Fubuki smiled slightly.
"Have you noticed? I have a special kekkei genkai called Ice Release."
Feng An rolled his eyes at her.
The use of Ice Release is so obvious; who couldn't see it?
When she threw the ice shuriken, he was just suspicious, but seeing her clone technique confirmed it was almost certainly a kekkei genkai.
The ordinary Clone Technique is an E-rank jutsu that only produces an illusion; with a careful look, you can tell it's fake.
What had made Feng An's pupils tremble was that her clone technique had a physical form!
A physical clone technique implies changes in chakra nature, most likely the Ice Clone Technique.
Once you add corresponding chakra nature to the basic Clone Technique, it produces a physical effect that's hard to distinguish with the naked eye.
"One of your parents also has Ice Release, right?"
Fubuki shook her head. "I've never seen my parents. Our grandmother raised us since we were young."
Feng An nodded.
As far as he could remember, only Haku had used Ice Release in the series—another incredibly powerful kekkei genkai.
It just wasn't fully realized in Fubuki's usage.
The reason she'd used ice shuriken was probably because she didn't have any actual shuriken on hand.
Fubuki asked, "What about you? What are you good at?"
Feng An thought for a moment and replied, "I'm good at Fire Release and some basic ninjutsu."
He had already decided to use Fire Style as his main display, keeping other attributes as backups. Although having all seven chakra natures was possible, he didn't want to draw too much attention before he was stronger.
The three of them chatted for a while longer, and seeing it was getting late, they parted ways.
…
On the other side, Hinata was drenched in sweat under Kurenai Yūhi's intense training.
After Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino finished their own training, they sat off to the side to rest.
Kiba complained, "What's with Kurenai-sensei today? Why is she suddenly so strict with Hinata..."
Then Aburame Shino raised a finger, and a flying insect from the distance landed on it.
The man and the insect seemed to communicate.
After a moment, Shino said, "The insect tells me it senses a mixture of anger and resentment from Kurenai-sensei."
"What?"
Inuzuka Kiba shot to his feet.
"Are you saying Kurenai-sensei is taking her anger out on Hinata?"
Shino: "I didn't say that."
Inuzuka Kiba, lost in his own world, didn't hear his reply.
How dare she!
I should have noticed!
The gentle and kind Kurenai-sensei would never treat Hinata like this.
He clenched his fists and bumped them together. "I have to stop this inhumane devil training!"
"Akamaru, let's go!"
Woof!
"Beast Human Clone Jutsu!"
Akamaru leaped from his arms and transformed into a copy of Inuzuka Kiba.
"Fang Passing Fang!"
Inuzuka Kiba and Akamaru instantly became two black whirlwinds, attacking Kurenai Yūhi.
Seeing this, Kurenai jumped back to avoid the assault, her brow furrowing.
"Kiba, what are you doing?"
Inuzuka Kiba shouted, "Give me back my gentle Kurenai-sensei!"
"Fang Passing Fang!"
Two more black whirlwinds swept violently toward her.
"What a mess."
Kurenai Yūhi quickly jumped back and formed hand signs.
"Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique!"
Anyone hit by this technique feels as if they are trapped in a maze, unable to escape. It's primarily used to exhaust the enemy's stamina.
Inuzuka Kiba and Akamaru, after charging at empty air, began wandering around the clearing with dazed expressions.
Kurenai Yūhi glanced at Kiba. "I have no idea what nonsense you're talking about."
Only then did she notice that Hinata seemed on the verge of collapse from the intense training.
I should let her rest.
After receiving Kurenai's signal, Hinata stopped, dispersing the chakra maintaining her Byakugan.
She slumped to the ground, chest heaving.
"Sorry, I was so focused on training you that I forgot the Byakugan is incredibly draining."
Kurenai Yūhi looked at Hinata, guilt written on her face.
She'd been thinking about improving Hinata's strength to prevent her from being bullied by Feng An but forgot that the most important part of training is gradual progress.
Hinata wiped the sweat from her forehead, shook her head, and smiled.
"Don't blame yourself, Kurenai-sensei. The Chunin Exams are coming up soon, and I want to perform well."
The external pressure from Kurenai was twice as intense as the pressure she put on herself.
Kurenai's sudden harshness had made her uncomfortable, but she also truly wanted to grow stronger.
She didn't want to hold her teammates back and prevent them from becoming Chunin.
Hinata asked, "I haven't seen Feng An all day... Kurenai-sensei, is he still looking for teammates?"
Kurenai Yūhi felt a flicker of anger hearing her mention Feng An.
But she didn't dare tell Hinata about Feng An finding two female teammates.
She could only sulk by herself.
Kurenai said unhappily, "Don't worry about him. He's already found them."
"Really? That's great..."
Hinata's face showed a mix of excitement and shyness.
......
The next day.
Feng An met the sisters at the agreed spot.
Fubuki spoke first. "What's the plan for today?"
Feng An responded, "What else? Spar and train together."
"I don't want to. I'd rather go shopping with my sister."
Fubuki hugged Yukime and leaned on her shoulder.
Feng An rolled his eyes.
Just as well, I can't be bothered to coordinate. He was already taking an open-book test; superficial teamwork was pointless.
Since they didn't want to, that was fine. He could go find his dear Hinata.
"Alright then, go enjoy your shopping."
Feng An turned to leave.
Yukime quickly called out, "Wait!"
"? What is it?"
He turned back, somewhat puzzled.
Yukime tilted her head, scratching her cheek.
"Want to come shopping with us? It... it'll help us get to know each other better. It's a form of team bonding too."
Feng An complained internally.
Do all women love shopping this much? Even team bonding requires shopping?
Hinata is probably doing teamwork training with Kiba and the others, right?
Forget it, I won't disturb them. I'll just take the day off.
His expression remained neutral as he nodded calmly.
Then, the two girls walked ahead, and a boy followed behind like a bodyguard, beginning the "team bonding" for Team Brave.
…
Seeing everyone had been training hard recently and feeling guilty for being too harsh on Hinata the day before, Kurenai Yūhi decided to give them a break today.
"How about we take the day off? Go out, eat, drink, and relax."
Inuzuka Kiba's face lit up with joy. "Kurenai-sensei, you're the best!"
Last time they had a break, he'd just gotten home and was ordered around by his sister to do chores—he hadn't rested at all.
This time was different. Kurenai was leading them; no work, and she was paying.
How could he not be happy?
After Hinata nodded, Kurenai led the three of them to the same commercial street they'd visited before.
Of course, Konoha basically only had this one bustling commercial street, so it was their only option.
As Kurenai Yūhi led the three of them through the crowds, Hinata suddenly spotted a figure ahead that looked very familiar.
Feng An?
Just as she was about to call out, she saw Feng An walking with two cute girls.
Watching them laugh and talk together, a sharp pain pierced Hinata's heart.
*****
You can read 30 advanced chapters on my Patreon.
Thank you for your support, and have a great day!
patreon.com/Izanami_no_Mikoto