Konoha’s Black Plague

Taking Photos

"Hizashi-sensei~ Just tell me~"

Bai Ye, overwhelmed with scattered thoughts, resorted to shamelessly acting cute, reminding himself he was technically only six years old.

"Alright, alright. Stop shaking," Hizashi said with a faint sigh.

Although Bai Ye hadn't come up with anything insightful, Hizashi wasn't too disappointed. The boy was still a child after all; perhaps he had been expecting too much.

"The essence of your technique," Hizashi began, "relies on the rhythm of incantation to forcibly mobilize chakra and release it. At higher levels, I've heard you can even forgo chanting entirely."

"Yeah, but what's wrong with that?" Bai Ye blinked, genuinely puzzled. This was something he already knew and didn't find particularly unusual.

"No, I haven't finished," Hizashi interrupted. "You think what you've developed is weak? Watch this—observe the effect."

"Binding Technique: Fourth Form — Restrictive Rope."

As Hizashi chanted, a glowing chakra rope materialized—thicker and denser than Bai Ye's version—and wrapped tightly around him. He struggled, but it was no use; the bind was solid and unyielding.

Impressed but not entirely surprised, Bai Ye reasoned that the strength probably came from Hizashi's larger chakra reserves. That made sense, didn't it?

"Do you think this is just a matter of chanting rhythm and passive chakra mobilization?"

"Isn't it?" Bai Ye frowned. Even after mastering chantless casting, he still relied on instinctual chakra manipulation. It wasn't all that different.

"That's where you're mistaken," Hizashi said, shaking his head. "You've merely scratched the surface. True mastery lies in actively channeling chakra into the technique, rather than letting it flow instinctively."

"I've tried that," Bai Ye replied, exasperated. "It doesn't work."

"That's because your chakra control is still crude," Hizashi said bluntly. "It can't match the delicate fluctuations needed. That's why I've been making you train on water-walking—it forces precise control."

That explanation struck home. Bai Ye had never thought about the mechanics that deeply. Whether it was his Shinigami arts or ninja techniques, he had always handled them rather roughly.

"Also," Hizashi continued, "I noticed you've dabbled in the Gentle Fist. Don't you find its power lacking? You might as well strike directly with your body."

Bai Ye nodded. While he had trained in Gentle Fist, he found it underwhelming. Strengthening the body and fighting physically had always felt more effective—and it saved chakra.

"Gentle Fist," Hizashi explained, "requires exceptional chakra control. Our clan uses the Byakugan to guide chakra with pinpoint precision into tenketsu points. But with enough skill, one could bypass chakra points and directly damage internal organs. That's far harder, of course—only a few ever reach that level. That's why most stick to raw taijutsu like Iron Fist."

Bai Ye listened with full attention. He now understood—Hizashi wasn't just lecturing. He was offering to teach him the Gentle Fist style properly.

That was invaluable. If Bai Ye's Zanpakutō evolution stalled due to lack of real combat insight, he'd be stuck forever. He needed to improve.

The conversation had just wound down when Yue and Yuyan finally arrived, a little late.

Yue wore a soft pink kimono, her small steps refined and deliberate. A delicate hair ornament rested above her ear, a matching chain brushing against her shoulder.

Yuyan, holding Yue's hand, wore a pale blue kimono without any accessories. Her long black hair, unbound and flowing in the wind, had grown to her waist—unusual for her.

"Yuyan, that outfit doesn't really suit your vibe. Yue looks really cute though," Bai Ye said honestly, still puzzled why a photo warranted this much effort.

"Tch! I didn't dress up for you, so keep your opinions to yourself," Yuyan snapped, stomping past him to greet Hizashi.

"T-Thank you," Yue whispered, face flushed. Bai Ye's compliment clearly meant something to her, and the pink in her cheeks almost matched her kimono.

Everyone posed quickly—Yuyan took full charge, naturally. Hizashi just smiled, letting her handle everything. Yue likely agreed beforehand. Bai Ye, the only one who dared speak up, was promptly ignored.

In the end, Bai Ye was sandwiched in the middle, with Yue and Yuyan each holding one of his arms. Hizashi leaned in from behind, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.

"Wait—when did we all get so chummy?" Bai Ye muttered, glancing at Yuyan on his left.

"Less talking, more smiling. Take the picture!" Yuyan hissed, looking like she'd punch him the second the shutter clicked.

Yue didn't say anything. She simply rested her head gently against Bai Ye's shoulder.

A flash of white light sealed the moment.

"Tomorrow morning, gather at Training Ground Three," Hizashi said after the photo. "This afternoon is yours. Get to know each other better."

And with that, he vanished.

"I'm going to keep training water-walking. You two?" Bai Ye asked, already filtering Hizashi's words through his single-minded obsession.

Yue looked like she wanted to join him, but one glance at her outfit made her hesitate.

"One's a training maniac, the other's just an airhead," Yuyan muttered, exasperated.

"Train later. You will come to the festival tonight. I'm team leader, so what I say goes!" she declared, shaking her tiny fist. "We're leaving now. Stand us up and you're dead."

She grabbed Yue and took off, not waiting for a reply.

"…When did she become the team leader?" Bai Ye wondered aloud.

"Well, whatever. I've got way too much on my plate to skip training."

And just like that, he vanished.