"Kakashi-senpai ran away way too fast!" Watching Kakashi vanish, Ino could only stare, speechless.
All they wanted was to catch a glimpse of his face—was that really necessary!?
"Alright, let's go eat!"
Hikari rolled his neck a bit. Right now, what he needed was to seriously think about the Spirit Transformation Technique.
Just moments ago, when Yakumo's genjutsu dispersed and sunlight fell onto his spirit form, Hikari felt a burning sensation—like his spiritual body was being scorched by flames.
But according to the description of the Spirit Transformation Technique, that shouldn't happen.
If the technique had such a flaw, then how did Kato Dan complete it?
He couldn't possibly restrict his spirit form to only appear at night, right?
---
"Hikari-senpai, we're heading off to training!"
Naruto waved cheerfully and left with Sasuke and Hinata. Judging by his expression, he was probably still shocked by Hinata's appetite.
"Say, isn't there something going on between Hinata and Naruto?"
Ino stared curiously at their backs. With her woman's intuition, she felt something was up.
"What makes you say that?" Shikamaru glanced at the pair. He didn't really care about romance.
Growing up watching his dad endure his mom's 'affection,' Shikamaru felt nothing but confusion about his own future partner.
To be more precise—he didn't even want to get married.
"Isn't it obvious? Look at the way Hinata looks at Naruto—it's totally different! Before, the two of them weren't always together, so I didn't notice. I never thought Hinata would fall for Naruto of all people. Seriously, why?!"
As the Yamanaka clan's heiress, Ino was deeply concerned about Hinata's taste.
Naruto already had whisker marks on his cheeks as a kid—clearly an old man trapped in a boy's body.
"Other people's feelings don't need your meddling." Hikari flicked Ino on the head. "If you have this much free time, spend it training. That way your strength will improve faster."
"I haven't been slacking off!" Ino grumbled in her defense.
Hikari didn't bother listening—strength was what mattered in the end.
Right now, he needed to focus on the Spirit Transformation Technique.
Looking at the team:
Naruto needed taijutsu training and Rasengan practice, plus more chakra control to make up for his previous shortcomings.
Sasuke needed to settle his mind and strengthen his spirit—good preparation for awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Hinata only needed to eat properly every day. Afterward, Hikari could create nutrient solutions tailored to her body's evolution.
He used to worry about materials, but with White Zetsu available now, that issue was solved. White Zetsu was practically the most versatile material in the entire shinobi world—nothing else came close.
If creating White Zetsu didn't consume human lives, Hikari would have long ago researched how to replicate the Ten-Tails, create a batch of White Zetsu, and use them himself.
Shikamaru's training focused mainly on his Shadow Imitation Technique. Hikari hoped Shikamaru could accelerate his comprehension of the shadow secret arts.
As for Chōji, there was no need to worry.
A simple-minded person dedicated to one thing often progressed faster than someone clever like Shikamaru. Not that Chōji wasn't smart—he just rarely felt like using his brain.
In fact, the entire Akimichi clan were masters of appearing foolish while being wise.
"Hikari, you've been frowning for a while. Is something troubling you?"
Ayame brought Chōji another bowl of ramen, then asked with concern.
Hikari looked up at her gentle expression and gave her a smile.
"It's nothing. I just have some issues with a jutsu I need to think through. Nothing else."
At the mention of jutsu, Ayame immediately went quiet.
Ninjutsu belonged to shinobi—she was just a civilian. Knowing too much wouldn't be good.
"If that's the case, I can't help. But let me give you one bit of advice—training any jutsu takes one step at a time. No rushing."
"Got it. Thanks!"
Of course Hikari couldn't ignore Ayame's kindness.
"Ayame-nee, why do you even worry about this heartless guy?"
Ino eyed Ayame and Hikari, ready to deliver her commentary.
"A man like Hikari-senpai is definitely a playboy. Ayame-nee, you're so pretty, gentle, and capable—you'll definitely make a great wife someday. Actually, the Yamanaka clan has plenty of single young men. If you're interested, I can introduce them."
"Some of them are shinobi, some aren't, but I guarantee all of them will be loyal to their partners. Definitely not like Hikari-senpai."
"Even ramen can't keep your mouth shut!" Hikari put one hand on Ino's head and pushed down, nearly dunking her face into her bowl.
"See? Getting angry after being exposed!" Ino pressed her advantage relentlessly.
"Ino-chan, I appreciate the offer," Ayame chuckled, sliding a piece of pork into Ino's bowl. "But I'm not thinking about marriage yet."
"No problem! Just say the word!"
Ino declared proudly, "A beauty like Ayame-nee, who knows which stinky man will get lucky in the future!"
"Alright, you have training this afternoon. If you're done eating, go."
As soon as those words left Hikari's mouth, Ino immediately quieted down.
Hikari continued eating his ramen methodically, but his gaze was somewhat vacant.
'According to the Spirit Transformation Technique, what I've done so far should count as completing step one... but this burning sensation after leaving my body—what exactly is causing it?'
Ino, who was eating beside him, kept sneaking glances at Hikari's expression. Noticing he was spacing out, she picked up a bone with her chopsticks and moved it toward his mouth.
"Since you always bully me, this time I'll make you eat something good."
"Ino-chan, behave!" Ayame intercepted her hand. Seeing the flicker of embarrassment on Ino's face, Ayame asked, "How long has Hikari been like this?"
"Not long," Ino replied. "It's because a jutsu didn't go well. By my estimate, he'll be fine in three days at most."
Shikamaru slowly ate his noodles beside them, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Ino's words.
Ayame looked worried. "Since I met him, I've never seen Hikari troubled by training before. If he's like this now, it must be a really difficult jutsu."
"Seriously?" Ino was doubtful. "Ayame-nee, tell me more. I've known Hikari-senpai for less than half a year. Most of the time, he seems completely unreliable to me. And during the rare occasions when he is reliable, he just bullies me."
"Oh? How does he bully you?"
"He messes up my hair! It drives me crazy!"
Her childish complaint made Ayame laugh warmly.
"Don't worry—Hikari is a very gentle person. You'll understand that one day." Ayame spoke with absolute confidence.
But the three who heard her...
Not only did Ino look unconvinced, even Shikamaru stayed silent, and Chōji looked doubtful.