Chapter 4: Asuma Puts on the Pain Mask
Behind the house, in a small grove of trees.
"As a ninja, the most common tools are shuriken and kunai..."
Yuuhi Kurenai mimicked her academy teacher's lecturing tone, swaying her head like a wise old scholar.
Shuriken—commonly called "throwing stars," a ranged weapon.
Kunai—dagger-like tools used for stabbing or throwing.
Every ninja's belt pouch carried these essentials.
There were also advanced techniques, like Wire-Guided Shuriken or Shadow Clone Shuriken, but...
"Today, we'll practice kunai throwing," Kurenai declared, pulling out a kunai.
The real reason?
She'd just started school—kunai were all she'd been taught so far.
And now, under Yuchuan's gaze, her palms were sweating.
What if I mess up?!
Kurenai tensed her tiny face, hurled the kunai with all her might—
Thunk!
It hit the wooden post… but missed the target circle entirely.
"..."
Her cheeks flushed pink.
"I—I meant to hit outside the target!" she blurted, meeting Yuchuan's eyes.
Uh-huh. Keep talking. I'll believe you... eventually.
Yuchuan bit his lip, nodding solemnly.
Professional training prevented laughter.
"THIS is how you throw a kunai!"
Kurenai reloaded, glaring at the post like it owed her money.
Twang!
This time—bullseye.
Hah! Not bad for a genius like me~
Her smirk was unstoppable. "Well?!"
Adorable.
"Amazing," Yuchuan praised, smiling.
"Your turn!"
Pleased by his good taste, Kurenai shoved a kunai into his hands.
Yuchuan took a breath, flicked his wrist—
Clatter.
The kunai tumbled into the dirt, nowhere near the post.
Kurenai exhaled secretly.
So his talent's just chakra control.
Yuchuan wasn't surprised.
Back on Earth, his stone-skipping record was three bounces.
But no worries—the system would save him.
"First-timers always miss," Kurenai lied, handing him another kunai. "Keep trying!"
An hour later, Yuchuan collapsed onto the grass, drained.
Yet his heart soared—the system pinged:
[E-Rank Trait: Weapon Throwing (Locked)]
[Condition: Reach "Beginner" level in shuriken/kunai]
[Progress: 1%]
Beautiful.
My King Engine revs with joy.
Just shuriken/kunai? No wonder it's E-Rank.
As Yuchuan panted, Kurenai delivered brutal honesty:
"Your stamina sucks. I train all morning without breaking a sweat."
"I've never trained before," Yuchuan defended.
But she wasn't wrong—this body was pathetic.
Even in his past life, his "1,000-meter sprint" felt like Saitama punching his lungs.
Ninjas needed more than chakra—physical conditioning was key.
Plus, training might unlock more traits...
Footsteps.
"Dad!"
Kurenai lit up, sprinting to grab the tri-colored dango from Yuuhi Shinku.
She didn't eat it—offering the first stick to Yuchuan.
"Thanks."
One bite later—sugar overload.
Now he understood why Mitarashi Anko became a chubby potato.
"Kids shouldn't overtrain," Shinku said, eyeing the kunai-littered yard. "Rest up—school tomorrow."
School, huh?
Yuchuan zoned out, watching Kurenai lick dango syrup off her fingers.
Which classmates would he meet?
As a "source material expert", seeing side characters alive was thrilling.
(Main cast? Not born yet.)
Next Morning
Yuuhi Kurenai woke to familiar thunks.
She yanked open the window—Yuchuan was already practicing kunai throws.
This early?!
Her jaw dropped.
Most kids played after class—who voluntarily trained?!
A crisis alert blared in her mind:
If he surpasses me… no more big-sister privileges!
"Morning, Kurenai," Yuchuan wiped sweat, glancing up.
She stood there in rumpled white pajamas, black curls messy.
Cute… but flat as a board.
(In the original story, she'd grow into a bombshell.)
"Take me with you next time!" Kurenai stomped. "No solo training!"
"Deal."
Yuchuan smirked.
Training with a pretty loli beat solitude.
(Reiterating: Not a lolicon. Just a future-36D appreciator.)
After breakfast, Yuuhi Shinku handed them lunch boxes.
"Introduce Yuchuan to your teacher," he reminded.
"Ugh, you already said that!" Kurenai stuck out her tongue.
"See you, Shinku-san," Yuchuan said, following Kurenai's bouncing steps.
As they walked, he studied Konoha—so different from the anime.
"Hm?"
A figure stood atop a wall ahead—a kid in a white vest, arms crossed, gazing dramatically at the sky.
Cough cough!
He fake-coughed as Kurenai walked past obliviously.
"Asuma?" She finally noticed. "What're you doing up there?"
Sarutobi Asuma—Third Hokage's second son.
(In the original story, he'd marry Kurenai, then die to Hidan's curse.)
No beard? Yuchuan almost didn't recognize him.
Already crushing on Kurenai at this age?
Makes sense—Sakura and Ino simped for Sasuke early too.
Asuma leaped down, landing smoothly.
"Who's this?" He eyed Yuchuan, hands in pockets.
No way.
Someone handsomer than me near Kurenai?!
"Yuchuan," Kurenai said. "A transfer student joining our class today."
"Oh?" Asuma's brow twitched. "How do you know him?"
"He lives with me," Kurenai added innocently.
"..."
Asuma froze.
Hold up.
I haven't even held her hand, and you're living together?!
Pain.
Sarutobi Asuma silently donned the agony mask.