It was raining once again, and a cold wind kept blowing into the house.
Shinji moved the table to the doorway, sitting inside and watching the rain sweep in.
Each time a drop entered splattered throug the doorway, he would flick it away with a small burst of chakra from his fingertip.
But the rain was heavy, the droplets small and fine, and most of them still landed on the table and on him.
Shinji remained indifferent, completely focused on his task, repeatedly adjusting the amount of chakra he released.
The feeling of controlling chakra was peculiar, like moving his own limbs. He could clearly sense its flow within his body and direct it to any part, releasing it from anywhere, though some areas weren't as easy to control as his hands.
He continued until his chakra was nearly depleted, then stopped.
He moved the table back, wiped it with a cloth, closed the door, and went to take a shower.
Chakra recovery was slow, at least in Shinji's opinion. Chakra was an equal mixture of spiritual and physical energy. When chakra was exhausted, physical strength would also greatly decrease.
The only way to increase chakra reserves was through persistent, daily training.
Chakra cultivation and practice were much more interesting than boring physical training.
It was like playing a farming and development game, feeling progress every day, with increasing control over chakra.
Perhaps because Shinji was just starting out, there was more room for improvement.
As Shinji lay on the sofa after his shower, listening to the rain and reading, Iroha suddenly showed up at the door, drenched.
He said he wanted to ask Natsu out to dinner alone, but she refused.
He hoped Shinji could offer some advice. Shinji didn't want to deal with kids' love affairs, immediately saying that he hadn't even held a girl's hand and couldn't help.
He wondered how the kid would react if he knew Ayari had tried to set him up with Natsu.
Iroha wasn't too disappointed and proceeded to pour out his woes to Shinji.
He said Natsu's attitude towards him was complicated. He believed Natsu liked him, but he couldn't find an opportunity to move forward.
Maybe his approach was wrong, causing Natsu to keep him at arm's length. He didn't know how to convey his feelings so Natsu would accept them.
Shinji found it amusing. This kid had quite the ego.
He told Iroha, "If she doesn't initiate, she's isn't interested."
Iroha didn't understand, looking at Shinji blankly. "Are you saying I should just confess directly?"
Shinji: "..."
Iroha muttered to himself, "That makes sense. No matter how I hint, it's not as direct as a confession. Natsu is a girl, even if she knows my feelings, she'll be too shy to respond."
Shinji: "..."
Iroha said happily, "Man!! I gotta admit. You're really smart!"
Shinji could only say, "...Well, give it a try."
As if encouraged, Iroha immediately stood up, slightly excited. "I got it! I'll do it now!"
Shinji couldn't help but say, "Now? But it's raining."
The rain was quite heavy; puddles had already formed on the ground.
"Isn't a confession in the pouring rain more romantic!" Iroha's face was full of longing, as if he had foreseen his sweet and happy future.
Shinji: "..."
Iroha excitedly rushed back out into the rain, leaving a speechless Shinji watching his figure gradually disappear into the downpour.
'This kid didn't even close the door for me.'
Children became close quickly.
Their relationship had become much closer after recent interactions.
Shinji was the only one of his age at home now. Iroha felt that talking about this kind of thing with Tokuma and Tetsu, his two younger brothers, would damage his dignity as the older brother, so he came to Shinji to confide.
That evening, the rain still hadn't stopped, and Iroha returned, looking dejected.
Shinji knew immediately what had happened and didn't bother asking.
Instead, he said, "Don't get my floor wet."
Iroha took off his shoes and sat heavily on the sofa, sighing.
"Why... why..." he muttered resentfully.
Shinji continued reading, not even lifting his eyes.
"Shinji..." Iroha couldn't help but speak.
"Hmm."
"Why do you think Natsu didn't accept me?"
"How would I know?"
Iroha was distressed.
He had stood in front of Natsu's house, confessed in the pouring rain, only to receive a calm reply that she wasn't interested in dating right now.
Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he mumbled, "Could it be because of Kaito?"
Hyuga Kaito?
Shinji remembered him. He was also the same age and from the clan, but currently on the front lines.
Iroha clapped his hands. "I knew it! Natsu must be afraid that being with me will affect my relationship with Kaito!"
Shinji: "..."
From what he was saying, this Hyuga Kaito must also like Natsu.
Iroha immediately asked Shinji, "Shinji, what do you think?"
His eyes held a longing for Shinji's agreement.
Shinji: "...I think... you have a point."
Iroha was overjoyed. "Natsu really is gentle and considerate."
He then added, "After the war ends and Kaito returns, I'll explain things clearly to Natsu. That guy Kaito is also interested in Natsu, but Natsu definitely won't like him."
It was unclear where his confidence in this conclusion came from.
Iroha was quite satisfied with his own thoughts. He looked at Shinji, who was still reading, his eyes shifting. "Shinji, do you want me to introduce you to some girls?"
"No, thank you," Shinji refused, thinking that if he knew any beautiful older women, maybe he could introduce them to him.
He had no interest in little girls.
Iroha immediately adopted a self-proclaimed experienced tone. "Girls are actually easy to understand. As long as you're willing to put in some effort and time, you can always win them over."
Shinji glanced sideways. "Have you won anyone over?"
Iroha choked, then immediately said, "Natsu is different from other girls! And we're not in a hurry."
Shinji said, "Childhood sweethearts, huh."
Iroha quickly nodded. "Exactly!"
Shinji sighed inwardly.
Girls matured faster than boys, especially beautiful and cute girls like Natsu. Even ten more Irohas would be completely warp[ed around her finger of she put her mid into it.
Iroha continued chatting with Shinji about trivial things, and Shinji responded half-heartedly. Seeing that Shinji had no intention of offering him food, Iroha left.
Outside the window, the night was deep, and heavy rain poured down, relentlessly beating against the glass and window frames.
Shinji, having read all day, stretched and looked out the window at the trees swaying in the rain. Battered by the wind and rain, they looked as if they might fall and break at any moment.
Orochimaru must have already set out…
Such weather was the perfect opportunity for a night attack.
In this situation, how far would Konoha go…