บท 31: Chapter 31 - Title at end
The next day after Mikumo's excursion with Kakashi, she was already mostly healed from her chakra exhaustion, however, she decided to take her parent's advice and skip one more day, as today was flower arranging class.
Today, Mikumo spent her time reviewing all of her Jutsu notes in order to expand her repertoire. Currently, she was sitting on her bed looking at the scattered pages of notes all around her.
'Hmm...there has to be a more efficient way to use Kyoka Suigetsu. As it is currently, it's just way too costly for me even with the amount of chakra I have. In fact, all of my good moves right now use way too much chakra. My most efficient Jutsu are the ones I learned from Shinku-sensei. While my more powerful genjutsu attacks are Kokuangyo no Jutsu and Kyoka Suigetsu. I can use Kokuryo as well, but considering the chakra cost, it's not worth it. I'd rather spend it on Kyoka Suigetsu if I have to use a big move.'
Mikumo picked up her research notes on Kyoka Suigetsu and focused on her handwritten notes.
'There's a couple of wasteful parts here. I might be able to replace the heavy cost base, Temple of Nirvana, with something else. Originally I wanted it for range, but I really only need the sight-based activation portion of it. This should lower the cost significantly, allowing me to use it at least a few times in combat. The most powerful part of Kyoka Suigetsu is that it's hard for my opponents to realize they are affected by it. So I don't want to use it too many times if possible.'
Mikumo put down the piece of paper and picked up another one.
'So, here's my next project. Sound-based Genjutsu! Sound-based genjutsu can even affect Dojutsu users, as shown by Jiraiya's fight with pain. Although the toad's genjutsu has sage chakra involved as well, with my connection to Tsunade, I can potentially learn sage mode from Katsuyu at some point.'
Mikumo started writing on the piece of paper in her hand.
'First, let's start with the most simple concept of a sound-based genjutsu. I'll focus on practicality like Shinku-sensei and create something that's easy to use, and effective even if the enemy knows what it is. The base will be just Mirage and a simple Kekkei Genkai empowered clone that will serve to disorientate the enemy. This way, even if someone discovers the weakness of my current Kyoka Suigetsu, I can still trap them in a genjutsu with sound instead. With just a simple concept, it won't be costly and I can make it a continuous jutsu so that even if they want to break free, they can't as long as they hear the activation sound. Let's make the trigger be my footsteps.'
As Mikumo gathered her notes and started taking parts and pieces to build her new jutsu, a smile rose on her face.
'Hey isn't this kind of like Killua's Rhythm Echo? Cool, that's what I'll call it! My first continuous genjutsu. As long as I hold the hand sign and pump it with chakra, it doesn't matter if they dispel the genjutsu, they'll immediately be caught in it again. If they decide to cut off their hearing, then I can use Kokuangyo to cut off their sight. At that point, what can someone who has no sight or hearing do to me? Kokuangyo is B-Rank and I can use it more than a couple of times. With my Kekkei Genkai to strengthen it, it would take an Elite Jonin a lot of chakra to break free, which makes it chakra efficient in my favor if they want to compete in a war of attrition with me.'
Mikumo nodded happily with her new strategies and continued immersing herself in her work.
Hours passed as Mikumo diligently worked on Rhythm Echo, making sure it was as chakra efficient as possible.
'Finally done. Ahhh, I'm so tired.'
Mikumo fell down onto her bed and stretched, feeling stiff from the hours of sitting. As she turned her head to look out the window to check the time, she found that it was past noon. Realizing that she had skipped lunch, her stomach started growling.
'Okay, lunch time!'
Mikumo sprang off the bed and ran downstairs.
"Ayane! What's for lunch!?"
As Mikumo reached the ground floor and looked around for Ayane, she saw her silhouette standing by the doorway greeting someone.
Ayane heard Mikumo's voice and moved to the side, revealing the guest.
"Kurenai? What are you doing here?"
"Mikumo-sama, Kurenai-sama has come to visit you today after hearing about the incident."
Ayane announced Kurenai's intention and then made way for Kurenai to enter the house. Mikumo nodded in understanding and waved Kurenai inside.
"Ah okay, come on in, Kurenai."
Kurenai bowed neatly and entered the Kashima residence.
"Okay, please excuse my intrusion."
Kurenai walked over to Mikumo and the two sat down in the living room while Ayane prepared tea for the pair. Kurenai eyed Mikumo up and down as soon as she entered the house and breathed a sigh of relief, seeing she was okay.
"Are you well? I heard you got attacked."
"Mm, yeah. It was pretty scary, but don't worry, Ayane defeated the enemy ninjas no problem!"
"Yeah, I heard, whew. I'm glad you're alright, everyone's worried about you."
"Heh, no need to worry, who do they think they're dealing with? I won't keel over that easily."
Kurenai chuckled and nodded.
"Indeed, I'm glad. If something did happen to you, I'm worried the class would return to chaos again."
"Ahaha, I'm sure you could handle those brats, Kurenai-chan."
Kurenai giggled and then shrugged.
"I don't know, I couldn't even handle one of you.
"Well, most people can't handle one of me, you don't have to feel bad."
In the background, Ayane nodded her head silently in agreement. Mikumo saw it in the corner of her eye and twitched her eyebrow.
"Hey! I saw that Ayane!"
Ayane turned over and bowed neatly.
"My apologies, Mikumo-sama."
"Che, why even say it if you don't mean it."
Kurenai chuckled once more hearing the exchange, reminding her of Mikumo's constant antics in class. A knot in her heart finally started to untie seeing Mikumo's smiling face. As her father was away on a mission and she stayed home over the weekend, she didn't hear about the incident until this morning, which made her feel immense worry and guilt for now visiting sooner. The empty seat next to her had a lot more impact than she thought.
"I'm truly glad you're doing okay. It'd be a shame to lose my training partner already."
"Oh? Were you that worried for me, Kurenai-chan~?"
Kurenai didn't mind Mikumo's teasing and nodded.
"After we heard that you were attacked, the whole class was shocked. I knew the shinobi life was dangerous, but I guess, this was my first time experiencing the possibility of losing someone."
Mikumo didn't quip, hearing the worry in Kurenai's voice. Feeling a warmth in her heart, she scooted over and sat next to Kurenai.
"Hey, I'm fine, and I'll continue to be fine. Remember what I once told Asuma? Better learn now than when our life is actually in danger. This incident has taught me that I need to prepare myself better for sudden combat. I plan to up our intensity of training and diversify it as well. Although it's currently a dangerous time, as long as we stick together, we'll be fine."
Kurenai listened intently and then nodded before moving her gaze to Mikumo's bandaged arm. She moved her hand over the bandage to examine it.
"Is it going to scar?"
"No, it should be fine. If it does, you can blame Ayane."
At that moment, Ayane presented the pair with a pot and two cups of hot tea.
"Excuse my impoliteness, mistress, but I assure you, it will not scar."
Ayane then turned around and returned to the Kitchen to prepare a quick snack for Mikumo and her guest. Mikumo grinned and then patted Kurenai on the shoulder.
"See? Don't worry, really. I'm healthier than ever! You can't get rid of me that, easily, Kurenai-chan!"
Mikumo gave Kurenai a side hug, one that Kurenai was already used to. The familiar touch put her at ease after worrying for an entire day. Kurenai let out a breath of relief and then drank her tea.
Mikumo then had a glint in her eyes.
"Although, if you missed me, I wouldn't mind going on a date with you to make up for lost time~."
Kurenai turned over with a blank expression, hearing the familiar proposal.
"You ask that to everyone, don't you?"
"Ehh, no way. You're the only one I've asked."
For the first time, Kurenai was surprised as she raised an eyebrow. Kurenai searched her memories and found that Mikumo's statement was indeed true. Although she was very 'open' with all of the other girls, she had never seen Mikumo inviting any of them on a date aside from her.
"Really? What about Shizune?"
"Shizune's like a cute sister I like to tease."
Kurenai bit her finger and then thought more.
"What about Kakashi?"
Mikumo thought for a moment and then shook her head with a wry smile.
"I like Kakashi a lot, but more like a brother. He means a lot to me, but I don't think I can see him that way."
Kurenai raised an eyebrow and then asked her final question.
"But...we're both girls."
"Yeah, so?"
Mikumo responded like it was a matter of fact. Kurenai stared blankly at Mikumo's face, not saying anything as her brain processed everything. Feeling awkward Mikumo scratched her head shyly.
"Well, if you don't want to, that's fine."
Mikumo's statement broke Kurenai out of her daze and she blushed slightly and started fidgeting.
"Oh! Uh, I'm, fine with it, as well."
Hearing the affirmative response, Mikumo smiled brightly and then gave Kurenai another hug.
"Really! Yes! Finally!"
'Finally, my first date with a girl!'
Kurenai fidgeted with her fingers as Mikumo had both her arms wrapped around her.
"Are you sure, though?"
Kurenai asked nervously, once more time.
"Of course!"
Hearing Mikumo's clear and happy response, Kurenai finally fully relented and then agreed as she shyly nodded.
"Okay..."
"Awesome! It's a date then! Ayane!!!"
Ayane came over and bowed.
"Yes, mistress, I heard everything. I will make preparations."
"Perfect, thanks Ayane, I'll leave it to you!"
Kurenai smiled wryly and then said in a small voice.
"What did I get myself into..."
"Hehe, it's too late to back out now! Don't worry, it'll be fun! We already hang out almost all the time anyway."
Kurenai thought back on how she's been spending the past couple of weeks, basically, besides weekends, Kurenai spent all of her time with Mikumo split between academy classes and training together after class.
"I guess that's true. Alright, I'll look forward to it, I guess."
"Hehe, don't worry I know all of the best places to eat in Konoha."
Upon hearing what Mikumo thought about for their date, Kurenai frowned slightly.
"Let's just leave it to Ayane-san."
"Oh? Okay, sure."
Kurenai then stood up and prepared to leave.
"Alright, just let me know when."
"Aww, you're leaving already? Since you're here why don't you stay a while? I have some cards we can play."
Kurenai actually felt quite shy already from agreeing to Mikumo's date, so she wanted to go home and calm herself down. But seeing Mikumo's expectant gaze, she nodded and sat back down.
"Hehe, great!"
Mikumo got up and ran up to her room to get her pack of playing cards. Kurenai relaxed a little bit and giggled internally, seeing Mikumo's exciting sprint.
As the two happily spent their day together, at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers, a certain silver-haired ninja just returned after completing his mission.
Chapter 31 - Date with Kurenai: GET!
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง