Lurking in Konoha, Part-Time Hokage

"Take a break."

Sakumo Hatake sheathed his sword and stepped back as he spoke. Kakashi Hatake plopped down on the ground, panting heavily without any semblance of elegance. 

Every duel felt like a nightmare-level challenge for him. Even though he was a genius among geniuses, he was up against Konoha's White Fang, a name that struck fear across the Ninja World.

"Is that your classmate?"

Sakumo Hatake glanced at Hanekawa running by and asked. 

"Yeah."

Kakashi exhaled and said, "His name is Hanekawa. He's got decent Genjutsu talent."

"Just Genjutsu?" Sakumo questioned back. 

"What did you notice?" Kakashi was slightly startled as he asked. 

He knew Sakumo possessed extraordinary insight and could see through people accurately. 

"His stamina isn't bad." Sakumo stroked his chin and said, "He has the same confidence as you do."

"He defeated Asuma before. It's only natural he'd be confident." Kakashi wasn't surprised at all.

"I see." Sakumo smiled and said, "Maybe he'll become a strong rival for you."

"He won't." Kakashi retorted. 

He's not Asuma Sarutobi, so he's not going to fall for Genjutsu that easily. 

Sakumo didn't say anything more. Geniuses always have their pride. And his son was truly undefeatable among his peers.

After some time, Hanekawa finally stopped running. 

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and calculated the time. With the 'Strong Physique' entry, he endured half an hour more than before. 

Kakashi and Sakumo were nowhere to be seen, having left at some point.

Hanekawa didn't stay, turning to head home. 

Time slipped by. 

The end of a new week arrived again. 

During these seven days, Hanekawa did only two things: running at Training Ground Four and practicing Ninja Tool Throwing in the small forest outside his house.

Sunday morning. 

Hanekawa woke up early and jogged to Training Ground Four. Suppressing his anticipation, he adjusted his breathing and began running laps. 

After a dozen minutes, a father and son with white hair, one big and one small, showed up. 

Both Kakashi and Sakumo were already used to Hanekawa. They nodded at each other and trained separately.

"Hmm?"

Sakumo let out a soft sound of surprise. He noticed Hanekawa suddenly speeding up, roughly one-tenth faster than before. 

Was he sprinting? No, that wasn't right. Sakumo's eyes focused.

Had he broken through? His judgment was based on Hanekawa's breathing. Despite the increase in speed, his rhythm remained as steady as before. 

"Kakashi." Sakumo spoke with some amazement, "Looks like I was right. He might indeed become a strong rival for you."

Hanekawa's speed was already equivalent to a normal Genin, but the key point was his rapid rate of improvement.

"Soon it will be the end-of-term exams. I plan to defeat Hanekawa and apply for early graduation."

Kakashi hadn't noticed Hanekawa's changes, but Sakumo's repeated comments sparked his competitive spirit. 

"I'm looking forward to it." Sakumo said with great interest, "I'll be sure to watch when the time comes."

"I won't disappoint you." Kakashi replied, pulling out a Tanto. He didn't think he'd lose. 

The training between father and son began in earnest. 

An hour later, Hanekawa exhaled deeply.

[E-rank Talent Entry: Fleet-Footed (Acquired).]

[Trigger Condition: Achieve peak speed for a normal Genin.]

[Effect: Increases leg strength by 10% based on the original foundation.]

He had just confirmed the new entry's effects; the so-called leg strength involved not just power but also increased speed. Though the margin was just 10%, it was still a considerable boost in power for him.

With a thought, Hanekawa opened the system. He was currently working on three entries.

E-rank Entry 'Top Student' required him to get first place in the end-of-term exams' theory section. 

E-rank Entry 'Seven Ninja Tools,' he had already mastered four types: Shuriken, Kunai, Senbon, and Fuma Shuriken. 

D-rank Entry 'Medical Ninja,' compared to the former entries, he hadn't even reached Beginner in this one. Just looking at those medical books gave him a headache. 

He finally understood why medical ninjas were so rare; it was incredibly hard to learn.

Even though difficulties surpassed solutions, he hadn't given up yet. After all, Tsunade's allure was significant. 

With the day's physical training sufficiently done, Hanekawa shut the system and headed home. As he reached out to open the door, Kurenai Yuhi came into view.

Crash. The cabinet moved.

Genjutsu Release! Hanekawa disrupted his Chakra flow, thereby overcoming the Genjutsu.

"Why?" Kurenai said, visibly upset.

"Ambushes won't work." Hanekawa reached out and ruffled her hair.

"How did you notice?" Kurenai didn't mind his hand; she was confused.

"Your Genjutsu world lacks detail." Hanekawa casually explained. 

Genjutsu ninjas were a bit like game designers of his previous life; the more detailed they were, the less likely suspicion would arise. 

Of course, Uchiha Clan ninjas were an exception. As long as their visual prowess was strong enough, even knowing one was trapped in Genjutsu wouldn't help break it. For example, Itachi Uchiha's Tsukuyomi.

"I'm going to shower." Hanekawa took off his shoes and said, "I'll teach you Genjutsu afterward."

"Okay." Kurenai responded by habit, still pondering what details her Genjutsu lacked.

Steam rose. Hanekawa sighed in relaxation. 

A hot shower after exercise was just right.

"Hanekawa, you smell nice." Kurenai sniffed the air and commented instinctively.

Hanekawa, just out of the bathroom, found it hard to hold back a smile. "You better be talking about my fragrance and not implying something else."

"The hairdryer." Hanekawa said, seated on the sofa.

"Why don't you get it yourself?" Kurenai stood with her hands on her hips and questioned. 

She couldn't just let herself become a little attendant, much less remain subdued indefinitely!

"That's the price for teaching you Genjutsu." Hanekawa replied with a smile. 

Having gotten familiar with Kurenai, this level of teasing was a common occurrence.

"..."

Words paused and unspoken, Kurenai reached for the hairdryer and handed it to him. 

"I won't be drying your hair!" Kurenai Yuhi stepped back, raising her little head in defiance.

"I didn't actually expect you to." Hanekawa turned on the hairdryer, smiling as he spoke.

"Argh!"

Kurenai fumed, her ruby eyes glaring at him. 

Hanekawa slowly dried his hair. After putting down the hairdryer, he casually pulled out a lollipop and said, "For you."

Kurenai's eyes instinctively followed the lollipop, but recalling his earlier teasing, she huffed and said defiantly, "No, I don't want it!"

"Really?" Hanekawa peeled the lollipop and brought it to his own mouth.

"Hey!" Kurenai Yuhi shouted in a hurry.

In the next instant, she tasted sweetness in her mouth, realizing the lollipop had found its way in.

"Let's go." Hanekawa stood up and said, "I'll teach you Genjutsu."

Kurenai Yuhi's lips curled into a smile as she followed him with light steps.

---

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