Tada looked at her mother and said seriously, "That's why I said he's mysterious. Before the team assignments, I didn't even know he existed. No one paid attention to him."
Mei asked, "You said he's strong. How did you tell?"
Although she wasn't a ninja, she came from the Senju Clan. She understood enough about chakra and ninjutsu to analyze things logically.
Tada recalled the evaluation earlier that day.
"After the teams were assigned, our instructor tested us."
"It was some kind of mental-type ninjutsu. Shumu and I nearly collapsed. Our minds were on the verge of breaking."
"But Yoru didn't seem affected at all."
"Afterward, sensei said that most of the technique had been directed at Yoru. What we felt was just the aftershock."
"Even so, Yoru didn't seem pressured in the slightest."
"Even sensei was shocked."
"And when we told Asuma-sensei, he thought it was unbelievable too."
…
As Mei listened, her brows gradually tightened.
This was no small matter.
"If that's the case, then that child truly possesses mental strength far beyond ordinary people."
"You said your instructor came from ANBU and is a jonin. Ninja from ANBU have extremely strong mental fortitude. If even he couldn't pressure that boy…"
"That means the child's spiritual power is abnormal."
"And someone with that kind of spiritual strength usually has extremely precise chakra control."
"Possibly even immense chakra reserves."
Her gaze sharpened.
"This is no trivial matter."
Though Mei wasn't a ninja, she had studied much of the Senju Clan's historical records. She understood the principles behind chakra quite well.
The Senju were known for their enormous chakra reserves.
She knew that strong mental energy often translated into both high chakra control and significant chakra volume.
After all, resisting a mental technique cast by an ANBU jonin required not only delicate chakra control—but also enough chakra to sustain the resistance.
Otherwise, it would be like Sakura in the Academy: precise control, but limited reserves. If the opponent's chakra overwhelmed hers, resistance would be impossible.
"But if he truly has precise control and immense chakra…"
"How could someone like that remain unnoticed for six years?"
"That makes no sense."
"And he's just a child."
"To conceal that for six years…"
"There's something unusual about his mind."
Tada, who had initially just been curious, now felt even more astonished listening to her mother's analysis.
She asked, "Mom… does that mean Yoru is really that strong?"
Mei looked at her seriously.
"We can't be certain yet."
"But if nothing unexpected happens, his future won't be ordinary."
"Even the most outstanding graduates wouldn't be able to calmly withstand the mental pressure of an ANBU jonin."
"Tada… until we understand his background, it would be best to keep some distance."
Tada didn't like hearing that.
But she knew her mother was thinking of her safety.
And after hearing the reasoning, she couldn't deny that Yoru's strength was beyond her understanding.
Even if she liked him—
She had to listen to her mother.
Yoru, of course, had no idea that the evaluation had created distance between mother and daughter toward him.
And even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
The moment he revealed even a fraction of his resilience earlier that day, he had been mentally prepared for attention.
Back home, Yoru didn't refine chakra before sleeping as usual.
Instead, he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His consciousness slipped into the system space.
"You have been AFK for one day."
"Chakra increased by onefold."
"Physical constitution increased by onefold."
"You have obtained Exceptional Learning Ability."
"As long as your body and chakra meet the requirements, you can learn any ninjutsu at the speed of a top genius in this world."
A wave of tingling warmth surged through his body.
It felt so comfortable he nearly groaned aloud.
His mind became astonishingly clear.
Ninjutsu theory that had once felt vague now seemed crystal sharp.
It was as if everything he had learned before had suddenly connected.
If someone demonstrated a technique now—
He felt he could learn it in one viewing, just like Uchiha Itachi.
When his consciousness returned to reality, Yoru stared at the ceiling in shock.
Closing his eyes, he sensed chakra flooding his entire body.
The dense chakra—almost visible—flowed along his meridians.
The sensation was intoxicating.
"My chakra doubled again."
"That should put me at the level of an elite jonin in terms of reserves."
"My physical strength is probably around a taijutsu-specialist chunin."
The increase was terrifying.
Very few ninja specialized purely in taijutsu.
To reach chunin-level physical ability through taijutsu alone was already rare.
"But I still don't know any real combat ninjutsu…"
That was awkward.
With only the Three Basic Jutsu, he might not even beat an average chunin in real combat.
He now desperately wanted an actual offensive technique.
After all, this was an AFK system.
He had to learn something first before he could AFK-train it.
Right now, he only had the Three Basic Jutsu mastered.
In real combat, relying solely on those to survive would be difficult.
Ninja were professional killers.
They used every dirty trick imaginable.
Going up against real shinobi with only the basics was suicide.
Yoru wasn't arrogant enough to think he could challenge a jonin.
He wasn't even confident against a chunin.
"But tonight's gains are already incredible."
"With Exceptional Learning Ability, I should be able to master basic ninjutsu just by watching."
"After tomorrow's mission, I'll head to a training ground and observe someone practicing."
"At the very least, I need a few fundamental offensive techniques."
"I have no interest in becoming a pure taijutsu ninja."
The Eight Gates was powerful.
But even if he had the opportunity to learn it—
He wouldn't.
The consequences were too extreme.
Besides, that was Might Guy's signature art.
Guy wouldn't teach it lightly.
Only Guy, Kakashi, and Rock Lee had truly learned it.
Kakashi was Guy's lifelong rival.
Lee was his personal disciple.
And Yoru?
He hadn't even considered it.