In the training ground forest, Higashino Shin shot a Kunai, severing a steel wire. The trap was triggered, immediately launching seven or eight shuriken from multiple angles.
Higashino Shin dodged left and right but was still hit twice. Of course, the shuriken were blunt.
Trap setting is fundamental knowledge mandatory for every Ninja. Naturally, he knew how to do it. These traps were previously used to train his reaction speed.
He had already adapted to the original quantity and intended to double it, but after putting on the Weighted Gear today, it affected his movement speed, causing him to be hit twice.
It seems he can only increase the number of shuriken in the trap once he adapts to the weight he is carrying.
In the future, once he adapts to the number of shuriken in the trap, he will increase the weight of the gear, and vice versa.
Higashino Shin set a plan in his heart, reset the traps, and continued Cultivating his nerve reflexes.
To ensure the shuriken and Kunai reached the speed of an average Ninja's throw, the traps Higashino Shin made did not reduce the firing force. Although he used blunt weapons, after a short time, his body was covered in bruises.
However, this wasn't a big problem. Minor injuries like these are easy to resolve. Having a mother who is a Medical Ninja allows for such indulgence.
Afterward, Higashino Shin endured the pain of his injuries and continued his usual training regimen while wearing the Weighted Suit.
If this were a four-year-old in his previous life, doing this would land them straight in the ICU. But this is the Ninja World, where everyone being half-vegetable isn't a joke.
Why half-vegetable?
Because above them is the truly vegetative Senju Hashirama, and even higher up is the Ōtsutsuki Clan, the Digital Monsters who can turn themselves into compressed packages—the 'Karma'.
---
Unknowingly, more than a month had passed since the meal at Yakiniku Q.
It was early summer, and Konoha Village was located in the southern part of the continent, so the weather was gradually getting warmer.
During the last few days of his vacation, Higashino Jiro trained Higashino Shin's combat abilities every day, but after the holiday ended, he went back to work.
This time, he was performing routine Village missions, leaving early and returning late, just like punching a clock for work, but he still had time to instruct his son in combat.
It wouldn't be until the next rotation for border defense that he would be away from home for a long period.
Higashino Shin also resumed his daily training and studies.
Ever since he managed to make Chakra extraction an instinctual part of his body, Higashino Shin began Cultivating his precise control abilities.
One day, after breakfast, Higashino Shin studied the prerequisite knowledge related to Medical Ninjutsu at home, as usual.
The long-unheard sound of knocking suddenly rang out.
With a slight perception, he knew who had arrived.
At this moment, Higashino Shin was upside down, his feet stuck to the thick wooden ceiling using Chakra adhesion, all while reading a book.
Hearing the sound, he was too lazy to climb down. He simply walked from the ceiling onto the wall leading to the door and bent down to open it.
The entire process was smooth and effortless, as if walking on flat ground, demonstrating remarkable Chakra control and physical balance.
The two people who arrived were Yūgao Uzuki and Gekkō Hayate.
When the door opened, the two little ones didn't see who opened it. They tilted their heads and saw Higashino Shin standing on the adjacent wall.
The purple-haired little dumpling, Yūgao Uzuki, was startled, dropping onto her bottom and crying out, "Shin, who stuck you to the wall?"
Gekkō Hayate was also surprised: "This is Chakra control training, right? I heard my father mention it. Shin, I didn't expect you to be this amazing already."
"That's right. It would be a waste not to Cultivate with so much time every day. Also, what did you guys need me for?"
Yūgao Uzuki stood up, dusted off nonexistent dirt from her bottom, and sighed in relief: "Oh dear, that was scary! I thought you had run into a ghost, Shin.
As for us, we came to play with you, of course. We finally have some time to relax, so we naturally wanted to come out and get some air."
"Speaking of which, didn't you say you'd come find me when you had time after the last dinner? Why did you disappear for so long? What were you doing?"
Mentioning this made Yūgao Uzuki angry, her small face puffing up like a pufferfish out of water: "It's all your fault."
"Oh, is it related to me?"
Gekkō Hayate explained: "Ever since Uncle Yuhe found out about you, he and my father decided to give us Special Training when they got back. We've been cooped up at home lately."
"Ah, Cultivation, that's a good thing. We're all going to be Ninjas someday, and we can't do without strength. Hayate, you wouldn't want to see Yūgao in danger later and be powerless to save her, right?"
Gekkō Hayate looked at his companion and nodded seriously: "Mhm, Shin, you're right. Only with great strength can I protect my little sister."
Their two families had been friends for generations, and their relationship was excellent. At this point in time, Gekkō Hayate always treated Yūgao Uzuki like his own little sister.
As for how they would eventually develop into lovers—childhood sweethearts, those who know, know. As long as no yellow-haired interloper appears, they are basically invincible.
Yūgao Uzuki grew anxious: "Hey, Big Brother Hayate, didn't we say we were coming out to play with Big Brother Shin? You wouldn't break your promise, would you?"
"Ah, well..." Gekkō Hayate was conflicted. He wanted to play, but seeing Higashino Shin's diligence made him want to train.
After all, he was currently just a five-year-old kid, not the Tokubetsu Jōnin he would become later.
Higashino Shin didn't mind relaxing occasionally; life wasn't just about Cultivation: "Going out for a walk is fine, but let's be clear, I'm not playing any silly Ninja games with you."
Gekkō Hayate immediately waved his hand and patted the backpack behind him: "No, no, I don't like playing those either. We planned to go fishing by the river and have a picnic today. I brought the tools and seasonings."
"That's a good idea."
---
The central district of Konoha remained prosperous, surrounded by dense forests, and several rivers flowed through the outer edges of the Village.
The largest of these rivers is the Naka River, and it is said that the Uchiha Shrine is located right beside it.
However, that river's terrain is too dangerous, the current is very rapid, and a large section runs through a deep gorge. It is unsuitable for recreation but quite suitable for Cultivation.
Of course, if you don't want to live anymore, it's also a good place to drown yourself. Once a body hits the water, it's swept away instantly. After two days, the fish are well-fed, and you're guaranteed not to find a single hair.
Higashino Shin was living well now and hadn't had his eyes gouged out, so he had no intention of jumping into the water.
They went to a river near the Naka River, which was considered a tributary of the Naka River.
After leaving the house, the three walked through the residential area, heading toward their destination at a leisurely pace, chatting and enjoying the scenery of Konoha.
Although Higashino Shin had experienced Rebirth in Konoha for several years and was thoroughly familiar with the Village environment, when it came to sightseeing, changing the perspective always allowed one to find different enjoyment, even in the same place.
Upon reaching the riverbank, Higashino Shin asked, "How did you originally plan to catch fish? Did you bring a portable net? Or are you planning to wade into the river to scoop them out?
Let's be clear, going into the river is very dangerous. Where this river merges with the Naka River, there is a huge drop—a waterfall. If you get washed down, you're dead."
"Don't worry, Shin, I came prepared! Father said this is a good way to train patience," Gekkō Hayate said before taking off his backpack and pulling out several Portable Retractable Fishing Rods and bait.
Higashino Shin was surprised. He didn't expect them to become fishermen. But was this suitable for little kids aged four or five?
Sure enough, the three little ones each took a rod and sat quietly by the river, waiting for their planned lunch to take the bait.
Before half an hour had passed, Yūgao Uzuki couldn't take it anymore.
"There aren't any fish! This is a waste of time."
The little girl tossed her rod aside and ran off to pick wildflowers behind them, occasionally returning to stick a few blossoms onto their heads, and checking if lunch had materialized.
Gekkō Hayate was still competing with Higashino Shin, seemingly seeing who would break first from the boredom.
With wildflowers randomly stuck in their hair, the two boys looked like flower baskets.