Escape From Konoha
Chapter 7: 7: Copper Smelting

Ever since that day, Shiraishi never casually mentioned inviting Ayane to dinner again.

Because that would mean bankruptcy for him. After declaring her as the queen of gluttony.

...

Time passed slowly, day by day.

The incident with the ramen had brought the three of them closer together.

After all, there was a deep bond formed by sharing meals together.

Shiraishi's performance in class remained unremarkable. Compared to the two talented girls sitting next to him, his grades could only be described as mediocre.

Another month flew by in the blink of an eye.

During this month, Shiraishi grew closer to Ayane, but his bond with Ruri developed even more rapidly.

Of course, it was a purely platonic friendship.

After all, Ruri was the only one who knew about his hidden strength. If he were to unleash his true power, he would undoubtedly rank among the top three in the class.

The reason for his closer relationship with Ruri was that she often sought him out after school for physical training sessions.

During these training sessions, both Shiraishi and Ruri were highly satisfied with each other's exceptional skills.

Although Shiraishi had limited combat experience, he could learn from Ruri. She had special tutors in the Uchiha clan who taught her fighting techniques, and she passed on these skills to Shiraishi. This allowed him to gradually improve his combat abilities through practice and mutual growth.

Shiraishi's growth exceeded Ruri's expectations.

Through their deepening communication, she realized that she was gradually unable to suppress Shiraishi.

This was something Uchiha Ruri, the prodigy, couldn't bear.

Every week, elite Jounin from her family taught her combat skills. But in just a month or two, the boys she had previously overshadowed had caught up and even surpassed her, making it hard to maintain her reputation as the genius of the Uchiha clan.

Thus, she needed to regain the upper hand and reestablish her dominance. She had to uphold the prestige of the Uchiha clan.

"Why is your strength growing so rapidly?" Ruri asked, voicing her doubts.

In her eyes, Shiraishi must be hiding some secret to achieve such rapid growth in strength.

Otherwise, how could an ordinary person keep up with her without any formal training? Or perhaps the issue lay with Shiraishi himself.

"Huh?" Shiraishi was momentarily taken aback. "I've just been practicing step by step."

"Impossible. If that were the case, you wouldn't be growing so quickly. You must be hiding something," Ruri insisted.

"I really have nothing to hide."

"Really?"

Ruri continued to regard Shiraishi with suspicion.

"Well, I've been following my own training method all along."

Shiraishi spoke earnestly. He truly had no hidden techniques or secrets.

Ruri had taught him numerous combat skills, and he was immensely grateful for that. Without her, his progress wouldn't have been as rapid.

"Your own method?" Ruri noticed a gap in her knowledge.

"Yes, I have a scientifically designed exercise program that effectively improves my dynamic vision and neural response."

Shiraishi answered honestly.

"Then show me your scientific plan."

Upon hearing Ruri's request, Shiraishi didn't hesitate. If it were someone else, he might need time to consider, but given that his progress was largely thanks to Ruri's guidance, he couldn't be stingy.

He took out a small notebook from his ninja bag and handed it to Ruri.

His scientific exercise plan was documented within its pages.

Ruri opened the notebook and carefully examined its contents. The more she read, the more puzzled her expression became.

It seemed so ordinary.

Most of the training methods written by Shiraishi weren't secrets. Many of them were familiar to Ruri. Apart from a few unconventional techniques, she was already acquainted with most of them.

Could simply following these exercises really lead to significant improvements in strength? A question was formed in Ruri's mind.

Shiraishi could sense Ruri's doubts. His exercise plan wasn't particularly challenging in general, and most of it was easily understandable. However, he believed it to be the most scientifically sound program for the human body.

But when compared to the mystical power of chakra in this world, Shiraishi couldn't help but feel that his scientific exercise plan was child's play.

His program merely aimed to enhance his dynamic vision, nerve reflexes, body flexibility, and resistance to attacks. Compared to the wondrous energy of chakra, it seemed rather mundane.

Shiraishi understood Ruri's skepticism.

"I'm not entirely certain if following the scientific exercise plan would lead to the same rapid growth for you. The plan is adjusted based on my own physical development, and I usually need to modify it every month."

Shiraishi explained.

Ruri nodded in understanding. What worked for Shiraishi might not work for her.

Therefore, Ruri looked at him seriously and said, "Create a training plan for me that suits my needs."

She wanted to give Shiraishi's method a try and see if it truly produced results.

"I can do that, but..."

Shiraishi scratched his head awkwardly and hesitated to speak.

"What's the matter? Don't want to do it?" Ruri's black and white eyes turned cold, a dangerous glint flashing in them.

"No, that's not it. It's just that creating a scientific exercise plan for someone else requires an understanding of their physical condition... um, in simpler terms, it means gathering information about their body and tailoring the plan accordingly..."

Shiraishi's eyes flickered unnaturally as he intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Ruri's petite figure, then quickly averted his gaze as if afraid.

"…"

A blush crept onto Ruri's normally indifferent face. She understood the hidden implications behind Shiraishi's words.

Taking a deep breath, she stared at Shiraishi with icy eyes, as if looking at a dead man.

"Come and touch."

"Huh? Alright! Wait, wait, what did you just say? Touch... touch what?"

Shiraishi was dumbfounded. He thought Ruri would shy away from the request, but she surprised him by making it.

"Come here and touch me! But if you dare touch anywhere else, you'll die!"

Ruri issued a fierce threat. He felt like he was facing imminent death.

...

In the end, Shiraishi created a scientific exercise plan for Ruri.

Before Ruri left, she warned him that if the plan didn't deliver the promised results, she would physically annihilate him.