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Extra Chapter: On Every 50 powerstone
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The first-year survival exercise was even more boring than the taijutsu sparring.
After all, the only ninjutsu the first-years could learn at this stage was the Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique).
This was precisely why Ryūsei's display of the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) had stunned everyone.
If he had also used the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique), then Iruka might have reacted the same way as Uchiha Itachi's teacher—deciding that the ninja academy had nothing left to teach him.
The survival exercise assessment was extremely simple: each student was given an item and had to use it to conceal themselves within a designated training area.
If Iruka found them within the allotted time, they would receive a low or high score depending on how long they lasted.
If they remained undetected until the time limit expired, they would get a perfect score.
However, in Ryūsei's eyes, whether someone could achieve a perfect score depended entirely on Iruka's mood.
Using the Henge no Jutsu to deceive Iruka, a Chunin, was practically impossible.
Therefore, this assessment was really just a way to filter out the best performers among all the students' transformation techniques.
Naturally, Ryūsei was one of the best.
He had scored perfectly in shuriken throwing, taijutsu sparring, and the survival exercise.
Once the written exam results were announced, the first-year teachers would evaluate each student's performance based on their test scores, minor exams, and random quizzes, ultimately selecting the most outstanding student of the year—the representative of the entire grade, the Top Student.
Even without waiting for the official results, Ryūsei already knew the title of Top Student would undoubtedly be his.
If he hadn't been matched against Sasuke in the taijutsu sparring, perhaps Sasuke might have had a chance to compete with him for the title.
After all, throughout the year, both Ryūsei and Sasuke had achieved perfect scores in all their minor and surprise quizzes.
But Sasuke's defeat in the taijutsu sparring meant he couldn't achieve a perfect score in every major exam, sealing his fate—his overall performance would inevitably fall short of Ryūsei's.
As for the other students, none of them even stood a chance against Ryūsei.
The Top Student title was as good as his; all that remained was the official announcement.
After completing the survival exercise assessment, Ryūsei left the ninja academy alongside Ino and Sakura.
Watching their retreating figures, Hinata—who had been observing Ryūsei all along but lacked the courage to approach him—felt a deep pang of envy toward Ino and Sakura.
Everyone else had their own social circles, but Hinata had no friends at all.
It wasn't until after graduation that she would gain companions in Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame.
If not for her younger sister, Hanabi, Hinata might have spent her entire childhood up to the age of twelve in complete solitude.
After all, the death of Hizashi Hyūga and Hinata's crushing defeat at the hands of Neji Hyūga had left her father, Hiashi Hyūga, deeply disappointed in his timid daughter.
Fortunately, Hinata's status as the heiress of a prestigious clan, combined with the fact that this was a world of supernatural abilities rather than an ordinary one, spared her from the kind of bullying some heroines in other stories endured.
Even so, in the original story, Hinata wasn't entirely spared—she had been bullied twice by older students.
As if sensing Hinata's gaze, Ryūsei suddenly stopped walking and turned to look at her.
The moment their eyes met, Hinata flinched and immediately lowered her head, nervously twisting her fingers.
Seeing this, Ryūsei couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Ryūsei, what's wrong?"
Noticing that Ryūsei had stopped, Ino asked curiously, following his gaze—but she didn't see Hinata, who had already disappeared into the crowd.
Ryūsei shook his head with a light chuckle. "Nothing. I thought I heard someone calling me just now, but I must have imagined it. Let's go."
After leaving the academy, just before parting ways with Ino and Sakura, Ryūsei suddenly asked, "Tomorrow's the start of the break. Do you two want to train with me?"
"Yes, yes!"
Ino immediately raised her hand excitedly. "I've been practicing really hard lately. You'll get to see my progress!"
"Mm." Sakura also nodded firmly.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Ryūsei added, "I'll introduce you to a new friend tomorrow, but I'll need your help with something, Ino."
"A friend? What do you need me to do?" Ino tilted her head curiously.
Ryūsei crooked a finger, signaling her to come closer. When Ino leaned in, he whispered something into her ear.
After hearing him out, Ino's eyes widened in surprise—but then she thumped her chest confidently. "No problem! Leave it to me!"
Watching the two of them exchange cryptic words, Sakura blinked in confusion but didn't press for details.
---
"Ryūsei, we're here!"
"The sun's already up, Ryūsei! Are you awake?"
The next morning, at eight o'clock, Ryūsei—who had been studying a ninjutsu scroll at home—heard Sakura and Ino's voices outside.
Putting away the scroll, he stepped out of his house.
"Let's go meet our new friend."
Instead of heading to the usual training grounds, Ryūsei led the two girls to the gates of a large estate.
A closer look would reveal a grand plaque above the entrance, bearing the characters for Hyūga.
This was none other than the Hyūga clan's compound.
Ryūsei turned to Ino with a smile. "Alright, it's your turn now, Ino."
"Watch me work my magic!"
Ino confidently strode up to the Hyūga compound's entrance and, without the slightest hesitation, struck up a conversation with the two guards stationed there.
After scrutinizing her for a moment, one of the guards stepped inside.
Before long, he returned and gestured for Ino to enter.
Watching this unfold, Sakura couldn't help but ask, "Ryūsei, how do you know Hinata?"
On their way to meet Ryūsei, Ino had already told Sakura who their new friend was.
Both Ino and Sakura had some impression of Hinata as their classmate, but not a strong one.
All they knew was that this young noble lady was extremely "aloof"—she never spoke to anyone, never joined any social circles, and didn't seem to have any friends at all.
So it was quite a surprise to learn that Ryūsei was actually friends with her.
After all, during school, Ryūsei had never once spoken to Hinata.
Ryūsei didn't hide the truth. "I helped her out twice. Her situation was similar to yours back then, Sakura. I think you two will get along well."
Sakura's eyes widened. "Similar to mine? You mean she was also…?"
"Yeah."
At Ryūsei's nod, Sakura fell silent for a moment before murmuring, "No wonder she was always so quiet in class… I thought she just didn't like talking to people, but it turns out…"
She trailed off, disbelief flickering across her face.
Clearly, she had never imagined that a noble clan's heiress could also be a victim of bullying.
Those who had targeted Hinata must have had nerves of steel!
But now that Ryūsei had explained it, Sakura felt an immediate sense of kinship with Hinata—a shared understanding between kindred spirits.
Meanwhile, Ino had already emerged from the Hyūga compound.
Walking beside her was a girl of similar height—none other than Hinata herself.