Under the streetlamp at night, the two walked side by side.
Lamplight, shrubbery, silhouettes.
Voices, insects… everything wove a perfect picture of the quiet night.
A bench appeared ahead; Kurenai Yuhi walked over, sat down, and patted the spot beside her. "Sit."
"Okay."
Masahiko sat and continued, "Maybe my understanding is shallow, but unless you have a special Bloodline Limit, genjutsu is essentially disrupting Chakra to control the mind…"
Kurenai considered his words, then nodded gravely. "I see. If you only master genjutsu, you lack a way to finish the fight?"
"Exactly. Against a genjutsu expert, relying on one skill turns your strength into a weakness."
Masahiko sighed. "That's what I learned sparring with that Anbu senior."
"Oh?"
Kurenai smiled with interest. "Your opponent was an Anbu expert?"
"Yes, a powerful Anbu Ninja—fast, flawless with blade and Ninjutsu. I had no answer."
Masahiko exhaled softly.
"Ebisu told me he lost in one move, yet you destroyed two of the enemy's Shadow Clones."
Kurenai gave a small smile. "By comparison, you were amazing."
"Perhaps I'm arrogant, but only by measuring myself against the strong can I ignite my will and grow faster."
Masahiko replied.
Kurenai couldn't help a light, melodious laugh.
Those words… "You really don't hide what you think of Ebisu."
"Because he and I aren't the same."
Masahiko answered calmly, "He believes only elites or their children can become strong; clearly, I'm not one."
Kurenai blinked, her smile fading as she studied him; for a long moment she said nothing.
When Masahiko looked over, she seemed to wake from a dream.
"Yes…"
She lifted her gaze to the moon.
"People like you, Might Duy, Might Guy—you only lack opportunity, and that chance often costs far more…"
"Compared to us from comfortable clans like me or Ebisu, your road is far steeper."
Kurenai sighed, her feelings mixed.
Masahiko smiled.
"Life is long; a few bumps mean little—for you, for me, for Yakumo."
"Right, life is long; we mustn't lose heart!"
Kurenai gave a gentle smile, stood, and clasped her hands in quiet grace.
"I've an early start tomorrow. I'll be off. Thanks for the advice… and could you pick up Yakumo in the morning?"
She explained, "Her parents told me they're moving tomorrow; I worry the Kurama Clan might trouble them."
"Leave it to me. Be careful on your mission."
Masahiko nodded solemnly.
Kurenai's face relaxed with relief.
Under the streetlamp they waved goodbye and turned into the night… Next day.
[Water Release • Wave Riding Strike: Proficient]
For a B-rank jutsu, the "Basic Advancement" help is shrinking; mostly it just offers a training ground.
Still,
that help is already huge.
As for companion jutsu… "You're applying for the C-rank Water Style: Wave of Raging Water?"
"Yes."
Masahiko nodded.
Water Style: Wave of Raging Water is a basic Water Release.
As a Special Jonin, the application is easy—just some money and subsidies.
The clerk recorded it and bowed. "Shall we send it to you through the Ninja Academy?"
"Please. Thank you."
Masahiko gave a slight nod and headed for the Kurama district.
But
today, outside Yakumo's house, a man stood at the gate, surrounded by young and old of the Kurama Clan.
"Murakumo, you…"
"Your Name. carries the clan's hopes, yet you would abandon us with our only hope!"
"Will you truly betray the clan?"
Voices of resentment and rage rang out, thick with bitterness.
Kurama Murakumo stood silent, brows locked in distress.
From a window above, a girl with an art board watched with icy eyes.
No wonder Kurenai was worried… As the crowd pressed closer, a figure suddenly appeared beside Murakumo.
"Murakumo-senpai, what's wrong?"
"You—!"
Murakumo was startled; he hadn't expected Masahiko.
Masahiko inclined his head. "Before Kurenai left, she asked me to take Yakumo to school today."
Then he looked at the others.
"What's happening?"
The Kurama clansmen fell silent, all turning to Kurama Unkai in their midst.
This confrontation had been orchestrated by him.
Murakumo sighed and stepped forward.
"Yakumo's body is too weak to bear the clan's hopes. If you won't give up, my family must leave."
"If one day she chooses to shoulder it, we'll return."
With that, Murakumo's resolve hardened. "If you keep harassing us, I'll petition the Hokage for protection."
"Brother, you…"
Kurama Unkai's eyes showed disappointment. "How foolish!"
"To pin all hope on a frail, sickly child—shameless."
Masahiko chuckled. "Lost your limbs? Without a Bloodline Limit your clan collapses?"
"What do you know!"
Unkai glared, then sneered. "Now I remember—after Kurenai brought you to Murakumo's house, this happened…"
"He must be trying to split our clan!"
Someone shouted from the crowd.
More voices rose, until—
"Get out of our territory!"
Radishes and cabbages flew at Masahiko.
"Fools."
Masahiko weaved a strange seal with one hand while drawing his blade.
In an instant six figures appeared.
Blades flashed; every thrown item was sliced in mid-air and scattered.
The crowd recoiled in shock; Unkai found himself shoved to the front.
Clearly Clone Jutsu, yet each clone's blade had flashed as if real.
This strength… Was this man really just a Ninja Academy taijutsu teacher?
As Unkai opened his mouth, a gust brushed past.
Someone appeared beside him, whispering at his ear.
"If you understood your clan's Bloodline Limit, you'd know you're courting death. Scram if you want to live."
Masahiko glanced up at the house.
Unkai followed the gaze and saw the girl on the second floor flick her brush.
The next moment his jaw dropped, helpless "woof" sounds spilling out—
A dog burst from his mouth, slashing his face with a paw.
Claw marks ran from forehead to chin, dripping blood.
Unkai screamed in agony.
"Unkai!"
"What are you doing?"
"We'll report this to the Hokage!"
The crowd backed away, shouting.
Masahiko's face showed scorn as he surveyed them, then sighed at Unkai.
"Still don't get it? I'm saving you."
"Let's… go!"
Unkai's face was pale, terror written in his eyes as he stared at the house.
In that instant he had felt death.
Kurama Yakumo… she dares to act, and she can deliver.
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