Hagawa watched Kurenai practice her genjutsu, but his own attention was focused on the system in front of him. With three genjutsu Traits collected, he could now synthesize a new Trait.
[D-Rank Talent Trait: Genjutsu Genin]
Activation Condition: Possess three genjutsu-related Traits.
Effect: Increases the power of all genjutsu by 30%.
Note: Can be evolved into the C-Rank Trait [Genjutsu Chunin] by learning more genjutsu.
By the standards of the ninja world, one could become a Genin just by mastering the three basic Academy jutsu. Now that Hagawa had learned three genjutsu, it was fair to call him a Genjutsu Genin. And a 30% increase in power was enough to give him a significant advantage in battle. He might even be able to go up against an ordinary Sharingan.
The only thing that surprised Hagawa was that this Trait felt a bit perfunctory. You could see its limits at a glance; it was basically the same path Shinku Yuhi had walked. But on second thought, it was reasonable. In the ninja world, no matter how strong your genjutsu was, could it ever be stronger than the Mangekyō Sharingan? The path of genjutsu could only serve as a transitional phase. Ninjutsu and taijutsu were more worthy of investment; at the very least, their ceilings were higher. Unless, of course, the system decided to give him a pair of Sharingan.
After recovering his stamina, Hagawa said goodbye and went out to the small grove. His current chakra reserves were insufficient to learn higher-level ninjutsu; he would have to wait until his fundamentals caught up.
Hagawa stopped in front of a wooden post and took out a senbon he had prepared earlier. A senbon was essentially a long, thin ninja needle. Besides kunai and shuriken, it was the third most commonly used ninja tool. With a casual flick of his wrist, he perfectly hit the bullseye. Like shuriken, senbon were throwable hidden weapons, so the techniques were not that different.
The wonderful Sunday passed quickly. Hagawa looked at the rapidly filling progress bar for the [Seven Ninja Tools] Trait with a satisfied smile.
A new week began.
Early in the morning, the classroom of Class 1-A was already bustling with noise. Since it wasn't time for class yet, everyone was gathered in small groups, chatting.
Kurenai rested her chin in her hands, feeling extremely annoyed. Asuma Sarutobi was next to her, chattering endlessly about his weekend. She didn't want to hear any of it.
Kurenai subconsciously glanced over at Hagawa. He was currently reading a book with a serious expression, so much so that she felt it would be wrong to disturb him. In her memory, ever since the day he enrolled, he had always been this diligent. She, on the other hand, could never manage it. If she read a book for more than half an hour, her attention would start to wander, and any slight disturbance could distract her.
Kurenai found herself staring. Her little brother was quite handsome. Although she had given up on the idea of defeating him, her dream of being the "big sister" boss was still alive. After all, without a dream, you just become a salted fish.
As Asuma talked, he noticed a problem. He followed Kurenai's gaze and immediately lost his composure.
It's him! It's him! It's him again! That evil little brat, Hagawa!
Asuma was so angry he was practically blowing his non-existent beard and glaring. No, I can't let Hagawa steal the spotlight.
"Kurenai," Asuma said, lifting his chin with a smug look. "I learned a Wind Release ninjutsu yesterday."
At the Ninja Academy, being able to learn a jutsu beyond the three basic techniques was undoubtedly the mark of a genius, especially since they had only been enrolled for two months. In the entire class, only Kakashi Hatake was on his level. He could already imagine Kurenai's reaction, and the corners of his mouth spread into a grin, just short of a sinister cackle.
"What's so great about that?" Kurenai asked casually.
The smile on Asuma's face froze. Isn't that amazing? You won't even praise me a little?
"Hagawa learned three genjutsu yesterday!" Kurenai said proudly, noticing his expression, as if she were the one who had learned them.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Asuma did a tactical lean back. "Adaptation isn't random fabrication; dramatization isn't nonsense. How could anyone learn three genjutsu in one day?"
"You don't believe me?" Kurenai snorted.
"I don't," Asuma said matter-of-factly. Liars should have to swallow three thousand silver needles. As the Hokage's son with a Tokubetsu Jōnin as a private tutor, his knowledge was unparalleled among his peers. Kurenai must have been deceived by that evil brat Hagawa and was being kept in the dark. He had never heard of anyone learning three genjutsu in a single day.
"You just wait," Kurenai said, her expression a mix of thirty percent mockery, thirty percent smugness, and forty percent nonchalance. She got up and walked over to Hagawa's desk. But when it came down to it, she hesitated. Will this cause trouble for him?
"What's wrong?" Hagawa asked, looking up at her.
Kurenai pursed her lips and explained the situation.
"A small matter." Having been so engrossed in training these past few days, Hagawa had almost forgotten about Asuma. He was suddenly reminded of their three-month pact. When should I defeat Asuma? I don't need three months. Today will do!
He had just acquired the [Shurikenjutsu] and [Genjutsu Genin] Traits and was itching for a chance to try them out. Even if Kurenai hadn't said anything, he would have found a way to move the duel up.
"Asuma." Hagawa sat down in Kurenai's seat.
"What is it?" Asuma said, his face stern, his eyes practically shooting sparks at him. Mizuki, who was sitting nearby, subconsciously perked up his ears, a look of gossip on his face.
"I want to move our duel forward," Hagawa said, getting straight to the point. "How about today?"
"Move it forward?" Asuma was stunned, but his shock quickly turned to fury. This was a clear sign of disrespect! It had only been a week, and he already thought he had a chance of winning? What a fool's dream!
"Wait for me after school!" Asuma said with his arms crossed. "I hope you don't cry when you lose!"
Hagawa nodded slightly. He got up, exchanged a look with Kurenai, and returned to his seat. The duel with Asuma was just a side matter. His top priority was still to get first place in the theory exams to acquire the Trait. Fortunately, having lived two lives, an adult's memory was far superior to a child's, so studying wasn't that difficult.
"Damn it!" Asuma was displeased by his calm demeanor. At least show me some respect! Am I not worthy of being your opponent? Asuma gritted his teeth. After school, he would crush Hagawa. That should be enough to win Kurenai back, right?
"What's wrong, Kakashi?" Rin Nohara noticed Kakashi's gaze. She followed it and saw it was on the new student, Hagawa.
"They're going to duel after school," Kakashi said calmly. Man, you have successfully piqued my interest. For Hagawa to challenge Asuma after only a week at the Academy was truly unexpected. Moreover, Asuma's skills were not weak; even he would have to put in some effort to defeat him. Kakashi smelled the scent of a kindred spirit.
"How do you know they're going to duel?" Obito Uchiha asked, confused.
"I heard them," Kakashi said, glancing at him. "As a ninja, isn't it normal to have sharp senses?"
"You bastard!" The taunt broke through Obito's defenses. "Let's go outside and settle this one-on-one!"
"Not interested," Kakashi said with a detached look.
"Obito," Rin said, quickly trying to mediate. "Stop fighting. Class is about to start."
"For Rin's sake, I'll let you off the hook today!" Obito snorted.
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