"Director, are you heading out?"
As soon as Yukawa arrived at the orphanage, he spotted Nonō Yakushi walking out with a hurried expression.
"Yukawa?"
Nonō paused in surprise. "What brings you here? Is something wrong?"
"Not at all. It's Sunday, so I figured I'd drop by the orphanage."
Yukawa lifted a picture book in his hand. "I brought the kids a few gifts."
"That's very thoughtful of you."
Nonō gave him a gentle smile.
"It's nothing, really," Yukawa replied, shaking his head. "Everyone here has always looked out for me."
"Then go on and see them," Nonō said, ruffling his hair. "I'm heading to Konoha Hospital."
"A surgery?"
Yukawa asked casually.
Nonō held three roles—she was the orphanage director, a ninja of the Foundation, and a doctor at Konoha Hospital. Given her strength, if she was being asked to perform a surgery, it likely wasn't for just any ordinary ninja.
"No, it's a meeting," she said after a short pause. "Lady Tsunade has returned to the hospital. She's the director now."
"Lady Tsunade?"
Yukawa's eyes lit up. "Can I go too? I've always been a fan of hers—been wanting to meet her forever."
Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, was an idol to many shinobi. Claiming to be a fan wouldn't raise any suspicions.
"She's in a meeting today—it's not a good time."
Nonō thought for a moment. "I'll take you to meet her next Saturday."
"Alright."
Yukawa had to put his curiosity on hold for now.
"I'm off. See you next time."
With that, Nonō turned and headed toward the hospital.
Yukawa watched her figure disappear, deep in thought.
So, Tsunade really was in the village at this time.
Unfortunately, he only had talent in Yin Release, not Yang Release.
His Yin Release affinity came from the boost to his spiritual power after awakening memories of his past life.
But Yang Release… did that come from physical power?
Yukawa suddenly remembered the E-rank trait he hadn't acquired yet—[Robust Constitution]. One of its synthesis paths might just involve Yang Release.
Even if it didn't, it was still worth a try—physical training could never hurt.
After a week of exercise, the progress bar for [Robust Constitution] had already reached 60%.
At this rate, he could probably obtain it within another week.
Or even sooner.
He had been training longer and harder each day.
Yukawa entered the orphanage, handed out the picture books to the children, played with them for a while, then bid them goodbye.
As he walked through the village streets, he pondered when exactly Kabuto Yakushi had arrived at the orphanage.
Although the original series never gave a specific date, it was clearly after the Third Great Shinobi War.
That thought gave him a sense of urgency.
The Shinobi World Wars weren't just any ordinary conflicts—even Kage-level shinobi could fall.
"Yukawa!"
Kurenai Yuhi's voice rang from above.
He looked up—and there were her dangling feet.
They glowed bright white under the warm sunlight.
Without realizing it, he had wandered back to Kurenai's house.
Two trees stood at the gate—both were locust trees.
"What are you doing up there?" Yukawa asked.
Kurenai put on her shoes and leapt down from the tree.
Landing neatly in front of him, she extended her hand.
Yukawa raised an eyebrow and stared at her.
"You went out and didn't bring me anything?"
Hands on her hips, she declared, "Unacceptable!"
"I'm broke," Yukawa coughed awkwardly.
Truthfully, he'd just forgotten.
Kurenai blinked.
Only now did she remember—Yukawa was an orphan. He had no income.
"Here… this is for you!"
She shoved a wallet into his hands, turning her head away with a faint blush on her cheeks.
The wallet was pink with cute rabbit patterns on it.
Yukawa stared at it in surprise, then instinctively opened it.
It was stuffed with bills.
Suddenly, he felt a pang in his stomach.
He couldn't bring himself to freeload off such a pretty girl.
More importantly, Kurenai wasn't rich either.
If it were someone from the Hyuga or Uchiha clan, maybe he'd consider it.
But the Hyuga clan's little princess hadn't been born yet.
And if the Uchiha clan had little girls like this… well, the number of episodes in Naruto could've been cut in half.
Still, he should find a way to earn some money.
"I don't need it," Yukawa said, grabbing her wrist and handing the wallet back.
"Huh?"
Kurenai tilted her head, blinking her big eyes with an adorably clueless look.
Yukawa's heart stirred. He reached out and patted her on the head.
Kurenai instinctively leaned back but couldn't dodge—she just stared at him.
"You still haven't told me what you were doing up there."
Yukawa casually changed the subject.
After ruffling her hair twice, he withdrew his hand.
Mm. Her hair was silky and smooth. Felt nice.
"My dad was looking for you," Kurenai said as she snapped back to her senses.
"Where is he?"
Yukawa entered the house, switching into indoor slippers at the entryway.
"I'll go get him."
Kurenai stowed her wallet and skipped off toward Yuhi Shinku's room.
Moments later, the two of them returned to the living room.
"Yukawa," Shinku began directly, "how's your chakra refinement coming along?"
Yukawa stood up and demonstrated.
"Not bad," Shinku smiled. "You're nearly on par with Kurenai now."
Yukawa had only been training for a week, while Kurenai had been working at it for almost six months.
It was a terrifying difference.
Kurenai pouted with a little huff.
She didn't have a proper comeback, but she clearly wasn't happy about it.
Shinku chuckled—his daughter was too cute.
He reached out to pat her on the head, but Kurenai hopped back with perfect timing, dodging him entirely.
"Your chakra levels are just about acceptable. It's time you both start learning genjutsu."
Shinku coughed lightly to hide his awkwardness, then continued.
Speak of the devil—Yukawa had just been thinking about getting stronger.
His spirits lifted immediately.
Genjutsu might become less useful in later stages of combat, but it was still very effective against ordinary ninja.
Kurenai, too, grew serious.
This was a matter of pride—she couldn't afford to lose to Yukawa.
"Genjutsu, taijutsu, and ninjutsu are the three core disciplines of a ninja," Shinku explained. "But very few specialize in genjutsu."
He lifted his chin slightly, speaking with a touch of pride. "That's because genjutsu is the hardest to learn. It requires real talent."
He clearly wanted to show off a little in front of his daughter.
And to be fair, he wasn't lying—no one in Konoha understood genjutsu better than him.
Well… aside from the Uchiha clan.
"Uncle Shinku, are you a genjutsu specialist?" Yukawa asked knowingly, playing along.
"I certainly am," Shinku said with a wide grin.
"Hurry up and teach us!" Kurenai urged impatiently.
Right now, all she wanted was to master genjutsu as quickly as possible and defeat Yukawa—to claim the title of an elder sister!
Shinku's smile froze on his face.
Was this really his sweet, adorable little girl?