---
Ōnoki's Ninjutsu can not only lighten the Fourth Raikage, Ay, allowing him to move at speeds comparable to lightning, but also enhance his attacks. Under the influence of Ōnoki's Doton (Earth Release) techniques, Ay's punches could become powerful enough to potentially breach even the so-called "absolute defense" of Uchiha Madara's Susanoo.
However, the gravity manipulation that Ye Dou currently controls is far from that level. His limit is just over twice normal gravity—nowhere near the mastery of Ōnoki or the sheer speed of the Raikage.
But one day, he will surpass them. He alone will be capable of an attack rivaling the combined might of the Third Tsuchikage and the Fourth Raikage, and even far exceeding them.
Reaching the level of Otsutsuki Kaguya's "Amenominaka", which alters gravity on a massive scale, is not impossible for him.
As long as he has enough chakra and his body can withstand the strain, he will reach that realm.
"Finally, I found you…."
As Ye Dou was lost in thought, a petite figure emerged from the forest. Following the voice, he turned and saw Hyūga Hanabi, the girl he had encountered the day before.
She wore a traditional kimono—though it resembled a dōjō uniform—and carried a delicately wrapped lunch box in her hands. She walked straight toward Yatō with a determined expression.
Ye Dou frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I... Of course, I'm here to thank you! Thank you for saving me yesterday and for taking me home. I made this myself. It's not something extravagant, but I hope you'll accept it…"
Hanabi smiled as she opened the bento, revealing neatly arranged rice balls. It was clear she was proud of her handiwork.
"You don't need to thank me. Even if I hadn't shown up yesterday, you wouldn't have died. At most, you would've been bitten by a stray dog. As for taking you home, I was just passing by…"
Ye Dou cast a quick glance around before turning indifferently and stepping into the forest.
At that moment, he felt his body lighten—he had already released the gravity suppression he had placed on himself.
Hanabi's smile froze. Watching Ye Dou retreating figure, she bit her lip before running after him.
Unlike her elder sister, Hinata, Hanabi was not timid or soft-spoken. She was assertive and headstrong, unwilling to give up so easily.
As she trailed him, a mongoose at Ye Dou's side twitched its ears but, for once, refrained from urging Ye Dou to kill her. Instead, it observed the surroundings cautiously.
"Ye Dou, there are three people nearby—all from the Hyūga clan. One Jōnin and two Genin. You must hold back and not act rashly."
Ye Dou didn't need the warning. He had no intention of killing any Hyūga.
After all, Hanabi was the princess of the Hyūga clan, the future heir of the main branch. It was only natural that she would be heavily guarded.
Still, hearing the mongoose's words, Ye Dou couldn't help but acknowledge the Hyūga clan's strength. They were the only family in Konoha capable of rivaling the Uchiha.
Even within the village, they assigned an elite Jōnin and two Chūnin-level guards to protect Hanabi—an impressive display of power.
Then again, it wasn't surprising. The attempted kidnapping by Kumogakure's ninja hadn't been that long ago.
A Sudden Encounter
After walking for a while, Ye Dou squatted down and brushed aside some dried grass. A rabbit appeared before him, its fur as white as snow.
Sensing an unfamiliar presence, the rabbit curled into a ball, its long ears trembling. But it was trapped. With nowhere to run, it remained frozen in place.
Ye Dou reached down and released the trap, lifting the rabbit.
"Oh, what a cute little white rabbit! Can I touch—"
Before Hanabi could finish, there was a sharp crack.
The rabbit went limp. Ye Dou had snapped its neck in an instant, killing it without hesitation.
"...Let's go. This isn't a place for you," he said coldly.
Hanabi stood frozen in shock, her bento still clutched in her hands. She watched as Ye Dou reset the trap, then slung the dead rabbit over his shoulder and walked away, vanishing into the forest as if he had never been there.
The wind rustled through the trees, scattering fallen leaves across the ground. The setting sun cast long shadows, painting the forest in hues of gold and orange.
Hanabi remained standing, gripping the bento tightly, unable to move.
"You're an Eyesore."
Hyūga Clan Compound – Kitchen
After a full day of training, Hyūga Hinata walked into the kitchen and immediately spotted her younger sister preparing food. A worried expression crossed her face.
"Hanabi… Are you going to see him again?"
For the past two months, ever since she met that boy, Hanabi had been doing this.
Every day, as soon as she finished the training assigned by their father, she would sneak into the kitchen, prepare food, and then slip away into the forest.
Their father had reprimanded and punished her several times, but she always found a way to escape the Hyūga estate.
"Mm-hmm." Hanabi nodded without stopping her preparations. "He's like us—he trains in Taijutsu. Though it's not Gentle Fist, his physical endurance is insane. He eats even more than Father! But autumn is ending, and hunting in the forest will become much harder. If I don't bring him food, he'll go hungry!"
As she spoke, she continued forming rice balls, rolling them firmly before wrapping them in seaweed and placing them in the lunchbox.
Hinata hesitated. "But… Didn't you say he never eats what you bring him?"
Hanabi's hands suddenly stilled. Her expression turned slightly sad.
"Yeah…" she murmured.
"Then why do you keep—"
"I know, Onee-sama. I know my actions might be meaningless to him. Maybe even annoying…" Hanabi clenched her fists. "But every time I see him like that, I just… I just feel uneasy!"
For two whole months.
At first, he would at least acknowledge her presence, telling her not to come.
But eventually, he stopped speaking altogether.
He ignored her completely, continuing his training as if she didn't exist. And once he finished, he would simply leave without a word.
It was as if she were nothing but air.
As if, in his world, no one else mattered.
And that realization… made Hanabi feel inexplicably sad.
"I'm heading out. Onee-sama, please cover for me if Father asks!"
Hanabi quickly packed the lunchbox, her spirit reignited. With a small wave to her sister, she slipped out of the Hyūga compound and disappeared into the night.
---