraging friends and rivals means you have not wasted your youth."
Guy was also in tears, his blood boiling as if he had endless strength.
"Father, let's continue. I've decided. If I don't run ten kilometers on my hands, I won't eat breakfast. I feel like I have limitless energy now."
"Oh oh oh. Then I'll run fifteen kilometers on my hands. I also need to burn my youth. Passion forever."
"Father, I won't lose either."
"Guy, well done."
The father and son were practically about to embrace in a moment of passionate bonding.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)