"Alright, who wants to take a bath first?"
Hanekawa walked out of the bathroom and asked.
The house created by askeWood Release: Four Pillar House naturally didn't have a water heater.
But he had prepared in advance.
Using Fire Release, he boiled water and poured it into the bathtub.
"You go first."
Kurenai Yuhi and Rin Nohara spoke in unison.
"Both of you can take a bath. No need to be so polite."
Hanekawa said directly, "Kurenai, you go first."
"Alright."
Kurenai didn't hesitate and stood up, heading toward the bathroom.
Hanekawa plopped down on the sofa, thinking to himself that this was the life.
Compared to the usual treatment during missions, this was a significant upgrade.
Of course, the sofa wasn't created by Wood Release: Four Pillar House. He had brought it with him.
After learning Wood Release: Four Pillar House, Hanekawa had prepared a bunch of furniture.
Now, it was finally coming in handy.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
Hanekawa looked at Rin and asked.
After Kurenai left, she had become silent.
"I... I don't know what to say."
Rin sat on the sofa, her legs slightly together, her hands instinctively resting on her dark red thigh-high socks.
Hanekawa blinked, his gaze settling on her face.
Her lips were slightly parted as she breathed lightly, clearly nervous.
"Do I look like some kind of bad guy to you?"
Hanekawa joked.
"N-no!"
Rin quickly shook her head, her face flushing slightly, "You're a good person!"
Suddenly receiving a "good person" card was unexpected.
Hanekawa couldn't help but laugh.
Rin lowered her head, her heart racing.
After a few seconds of silence, she instinctively turned her head.
Her eyes met Hanekawa's gaze.
Rin's heart skipped a beat, and the blush on her face spread visibly.
"You're really cute."
Hanekawa reached out and gently patted her head.
"I..."
A surge of emotion welled up in Rin's heart.
She wanted to know what Hanekawa was really thinking.
But when it came down to it, she couldn't bring herself to ask.
"What's wrong?"
Hanekawa felt the softness of her hair and asked.
"N-nothing."
Rin's eyelashes fluttered as she changed the subject, "Is this house created by Wood Release?"
"Yes."
Hanekawa smiled, "Pretty amazing, right?"
Rin was about to answer when her body stiffened.
She felt Hanekawa's hand slide down from her hair and stop on her cheek.
The warmth of his palm made her face grow even redder.
"How's your training been lately?"
Hanekawa gently caressed her cheek.
Her fair skin was as warm and soft as fine jade.
"M-most of the medical ninjutsu... I've learned them. Only the Yin Seal... I can't master it."
Rin felt her face burning, and in her daze, she answered without thinking.
"The Yin Seal isn't just a medical ninjutsu. It's very difficult. Don't be discouraged if you can't learn it."
Hanekawa wasn't surprised.
Rin had been trying to learn the Yin Seal for a while now.
But she had never managed to grasp it.
In the original story, only Tsunade and Sakura Haruno could master it. Even Shizune couldn't.
So it was natural that Rin couldn't either.
Hanekawa thought back to his earlier idea.
That was to create a simplified version of the Yin Seal, retaining only its youth-preserving effects.
It seemed he'd have to find time to experiment with that.
"Mm."
Rin nodded, "I won't give up!"
The sound of a door opening interrupted them.
Rin's expression froze, and she instinctively lowered her head, feeling guilty.
She felt like she was betraying Kurenai by being so intimate with Hanekawa behind her back.
But she couldn't help herself.
Hanekawa calmly withdrew his hand.
After all, he had thick skin.
Only with thick skin could he have it all.
Kurenai, now wearing a yukata-style nightgown, stepped out of the bathroom.
Her hair had been roughly towel-dried but was still damp, dripping slightly.
"I'll go change the water."
Hanekawa stood up and walked into the bathroom.
A faint, pleasant fragrance greeted him.
He glanced at the bathtub, which was now covered in bubbles.
It seemed Kurenai had taken a bubble bath.
Hanekawa drained the tub, refilled it with clean water, and used Fire Release to heat it.
"Kurenai, aren't you going to dry your hair?"
Rin asked, puzzled.
"Hanekawa will dry it for me."
Kurenai explained, "He's faster with Fire Release."
Rin was stunned.
Using Fire Release to dry hair? That was something only Hanekawa could come up with.
She couldn't help but feel a little envious.
From Kurenai's expression, this wasn't the first time. It probably happened every day.
"You can ask Hanekawa to help you after your bath."
Kurenai noticed Rin's expression and smiled.
"I... I don't need it."
Rin instinctively refused.
"We're teammates. It's fine."
Kurenai said casually.
"Rin, go take a bath."
Hanekawa's voice interrupted their conversation.
"Thank you."
Rin glanced at Hanekawa and walked into the bathroom.
"Hanekawa! Come here!"
Kurenai shifted to the edge of the sofa, then looked up at him with a smile.
Her damp hair clung slightly to her forehead and cheeks, adding to her charm.
Hanekawa smiled and extended his hands.
Fire Release chakra flowed, drying her hair.
As he leaned down, he could see her fair skin through the collar of her nightgown.
Kurenai sat obediently.
Only her long, fair legs swayed slightly, droplets of water still clinging to her skin.
"Hanekawa, help Rin dry her hair later."
Kurenai suddenly thought of something and said.
Hanekawa was surprised but agreed.
A few minutes later, he dispersed the Fire Release chakra and ruffled Kurenai's hair.
"All done, it's dry."
Hanekawa withdrew his hand, "Go to sleep. We have to travel tomorrow."
"Mm."
Kurenai stood up, took his hand, and said, "Take me to my room."
"You'll sleep in this one."
Hanekawa led her to the room on the left.
Kurenai pushed the door open.
The room was simple, with only a wooden bed.
The bed had already been made with bedding.
"Goodnight."
Kurenai said, but instead of letting go, she tightened her grip on Hanekawa's hand.
Hanekawa met her gaze for two seconds, seeing the reluctance in her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her left cheek.
Kurenai's eyes widened in surprise.
Although she and Hanekawa had always been close, this level of intimacy was a first.
"Sleep well."
Hanekawa said, then kissed her right cheek, "One for each side. That's fair."
Kurenai's face turned bright red.
She quickly closed the door, dove into the bed, and buried her face in the covers, her legs kicking excitedly.
Half an hour later, Rin stepped out of the bathroom.
Seeing that only Hanekawa was in the living room, her heart skipped a beat.
"Kurenai's already gone to her room."
Hanekawa stood up and waved her over, "Come sit down."
"Thank you."
Rin sat down, her hands resting on the sofa, her head slightly lowered.
Unlike Kurenai, she didn't stare directly at Hanekawa.
"Relax."
Hanekawa extended his hands, and Fire Release chakra flowed out.
Rin immediately felt a wave of warmth.
She had expected it to be scorching, but it was just right—comfortable and not uncomfortable at all.
Rin couldn't help but zone out.
Was there anything he couldn't do?
Her feelings for Hanekawa had started as admiration and awe, but the more she interacted with him, the more her emotions had shifted.
[D-grade Talent Trait "Three's Company" effect upgraded.]
[Effect: Single-handed seal speed increased by 100%.]
Hanekawa stared at the two lines of text that suddenly appeared before him, momentarily stunned.
Why did it upgrade now?
He couldn't quite understand, but it was undoubtedly a good thing.
Previously, he hadn't used single-handed seals because they were too slow.
But with a 100% increase in speed, they were now somewhat usable.
Though still not as fast as two-handed seals.
His two-handed seal speed currently had a 150% boost.
That extra 50% could make a huge difference in battle.
But given the current situation, the "Three's Company" trait could likely be upgraded further.
"All done, it's dry."
Hanekawa came back to his senses and ruffled her hair.
"Mm."
Rin responded softly.
"You'll sleep in the room on the right tonight."
Hanekawa withdrew his hand, "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
Rin stood up, glanced at him, and walked into her room.
Hanekawa took a shower, returned to his room, and fell asleep.
---
The next day.
After breakfast, the three of them boarded a ship heading to the Land of Water.
Hanekawa stood at the bow of the ship.
Soon, a ninja hawk descended from the sky.
This was a hawk used by the Anbu to deliver messages.
Hanekawa took a small note from the hawk's back and read it.
The note was simple: it contained Hiruko's current location.
After killing Nakigao (hidden mist ninja), Hiruko had headed northeast.
It seemed he was planning to escape from the Land of Water to the Land of Lightning.
The note also mentioned that a team of Hidden Mist Anbu was pursuing Hiruko.
"We need to pick up the pace."
Hanekawa put away the note and released the hawk.
He raised his hand and manipulated the seawater.
In an instant, the ship's speed tripled.
Hanekawa could have gone even faster, but that would have made the ride uncomfortable for Kurenai and Rin.
An hour later, the ship docked at an unnamed island.
"Hiruko is in the forest to the northwest."
Hanekawa closed his eyes and used Mind's Eye.
"I'll deal with him. If I can't handle it, you can step in."
Kurenai said eagerly.
It had been a long time since she'd been in a fight.
"Be careful."
Hanekawa nodded.
Kurenai leaped into the air and disappeared at high speed.
"Let's go."
Hanekawa smiled and followed her with Rin.
Soon, they reached their destination.
"I thought it was the Hidden Mist Anbu, but it's just three brats from the Leaf Village."
A voice suddenly rang out.
It was Hiruko.
He had initially planned to flee.
But seeing that it wasn't the Hidden Mist Anbu but three young Leaf ninja, he grew overconfident.
Hanekawa was famous.
But Hiruko had been too focused on researching the Chimera Technique to recognize him or know his characteristics.
Besides, Hanekawa was now the Hokage's assistant.
Normally, even if someone wanted to cause trouble for him, they wouldn't do it themselves. They'd just send Leaf ninja.
Kurenai instinctively looked up.
Hiruko stood on a tree branch.
He was short, like a child, his body wrapped in bandages.
"You're the brat here!"
Kurenai retorted without hesitation.
"You're asking for death!"
Hiruko was instantly enraged.
His short stature was a side effect of the Chimera Technique, and it was a sore subject for him.
A sharp whistling sound echoed.
Hiruko disappeared in an instant, his speed so fast that he became a blur.
"That's Swift Release."
Hanekawa narrowed his eyes.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Kurenai reacted quickly, flinging six shuriken toward Hiruko.
Hiruko dodged them effortlessly.
But the half-second delay was enough for Kurenai to perform a hand seal.
Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!
A water dragon surged toward Hiruko.
Hiruko sneered, not bothering to dodge. He raised his right hand.
A seal on his palm glowed, and the water dragon was absorbed.
"What?!"
Kurenai's face showed shock.
"That's Dark Release."
Hanekawa explained, "It can absorb ninjutsu and release it."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hiruko clenched his fist.
The water dragon shot back at Kurenai, unchanged.
"Who are you?"
Hiruko, having been exposed twice, instinctively looked at Hanekawa.
Water Release: Water Wall!
Kurenai quickly formed hand seals.
Chakra surged, forming a wall of water in front of her, blocking the water dragon.
"That powerful?"
Kurenai couldn't help but ask, "What do we do?"
"Not all ninjutsu can be absorbed. There's a limit."
Hanekawa replied.
"I see!"
Kurenai's spirits lifted, and she immediately had an idea.
"Bastard!"
Hiruko was furious.
How dare these brats ignore him?!
But Hanekawa's knowledge of his abilities gave him a bad feeling.
Had he misjudged them?
Were these brats actually strong?
But he was still a jonin.
Hiruko formed hand seals and slammed his hands on the ground.
Summoning Jutsu!
In a puff of smoke, a massive summon appeared.
It had the body of a dog, the wings of a bird, and two snake heads.
It was a grotesque fusion created by Hidan using the Chimera Technique.
Water Release: Water Trumpet Jutsu!
Kurenai quickly formed hand seals and spat out a torrent of water.
The water spread out like a blooming trumpet flower.
"Useless!"
Hiruko raised his hands again.
Dark Release: Absorption Hole!
A suction force emanated from his palms, drawing in the water.
His summon flapped its wings, sending a barrage of feather-like shuriken toward Kurenai.
Water Release: Water Wall!
Kurenai reacted quickly, raising a wall of water.
The feathers struck the wall, causing violent explosions.
Kurenai's pupils contracted, and she quickly retreated.
Dark Release: Evil Self-Destruction!
Hiruko seized the opportunity and released the absorbed Water Release: Water Trumpet Jutsu back at her.
___
Patreon.com/rashta