Chapter 30: Revisiting Childhood – Eight Trigrams: Empty Wall Palm

Chapter 30: Revisiting Childhood – Eight Trigrams: Empty Wall Palm

“…Alright, that’s our strategy.”

Half an hour later, Izayoi smiled as he looked at Hinata and Shino Aburame. “Counting on you two tomorrow, Hinata, Shino.”

“Mm, I’ll do my best!” Hinata nodded firmly.

“Leave it to us,” Shino added with a slight bow, though inwardly, his thoughts churned.

Inside his insect-hive-modified body, his partner insects hummed with feedback.

Izayoi’s chakra reserves are incredible. Among our generation, only Naruto Uzumaki rivals him.

No wonder he masters so many ninjutsu and even developed his own techniques. This guy without a family name—his lineage might not be entirely commoners. Somewhere in history, his ancestors must’ve been extraordinary. Otherwise, his chakra capacity wouldn’t be this absurd.

“Then let’s call it a day.”

Seeing both accept his plan, Izayoi nodded in satisfaction. As he turned to leave, Shino suddenly called out:

“Izayoi, won’t we set traps?”

“No need,” Izayoi shook his head. “Basic traps won’t stop a jonin. Effective ones require expensive, destructive tools, which might backfire or harm allies.”

“If my analysis is correct, this strategy alone will pass the test.”

Hinata and Shino exchanged understanding glances.

“In that case, I’ll head back.” Shino muttered, shoving his hands into his coat pockets and departing.

Kurenai Yuhi would soon learn of his classmates’ bond through introductions, but Shino had known for years. He had no intention of tagging along as a third wheel.

Though part of him itched to gossip—his quiet, curious side—Shino suppressed it. Maintaining the Aburame clan’s dignified image came first.

After Izayoi watched Shino disappear, he took Hinata’s hand. “Hinata, we haven’t had a picnic in ages. How about roasted fish for lunch?”

“Mm!” Hinata’s eyes lit up as memories surfaced—afternoons years ago, fishing with Izayoi after training.

Since her father’s silent approval and Hanabi’s arrival, they’d stopped visiting the abandoned training grounds. Now, training occurred in Izayoi’s backyard or his private dojo. Meals were either brought from the Hyuga estate or cooked at his home.

The roasted fish, the hunts, the warm moments—they’d become treasured memories. Now, Izayoi’s words reignited her longing for those simpler times.

Hand in hand, they headed to their familiar river.

While Shadow Clones handled fishing, the real Izayoi and Hinata stood atop the flowing water, sparring in taijutsu. Their clashing chakra sent shockwaves rippling through the river, splashing droplets high. The roaring clashes startled nearby beasts and birds into flight.

When the noise faded, white smoke rose from the roasted fish, its aroma spreading. The entire noon passed in wild serenity, the two reliving their childhood.

---

The next morning, 8:30 a.m.

Izayoi and Hinata arrived at the training ground. Beside wooden stumps, Shino stood waiting.

“Morning, Shino.” Izayoi waved.

“Morning.” Shino nodded.

Silence settled. Izayoi, familiar with the original story, knew Shino’s quiet demeanor hid a secretly social side. Yet, he struggled to find conversation topics.

Shino had always been invisible in the academy, preferring insect hunting over friendships. No common ground existed, and Izayoi couldn’t risk whispering to Hinata—Shino’s insects might eavesdrop.

Leaning against a stump, Izayoi closed his eyes to wait. Hinata stood beside him, hands in pockets.

Time ticked by. Then—whoosh!—a gust of wind announced Kurenai Yuhi’s arrival.

Opening his eyes, Izayoi greeted, “Kurenai-sensei.”

The trio bowed politely.

“Morning, sorry to keep you waiting.” Kurenai smiled, producing three bells. “Your task is simple: seize these bells from me by any means—even if it means killing me—within one hour.”

She tied the bells to her waist, set a small alarm clock for one hour, and placed it on a stump. Turning, she declared, “Begin.”

The trio vanished in an instant.

Kurenai stood alone, the forest whispering around her. She didn’t pursue them. Instead, she strode to an open clearing, confident they’d attack.

This wasn’t arrogance—it was reality. Kurenai knew the academy curriculum: basic techniques, family secret arts at most. The Hyuga and Aburame clans’ styles were well-documented. She’d mastered genjutsu, but also two nature transformations.

A jonin like me? No match for even a dozen genin teams.

But then—

A piercing cry shattered her thoughts.

“Eight Trigrams: Empty Wall Palm!”

A shockwave erupted from the distance, a massive invisible wall surging toward her. Kurenai’s eyes widened. She barely leaped back, her feet failing to channel chakra for body flicker.

The wave barreled past, engulfing her in dust. Trees shattered behind her—thud, thud, thud!—each impact echoing her disbelief.

At the clearing’s edge, two identical Byakugan girls stood back-to-back: Hinata and her Shadow Clone.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end