Chapter 90: The Art Style Suppresses Hanekawa
After eating the takoyaki, Kurenai put away her lollipop and continued her Water Style training. She wanted to chat more with Hanekawa, but with Kosuke Maruboshi watching, she was too embarrassed to slack off.
Hanekawa wasn't training. His Leaf-Style Sword Technique had already reached a proficient level, and all that was left was to put in the time to refine it. But besides the Leaf-Style: Willow, the Leaf-Style Sword Technique actually had another secret technique called the Dance of the Crescent Moon. However, it required the use of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which he hadn't learned yet.
Hanekawa watched Kurenai train and thought about her future self. How did she learn the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju's Water Style? Normally, she wouldn't be able to without special merit or connections. Was it because Tsunade became Hokage?
Hanekawa's thoughts drifted, and he quickly started planning his training for the next two months. First was medical ninjutsu. He needed to find time to practice at the Konoha Hospital to increase his proficiency. Besides that, he could also build his network of connections through medical ninjutsu. If he wanted to become Hokage, connections were essential.
Next were Earth Style and Lightning Style. Wind, Water, and Fire Style had all reached the Chunin level, but he hadn't started training in these two yet. Lightning Style was easy to learn; he could get the Lightning Style ninjutsu scrolls through Tsunade. As for Earth Style, it seemed he would have to go talk to Kakashi Hatake.
Finally, there was taijutsu. Because the C-rank trait 'Chunin Taijutsu' was one of the conditions for synthesizing the B-rank trait 'Lightning Release Body.' He just didn't have any taijutsu talent at the moment. So who had the best taijutsu in the Hidden Leaf Village? Might Guy's name appeared in Hanekawa's mind. Even though the 'Youth Guy' was a bit eccentric, he was the best choice for training his taijutsu talent.
Just then, a few lines of text appeared before his eyes.
[C-Rank Trait: Novelist (Acquired)]
[Trigger Condition: Possess three best-selling novels.]
[Effect: Increases memory by 30% from its original base.]
[Note: Combine with the B-rank trait 'Great Novelist' and the C-rank trait 'Manga Artist' to synthesize the B-rank trait 'H-doujinshi Master'.]
Hanekawa's face was a question mark. Did something go wrong? A 30% increase in memory was nice, but this synthesis path had way too many things wrong with it. What the hell is 'H-doujinshi Master'? And where was he supposed to get a manga from? That was as ridiculous as asking a high schooler to fight the Hokage.
But Hanekawa looked closely at the requirements and found that he didn't have to draw it himself. "In that case, it's not so bad," Hanekawa thought to himself. It looked like he'd just have to get Tsuchibashi's help. Turning his published novels into a manga was definitely the most time-efficient way.
Hanekawa glanced at the sky. According to his usual habits, he had two more hours before he finished his training for the day. He thought for a moment and decided not to leave, choosing to stay and wait for Kurenai. But he didn't stay idle and went to the side to practice his Lightning Style.
The sun set on the horizon, leaving only the afterglow of twilight. "See you later, Uncle Kosuke!" Hanekawa waved goodbye and walked home with Kurenai, holding her hand. "Was Rōran fun?" Kurenai asked, a smile covering her face. "It was pretty interesting." Hanekawa left out the dangerous parts and focused on the amazing Ryūmyaku and the puppets.
"Aw, that's a shame." Kurenai said after hearing his story. "If only I could have seen it with my own eyes. It must have been amazing." Hanekawa's heart stirred. If she went, she could meet her future self. He thought it would be interesting to see a younger Kurenai meet her older self.
"We're home!" Kurenai pushed open the door and shouted. We? Shinku Yuhi poked his head out and, sure enough, saw Hanekawa holding Kurenai's hand. His face immediately darkened. That little brat. The mission's over, and you're already trying to get with my daughter, huh?
"Uncle Shinku," Hanekawa greeted him with a smile. "Hmm," Shinku Yuhi nodded slightly. "Go wash your hands. Dinner's ready."
A new day began. Hanekawa woke up early. He got dressed and ran to the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore. As before, since he arrived early, there were no customers in the store.
"You came at just the right time." Tsuchibashi smiled when he saw him. "Another new book?" Hanekawa smiled. "I actually needed to talk to you about something."
"It's not a new book," Tsuchibashi said, shaking his head slightly. "It's a directive from the Raikage-sama." "What directive?" Hanekawa's expression grew serious.
That's a good attitude. He looks so loyal, Tsuchibashi thought to himself with a silent nod of approval. "Try to find out who the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki is." "Is there—is there going to be a war?" Hanekawa asked, his voice filled with surprise.
This time, he wasn't faking it; he was genuinely surprised. A jinchūriki was a ninja village's biggest trump card. Knowing who the jinchūriki was ahead of time would give them a huge advantage, and that advantage was often used in war. "I don't know," Tsuchibashi said in a low voice. "Whether there's a war or not, only the Raikage-sama can decide."
"I understand." Hanekawa recalled the plot from the original story. He couldn't remember the exact timeline. He only remembered that before the Third Great Ninja War, Kurenai and Asuma Sarutobi would become Chunin after passing the Chunin Exams. That meant there were probably two or three years left. It seemed he had to get stronger quickly. Once the Third Great Ninja War broke out, there was no way he could avoid it.
"Finding the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki is important, but what's more important is that you don't get exposed," Tsuchibashi cautioned him. It seemed it wasn't a mandatory order. Hanekawa immediately felt relieved. He could just fudge the results when the time came.
"What about that new book you mentioned?" Tsuchibashi's face instantly changed, his expression becoming completely business-like, as if being a spy was just his side job. "No new book," Hanekawa said, shaking his head. "Have you ever thought about turning the novels into a manga?"
"A manga?" Tsuchibashi fell into thought. "Manga costs more than novels and doesn't sell as well." "But don't you think the manga versions of my—my friend's three novels would truly capture their essence?" Hanekawa asked, trying to tempt him.
"You know, you're right!" Tsuchibashi's eyes lit up. The thought of kunoichi, elf queens, and mermaids appearing right before his eyes filled him with an undeniable excitement. Novels were good, but in terms of visual impact, they could never compare to manga.
"Let's try one first!" Tsuchibashi hesitated for a few seconds before finally making up his mind. Hanekawa felt a sigh of relief. Regardless, he had finally taken the first step. He just wondered what the B-rank trait 'H-doujinshi Master' would actually do.
"Well, Uncle Tsuchibashi, I'm off. I'll be waiting for some good news." Hanekawa's objective was complete, so he didn't linger. He still had to go see Might Guy. After leaving the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, he headed towards the edge of the village.
Hanekawa knew a thing or two about Might Guy's training. In the mornings, he usually ran around the village on his hands or did frog hops. Hanekawa climbed up a tree, activated his 8x zoom, and scanned his surroundings. A moment later, he spotted two green figures.
Body Flicker Jutsu! Hanekawa sped up and caught up to them.
"Hanekawa?" Might Guy's eyes lit up when he saw him. "Let's have a youthful race!" "I..." Hanekawa's face fell, but it was too late to stop him.
"Seeing you so full of spirit, I can't lose either!" Might Duy heard the word 'youth' and seemed to have a switch flipped, exclaiming excitedly, "Guy! Burn with the flames of youth!" "Yes, Dad!" Might Guy shouted, tears welling up in his eyes. "We'll do a hundred extra laps today!"
For the first time, Hanekawa felt a sense of utter exasperation. Can you two just let me finish what I'm saying?! "Accelerate! Accelerate!" Might Guy, as if he had endless energy, instantly sprinted away. Hanekawa, helpless, could only follow.
Lap after lap. After a hundred laps around the village, Might Guy was panting and covered in sweat. He subconsciously looked at Hanekawa and was completely astonished. Hanekawa still looked perfectly fine.
"How about we take a break?" Hanekawa noticed his gaze and asked. He could last this long because he was cheating. He was relying on the C-rank traits 'Swift as the Wind' and 'Strong and Healthy'. The former increased his leg strength by 100%, and the latter increased his stamina recovery speed by 100%.
In addition, there was also the C-rank trait 'Lightning Release Chakra Activation.' This was a ninjutsu trait, and when activated, it boosted his defense, attack, and speed by 50%. But even when not activated, it still had an effect. After all, his physical foundation had been significantly strengthened by the constant Lightning Release chakra activation.
"Guy, do you see?" Might Duy suddenly gave him a thumbs up. "Even Hanekawa, the top student at the Academy, works this hard! Can you give up?!"
"No!" Might Guy's spirit was re-energized. "Never give up!"
His speed, which had slowed, instantly picked up again. Hanekawa felt a mouthful of old blood lodge in his throat. Watching Might Guy and Might Duy run off into the distance, he could only chase after them again.
Another thirty laps around the village. Might Guy finally reached his limit. He was still young, after all, and nowhere near as powerful as his original counterpart.
"Dad!" Might Guy plopped down on the ground, weeping. "I failed!"
"No, you didn't!" Might Duy hugged him tightly. "Having such an amazing classmate is truly the essence of youth! I'm so proud of you, son!"
Hanekawa sat to the side, his mouth twitching. He had just experienced what it meant to be overwhelmed by an 'art style.' He truly lived up to his title as the Leaf's Sublime Green Beast!
"Hanekawa!" After he had his cry, Might Guy looked up. "Let's fight again next time!"
"We could try something different," Hanekawa finally found his chance to speak. "How about we have a taijutsu match tomorrow?"
"Of course!" Might Guy grinned, revealing his dazzlingly white teeth. "It would be an honor to spar with you, Hanekawa!"
"Guy!" Might Duy's body suddenly shook. "You did it! Your hard work has been recognized by the most powerful student in the Academy!"
Yes, Dad!" Might Guy choked up, hugging his father tightly. Tears streamed down both of their faces. Hanekawa put a hand to his forehead, a feeling of helplessness welling up inside him.
............
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