"Is this really your first time refining chakra?" Kurenai Yūhi couldn't help but approach Hanekawa as soon as he finished his training.
"It is my first time," Hanekawa replied with a blink.
"Darn it!" Kurenai clenched her small fists defiantly. "If you think you can surpass me that easily, you're mistaken!"
"I'll do my best," Hanekawa said with a smile.
"You... don't have to be so serious." Kurenai felt a bit flustered by his handsome smile. She realized how much looks could affect one's perception, especially with a boy like Hanekawa, who could charm anyone from older women to cute little girls.
"Hanekawa." Shinku Yūhi emerged from the house, handing him an admission letter. Hanekawa glanced at it, noting he had passed the assessment and was officially joining the ninja academy as a first-year student in Class A. He didn't recall any assessment, so it must have been Hiruzen Sarutobi using his influence.
"Kurenai, take him to meet your homeroom teacher tomorrow," Shinku instructed.
"No problem!" Kurenai perked up. "I guarantee the task will be completed!"
"I'm going out to buy the daily necessities Hanekawa needs," Shinku paused and asked, "Is there anything you two want me to bring back?"
"I want some tri-color dango," Kurenai said without hesitation.
"And you?" Shinku looked at Hanekawa. "We're family now, no need to be so reserved."
"I'll have the same," Hanekawa replied casually, curious to try the Leaf Village specialty snack, popular among ninjas like Itachi Uchiha and Anko Mitarashi.
"If you have any questions about training, just ask Kurenai," Shinku waved as he turned to leave.
"Hmph!" Kurenai crossed her arms and lifted her chin slightly, challenging him with her proud expression, almost daring him to ask her something.
Seeing her like this, Hanekawa laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" Kurenai pouted.
"I just thought of something happy," Hanekawa cleared his throat.
"What happy thing?" Kurenai asked, offended and putting on a stern face.
"When's your birthday?" Hanekawa changed the topic.
"June 11th," Kurenai replied, puzzled. "Why do you want to know?"
"Then I'm older," Hanekawa smiled. "You should call me big brother."
"Wait a minute!" Kurenai realized his implication and refused. "No way! I'm the older sister!"
"But you're younger than me," Hanekawa insisted with a serious face, though he was making it up. He didn't know his exact age or birthday since he was a war orphan.
"No means no!" Kurenai retorted quickly. "It's not just about age; it's about who's stronger!"
"You mean if I beat you, you'll be my little sister?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow with a smile.
Kurenai hesitated, recalling how quickly he refined chakra. She bit her lip, feeling unsure. "We'll see when you actually beat me."
Hanekawa's smile widened. Teasing a pretty little girl was quite entertaining. For the record, he's not a lolicon; he prefers mature women. Just then, footsteps echoed.
"Back so soon?" Hanekawa instinctively turned his head, his expression freezing.
It wasn't Shinku Yūhi but Nonō Yakushi, a woman both unfamiliar and familiar. In his memory, she was always gentle, but now her face was heavy with concern. Hanekawa didn't need to think hard to understand what was happening. It was likely Danzo Shimura's orders; he was relentless in his pursuit.
"Director," Hanekawa addressed Kurenai, stepping forward. In the original story, Nonō Yakushi was undoubtedly a tragic character.
Her kindness led her to leave the Root, but Danzo threatened her with the orphanage, forcing her to continue working for the Root. She ultimately died because she knew too much, ending up in a deadly confrontation with her adopted son, Kabuto Yakushi.
"Hanekawa, I'm glad you're okay," Nonō Yakushi reached out to pat his head gently.
"Thank you for your concern, Director," Hanekawa noticed the hesitation on her face. "Is there something you need to tell me?"
Nonō Yakushi fell silent. Not long ago, Danzo Shimura had come to the orphanage and explained Hanekawa's situation to her. He hoped Hanekawa would join the Root, and as long as it was his own choice, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reason to stop it.
"What has the Hokage arranged for you?" Nonō asked.
"He wants me to attend the ninja academy," Hanekawa replied.
Nonō's eyes brightened slightly. She was valued by Danzo Shimura for her exceptional abilities, earning her the title of "Walking Shrine Maiden." Upon hearing about the ninja academy, she immediately thought of a way to buy some time.
"Hanekawa, no matter what happens, you must graduate normally," Nonō said sternly.
"Understood," Hanekawa caught the underlying message. As long as he was in the academy, Danzo Shimura wouldn't make a move, but this "Pot Shadow" was always a problem.
Join if you can't beat them? Not a chance. Danzo Shimura wouldn't just take your heart; he'd brainwash you too. Joining the Root would make him like a three-family-name...
Hanikawa? He wanted to be pampered by a mature woman with 36D black stockings, not some old man. If Danzo Shimura were replaced by Tsunade, he might consider it. Bigger is better, even if she's heavily in debt.
Hanekawa recalled that Kabuto Yakushi wasn't at the orphanage. Based on his estimation, he had at least ten years. Evil—no, the righteous Gardenia Plan begins! Three years on the east bank, three years on the west bank, saving Nonō Yakushi in ten years shouldn't be a problem. Although he joined the orphanage as part of a Hidden Cloud Village plan, the director had been very kind to him. (TN: I think it's a chinese reference idk the meaning)
"Come back to the orphanage when you have time," Nonō Yakushi smiled gently.
"I will," Hanekawa nodded emphatically. Nonō reached out to pat his head once more. Watching her leave, Hanekawa smirked slightly.
How come he got his head patted on the first day?
"Kurenai," Hanekawa turned to her. "Can you teach me how to throw ninja tools?"
The threat from Danzo Shimura had given him strong motivation; he needed to work harder. 'Ninja tool throwing' was a necessary skill to synthesize the 'Genius Genin' title. Although the system hadn't specified how to trigger it, based on previous experiences, it clearly required corresponding actions.
"Of course!" Kurenai responded with a light hum. "I'm quite confident in my ninja tool throwing skills."
Drop some power stones guys :D