There were traces of sweat on her face, and the collar of her outfit clung to her fair neck. She looked quite disheveled, yet she possessed a unique aura.
Tetsu Hyuga felt that Natsu was even more beautiful than before. He couldn't quite put his finger on where the beauty came from, but her every gesture gave off a different vibe. Compared to her previous youthful greenness, there was now a hint of maturity. Her skin seemed finer and smoother, and her eyes held a trace of charming radiance.
'What kind of ninjutsu could achieve such an effect?' Tetsu was completely bewildered.
"We were discussing some ninjutsu," Natsu said, looking at Tetsu as he stared at her. A sudden sense of superiority welled up in her heart.
Human happiness is born from comparison. No matter how miserable her current situation was, as long as she served Kiyoshi well, there was a chance to break the [Caged Bird Curse Seal]. Although she would still have to be a servant to the Main House, she wouldn't have to live in constant terror. In secret, she was already a "human."
"Then, do you want to take a walk around here?" Tetsu's face flushed slightly, the tips of his ears turning red. Seeing the girl suddenly become more beautiful made the youth feel a bit shy.
"No," Natsu shook her head gently, her voice very soft. She didn't have much strength left; even standing there was exhausting. She only wanted to report back to Ginka Hyuga as soon as possible and then go rest.
"...Alright, let's go together next time then," Tetsu invited her with a sincere gaze. He had heard from Tokuma Hyuga that if you want to pursue a girl, you have to be persistent.
Natsu didn't reply but looked at Tetsu with a complex expression. "Tetsu, you and I are simply not on the same path," she sighed softly.
The Branch House received loyalty education from the Main House. Someone like Tetsu had already accepted the fate of the Branch House and even took pride in his role as a protector. But she... she craved freedom more. However, Natsu didn't say this out loud; she didn't want to hurt him. After all, they were childhood playmates.
Tetsu could only watch Natsu's retreating back. Her walking posture seemed a bit strange.
'What kind of ninjutsu were they actually talking about in there?' Tetsu couldn't figure it out, but he quickly pushed the thought aside.
Natsu had become more beautiful. This gave him more motivation; one day, he would create a happy family with her. If that happened, she wouldn't go looking for Kiyoshi anymore. The Hyuga clan's laws were strict—once married, a woman had to maintain her distance from all men except her husband.
"I need to earn more money first," Tetsu muttered to himself, heading in another direction. Ninjas were mercenaries; in a war like this, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire would allocate a massive amount of funds to the village, which would then be distributed to the ninjas as rewards. The pay was much better than usual, making war an opportunity to amass a fortune.
...
The next day.
Kiyoshi finally finished grinding his Trait points.
"You have unlocked the Trait: [Water Style Chunin (Blue)]."
[Trait: Water Style Chunin (Blue)]
[Requirement: You can now easily learn C-rank Water Style ninjutsu and have begun advancing toward the Jonin level.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[Effect: You have met the minimum requirements for developing ninjutsu. Water Style chakra resistance increased by 40%.]
[Note: Can be further evolved.]
[Evolution Path 1: Combine "Lightning Style Chunin (Blue)", "Fire Style Chunin (Blue)", "Wind Style Chunin (Blue)", and "Water Style Chunin (Blue)" to evolve into "Natural Born Ninja (Purple)".]
"Natural Born Ninja..." Kiyoshi stroked his chin. Without much thought, he clicked to evolve with a thought.
"You have unlocked the Trait: [Natural Born Ninja (Purple)]."
[Trait: Natural Born Ninja (Purple)]
[Requirement: Proficient in four types of chakra nature transformation.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[Effect: You will obtain all chakra nature affinities; you are a natural born ninja.
Your talent in the way of the ninja is extraordinary. When your understanding of a certain chakra nature reaches the standard, your soul will be strengthened by a certain ratio.
The training speed for all chakra nature transformations is increased by 100% based on the original.]
[Note: Can be further evolved.]
'It's definitely more luxurious compared to the Blue Traits,' Kiyoshi thought.
In addition to the increase in base stats, it gave other special effects. For example, he would gain all chakra nature affinities; he previously only had Lightning, Fire, Wind, Water, Yin, and Yang. He was missing the Earth Style seed that usually dropped from defeating others. He hadn't expected today's Purple Trait to fill that gap directly. Now, he could train in all seven chakra natures.
As for this soul strengthening... Kiyoshi felt everything else was easy to understand, but this part was a bit vague. He couldn't figure it out, so he would have to experiment slowly in the future.
...
Inside a certain tent.
"Nobuhiko, please be careful on this trip," Ginka Hyuga said worriedly. The Leaf high-ups had sent an order from the rear to redeploy a group of Hyuga ninjas, and Nobuhiko happened to be among them.
"Don't worry," Nobuhiko Hyuga smiled, signaling Ginka not to be sad. "I'll marry you once the war is over." He and Ginka were already engaged; they were only a formal wedding away from calling each other husband and wife.
"Alright," Ginka nodded, her mind filled with thoughts of a beautiful future. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her eyes. The figure in that shadow was... Kiyoshi Uchiha.
The more Ginka thought of Kiyoshi, the more a sense of ill omen filled her as she spoke with Nobuhiko. She was afraid... afraid that her current stable life would vanish into nothingness because of her loose tongue.
"Ginka?" Nobuhiko noticed her pale face and couldn't help but ask.
"It's nothing. I just don't know when this war will end," Ginka dodged his gaze, making up an excuse.
Nobuhiko, who trusted her implicitly, didn't think anything was wrong and nodded in agreement. "Who can say for sure?" The current situation was blurred; perhaps only the big shots sitting in the rear could see clearly. He sighed. In war, human life is the cheapest thing.
"Lady Ginka... Lord Nobuhiko," Natsu Hyuga reported from behind, her head lowered.
"Ah, Natsu." Nobuhiko recognized the Branch House member serving Ginka. He had one of his own who was about the same age.
"Natsu..." Ginka looked at her, desperately wanting to know the outcome. "It's late, Nobuhiko. I'm going to rest now."