To be honest, Hii Kōri didn't actually think Pakura's actions were wrong.
If an experienced ninja were here, they wouldn't admit to such a thing, let alone feel ashamed for using such tactics.
After all, ninja were never an honorable profession. As long as you completed the mission or defeated your opponent, any means were permissible—even if they violated your own morals and principles.
"Having an unfeeling heart"—that's what it was about.
Responsibility, professional ethics, basic human decency, personal feelings... If you couldn't balance these aspects, you'd eventually be driven mad by the ninja life. Better to retire early than that.
But such matters were still too early for a five or six-year-old child. Not understanding was normal.
If anything, these days when they still feel ashamed by such simple moral concepts should be cherished.
While jujutsu sorcerers who maintained good mental states weren't nonexistent, this profession produced far too many psychopaths. Drawing parallels, ninja in an even more treacherous work environment probably had it worse.
But what did others' psychological construction have to do with him?
"Whew... worked up a good sweat..."
Pushing those trivial matters aside, Hii Kōri rotated his arms, rolling his shoulders. Sensing his physical state changes, he was in quite a good mood.
Practice leads to true knowledge—a maximum that held at any time.
Relying solely on simulation scenarios from computational power couldn't fully replace actual combat. A movement causing meridian deviation, an injury disrupting chakra circulation... No matter how precise your calculations are, high-intensity combat inevitably introduces bias.
That's your body's instinct when you needed to regulate.
His training—which seemed more like self-torment—was designed precisely for such situations.
Just then, Hii Kōri spotted Karura pushing through the bustling crowd, then trotting toward him.
"Looking so nervous, Little Rabbit."
He raised his hand in greeting.
"Because it really was intense."
Karura had given up correcting his nickname. She naturally fell into step beside him, eyes shining as she looked at the boy. "But Hii-kun is amazing! Even watching older students' practice drills, I've never seen such intense fighting!"
"Ha. That's because older students can mostly hold back."
Though he hadn't witnessed older students' fights personally, Hii Kōri doubted the intensity differed much from just now.
By Chiyo's standards, Rasa and Pakura were unquestionably genuine genin-level—ready to graduate with appropriate teachers.
Older students still plodding through the Academy? Not without talent, but clearly the gap from true genius.
Such students, even crossing the genin threshold during school, wouldn't be too overpowered.
But with maturity, their spars would be more measured. Such precipitation required time—not redeemable by talent.
Hii-kun seems to really enjoy fighting...
What he thought, Karura naturally couldn't know. The rabbit-like girl only felt Hii Kōri seemed like a different person—his expression shifting from battle fever back to the calm waves of their first meeting.
Silently noting this in her "Hii-kun Observation Record," Karura ceased speaking, merely blinking her shining eyes and quietly listening to his further explanation.
Truthfully, compared to his excited battle cries, she preferred this smooth, slow voice.
It held a maturity beyond their age. She liked it.
"We all got carried away—me and them both. Otherwise, it wouldn't have reached this point."
Hii Kōri didn't bother hiding his gaffe, even modest in self-assessment. "But in taijutsu, I'm pretty confident. At least among current students, purely taijutsu—I shouldn't lose."
'Shouldn't lose'? Such an arrogant yet contradictory brat. But... he's not wrong.
Listening to their conversation while carrying the knocked-out Rasa, Misawa had to admit—though Hii Kōri's words sounded arrogant, he had the capital.
Knocking out a sneak attacker from behind with such a twisted stance, leaving no serious injury—that taijutsu skill was indeed remarkable.
If physical conditions equalized, Misawa doubted he'd win in taijutsu either.
Kids these days are getting more and more impressive.
"Alright, alright. Today's practice ends here. Free time, everyone."
Sighing internally, Misawa announced, then headed to the infirmary with Rasa. Even after repeated confirmations, professional conclusions required professional doctors.
To avoid finger-slicing fate, Misawa wouldn't leave any loopholes for criticism.
Besides, with those three outstanding students setting the bar, others probably lacked the heart to display their poor performances.
Noticing Misawa's glance, Hii Kōri shrugged and continued chatting with Karura. "Lunchtime now, right? Where's the cafeteria?"
"Um... there's no cafeteria. Everyone brings their own bento."
Karura subtly poked his waist, reluctantly delivering this cruel news to the turning Hii Kōri.
"...Huh?"
In an instant, countless assumptions and possibilities flashed through his mind. But only one answer remained.
Chiyo, you schemed against me!
No need for words—Hii Kōri's reaction made it obvious he hadn't prepared lunch.
Thinking how exhausted he must be after such intense fightting, Karura considered sharing her bento.
But before she could speak, a less-than-confident voice reached them first.
"Um... if you don't mind, have my bento."