Chapter 11

Subduing Ayane did not take much time or effort. After that, Shiraishi's research content increased by one more item—the secret of the Nara clan's Gentle Fist.

Ayane handed over the scroll containing the cultivation methods and theoretical knowledge of the Nara clan's secret Gentle Fist without reservation.

This act of betrayal, if discovered by the Nara clan, would undoubtedly result in Ayane's execution.

But compared to death, she was now more afraid of the endless darkness of the future.

Moreover, in her heart, she had already seen a glimmer of light.

Her family and village had become unimportant, even dispensable, in her eyes.

Therefore, handing over the Nara clan's Gentle Fist to an unrelated person was not seen as betrayal by Ayane, but as a justified act of resistance.

In her view, the Nara clan was the one that was unrelated to her.

Shiraishi understood that although Ayane had developed a sense of dependence and obedience towards him, he still needed to gradually deepen his image in her mind.

Ayane, following his advice, openly expressed her anger and hostility towards the main family.

As Shiraishi had predicted, when the main family members saw Ayane's angry and hostile gaze, they merely glanced at her indifferently and paid no further attention.

Because Ayane was just one of the many branch family members who harbored hostility towards them.

There were countless such branch family members.

Thus, the more hostile Ayane was towards them, the more at ease they felt.

What they feared were the branch family members who hid their hostility, as those were the ones the main family should be wary of.

◎

To do anything, one needs sufficient power.

The most powerful force in the ninja world is controlled by the ninjas.

The source of a ninja's power comes from many different things.

This is knowledge Shiraishi learned from the books in the ninja school library.

The library has a wide variety of books, but there are also many that are not available.

For example, the Nara clan's secret Gentle Fist, which is a family technique not shared with outsiders.

There are many types of Gentle Fist in the ninja world, but the Nara clan's Gentle Fist is undoubtedly the strongest.

This greatly interested Shiraishi. He found that the Nara clan's Gentle Fist was very similar to Tai Chi, with many shared theories.

However, the scroll of the Gentle Fist that Ayane gave him was not the complete version.

As a branch family member, Ayane could not have access to the core techniques of the Nara clan's Gentle Fist.

The hierarchical division within the Nara clan was even more severe than Shiraishi had imagined.

Therefore, Shiraishi could fully understand Ayane's intense hatred towards the Nara clan.

But due to the main family's long-standing superior position, the branch family members dared to be angry but not to speak out, and some even became true slaves who submitted to the main family.

These branch family members had lost their personal freedom and dignity.

They did not question whether the current traditions of the Nara clan were correct; they only cared whether the main family was satisfied with their service.

They rejoiced when the main family rejoiced, and they were angry when the main family was angry.

Thus, the factions within the Nara clan were not just the main family and the branch family, but the main family, the branch family that submitted to the main family, and the branch family that harbored hostility and hatred towards the main family.

Among them, the main family's position was as solid as a rock, and the branch family members, branded with the "Caged Bird," posed no threat to them.

"Shiraishi, don't you think Ayane has changed a bit?"

This was what Ruri said.

On the playground, Ayane's coldness was not as severe as before, and she could now talk and laugh with her classmates.

But she was still different from the original Ayane.

Because Ayane's smile always carried a hint of unshakeable melancholy and inferiority.

"After all, she went through that. It's only natural," Shiraishi said nonchalantly as he jumped down from the parallel bars.

Ruri nodded. Indeed, the traditions of the Nara clan were extremely cruel.

Even as an outsider, she found it hard to bear.

"Speaking of which, Ruri, does your Uchiha clan have similar traditions like the Nara clan?"

Shiraishi seemed to be considering something.

Ruri rolled her eyes and said, "Our Uchiha clan doesn't have such contemptible and outdated rules."

Shiraishi's lips twitched. Such words from Ruri had no convincing power.

In the class, apart from him, most students, whether boys or girls, kept their distance from Ruri.

Moreover, Shiraishi had seen other Uchiha students in the ninja school. Although their talents were not as good as Ruri's, their attitudes towards others were even worse.

They always talked about the Uchiha clan, as if they were afraid others wouldn't know their name.

In comparison, Ruri was relatively low-key, except for her somewhat cold personality.

"By the way, let's do that again tonight."

Ruri suddenly spoke, turning her face to the side, her neck turning red.

"That?"

Shiraishi blinked in confusion.

Which one?

"It's that..."

Ruri's voice suddenly became softer.

Seeing that Shiraishi did not respond for a long time, Ruri's eyes turned fierce, and she glared at Shiraishi with her black eyes.

"Are you saying you don't want to touch me? Do you have someone else?"

"..."

Shiraishi was speechless.

He understood.

It turned out she wanted him to create a new, appropriate scientific training plan.

It had been almost a month since the last one.

But now Shiraishi felt a bit guilty for some reason.

Maybe it was just a feeling.

"I'm always with you, how could there be anyone else? You're overthinking it, Ruri."

Hearing Shiraishi's weak explanation, Ruri nodded in satisfaction.

"Your method is very effective. The last time I sparred with a chunin from my family, he said my strength had already surpassed most genin. At this growth rate, I can reach chunin level next year."

Hearing Ruri say this, Shiraishi could roughly gauge his own strength.

Similar to Ruri, or slightly weaker, but not by much.

The best outcome was a draw.

It seems the goal of surpassing the main family is still far off.

"Very impressive."

"Likewise."

The relationship between boys and girls can easily be strengthened by sharing a secret.

Shiraishi used to not believe it, but now he does.

◎

"You want books on medical ninjutsu?"

Ruri was thoroughly confused by Shiraishi's request.

"Yes, can you get them?"

Shiraishi looked at Ruri with a pleading expression.

Although the school library had books on medical ninjutsu, they were far from meeting Shiraishi's needs.

So he had to turn to Ruri.

Unlike Ayane, Ruri was not only a genius of the Uchiha clan, but the Uchiha clan also did not have the inhumane traditions of the Nara clan. The Uchiha upper echelons were very supportive of Ruri, the genius.

Ruri pondered for a moment and nodded, agreeing to the request.

Her status in the Uchiha clan was not the highest, but it was not bad either.

Moreover, she knew many Uchiha medical ninjas, who were older and had no hope of awakening the Sharingan, and were defined as only able to serve as support personnel.

Their existence was to serve the elite of the Uchiha clan, learning sealing techniques, medical ninjutsu, and even barrier techniques.

Ruri believed that with her request as a future elite ninja of the Uchiha clan, they would be happy to help.

Furthermore, as long as she did not pass on the Uchiha clan's secret techniques to Shiraishi, there would be no problem.

From what Ruri knew, the clan and the village occasionally exchanged resources and ninjutsu.

Ruri acted quickly and visited Shiraishi's apartment on the weekend.

This was her first time entering a boy's private room.