"Miss Hyūga, please slow down."
Hyūga Tokuma's voice called out as he hurried after Hyūga Hinata, who was practically sprinting down the street. She had left the house in such a rush that he had no choice but to follow. Was she really this excited just because school was starting?
At the gate, Hinata finally slowed, a shiver running through her. She lowered her head, heart sinking with guilt. Her hasty exit earlier had surely disappointed her father again. Four days of confinement, yet the thought of possibly seeing Aburame Shiki at school had made her momentarily lose herself.
"Hinata."
Hyūga Hizashi's brow creased slightly. This timid, hesitant attitude—how could such a girl carry the honor of the Hyūga clan?
"F-Father…" Hinata stepped in front of him, her voice barely audible.
"When you get to school, don't tarnish the Hyūga name," he said with a sigh.
Knowing her personality, he realized she might be bullied at school. But if even these small matters required his intervention, it would be a serious loss of face.
"I… I'll do my best," Hinata murmured, hearing the disappointment in his sigh.
Hizashi turned and walked away, pausing in the courtyard. His youngest daughter, Hanabi, was practicing her punches beneath a tree. Awkwardly, yet with effort and form.
As Hinata walked along the sunlit street, the weight in her chest began to ease slightly. Her thoughts drifted to Hyūga Neji. If she could be like him, surely her father would be pleased. But ever since that mark appeared on his forehead, a tragic barrier had seemed to form between her and Neji.
"Miss Hinata," Tokuma said as they reached the school gate, handing her the backpack. "I'll come back to pick you up after school."
"Thank you, Tokuma," she replied, clutching her bag as she stepped into the classroom.
Her pale eyes suddenly brightened.
There he was!
The boy whose name she didn't yet know.
But hesitation crept over her. She saw a beautiful blonde girl chatting happily with him. Hinata wasn't skilled in social situations. At that moment, she didn't step forward.
"Shiki-kun," Yamanaka Ino said with a cheerful smile, turning to Aburame Shiki. "What's your favorite flower? My family runs a flower shop."
Her outgoing nature made her a natural conversationalist. Shiki simply played the role of listener. Patience came naturally to him—it had been honed since before he was born.
[Yamanaka Ino.][Current Achievement: Admiration is the feeling farthest from understanding.][Passive Achievement: Unknown.]
"Ino!"
Sakura Haruno's strong voice broke Shiki's train of thought. Ino's expression immediately turned serious—combat mode activated. She knew her best friend too well: the sight of a handsome boy made her lose all restraint.
Fortunately for Ino, Sakura's attention was caught first by Uchiha Sasuke.
But Ino didn't despair. She turned back to Sakura, only to notice Shiki.
In this tiny classroom, there could actually be two handsome boys?
Sakura's expression twisted with indecision. Who should she choose?
"Hello, I'm Haruno Sakura," she said, adopting a refined lady-like pose and extending her hand. But internally, she was in turmoil. Damn it! Ino beat me to him!
"Sakura," Ino murmured, gently taking her hand for Shiki instead and leaning closer. "Don't you like Sasuke?"
"You… you…" Sakura faltered, uncertain. They had agreed to compete fairly over Uchiha Sasuke.
Before she could finish, her mouth was gently covered.
"Shiki-kun," Ino said, smiling brightly, "Sakura and I need to talk." She tugged Sakura toward the back row.
"Shiki, you're so popular," Naruto said with a hint of envy. He wasn't jealous of the girls surrounding Shiki—he was envious of how many friends Shiki had.
Hinata, sitting in the front row, peeked over cautiously. Her hands clutched her clothing nervously.
With Ino and Sakura gone, the space next to Shiki was now empty. She wanted to step forward.
Just then, the door opened.
A young man entered, writing his name on the blackboard.
"I'm your teacher, Iruka Umino," he said, clapping his hands. "As usual, we'll start with introductions."
Hinata lifted her head slightly. Finally, she would learn his name.
Shiki watched calmly as his classmates introduced themselves. Most were background characters, cannon fodder—names never even mentioned in the original story. Their universal wish? To become Hokage.
It was undeniable—Sarutobi Hiruzen had poured his heart into instilling the Will of Fire in this generation.
"I'm Uchiha Sasuke. I don't have any hobbies, but I want to become as excellent a ninja as my brother," Sasuke said, his introduction stirring ripples through the classroom.
His brother was none other than the famed Uchiha Itachi, who had graduated at seven with the highest marks, praised by Hiruzen himself as Hokage material, capable of thinking with a Hokage's perspective. At eleven, he joined the ANBU, the youngest member ever. A true prodigy and pride of the Uchiha clan.
Three lines of text appeared in Shiki's mind:
[Uchiha Sasuke.][Current Achievement: When you're weak, train harder.][Passive Achievement: Unknown.]
Shiki pondered briefly. If memory served, the Uchiha clan's fateful night would be next year. Sasuke would probably regret his choices when that day came.
One by one, the students finished their introductions. Soon, it was Shiki's turn.
He walked to the podium, unhurried, as all eyes fell on him. Hinata was directly in front. The moment their gazes met, she blushed and quickly looked down like a startled rabbit.
"I'm Aburame Shiki," he said casually. "I don't have any hobbies. I just want a peaceful life."
Nara Shikamaru perked up, a small thrill of recognition—someone shared his desire for tranquility?
Ino's eyes sparkled with new energy. Peaceful life—to her, that meant the traditional role of the dutiful spouse in their homeland.
"I'm confident I could be a perfect wife," she thought, convinced.
Shikamaru shivered. Women were terrifying.
Hinata bit her lip lightly. So his name was Aburame Shiki. Mustering courage, she lifted her head once more.
Shiki gave her a subtle nod, then returned to his seat.
Next was Naruto. He took a deep breath.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I like ramen, and my dream is to become Hokage!"
His voice grew more passionate toward the end. The classroom fell silent for a moment, then buzzed with lively energy.
Shiki casually slapped his hand on the desk, the sound cutting through any lingering mockery. Being watched by everyone, he remarked lightly:
"A bunch of flies were making noise just now."