"Is the method really that simple? Are you sure this will work?"
Little Uchiha Tsuki frowned as she stood in the stance Naruto had shown her, suspicion written all over her small face.
The training method he'd taught was straightforward: adjust your posture, control subtle shifts in wrist strength, and calculate throwing angles. It was nothing like the secret technique she'd imagined—one that could instantly turn someone into a shuriken master. It wasn't even as advanced as the occasional tips her sister gave her on a whim.
Sister...
Tsuki's eyes dimmed for a moment at the thought of the dark-haired girl who always wore the high-collared clan uniform. She'd clearly promised to teach Tsuki swordsmanship, but every time, she'd just gently poke her forehead and say in that soft, distant tone: "Next time."
Then she'd leave with that annoying brother Shisui, leaving Tsuki to practice alone against the wooden targets.
"What's wrong?" Naruto drawled, stretching out the words teasingly. "I heard all Uchiha are geniuses. Don't tell me—you don't have the guts to back up that talent and give it a shot?"
"What?!"
Tsuki's head snapped up, her big black eyes blazing with fighting spirit. "Of course I do! Come on—I'll show you just how amazing the Uchiha are!"
She struck a defiant pose, looking ready for battle.
So easy to coax...
Naruto held back a laugh as he watched the puffed-up little Uchiha. The way she pursed her lips and focused intently reminded him of a proud black cat from a café in his previous life—one that clearly wanted the dried fish but refused to approach until it was placed on the ground, all dignified and reserved.
After silently complaining in his head, he picked up a few small round stones from the ground, weighing them lightly in his palm to feel their balance and shape.
"Ready?" Naruto asked, confirming with a glance that she was set.
He flicked his wrist.
Whoosh!
The stone traced a sharp arc straight toward Tsuki.
Her eyes narrowed like a kitten locking onto prey. Slender fingers had already drawn a shuriken; she flicked her wrist almost the instant the stone flew.
Bang!
Metal met stone with perfect precision in mid-air, producing a crisp impact. The stone split in half and fell to the ground.
"Hmph!"
Tsuki puffed out her small chest proudly, the corners of her mouth lifting unconsciously into a smug little smile.
"It's not over yet—catch this!"
Naruto didn't stop. This time, three stones flew out in a pin formation. Tsuki quickly drew another shuriken and swung her arm in a blur.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three near-simultaneous rings echoed, tiny sparks bursting in the air.
As practice continued, their pace quickened. The sounds of stone clashing against shuriken rang through the woods, sparks flashing brightly in the fading dusk.
Naruto switched tactics—no more straight throws. Now the stones came at tricky angles: high parabolas, low ground-skimming slides, even mid-flight collisions to change direction.
Tsuki panicked at first, missing several times. But she soon steadied her breathing and began predicting trajectories. Her small body shifted nimbly, and her shuriken angles grew more precise and subtle.
As expected...
Naruto marveled inwardly. Though still young, the girl had the sharp insight and rapid learning speed worthy of an Uchiha genius.
The method was actually quite rote—memorization-heavy—but it suited geniuses perfectly. For an ordinary person throwing pebbles, she'd probably get bored instantly since it was too easy. But with Naruto—a fellow genius—throwing, their rhythms synced perfectly, creating a natural tacit understanding.
——————
Time slipped by. The sunset's afterglow dyed the horizon red, and the light in the woods turned soft and hazy. Their shadows stretched and intertwined on the ground.
Naruto wiped sweat from his forehead, feeling the pleasant ache in his arms. Today's session had been far more intense than planned. He'd only meant to practice shuriken casually, but trading moves with Tsuki had made hours fly by. The gains were real too—her presence pushed him to try new angles and grips, sharpening his feel more than solo training ever could.
Sure enough, practicing with someone else makes a difference...
He bent down, pulled two leather water pouches from his backpack, and tossed one to Tsuki.
She caught it instinctively. A few hours ago, she might have refused awkwardly or thrown out a tsundere retort. Now, she just silently unscrewed the cap and drank.
The cold water soothed her parched throat. Only then did Tsuki realize how much she'd sweated—strands of long black hair stuck to her neck, her back slightly damp.
He had to admit: hot-blooded shonen manga logic was real. Despite the long, intense session, his body didn't feel exhausted—just refreshed and full of energy.
"Okay."
Naruto set down his pouch and exhaled. "Thanks a ton for training with me today. The sun's almost down—are you heading home?"
Tsuki nodded quietly and capped the pouch. "...Yeah. Mom should be making dinner soon. What about you?"
"...I don't have parents, so I handle my own meals." Naruto scratched his cheek. "I'm getting hungry, so I'll probably eat by the river."
Tsuki froze for a second. She hadn't expected the blond boy her age to be an orphan. Even though they'd just met, the words sent a faint ache through her chest.
Eating alone... must be lonely.
Twilight deepened, and an evening breeze rustled the treetops. Tsuki suddenly spoke, her voice softer.
"Actually..." She paused. "If I go back now, dinner's probably not ready yet. I... I'll stay with you a bit longer."
Realizing how direct that sounded, she quickly added with a flustered expression, "S-Sure! It's just because I'm free right now!"
Naruto blinked, surprise flickering in his eyes before melting into a warm smile. "Then I'd appreciate the company." He pointed toward the distance. "The river at night has a beautiful view.