Chapter 34: A "Win-Win" Means I Win Twice
"What do you want me to do? New knowledge and techniques are right in front of me. You expect me not to learn them?"
Hiiro Rinko replied, just as righteously. "In the end, we're both just bastards who have a hard time considering other people's feelings."
"We're bastards who are lucky enough to be loved anyway," Matasaburō sighed, looking up at the clear winter sky.
"I don't really care about my side of things, but you and the Old Hag are all lovey-dovey and understanding. Are you just planning to completely ignore Nii-san?"
Seeing Matasaburō sighing at the sky, Hiiro Rinko narrowed his eyes and poked ruthlessly at his sore spot. "Don't act like you two are 'true loves' and Nii-san was just an accident, you old bastard."
This was their unique way of getting along. Chiyo's personality wasn't exactly 'proper,' and Matasaburō, who was a perfect match for her, was just as unconventional.
Interacting with them was supposed to have this pure "all conflict, all fun" vibe.
As it turned out, their biological son, Yūsa, was actually the most normal person in the whole family.
Although their relationship was awkward at first, after living together for so long, Yūsa and Hiiro Rinko had grown used to their "finish the conversation in three sentences or less" style of interaction, and even found it comfortable.
In terms of actual atmosphere, their relationship was probably better than outsiders imagined.
Matasaburō had been away too long and misunderstood. In reality, Yūsa had come to terms with Rinko's talent long ago.
Jealousy and fear only arise when the gap isn't that large. A gap that you know, at a single glance, is impossible to close, or even to touch, doesn't inspire any extra emotions.
Nothing but awe.
There are always going to be true geniuses in the world, so why couldn't one of them be his adopted brother?
With this thought, Yūsa had become much more cheerful and relaxed.
Therefore, since he had the chance, Hiiro Rinko was happy to stick up for his Nii-san.
"Haah… To be lectured by a brat like you. I guess I really have been a terrible father..."
Backed into a corner, Matasaburō decided to stop dodging. He'd always known he wasn't doing his duty, but if no one called him on it, he'd just find a way to ignore it.
"Want to walk back together? I brought yōkan (adzuki bean jelly)."
Matasaburō lifted the bags in his hand and shook them. They were mostly full of souvenirs he'd bought while traveling.
Chiyo loved all beans and bean products, Yūsa liked pastries, and Rinko, while having no favorite food, had a high demand for sugar. Yōkan was a "three birds, one stone" solution.
"You go on your own. I still have to go to the library and research my new project."
Rinko waved his hand. If Matasaburō hadn't shown up, he'd already be buried in his studies, lost to the world.
"Hey, brat. How often are you taking the 'medicine' these days?"
Hearing this, Matasaburō's brow furrowed slightly, his tone becoming more serious.
"About once every one or two weeks. Don't think I'm an idiot. I'm not going to abuse it."
Rinko tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear, pulled a pair of large, round-framed glasses from his collar, and put them on, replying nonchalantly.
After completing his Dual Split-Thinking, Rinko had further optimized his body's energy use. Combined with Medical Ninjutsu, he had even compressed his daily rest time to just 20% of the day.
But even using nearly eighty percent of his day for research, he still felt it wasn't enough.
So, after using his spiritual power to reignite the spark of Cursed Energy, he established a new Binding Vow (Shibari)—in exchange for the 'inability to sleep,' he gained the 'ability for his body to achieve maximum absorption and conversion of all ingested materials.'
Without a doubt, for a normal person, not being able to sleep is a severe price. It wouldn't take long for the severe exhaustion to completely destroy a person's mind.
But from Rinko's perspective, this 'cost' was exactly what he needed.
He had always believed that a Cursed User must learn to flexibly utilize Binding Vows, and even find their loopholes to profit.
Even with his Uzumaki constitution, going without sleep for so long would cause problems. But not sleeping didn't mean not closing his eyes. He could use meditation to regulate his body and mind.
If that failed, he could use medicine to assist. And his stamina... his soul strength wasn't just for show!
It's just 'sleepiness.' I'll just crush it with my thirst for knowledge!
In short, this Binding Vow was a "win-win" deal. The kind where he wins twice.
Win-win. (Shrugs).
This was the other main reason Yūsa wasn't jealous of Rinko's 'talent.'
He was already a genius, and he worked this hard. He deserved to succeed at whatever he did.
Conversely, Rinko, with his Dual Split-Thinking (giving him four parallel thought processes) and his ability to study 24/7, still took three years to fully master Matasaburō's Wind Release notes. This just proved how terrifying Matasaburō's own mastery was.
Even though the notes didn't contain high-level jutsu, and were just pure theory and operational concepts, it was enough to give Rinko, at age nine, strength rivaling a Chūnin.
At least in a true, all-out fight, Yūsa could not beat Hiiro Rinko.
But just because Rinko felt his study methods were fine didn't mean others could accept or understand them.
Chiyo had expressed concern for his physical and mental state more than once, and had even refused to provide him with the regulatory medicine, on the grounds that substance abuse would cause irreversible damage.
At that time, it was Matasaburō, home for a rare visit, who had vouched for him.
It was precisely because he sensed a kindred spirit in Rinko that Matasaburō understood, better than Chiyo, that even if she refused his request, Rinko would just find another way to solve the problem himself.
"Fine, whatever."
Matasaburō clicked his tongue and said no more, turning to walk home.
Compared to his biological son, Yūsa, Rinko was truly less of a worry.
After his cheap adoptive father's back disappeared from view, Rinko no longer lingered on the path and headed for the library.
"Winter… It really makes me want to see snow..."