Bab 10: Water Release – Starch Syrup Capturing Field
Early the next morning, the notice board at the Ninja Academy was already surrounded by layers upon layers of students. The noise was so loud it felt like it could lift the roof right off the building.
The results of the monthly exam had just been posted. The bright red writing stood out sharply under the sunlight.
"Look! First place is Asuma! Total score—485! No wonder, he's the Third Hokage's son!"
"Oh my god! Second place is actually Kamizuki Izumo! 480 points! Last month he was only in the middle ranks, and now he jumped straight to second place?!"
"That kind of improvement is insane! Don't tell me he cheated?" someone muttered sourly.
"Try doing it yourself! He beat Guy in the real combat test—how could that be cheating?" someone shot back immediately.
The students' shouts echoed nonstop. Looks of shock, curiosity, and jealousy all turned toward Izumo, instantly making him the center of attention.
Ebisu pushed his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose. The lenses reflected the sunlight, hiding the surprise in his eyes.
He stared at Izumo's name on the ranking board and murmured softly, "This guy… just how much strength has he been hiding? In the last simulation, he was still near the lower middle of the board. Now he's only five points behind Asuma."
Might Guy, on the other hand, was like a little bull that had just discovered fresh grass. He clenched his fists, his face split into an energetic grin, and dashed straight toward Izumo.
"Kamizuki! You're amazing! Second place! Next time we fight, I definitely won't lose to you again!"
His voice was so loud and clear that it made the surrounding students turn to look.
Izumo smiled and nodded, his gaze calm and steady. "I'm ready anytime, Guy. Let's keep getting stronger together."
"Hahaha! I love that spirit!" Might Guy laughed even harder, the muscles in his body visibly trembling with excitement.
Kotetsu Hagane was even more over the top. His face was flushed with excitement as he threw an arm around Izumo's neck with way too much force, nearly choking him.
"Izumo, you're seriously incredible! Tonight, we have to celebrate at my place! I'll make my mom cook your favorite tempura—eat as much as you want!"
Izumo chuckled and patted Kotetsu's arm. "Alright, then I won't be polite."
Under the shade of a tree not far away, Mitarashi Anko was biting into a huge red bean bun. When she saw Izumo's name on the ranking board, her chewing suddenly stopped.
Her round eyes widened.
With her mouth still full of red bean paste, she mumbled, "Huh? Kamizuki is really second place?"
She licked the bean paste off the corner of her lips, her eyes filled with curiosity. Without realizing it, her feet started moving little by little in Izumo's direction, clearly wanting to get closer and ask if he had secretly been training some special technique.
Yūhi Kurenai pulled Anko back before she could do anything weird, but her own gaze lingered on the ranking board for a moment as well. Her slender fingers brushed lightly against the hem of her clothes, and a look of surprise mixed with admiration flashed in her eyes.
Sarutobi Asuma scratched his head, looking a little annoyed.
"This Kamizuki… he's chasing me way too closely."
That evening, Izumo followed Kotetsu back to his house.
The moment the gate opened, a rich, savory aroma of cooking rushed out to greet them.
Hagane Ichirō was sitting at the stone table in the yard, carefully cleaning his ninja tools. Every movement was meticulous, as if the short blade in his hand were a living thing.
Aunt Noriko was busy in the kitchen. The sound of pots and utensils clinking together was crisp and pleasant.
"Izumo's here? Come in and sit," Hagane Ichirō said as he noticed him and set down the ninja tools in his hand. There was clear approval on his face. "Second place in the monthly exam. That's a very good result."
"Thank you, Uncle Ichirō," Izumo said, bowing politely before sitting down by the stone table.
Aunt Noriko came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of tempura fresh from the fryer. The batter was golden and crispy, glistening with hot oil and giving off a tempting aroma.
"Izumo, hurry and try some. It just came out and it's still warm."
Izumo picked up a piece of tempura and took a careful bite. The crispy coating broke apart instantly, revealing a soft, juicy inside with a light, savory fragrance. The deliciousness made his eyes light up.
Dinner was warm and lively.
After the meal, Hagane Ichirō called Izumo into the inner room.
"Izumo, there's something I need to tell you," he said in a low, serious voice. "Your parents once entrusted a Ninjutsu scroll to me. Originally, I planned to give it to you after you graduated. But now… it seems the time has come."
He walked over to the bookshelf and took out an old wooden box.
The surface of the box was carved with intricate patterns. The edges were worn smooth, clearly showing the passage of many years.
He opened the box. Inside, resting quietly, was a blue-colored scroll.
"This scroll is a Water Release Ninjutsu left behind by your parents—Starch Syrup Capturing Field," Hagane Ichirō said as he handed it to Izumo, his eyes filled with memory. "This technique creates water with an extremely strong adhesive property. Once it hits the enemy, it binds their movements tightly. Even for a ninja, breaking free is very difficult."
Izumo accepted the scroll. His fingertips traced the patterns on its surface, and an indescribable feeling welled up in his chest.
He could feel his parents' intent and hopes sealed inside it, and at the same time, he understood the weight of this inheritance.
Even if his parents had only been ordinary Chūnin, a Ninjutsu passed down through generations was the continuation of a family's will.
"Thank you, Uncle Ichirō," Izumo said respectfully.
Hagane Ichirō gently patted his shoulder, his tone turning warmer.
"Your parents were heroes. You have to inherit their resolve, live well, and become stronger. Oh, right—today I happen to have some free time. I'll test your chakra attributes, yours and Kotetsu's, so we can see what kinds of Ninjutsu suit you best to train."
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