Flynn Kinoshita sat cross-legged on the tatami, quietly extracting chakra.
[Chakra Extraction Technique in progress. Proficiency +1]
[Chakra Extraction Technique in progress. Proficiency +1]
After a while, a wave of hunger hit him.
He stopped immediately.
His body was warning him. It needed food.
"One full cycle gives me one point of proficiency. Training like this… it's addictive."
It felt just like grinding levels in a game. Visible progress, instant feedback. It was hard to stop.
Honestly, it reminded him of gaming addiction. Without something to snap you out of it, you could go on forever.
In Flynn's case, that "something" was his stomach.
"I'm starving…"
He looked up at the night sky. A full moon hung high above. It was already late.
Going out to eat was not an option.
Konoha wasn't some peaceful modern city. Nights here were unpredictable. There were spies, patrols, and worse. Wandering outside alone could easily get him into trouble.
If he got kidnapped, that would be the end of his story.
Flynn quietly slipped into the kitchen, planning to cook something.
The moment he stepped inside, he froze.
On the table sat a large bento box.
His chest tightened slightly.
He understood immediately.
His brother had prepared this for him.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
Having a brother… wasn't so bad.
"Ah… ow…"
A sharp pain shot through his cheek. The swelling from earlier was still there, courtesy of Kenta's pinch.
"Just wait… once I get stronger, I'll definitely get my revenge."
With teary eyes, Flynn sat down and started eating the bento.
From the shadows, Kenta watched quietly, a satisfied smile on his face.
He had finally figured out how to deal with kids.
Discipline first, reward after.
Looking at Flynn eating so happily, he felt oddly proud.
…
The next day, at the Ninja Academy.
"Today, we're practicing kunai throwing. Follow me."
The students gathered at the training ground as Kenta demonstrated.
His movements were clean and precise.
Whoosh!
The kunai struck the center of the target.
Applause broke out.
"Now remember," Kenta added, "don't throw kunai unless absolutely necessary."
The students looked confused.
If they were learning how to throw kunai, why shouldn't they use them?
A boy raised his hand.
"Sensei, why?"
"Because they cost money."
Silence.
Every student stared at him with resentment.
That answer hurt.
Most of them came from ordinary families. They couldn't afford to treat kunai like disposable tools.
Kenta laughed awkwardly.
These kids don't understand humor at all. Worst class I've ever taught.
At that moment, his eyes landed on Flynn.
Perfect.
"Flynn Kinoshita, step forward. Ten meters. Do it like I just showed you."
Flynn stepped up, picked up a practice kunai, and took his stance.
Left foot forward.
Right arm raised.
He threw.
"Whoa!"
The entire class gasped.
Because Flynn's hand… was embedded in the target.
Not the kunai.
His hand.
"…uh."
Flynn forced a smile, trying to ease the awkwardness.
He had only just gained control of his rubber body. His strength control was off.
He had thrown too hard.
"Sensei… does this count as a bullseye?"
"That counts as cheating, you idiot!"
Kenta took a deep breath, reminding himself that this was his biological brother.
"Get out there and run fifty laps! Next, Minato Namikaze!"
The class fell silent, intimidated by his outburst.
"Fine…"
Flynn turned and walked away.
This idiot brother just didn't understand his sense of humor.
If it's long enough, you never miss.
…
The academy track was 400 meters per lap.
Fifty laps meant 20,000 meters.
Flynn felt like his brother had lost his mind.
Making a six-year-old run that far?
Does he think I'm some kind of training fanatic?
Then again…
Rubber body.
Time to test it.
At first, Flynn held back.
But after a few laps, he realized something shocking.
He wasn't tired.
At all.
He started pushing harder.
So this is the power of the Rubber Fruit?
Not just elasticity. His endurance and strength had also improved dramatically.
"If my body is already like this, then the more I train, the stronger I get…"
Before, he had been cautious. He avoided intense training, worried about damaging his young body.
Like certain prodigies who burned out too early.
But now?
There were no limits.
If he didn't train like crazy, how would he ever reach Fourth Gear?
How would he awaken his full potential?
A grin spread across his face.
If he couldn't break, then he would push himself to the edge.
The first lap took 55 seconds.
Then 57.
Then slower.
Eventually, he stabilized at around 80 seconds per lap.
Ten laps.
Thirty.
Forty.
Forty-nine.
Fifty.
"Ha… ha…"
His breathing was ragged, his throat burning, sweat dripping down his face.
But he didn't stop.
He kept running.
He wanted to find his limit.
Just as exhaustion began to take over, a warm current surged through his body.
His mind cleared slightly.
Some of his strength returned.
[Limit broken. Rubber Fruit Proficiency +1]
"So that's how it works…"
To level up, he had to push past his limits.
If he wanted to improve, he had to break through one hundred times.
His eyes sharpened.
Without hesitation, he kept running.
…
As time passed, more students noticed the lone figure on the track.
"What's that kid doing?"
"Probably got punished. I heard the new teacher for the lower grades is really strict."
"Wow, he looks miserable."
"Just a civilian kid. Weak body, I guess."
The voice came from a boy with short black hair and sharp eyes.
Uchiha Shigeru.
People glanced at him, then quickly looked away.
The Uchiha clan.
A name that carried weight.
Not to be provoked.
Not to be approached.
Shigeru frowned slightly.
Why is everyone ignoring me?
Did I say something wrong?
Are they afraid of me?
…just like the elders said?
That others weren't worthy of being friends with the Uchiha?
At that moment, a girl walked over.
Her skin was smooth, her features delicate, her eyes clear and gentle.
Mikoto Uchiha.
"Shigeru, what's wrong?"
Her voice was soft, filled with concern.
"I… I'm fine."
Shigeru's face turned slightly red.
"He's been running all morning," Mikoto said, looking toward the track with a faint smile. "He reminds me of you. Strong-willed. You two might get along."
"Y-yeah… maybe."
Shigeru nodded stiffly.
But in his mind, a completely different scene was already playing out.
A future with Mikoto.
A wedding.
And that running kid…
as the best man.
Heh… hehe…