Hanekawa watched Kurenai practice her genjutsu from across the room, but his attention was fixed on the system notification hovering before him.
[D-Rank Talent Entry: Illusion Genin]
[Trigger Condition: Possess three illusion techniques]
[Effect: Increase the power of all illusions by 30%]
[Note: Learning more illusions can lead to advancement to C-Rank Illusion Chunin]
Finally, he thought with satisfaction. Three illusion techniques synthesized into one solid entry. In the ninja world, mastering the Three Body Techniques earned you the title of Genin. He'd just done the equivalent with illusions—legitimately worthy of the rank.
A thirty percent power boost was nothing to scoff at. Combined with his existing skills, he might actually give a standard Sharingan user a run for their money. Might.
The only thing that nagged at him was how... linear the path felt. Like staring down a road with a visible endpoint. Yuhi Shinku had walked this same route, and there was only so far illusion could take you. No matter how skilled you became, you'd never outmatch a Mangekyō Sharingan. Illusions were a stepping stone, not an endgame.
Unless the system decides to hand me a pair of Sharingan. Which it won't. Because that would be broken.
After recovering his strength, Hanekawa excused himself and headed to the woods behind the house. His chakra reserves still weren't sufficient for advanced ninjutsu—he needed to shore up the fundamentals first.
He stopped before a wooden post and withdrew a senbon he'd prepared earlier. The needle-like tool gleamed in the afternoon light. Senbon, kunai, shuriken—the holy trinity of throwing weapons. The techniques overlapped enough that practice with one sharpened your skill with all of them.
He flicked the senbon. It whistled through the air and struck dead center.
Not bad.
The weekend dissolved into training. By Sunday evening, Hanekawa watched the progress bar for his "Seven Ninja Tools" entry creep steadily upward. He smiled. Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
---
Monday morning arrived with its usual chaos.
Class 1-A buzzed with energy before the bell rang. Students clustered in pairs, trading weekend stories. Kurenai sat with her chin propped in her hands, looking thoroughly bored as Asuma Sarutobi rambled on about his weekend training.
She wasn't listening. Her eyes kept drifting to Hanekawa, who sat absorbed in a book, reading with the kind of focus she could never manage. Half an hour of concentration and her mind started wandering at the slightest distraction.
How does he do that? she wondered, lost in thought. My Brother is annoyingly talented.
She'd given up on beating him. But the dream of being a proper Sister? That one still lived.
Asuma noticed her wandering attention immediately. Following her gaze, he felt something hot and bitter rise in his chest.
Him. Again. Always him.
"Kurenai," Asuma announced, raising his chin with practiced pride. "I learned a Wind Style ninjutsu yesterday."
In the ninja academy, learning any ninjutsu beyond the Three Body Techniques marked you as a prodigy. Two months in, and only Kakashi Hatake stood on equal footing with him. He could already imagine Kurenai's impressed reaction, could practically taste the victory—
"What kind?" Kurenai asked casually.
Asuma's smile froze.
That wasn't... that wasn't the reaction he'd prepared for.
"Hanekawa learned three illusion techniques yesterday," Kurenai said, her tone dripping with pride—as if she'd learned them herself.
"Impossible!" Asuma's voice cracked. "Absolutely impossible!"
He retreated a step, shaking his head. Learning three illusion techniques in a single day? That defied everything he knew. His private jonin instructor—one of the best—had taught him that such a thing was theoretically impossible.
"You don't believe me?" Kurenai's smile turned sharp.
"I don't," Asuma said flatly. "That brat must have lied to you."
Kurenai stood, walked directly to Hanekawa's desk, then hesitated. Will this cause him trouble?
"What's wrong?" Hanekawa looked up from his book.
She explained the situation. Asuma's disbelief. The challenge implicit in his doubt.
Hanekawa's eyes glinted with amusement. Oh, perfect timing.
He'd been so focused on training lately that he'd almost forgotten about his appointment with Asuma. Three months felt like forever away when you had new entries to test. But if Asuma wanted proof today instead of March?
I can work with that.
"Small thing," Hanekawa said, standing smoothly. He moved to Asuma's desk. "Asuma. I want to move our duel forward."
Asuma's eyes narrowed. "Forward?"
"How about today? After school?"
The classroom seemed to hold its breath.
Asuma's face flushed red. He's looking down on me. One week in and he thinks he can beat me already?
"After school," Asuma said through gritted teeth. "And you better not cry when you lose."
Hanekawa nodded and returned to his seat, exchanging a quick glance with Kurenai on the way.
Hateful! Asuma fumed, watching Hanekawa settle back into his book as if the conversation had never happened. At least show some respect! Am I not worthy of being your opponent?
He clenched his fists. After school, he'd make Hanekawa regret his arrogance. And then maybe—just maybe—Kurenai would look at him the way she looked at that smug brat.
---
Across the room, Kakashi Hatake's attention had sharpened the moment Hanekawa stood up.
"What's wrong?" Rin asked, noticing his sudden focus.
"They're dueling after school," Kakashi said flatly.
Rin glanced over and spotted Hanekawa returning to his seat. "How did you—"
"Keen senses," Kakashi said. "It's normal for a ninja."
What wasn't normal was a first-year student challenging Asuma Sarutobi just one week into the academy. Asuma was genuinely skilled—defeating him would require significant effort, even for Kakashi himself.
You've aroused my interest, Kakashi thought, his dark eyes tracking Hanekawa with new appreciation. This should be worth watching.
"Let's go fight one-on-one!" Obito suddenly shouted, apparently having overheard something and taken offense.
"Not interested," Kakashi replied without looking at him.
"Obito, stop," Rin pleaded as the bell rang. "Class is starting."
"Fine," Obito grumbled. "But only because of you, Rin. This guy's lucky."
Kakashi didn't bother responding. His mind was already on the afternoon duel.
This Hanekawa was worth keeping an eye on.