After a long pause, Sena suddenly asked, "Shiki, how about you move in with me? What do you think?"
Was she seriously suggesting he move in with her?
In truth, Shiki was actually very willing. Staying at Naruto's place every day had started to feel intrusive, especially since he viewed Naruto as a close friend rather than family.
But sharing the same house with a best friend constantly… wouldn't that be awkward?
As for Sena Hoshino, during their short time together, she truly saw Shiki as her younger brother. Shiki could even feel how much this orphan valued such familial bonds.
If he refused, Sena-nee would probably feel really disappointed, right?
Yet if he moved out, Naruto would definitely feel even lonelier. This left him in a difficult dilemma.
"Shiki, is it not possible?" As expected, Hoshino Sena asked, clearly crestfallen.
Hearing Sena's voice, Shiki hesitated—he didn't want to hurt her feelings.
Thus, he replied, "Nee-san, let me wait another two months. After two months, I will come live with you."
Sena nodded gently, then suddenly put on an exaggeratedly stern expression. "Hmph! Not agreeing to your sister's request immediately—what a naughty child you are. But since I'm your big sister, I'll generously forgive you this once."
At that moment, they both laughed. A warm and cheerful laughter filled the air.
Without even realizing it, they had already arrived at Sena's home. After giving him one last piece of advice, Sena let Shiki leave on his own.
She already knew, after all—that Shiki was actually an even stronger ninja than herself.
Yet after parting ways with Sena, Shiki didn't head straight home. It was only eight o'clock, so he decided to train for another two hours.
As he arrived, Lee's voice rang out, "If you can't do 500 push-ups straight, then you'll do 1,200 jump rope jumps! And if you can't complete 1,200 consecutive jump rope jumps, then you must kick the training wooden posts 2,000 times!"
Lee was pushing himself to the limit again—but then again, now he should work even harder too.
Thinking this, Shiki tightly clenched his fists. Only the shattered wooden posts around him could truly understand the explosive power hidden within those fists.
P.S.: Alright, I've kept my promise. Four chapters updated!
Chapter 30: Sparring
Listening to his subordinates' report, Danzō sank into deep contemplation.
He couldn't quite understand Shiki's recent actions. Earlier, when he thought Shiki had simply given up on ninjutsu to focus solely on medical techniques, he could accept it.
But things had changed now.
"That child from the Uzumaki clan… why has he suddenly taken up sword training again?" Danzō seemed to be questioning the Anbu officer standing before him, yet also appeared to be talking to himself.
"Has he lost his desire to grow stronger? Even so, he should still diligently practice ninjutsu instead. Why sword training? Could it be that his taijutsu isn't good enough?"
"But this child is wasting his talent. Perhaps he should return to Root under my direct guidance. He will become Konoha's sharpest blade."
It was the same small grove where Shiki and Lee trained. The two figures stood face to face, silently sizing each other up.
Shiki leaned on his wooden sword with one hand, sweat pouring down his body as he gasped for breath.
Lee also supported himself by placing both hands on his knees, staring at Shiki.
"Shiki, why have you suddenly started training in sword techniques again? Master Guy said that those who lack focus can never become strong ninja."
Lee finally asked the question that had been bugging him for a while now. Shiki's recent behavior had become increasingly confusing.
Almost all the students at the Ninja Academy already knew that Shiki had taken time off to study Medical Ninjutsu.
When Iruka heard the news, he nearly went straight to Konoha Hospital to haul Shiki back himself.
Yet what really surprised Lee was how Shiki had suddenly turned his attention toward sword techniques. It only deepened his confusion.
If Shiki had at least apprenticed under a renowned master swordsman, things might make more sense.
But Lee could clearly sense that Shiki was developing his sword skills entirely through self-exploration.
Was he out of his mind?
Without any guidance or accumulated experience, creating your own sword style was practically impossible.
Shiki looked at Lee, whose anger was evident, and felt a wave of helplessness—after all, time was running out.
Although Shiki knew he couldn't possibly invent a full-fledged sword school, that wasn't what he wanted anyway. He only needed to grasp the basics of sword techniques. Because Shiki knew his most powerful and hidden attack technique required a certain level of sword skill to use.
Besides, he believed Lee had already sensed it—what Shiki was practicing was nothing more than an aggressive, reckless form of sword fighting.
But of course, he couldn't say something like that directly to Lee. Otherwise, Lee would definitely hound him nonstop.
So Shiki grinned and replied, "Youth means constantly trying new things. Since I've got so many opportunities, why not keep challenging myself? Keep pushing forward, and I believe that beneath the setting sun, I will reach the peak through my own ultimate path!"
Upon hearing this, the visibly exhausted Lee felt his fighting spirit flare again.
"All right! Shiki, let's fight even harder for our youth! [Eight Gates Release: First Gate, Opening Gate! Open!!!]"
"[Second Gate! Healing Gate! Open!!!]"
"[Third Gate! Life Door! Open!!!]"
As Shiki watched Lee, whose green chakra swelled violently after opening the first three gates, he couldn't help but feel amazed inwardly.
What an easily ignited person! Then I shouldn't fall behind either.
After slicing the air once with his wooden sword, Shiki gripped it tightly again. Channeling his chakra, he forcibly pushed through the first three gates.
Open! Heal! Live!
He unlocked the same first three gates as Lee, and soon enough, Shiki too began surging with powerful, awe-inspiring chakra.
Moments later, the two clashed fiercely midair at incredible speeds.
The moment Shiki's wooden sword struck Lee for the first time, it couldn't withstand such immense force and shattered into dust from the impact of their colliding chakras.
Had anyone witnessed this battle, they'd surely be shocked—it was completely unlike a fight between students at the Ninja Academy.
Even an average Chūnin wouldn't be able to unleash attacks this terrifying.
Perhaps there was still one person capable of achieving it — Gaara, the future Fifth Kazekage.
But none of that mattered to the two fighters now. Between them, there was only an awe-inspiring clash.
Shiki's wooden sword had snapped, and there was no time left for refining sword techniques.
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