Hanekawa raised his hand, rotating chakra gathering in his palm.

  The Rasengan formed—a perfect sphere of spiraling energy.

  He thrust it forward into the massive tree ahead. The impact was instantaneous and devastating. The trunk exploded outward in a spider web of cracks, radiating from the point of contact like shattered glass. When he circled around to the back, a deep crater greeted him, the wood pulverized into splinters.

  Well, that's one way to redecorate the training ground.

  [A-Rank Ninjutsu Entry: Rasengan]

  [Trigger Condition: Successfully perform this ninjutsu]

  [Effect: This ninjutsu automatically reaches proficient level]

  He nodded with satisfaction. Nearly two weeks of solid practice—mid-August through September—and he'd finally cracked it. In terms of raw destructive power, Guy still had the edge, but the Rasengan had potential. Real potential. The beauty of it was versatility; he could layer other jutsu into it, creating something exponentially more dangerous.

  Not bad for a day's work.

  Hanekawa headed back inside.

  The living room was chaos in the best way possible. Tsunade, Kushina, two of Kurama's tails, and a fox-shaped bundle of fur were arranged around a low table, cards in hand. The Nine-Tailed Beast was somehow managing to hold cards between its paws.

  "You're done already?" Kushina glanced up, her red hair catching the light. "Trouble with the Rasengan?"

  "Already mastered it," Hanekawa said.

  Kushina's eyes widened. "That fast? You really are a genius!"

  "He's my student," Tsunade said smugly, not bothering to look up from her hand. "A pair of Aces."

  "I want a genius student too," Kushina said wistfully, studying her cards.

  "Your turn will come," Tsunade replied, drawing a card. "A three. Two cards left."

  "Oh no!" Kushina turned to Kurama desperately. "Nine-Tails, we need a miracle!"

  The fox's tails swished. It played a small king without hesitation.

  Tsunade's expression shifted. Something was wrong. She watched as Kurama methodically emptied its hand in rapid succession.

  "Won!" Kushina cheered, high-fiving one of Kurama's tails.

  "Damn it!" Tsunade whirled on Hanekawa, eyes blazing. "This is your fault!"

  "My fault?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow. "Have you won a single hand before I showed up?"

  "Of course I have!" Tsunade's face flushed slightly, but she pressed on stubbornly.

  Kushina opened her mouth to contradict her, caught Tsunade's glare, and wisely stayed silent.

  "Alright," Hanekawa said diplomatically. "I'll sit this one out."

  "No, you won't." Tsunade's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. "We're teacher and student. You sit next to me."

  Great. I'm a luck charm now. Fantastic.

  He settled beside her without argument. He'd been training for nearly two hours anyway; a break wouldn't hurt.

  The game restarted. With Hanekawa at her side, Tsunade's luck improved dramatically. She won more hands than she lost—a stark contrast to her usual pattern of catastrophic failure.

  "Is Hanekawa really that useful?" Kushina asked hopefully. "Why don't you try sitting next to your sister?"

  "No," Tsunade said flatly. "He's my student."

  "Mean," Kushina grumbled, returning to her cards.

  Hanekawa said nothing. What do you think I am, exactly? A portable luck modifier?

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  He felt something brush against his thigh. Looking down, he found a fox tail wrapped around his leg—smaller than Kurama's other two, maybe two-thirds the size.

  Oh, come on.

  "Kyuubi, you're being clever today!" Kushina exclaimed, studying Kurama's cards with surprise. The fox's plays were sharper, more strategic than usual.

  "I'm always clever," Kurama's tails rose proudly.

  "You're cheating!" Tsunade pointed at the extra tail. "Where did that come from?!"

  "When did you separate it?" Kushina asked, equally surprised.

  Kurama's three tails fluttered with excitement.

  "It says it didn't cheat," Kushina translated, glancing at Hanekawa. "Hanekawa can confirm."

  Tsunade looked at him expectantly.

  "It's telling the truth," Hanekawa confirmed. "Just borrowed a little luck."

  Tsunade's expression shifted to understanding, then something like awe. "I didn't think Kyuubi could be that clever."

  The Nine-Tailed Beast just weaponized my luck aura. That's actually impressive.

  "Hmph!" Kurama's tails fluttered indignantly at being called clever instead of praised for its strategy.

  Tsunade ignored the complaint. The game continued. Without Hanekawa's direct proximity, Kurama's advantage faded—it played at a level slightly better than Tsunade's usual disaster, but nothing remarkable.

  Hanekawa yawned. Watching Tsunade and Kurama fumble through card games was somehow more exhausting than actual training.

  "It's almost noon," Kushina announced, checking the clock. "I'm making lunch. Everyone stop."

  Tsunade reluctantly set down her cards, though she clearly wanted to continue.

  Kurama's three tails vanished in a flash. The fox retreated to its small dark room to mentally replay every hand, analyzing its strategy.

  After lunch, Hanekawa left Kushina's house. Tsunade stayed—gambling was gambling, regardless of location, and where else could you find a tailed beast willing to play cards?

  The afternoon was clear and cold. Sunday meant no school, though he'd been on leave for two weeks anyway. As he walked, a roar split the air.

  A water dragon erupted from the training ground ahead, slamming into a stone pillar. The impact sent fragments flying.

  "Nice!" Hanekawa clapped.

  "Hanekawa!" Kurenai sprinted toward him, her ruby eyes bright. "Why are you here?"

  "Training's done. Back to school tomorrow," he said, reaching over to ruffle her hair. She was getting taller, though still small for her age. "I've got something better, though. I'm going to ask Uncle Kosuke to teach me the Crescent Moon Dance."

  Kurenai's eyes lit up. "Really? We can practice water jutsu together?"

  "That's the idea."

  "You want to learn the Crescent Moon Dance?" Maruboshi Kosuke stepped forward, his weathered face thoughtful.

  "And the Shadow Clone Technique," Hanekawa added. The Multiple Shadow Clone was forbidden for good reason, but the basic version was essential. The Crescent Moon Dance combined Leaf Village swordsmanship with shadow clones—he'd need both.

  "I can teach you," Kosuke agreed without hesitation.

  "Oh! I forgot to tell you—I'm Uncle Kosuke's official apprentice now!" Kurenai announced proudly.

  Hanekawa blinked. Apprentice? That was different from being a student. That meant succession, legacy. He thought of future Kurenai, her mastery of water jutsu. Had Kosuke been her teacher all along?

  "Congratulations, Kurenai. You've got an excellent teacher," he said warmly.

  Kosuke was probably the second-best water jutsu specialist in the village after Hiruzen himself. Given Kurenai's status and talent, she'd never become the Hokage's direct student—Hiruzen had stopped taking disciples years ago. This was actually the better path.

  "I'm motivated now," Kosuke said with a laugh. "Kurenai, keep practicing. Hanekawa, come with me."

  They moved to an open training area, away from Kurenai's practice.

  "The Shadow Clone Technique is a B-Rank jutsu," Kosuke explained as they walked. "Invented by the Second Hokage. Most ninja can create two clones. More than that becomes the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique."

  He outlined the mechanics—physical clones made of chakra, independent consciousness, capable of performing jutsu. When released, memories and experience returned to the original body.

  "The problem," Kosuke continued, "is chakra consumption. Each clone divides your total chakra equally. And when they all return..." He tapped his temple. "Too much information flooding back at once can cause serious damage. Mental degradation at best, death at worst. That's why the Multiple Shadow Clone is forbidden."

  Hanekawa listened carefully, filing away every detail.

  ---

  Time moved quickly. By December, Konoha was draped in snow and holiday decorations. Hanekawa had successfully learned both the Shadow Clone Technique and the Crescent Moon Dance. As a bonus, he'd gained a new entry:

  [C-Rank Talent Entry: Earth Style Chunin]

  [Effect: Increase Earth Style Ninjutsu power by 50%]

  That one came courtesy of Kakashi, who'd been dragging him into daily ninjutsu duels. Hanekawa rarely won, but his strength had increased dramatically—he was performing at a level that would've taken most ninja years to achieve.

  He opened his window. Cold air rushed in, carrying the scent of snow. Light flakes drifted past.

  Then three lines of text appeared in his vision.

  [C-Rank Talent Entry: Cartoonist (Already Acquired)]

  [Trigger Condition: Own three best-selling comics]

  [Effect: Eyesight increases by 30% from baseline]

  His eyes flashed. The world suddenly sharpened—distant details became crisp and clear, colors more vivid. He could count the snowflakes in the air if he wanted to.

  Well, that's unexpected.

  He flexed his new vision, watching the snow fall with perfect clarity.

  Not bad. Not bad at all.