Chapter 29

Although Ino had once introduced herself as someone who aspired to be adored by everyone, that wasn't entirely true.

Like nearly every little girl in Konoha, her true role model was Tsunade—and she was no exception.

But most of the girls she knew only talked about becoming the next Tsunade. Few of them actually trained hard toward that goal. Ino was the same.

Now, for the first time, she had met a girl like Tenten, who was truly working hard for her dream. And standing beside her, Ino felt like a clown in comparison.

Yeah... if you have a dream, you should be working hard for it.

And more than that, she could tell that Tenten really liked Natsuki. It wasn't like her obsession with Sasuke's handsome face. Tenten wanted to grow stronger—to be worthy of standing by Natsuki's side.

That… might be what true love actually looked like.

"Tenten, I really envy you," Ino said sincerely.

Tenten blinked. "Actually, I envy you. You come from a great clan, have powerful inherited jutsu, and ninja clan kids always have better talent. So yes, I'm jealous, but I'll work hard to catch up. I'll prove I'm not weak!"

Tenten's confident look left Ino stunned and speechless for a long time.

Even after she left, she was still dazed. She walked all the way home with a blank expression.

Tenten couldn't help worrying. "Natsuki, Shino… Is Ino okay? She's been spacing out like that ever since she left."

Shino immediately picked up on it. "It's probably what you said that made her like that."

Tenten tilted her head. "What I said? I don't think I said anything bad, did I?"

Shino looked up at the sky. "You told her you envy her clan, her jutsu, her talent—and that you'd work hard to catch up. But Tenten, you don't realize this… Ino, like many other girls, does have all those things. But she doesn't work hard. You, on the other hand, shocked her with how determined you are. She's spacing out because she's reflecting on herself."

Really?

Tenten couldn't quite understand. If someone had so many advantages, why wouldn't they make good use of them? Why waste time?

If she had Ino's background, talent, and inherited techniques, she figured she'd already be Jonin-level by graduation—and becoming the next Tsunade would be within reach.

Was it true? That those who have things never learn to cherish them?

Like how her family had money, but she never really learned to make good use of it either.

Natsuki gently patted her twin buns. "Don't think too hard. Just focus on your training. Shino and I will check in at school tomorrow. If Ino's not doing well, we'll find a way to help her."

That reassured Tenten, and she went right back to water-walking practice.

As for Ino—she remained out of it even by dinnertime.

Her mother, Yamanaka Riyo, was getting worried, but didn't dare say much. She waited until her husband, Yamanaka Inoichi, came home.

"Dear, Ino's been acting strange ever since she got back. I didn't know how to ask, but maybe you should talk to her?"

"Me? Uh…"

Inoichi grimaced. Talking with his daughter was not his strong suit.

Still, seeing her so dazed made him worry too. So he gathered his courage and sat down across from her.

He was just about to speak when Ino suddenly said, "Dad, I've decided—I want to train seriously! I want to learn our clan's jutsu as soon as possible. Please train me properly!"

Inoichi was shocked. "W-Wait, Ino… what brought this on?"

Ino's expression was firm. "I met a girl today who was training seriously. After talking to her, I remembered the dream I'd forgotten. I thought I wanted to be admired by everyone, to date a handsome guy. But now I realize… what I really want is to be a strong woman, like Tsunade-sama, someone everyone looks up to!"

Inoichi was dumbfounded. His daughter suddenly waking up like this was totally unexpected.

He didn't know who she met, but whoever it was had changed her drastically.

Still… this was a good thing.

Ino was his daughter—the future heir of the Yamanaka Clan. The sooner she grew strong and inherited their techniques, the better.

So he nodded, pleased but serious. "Ino, training can be tough. Can you handle it?"

Ino hesitated. She'd been pampered her whole life and hated hardship. But when she remembered Tenten's determined face, she bit her lip and nodded.

"I… I can do it!"

"Good! Starting tomorrow, I'll assign you a proper training schedule. Be prepared!"

And so, Yamanaka Ino's miserable training life began.

...

The next day at school, Natsuki and Shino kept a close eye on her.

Sure enough, Ino looked drained and lifeless—completely out of it.

Natsuki scribbled a note and had Shino send it over using one of his bugs.

Soon, another note came back. It read:

Thanks for your concern, I'm fine. I just asked my dad to train me when I got home. He made me go running at dawn, so I'm just tired, that's all.

Natsuki and Shino both breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed Tenten's words had gotten to Ino. She'd decided to start training seriously—a good thing!

Though neither of them knew just how miserable Ino was feeling inside.

She had way too much pride to admit it.

That early morning run was just the beginning. Her father's training schedule was terrifying. Just reading it made her scalp go numb.

She really messed up. If she'd known, she never would've talked so big.

And to make matters worse, Ino now realized that Natsuki was probably right about her.

She did like handsome guys—not necessarily Sasuke. And now, she faced a new dilemma:

Should she swallow her pride and make up with "forehead girl"? But how could she possibly bring herself to apologize?

Admitting she was wrong would be humiliating. But if she didn't, she'd lose a precious friendship.

She was truly torn.

Time flew by, and the first of the month came again.

Natsuki had prepared his research projects and, as the clock struck seven, slipped into the special laboratory to begin his grueling night of experimentation.

Truth be told, he didn't want to do this kind of research.

But he had no choice.

He didn't have a clan's secret techniques or a way to study powerful jutsu. Before getting the Hachimon Tonkō or the Hatake Kenjutsu, his only option was to create his own moves.

First research project: Transforming Kage Bunshin no Jutsu into Shiyō no Jutsu!

Natsuki started modifying the hand seals, adding or removing steps like rewriting a program. Next second—POOF!—a head sprouted from his back.

"Tch! I wanted arms, not a head! No, wait—I'm supposed to transform specific body parts at will!"

Frustrated, he canceled the jutsu and continued.

POOF! A foot appeared on his abdomen.

Cancel!

POOF! A pair of ears appeared on his ankles.

Cancel—wait, hold on! That one might actually be useful. If he could grow ears away from his body, wouldn't that be perfect for eavesdropping?

Still, that wasn't what he needed now. So… cancel again!

(End of Chapter)

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