𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐆𝐀 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍

Training

The next day, Hanara went to Training Ground 4 a bit earlier than usual. Asuma-Sensei trained before he trained them so she knew that he would be there.

"Asuma-Sensei!" she called.

He turned, "Hanara? Why are you here so early?"

"I have a question for you," she said.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Do you know anyone who knows how to use chakra threads and would train me this month?"

"Hmm... chakra threads, huh? Sorry, I don't think I do. Why do you want to use them?"

"It's just, most of our team's strategies rely on Shikamaru trapping our opponent and then me or Choji finishing them off. If I used chakra threads and a clone, I could do both myself instead of trying to make different strategies for the exam."

"Huh. That's a good idea. I think that if you go to the International Techniques section of the Shinobi Library you should be able to find some instructions. You probably will have to make some stuff up on the way but if you watched that puppeteer with your Byakugan active, copying the way he moulded his chakra should make things easier," Asuma-Sensei advised, "We'll be doing endurance and stamina training as well as chakra building exercises on Fridays so come over then. Sorry I couldn't be much help."

Hanara smiled excitedly, "No you were amazing help! Thanks, Asuma-Sensei!"

The next six hours were uneventful. Hanara was just practicing using chakra threads, the Gentle Fist, drinking water, or eating. Chakra threads were used by creating wire-like threads out of chakra from your fingertips and controlling them. To use that technique, you need to have above-average chakra control, but thankfully, Hanara had that. The Gentle Fist made sure of it. Seeing as she needed to also shoot chakra out of your fingertips for the Gentle Fist, Hanara was progressing quite fast in the 'Creating Chakra Threads' bit of her training. The 'Controlling Chakra Threads' bit... not so much.

However, now she was bored out of her mind. There was only so much training you could do before you either collapsed or stopped putting in effort. Neither of those options didn't seem very appealing to Hanara. Collapsing just causing lots of pain and is just plain unnecessary while not putting in the effort is just a waste of time.

'Maybe I could go drag Ino to the hot springs with me. If she isn't there I could go get... Sakura maybe? Hinata? Nah, both those options would just be plain awkward. Tenten, then? Okay, it's just sad that I only have one girl friend. Let's hope Ino is available...''

The walk to Yamanaka Flowers was uneventful as all the people Hanara knew were usually training at 15:00. When she opened the door to the flower shop, she was greeted by the startled face of Ino.

"Oh hey, Hana. Sorry, I didn't see you there," Ino said sheepishly.

"I could tell," Hanara deadpanned.

"Anyway, what are you doing here," Ino asked as she stepped back inside the shop, allowing Hanara to step in as well.

"Can't a girl visit her friend?" Hanara questioned innocently.

"You never do that. You're obviously here for a reason," Ino said, shaking her head, "So what is it?"

Hanara sighed, "Fine. I did come here for a reason, but it was to hang out with you. I wanted to ask you if you'd go to the hot springs with me."

"Okay, sure! That's a great idea! Only for an hour though. Dad wants to train with me later."

At the hot springs:

The girls were relaxing in peaceful silence when out of nowhere, Ino looked at Hanara, confused, "Why me? You usually ask someone else to hang out with you."