"Alright, alright. Class begins."
Chiyo had requested no special treatment for Hii Kōri in advance, so the teacher simply called for order. Still, in this class of new students, the teacher held some authority. The noise subsided.
Seeing quiet, the ordinary Sand ninja began teaching by the book.
This lesson was "Ninja Basics." The first half of the textbook covered definitions—ninja, ninjutsu, chakra. Middle sections covered chakra refinement.
This Academy is unbearably dull...
Hii Kōri listened briefly. The teacher's explanation fell short of even Mataza's notes. His mind immediately wandered.
Perhaps they simplified for students without foundation. But what did that have to do with Hii Kōri, already researching optimal chakra circulation?
His body was young—his mind hadn't regressed to infancy. This kindergarten-level instruction was unbearable.
One hand propping his cheek, the other unhooked his pendant, dexterously flipping it between fingers.
Throughout the journey to Sunagakure, he'd studied this pendant—crafted with all the original parents' strength.
The material was ordinary jade—nothing special. Yet as a chakra container, even in Chiyo's perception, it showed no trace. Inactive, only Hii Kōri could sense its power.
That was remarkable.
Both Chiyo's indirect answers along the journey and the original parents' notes clearly stated: there were no "absolute" seals or barriers in this world.
No matter how tightly applied, foolproof was impossible. More layers and complexity meant more tiny errors could crash the entire system.
Seals and barriers never sought complexity. They aimed for optimal effect with minimal means.
Balancing these two was the essence of sealing techniques.
Yet this pendant seemed to contradict the fundamental definition of sealing in the Naruto world.
For Hii Kōri, though, he'd seen similar things—theories, settings.
His original world had Special Grade Cursed Objects that traded "not harming humans" for nearly indestructible physical resistance. That resistance rooted in the basic concept of Binding Vows.
Binding Vows were vows or constraints made with oneself or others.
Trade "must do X" or "must never do Y" for something else. Violate the vow, and suffer "unknown" punishment.
This was common sense in the jujutsu world.
But common sense though it was, almost no one knew why it worked, or why punishment remained unknown.
Hii Kōri had guesses. Cursed energy, ultimately, derived from "spirit." Since spirit-based, psychological states naturally affected it.
When forming a Binding Vow, one couldn't help but wholeheartedly believed "this must be done." Perhaps that momentary burst of determination formed the vow's foundation.
Coincidentally, he'd seen similar concepts in Hunter × Hunter.
In that manga, the fundamental ability "Nen" freely manipulates life energy "Aura" emitted from the body. Everyone constantly emitted trace amounts of life energy, but most couldn't control its loss.
Controlling this energy required "sublimating and training the mind"—enhancing self-will.
Through training, Nen users awakened various abilities according to their nature.
Nen abilities likewise had no "absolute" elements—but could approach "near-infinite."
Imposing constraints and oaths during training—the more difficult the rule, the more explosive power.
Though Nen built on life energy, will—or "spirit"—still drove it.
Having actually traveled to the Naruto world, even without experiencing Nen firsthand, Hii Kōri felt it worth referencing.
These "vows" and "binding"—fundamentally, individual will tangibly affecting reality.
So they inadvertently touched Binding Vow power... No, more than that. Perhaps their dying obsessions played a part...
He recalled Hunter × Hunter's "post-mortem Nen" left by deceased Nen users that couldn't be extinguished. All life energy and obsession solidified into near-permanent existence before death. This further proved that spirits could strongly interfere with reality.
Meaning I can try using Binding Vows to enhance strength here...
Thoughts clarified, Hii Kōri planned to experiment when opportunity arose.
Though upon awakening in this world, encountering the lingering reverberation, he'd formed a Binding Vow—its conditions and effects felt almost intangible.
Back then, he'd had no mental space or chance for repeated testing.
Things applied to oneself couldn't be too cautious. Having miraculously gained a second chance, Hii Kōri cherished his life.
"Um... Hii-kun? Why did you say that earlier?"
Throughout most of class, Karura occasionally glanced at the spacing-out Hii Kōri. Curiosity finally overwhelmed her, she stealthily tapped his elbow and whispered like a thief.
"Hm? What?"
Not great at acting, relying on poker face, Hii Kōri excelled at zoning out. Movements unchanged, not even turning his head, he responded.
"About my chakra circulating smoothest..."
"Because it's true. In this whole class, besides me, your chakra circulation has fewest pauses and smallest speed variations."
"And that kid has most chakra. That girl's is easiest to distinguish."
Pendant back on his chest, Hii Kōri pulled out a pointed pen, pretending to write a few characters, then indicated two people with the pen tip.
The former: a boy with reddish-brown short hair. The latter: a girl with dark green hair and ochre bangs.
Then he added:
"Besides you three, no one else in this class is worth noticing."