Deep into the night, two Shorais trained beneath the crimson glow of the sentry seal. The intensity of Shorai's training soon made him feel the tight turquoise bracelets on his handguard. He spared a glance, and his mind drifted—an image of a charming young girl surfaced: Ino, in her floral dress, laughing softly under the evening streetlights.
The distraction flickered—and the Reality Stone responded.
A ripple of red-black energy twisted the air, and suddenly, she stood before him: lifelike, real, her azure eyes wide with curiosity.
He blinked, stunned. "Oh no… I'm losing control."
With a sharp pull of will, he dispelled the illusion.
The clone beside him opened its eyes, giving him a knowing stare. "You aren't intending to use the Stone for this, are you?"
"Shut the fuck up," Shorai snapped, twitching. "If I wanted to satisfy some biological urge, I wouldn't do it while training—or disrespect someone I care about." He took a breath. "Back to work."
"Sure, sure... keep talking to yourself..." the clone snickered, returning to the fusion of wind and lightning chakra.
Shorai shook his head. Emotional distractions were unacceptable. He sat, meditated, and forced his mind into stillness. An hour later, calm restored, he resumed training.
Thanks to the clone's relentless repetition, progress came fast.
Just before sunrise, it happened.
A flicker—then a surge.
Wind and lightning intertwined, not as separate forces, but as one. A thin layer of chakra swirled around him, sending dust spiraling outward. Static crackled in his limbs. His senses sharpened. He raised a fist, channeled the energy—
Swift Release: Shadowless Flight!
A whoosh—then impact.
He slammed into a tree, barely stopping himself centimeters from collision as the chakra vanished.
"Wooohuuoo!" he exhaled, drenched in sweat.
"You okay, buddy? Can't handle this level of speed?" the clone taunted.
"You have time to crack jokes? I don't see you making progress," Shorai shot back.
The clone smirked—then bent low. A sound like tearing wind—and it vanished.
Boom!
Its fist cratered a boulder.
Shorai shielded himself from debris, staring at the dust.
"See… that's how you do it."
The clone reappeared, smug.
Shorai smiled. "Great job. We've done enough."
He returned to his room and collapsed into sleep, a grin on his face.
Later that day, Shorai arrived at the Academy for taijutsu and fuinjutsu—his schedule light, his reputation heavy. Classmates watched with envy. He'd earned the freedom.
On break, Ino approached.
"Shorai-kun, how are you? Thank you again for yesterday," she said, smiling.
He noticed the quick lift of her shoulders, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. There was a flicker of something—uncertainty? Concern?—that vanished when she caught his gaze.
"I'm… good… overall," he replied, hiding a yawn. "So, how was the gift? Did you like it?"
"Liked? That was the best! I enjoyed it so much!" She paused, her fingers nervously twisting a strand of hair. Then her eyes narrowed slightly. "You okay? You look tired."
"I went straight to training after walking you home," he admitted. "There was a major breakthrough."
Ino's brow furrowed, and she glanced away for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "Next time, get some sleep. That's probably unhealthy!"
"I will. I appreciate it," he said, holding her gaze. She flinched slightly, looking down.
He noticed and smiled gently. "I see Sakura's still trying."
"Of course! It's a lost cause," Ino said, sneaking a quick peek at him. "You know it."
"Being aware of how your actions affect someone is essential," Shorai said. "She'll develop a mental illness if she keeps chasing someone who finds her annoying."
Ino giggled, the tension easing. "I still don't understand how your forehead isn't as wide as hers! If only she'd read your books, maybe she'd thin it."
Shorai chuckled. "A tactic to annoy someone into accepting you has a low success rate."
"What does it matter? If it works, it works," Ino countered, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You girls have a mysterious way of thinking… I'd say magical."
"How would you know? You're a boy," she teased. "But you do know a lot about us."
"Understanding the opposite sex is a vital skill," he said. "Otherwise, we boys act only on what we know—how things work between us. I'd bet it's the same for you. Inexperienced boys don't understand your subtle clues, and have no idea what flirting is."
"You're strange, Shorai-kun… You remind me of my father and his friends."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"You're the most perceptive," she said softly. "And confident. That's what sets you apart—besides your... looks... it adds to the charm."
He smiled. "Thank you."
Their conversation deepened—until Shorai pointed at Sakura and Sasuke.
"Having boundaries is another necessity," he said, serious. "What if, one day, Sasuke accepts her? Then what?"
They both watched Sakura and Sasuke from across the courtyard. Ino's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes darkening.
"They'd be happy together… wait…" Her voice faltered. "The way you put it…"
"It's one-sided. She'd be vulnerable—easily used, manipulated. She'd ignore anything he does, just to keep him close." He shook his head. "A family of two deeply traumatized people… perhaps destiny's cruel joke."
"I… didn't think of it," Ino whispered, tense.
Shorai reached out and gently grabbed her hand as she turned to leave.
She froze, fingers tightening around his.
"But… it sounds real! I should do something!"
"I know, you want to…"
They both stared at the distant duo in silence.
A moment later, still holding hands, Shorai rubbed gently the back of her hand with his thumb. "She won't hear it. You should try and put yourself in her shoes… they can be tight, even painfully unfit, but if she likes wearing them… another's opinion might not be welcomed. Just… when you're alone, ask her questions. Gently. Let her think for herself."
Shorai's eyes shifted between Ino, Sasuke, and Sakura. 'An interactive movie... the story is written, yet not fully realized by the actors... It makes me wonder how strong one must be to truly isolate the self from a higher being's enforced will... Otherwise, so-called 'free will' can never be truly free. Given a concept of a firm, strong Dao heart... still, I may be a Pawn, at best a King, in someone's hands.'
Ino hesitated, then nodded, eyes shining with resolve. "Thank you."
They parted.
Later, Shorai reunited with Hinata in Fuinjutsu class, noting her slight growth—more expressive, more present.
As the day ended, Shorai approached Sasuke as he was leaving the training grounds, his footsteps heavy and deliberate.
"How you doing, Sasuke?" Shorai asked, trying to sound casual.
Sasuke glanced at him briefly, eyes cold and unreadable. "What do you want?"
Shorai shrugged, undeterred. "Just checking in. You've been distant lately."
Sasuke's jaw tightened. "I don't need anyone checking in on me."
"Sometimes, carrying everything alone makes things harder," Shorai said quietly, avoiding any direct offer. "You don't have to face it all by yourself."
Sasuke's gaze flickered, a shadow of something unspoken crossing his face before he masked it again. "I'm fine. If you're not going to spar, then get lost."
Shorai watched him walk away, the weight of Sasuke's silence hanging between them. He knew the boy's walls were high, but maybe, just maybe, a crack was starting to form..
Evening came as Shorai modeled for Heavenly Lotus, then the night was reserved for training—wind and lightning dancing in his veins, the storm within him growing stronger.