Chapter 50. The Strongest Genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami?

Chapter 50 - 50. The Strongest Genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami?Today was the registration day—no classes, just an opening ceremony. Once again, Hanekawa saw the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Compared to the graduation ceremony, Hiruzen was even more long-winded this time, talking for three whole hours. At first, because of the Third Hokage's immense reputation, the group of young students listened attentively. But as time dragged on, their eyes became glazed, lost in the void, completely unaware of their surroundings. Hanekawa was now filled with regret. If I'd brought Tsunade along, I could've sneaked out halfway. When the ceremony finally ended, it was time to pay tuition fees and collect textbooks. "Want to grab lunch together?" Nohara Rin took the initiative to ask. "Of course!" Uchiha Obito responded excitedly. He didn't forget to shoot Kakashi a look, silently warning him not to be a third wheel. "I'm going to train," Searᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kakashi replied, his voice calm but resolute. Despite his recent defeat, he hadn't given up on surpassing Hanekawa. "Hanekawa's going too," Rin added. "..." Kakashi froze. "Why invite them?" Obito asked in dissatisfaction. "Obito, we're all friends," Rin explained. "Besides, Hanekawa has helped me a lot." "Rin!" Kurenai Yuhi waved at her, bouncing over while holding Hanekawa's hand. Obito instinctively glanced over, then back at Rin. If I could hold Rin's hand, I'd be willing to die for it... "What do you guys want to eat?" Rin asked gently. "What do you want to eat?" Kurenai turned to Hanekawa with a sweet smile. "Which ramen shop is the most famous in the village?" Hanekawa asked after a moment of thought. He had been thinking about Ichiraku Ramen but wasn't sure if it was open yet. "It's the one at the village entrance, called Ichiran Ramen," Rin answered. Looks like it hasn't opened yet, Hanekawa thought, nodding. "Let's go there, then." "Wait!" Sarutobi Asuma ran up to them, blocking their path. "Hanekawa, fight me!" "Let's eat first," Hanekawa replied with a smile. "You can come with us." "I..." Asuma stammered for a moment but quickly reconsidered. This could be an opportunity—no way they have more money than me. "I don't like owing people favors," Asuma said, glancing at Kurenai. Then, with a bold gesture, he added, "I'll treat everyone!" "Alright." Hanekawa agreed without hesitation. Kurenai frowned, clearly unimpressed. She didn't like Asuma much—always challenging Hanekawa and interrupting their time together. He was simply too rude. Soon, the group arrived at Ichiran Ramen, the village's most famous ramen shop. "Pork bone ramen," Hanekawa said, glancing at the menu. "Same for me!" Kurenai said cheerfully. "Same here," Asuma echoed. Kurenai's cheerful expression immediately vanished. So annoying! "Hanekawa," Kakashi hesitated before asking, "Why is your strength so much greater now?" He had spent the entire morning analyzing his defeat, and the key seemed to be Hanekawa's inhuman strength. "Don't you know who my teacher is?" Hanekawa replied, turning the question around. Of course, he couldn't say it was because of his cheat system, so he used Tsunade as a cover. Kakashi paused, finally putting the pieces together. Tsunade wasn't just a medical ninja; she was also a taijutsu expert, particularly famous for her Monstrous Strength. "What strength are you talking about?" Asuma, who was completely lost, chimed in. "Hanekawa defeated Kakashi with a single move this morning," Kurenai said proudly, as if it were her own accomplishment. Sarutobi Asuma instinctively glanced at Hatake Kakashi. "..." Kakashi silently nodded. For a brief moment, Asuma felt the urge to retreat with his metaphorical bucket in hand. Though he had learned two additional Wind Release jutsu, it was clear Hanekawa's progress had far exceeded his expectations. Still, giving up so easily left a bitter taste in his mouth. --- After lunch, Hanekawa said his goodbyes to the group and started heading toward Tsunade's house. It wasn't long before he noticed Sarutobi Asuma sneakily following him. "Come out," Hanekawa called without turning around. "How did you notice me?" Asuma asked, stepping forward. "With my eyes," Hanekawa replied casually. "Hmph, do you have eyes on the back of your head?" Asuma scoffed in disbelief. "Here to spar?" Hanekawa changed the subject. "Yes!" Asuma responded, masking his true intentions. Originally, he had planned to defeat Hanekawa in front of Kurenai, but Kakashi's humiliating defeat made him reconsider. He wanted to play it safe. "And why should I spar with you?" Hanekawa countered. "...?" Asuma froze for a moment before exclaiming, "I'm challenging you! Of course, you have to accept!" "Says who?" Hanekawa shook his head. "This isn't a combat training class." "No, wait, you—" Asuma stammered before blurting out, "You have to spar with me!" "How about this?" Hanekawa smirked, seeing that the moment was right. "If you lose, you let me see the scrolls of your Wind Release jutsu." "You want to learn Wind Release?" Asuma's eyes widened in shock. You've already learned genjutsu, kenjutsu, and medical ninjutsu, and now you want Wind Release too? What are you, a perfectionist?! "No, just to save time," Hanekawa replied with a lie. "If I see them, I can beat you faster." "You arrogant brat!" Asuma, his blood boiling, formed hand seals and launched his attack. Leaning slightly backward, he expelled a gust of chakra with force: Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! The chakra swelled into a small whirlwind in front of him, rapidly expanding. Hanekawa calmly raised his hand and hurled a kunai into the gale. With immense power, the kunai cut through the windstorm like a bullet, narrowly grazing Asuma before embedding itself into a tree trunk behind him. Boom! Asuma turned his head instinctively, only to see the kunai lodged deep into the tree, leaving a gaping dent. His throat went dry. If that had hit me, my head would've been blown apart like a watermelon... "Still want to fight?" Hanekawa asked, walking up to him. "..." Gritting his teeth, Asuma reluctantly pulled out a scroll. It contained three Wind Release techniques: Great Breakthrough, Gale Palm, and Air Current Chaos. Hanekawa skimmed through it briefly before returning it. Thanks to his E-rank Talent: Hero, which provided a 10% boost to memory, along with his sharp recall from his two lives, he memorized it all in one go. "Thanks," Hanekawa said with a smile. "Want to train together?" "Huh?" Asuma stared at him, bewildered. "Helping each other is the fastest way to improve, isn't it?" Hanekawa said nonchalantly. This way, he could grind his skill entries while also impressing Hiruzen Sarutobi with his "Will of Fire." It was a win-win strategy. This is how you survive in Konoha. Asuma froze, stunned by the suggestion. For the first time, he felt a pang of guilt. He wasn't a bad person by nature; he had only been antagonizing Hanekawa because of Kurenai. But now he realized he couldn't compare to Hanekawa in any aspect. --- Hanekawa suddenly paused. A new system notification popped up. [E-rank Talent Unlocked: Kotoamatsukami's Speech] Condition: Successfully earn Sarutobi Asuma's trust. Effect: Increases hand seal speed by 10%. Hanekawa was stunned. This works too? - Read 120 advanced Chapters (daily updates 5 Chapters) Buy once and read it for a lifetime Patreon.com/rashta/collections Or be a member so you can read: - 470 adv ch of Qian Renxue's Younger Brother - 260 adv ch of Uchiha Madara's Cousin - 163 adv ch of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu (Complete)