In the early morning, the first ray of sunlight shone on the window of Ren's house. After washing up, Ren changed his clothes, slung his backpack, and went out.
The first day in this world begins.
On the bustling streets, people walked in twos and threes, their faces beaming with smiles.
Is this Konoha, the most prosperous and powerful Village in the Ninja World? Reincarnating here is somewhat fortunate, in a way.
While lost in thought, Ren had already turned the corner, and the Ninja School was now in sight.
"Ren, are you here for school?"
A sweet, soft voice came from behind him. Ren instinctively turned his head. A black and white Ninja mini-skirt, dark hair draped to the side, a beautiful, fair face with a playful smile, and a height identical to his. Her deep red, gem-like eyes swirled like someone intoxicated.
"Oh, it's Yuhi. I just got discharged from the hospital yesterday. After resting at home for a day, I'm back for class."
Ren forced a smile. In his memory, his deceased father and Yuhi's father, Shinku Yuhi, were close friends. Their families lived next door to each other. They had grown up together, childhood sweethearts, innocent and inseparable.
"Um, Ren, please accept my condolences."
Yuhi said hesitantly. She knew Ren's grief over losing his loved one, but she didn't want Ren to sink into despair.
"It's alright, I've come to terms with it. I don't think Father would want me to be depressed. I will work hard to live up to his expectations. I want to become Hokage!"
Ren made a firm promise, his face resolute. This was a pledge, and also the inheritance of his father's will.
"Mm-hmm, then let's hurry to the classroom, we're going to be late." Yuhi's worried expression faded, and her dimples appeared with a faint smile. She pulled Ren and quickly walked towards the classroom.
Ren, being pulled along, smiled helplessly. The two walked into the classroom and sat down in the last row, waiting for the teacher to arrive.
The summer sunlight streamed into the classroom. Ren sat by the window in the back row, with Yuhi beside him. In front, a bowl-cut head swayed back and forth, dressed entirely in a green jumpsuit. The bowl cut, thick eyebrows—the identity of the person in front was immediately obvious.
"Ren, you're finally at school!"
Ren smiled and said, "Long time no see, Might Guy."
Might Guy grinned, revealing a mouthful of bright white teeth that sparkled in the light. He suddenly said, "Uncle protected the Village and his comrades with his own life. He is a great hero."
"Ah, yes, I'm proud of him too."
During their conversation, several other people also came over to offer condolences to Ren. Ren was in the most elite genius class of the entire Ninja School, a class where young masters and ladies from various major families were enrolled. The future Green Beast of Konoha, Might Guy; the Third Hokage's son, Asuma Sarutobi; the mastermind behind the Fourth Ninja World War, Uchiha Obito; the medical loli, Rin Nohara; the future Genjutsu Mistress and one of Konoha's Four Jonin, Kurenai Yuhi; and also Konoha's Iron Gate Gods, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki. Not to mention Kakashi Hatake, who had already graduated early yesterday.
"This class is truly full of hidden talents," Ren thought silently, looking at the people around him.
Just then, the Chunin teacher whom Ren had reported to yesterday walked into the classroom.
"Quiet down, class is about to begin. Everyone return to your seats."
The teacher rubbed his forehead, clearly having a headache. Because it was the genius class, there were quite a few arrogant hotheads. As a gold-medal teacher personally appointed by the Hokage, he also felt immense pressure.
The students instantly scattered like birds and beasts, returning to their seats to wait for the lesson to start. Ren also reined in his thoughts, took out his textbook, and prepared for class.
The Ninja School curriculum consisted of theoretical lessons in the morning and practical activity classes in the afternoon. After half a year of physical training since enrollment, the students' bodies could now withstand and refine Chakra. So today, the teacher was explaining the Chakra refining method.
A group of children held their breath, listening to the teacher's instruction. One by one, they entered a meditative state, beginning to sense the mental and physical energy within their bodies, then fusing them in their dantian to form a Chakra. Ren watched with disinterest as the teacher lectured animatedly and Yuhi meditated beside him. He closed his eyes and began to refine Chakra.
Ding-a-ling-ling! A sudden ringing sound interrupted Ren's refining.
Opening his eyes, Ren hadn't even reacted when the teacher spoke at an even faster pace: "Today's morning lesson ends here. Class dismissed now." With that, he disappeared from the classroom using an Instantaneous Body Technique.
Ren twitched his lips, burying his head, preparing to rest for a while. Just then, Yuhi beside him nudged Ren's arm.
"Ren, did you not bring a bento?"
"..."
Ren immediately felt embarrassed. He had forgotten that when he came that lunch needed to be prepared by oneself.
Suddenly, two bentos appeared on the table. Yuhi covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "My dad taught me how to make them. Yesterday, I heard the teacher say you'd be coming to school today, so I made two. I don't know if it suits your taste, but hurry and try it."
"Hehehe." Ren gave a dry laugh and, not standing on ceremony, opened one and began to eat. Stir-fried shrimp with chicken pieces and fish cutlets, with rice layered underneath. The colourful combination greatly stimulated Ren's appetite.
"Yuhi, you should participate in a cooking competition sometime."
Ten minutes later, Ren, having finished his meal, put down his chopsticks, closed the bento box, and handed it to Yuhi, saying contentedly.
"As long as you like it." Yuhi took it with a beaming smile, putting the empty bento box into her backpack.
The lunch break passed with chatting and playful banter. The afternoon practical activity class consisted of Shuriken and Kunai throwing, and Ninja cypher instruction.
As for Ninja tool throwing, all the students were from major families, having received careful guidance from their family members. Ninja tool throwing was no challenge for them.
And refining Chakra too early could overdraw the body, which is why Chakra refining was only being taught now, after enrollment.
"Bang, bang."
"Hoshimi Ren: Shuriken ten points, Kunai ten points."
Ren calmly walked back to Yuhi's side. His father, being a Jonin, had laid a very solid foundation for him.
After the instruction, there was free activity time. After class, they could go home.
When it was time, Ren and Yuhi walked home together. It seemed that for this period, besides theory, they wouldn't learn much, so it was better to go home and quickly strengthen their abilities.
The Ninja School only taught some theory and at most, the Three Body Technique. The other students in the class were from families with family legacies, so they didn't need much intervention from the teacher. If he were to encounter Kakashi now, Ren believed the latter could easily teach him a lesson in just a few rounds.
Lost in thought, he had already arrived at Yuhi's doorstep.
"See you tomorrow, Ren."
"See you tomorrow."
After saying goodbye to Yuhi, Ren continued walking towards his home. He bought a bento when he passed the market. After returning home and quickly eating the bento to solve his meal problem, he began to ponder what path he should take next.
Not long after, Ren arrived in the study filled with books and scrolls.
Looking at the room full of books, Ren's somewhat anxious heart instead calmed down. Anyway, the things were here and wouldn't run away. He should think about which Ninjutsu to learn first.
"Before that, let's test my Chakra affinity first."
Ren snapped out of it, tossing aside his somewhat scattered thoughts. He picked up a Chakra affinity test paper and began the test.
There were quite a few in his father's room's desk, probably bought for him to use.