"Do you want to eat this?" Hinata Ayane's voice rang out.
Her voice was soft and sounded very pleasant.
She leaned to the side, and Hyuga Aokawa's gaze followed downward.
He saw her move aside the two upright textbooks on the outer edge of the desk, revealing the small stash underneath.
Bread, snacks, drinks—everything was there in abundance.
Everything was arranged very neatly, evenly and symmetrically.
"Is there anything you like?" Hinata Ayane asked in a low voice.
Hyuga Aokawa glanced at the dazzling array of stock and politely declined with a smile:
"I ate a lot this morning, thank you."
This morning, his grandmother had almost pried his mouth open to feed him; he really couldn't fit another bite.
The school bell rang.
Bang, bang, bang! On the stage, Inoue Reigetsu tapped the lectern again with her ruler.
"Class is now in session."
The sound of the ruler hitting the lectern seemed to be etched into every student's DNA.
Whenever that collision sounded, even the most restless hearts were forcibly calmed.
In the classroom, those turning back to talk or playing around all stopped.
The noise vanished without a trace instantly.
Seeing this, Hyuga Aokawa and the other person quickly sat up straight.
During the first class, the teacher usually spoke some "nonsense" like course schedules or disciplinary requirements.
Taking advantage of this time, Hyuga Aokawa opened his book and skimmed the table of contents.
Then he flipped to the corresponding chapters to look at the concepts.
Having a good idea of what the lesson would cover, he settled down to listen attentively.
The things taught in school were still very useful before one reached the strength to steamroll everything.
High combat intelligence itself requires a Foundation of broad knowledge.
Itachi, who was teased as Kishimoto's favorite son...
Whenever in a predicament, he could always pull some obscure information that others didn't know from some corner of his knowledge, thereby turning the tide of battle.
Bloodline is useful, but at the same level of power, what influences victory or defeat is the combat intelligence of both sides.
Kaguya, with her Bloodline maxed out but being a sweet simpleton, was ultimately sealed away.
Before they knew it, the first class ended quickly.
Throughout the entire class, Hinata Ayane secretly ate snacks several times in considerable quantities; she seemed to get hungry very easily.
However, her eating manner was no longer like before, taking huge bites.
Instead, she nibbled in small bites like a lady, looking very elegant.
It was only the occasional glances she stole at Hyuga Aokawa that revealed her heart wasn't as quiet as her appearance suggested.
After one class, Hyuga Aokawa felt much more enriched.
He stood up, preparing to go to the restroom to make some space.
A girl with short hair and some good looks suddenly flashed in front of him.
Seeing this, several other girls who were also eager to stand up silently sat back down.
"Aokawa-kun!" The girl crossed her hands in front of her, her expression somewhat fidgety and shy.
"I found a very delicious restaurant. Let's go try it together tonight?"
"I have things to do tonight, thank you!" Hyuga Aokawa declined with a smile and started to leave.
The girl hurriedly followed: "Aokawa-kun, my name is Kobayashi Kurenai."
"Hello, Kobayashi Kurenai-san," Hyuga Aokawa replied, walking on without turning his head.
Kobayashi Kurenai followed again:
"If you find it a mouthful, you can just call me Xiao Hong; that's what everyone calls me."
"Alright, Kobayashi Kurenai-san," Hyuga Aokawa responded flatly, while quickening his pace.
Only when he saw from the corner of his eye that Kobayashi Kurenai hadn't followed did he breathe a sigh of relief.
According to his previous life's experience, if a parking spot isn't open to the public, one should light up the "Full" red light from the start.
A flashing green light only gives outside cars a false impression, making them linger until they run out of fuel and block the entrance.
Seeing that Hyuga Aokawa had already stepped quickly into the men's restroom, Kobayashi Kurenai had no choice but to stop resentfully.
Pouting, she returned to her seat with a face full of unwillingness.
"Xiao Hong, how did it go?" her deskmate leaned in.
Kobayashi Kurenai shook her head: "He didn't agree, said he has things to do tonight."
"It's fine! He's a handsome guy; they aren't that easy to get," the girl comforted her.
"Besides, Xiao Hong, you're our Class Beauty! This handsome guy will be yours sooner or later."
"Oh, stop it!" Kobayashi Kurenai waved her hand, responding shyly, though her face wore an expression that took it for granted.
By the window in the classroom.
"Shinichi-ge, look at Sister Hong."
Uchiha Tsuyoshi gestured with his chin toward Kobayashi Kurenai, who was looking shy and timid in the distance, and said to Uchiha Shinichi beside him:
"This pretty boy starts attracting bees and butterflies as soon as he arrives. Even Sister Hong has been hooked by him."
Uchiha Shinichi snorted coldly and clenched his fist: "What's the use of just having a good-looking skin? A man has to show his true worth with his hands."
"Exactly, who doesn't know that my Shinichi-ge is the real Genius of our year?" Uchiha Tsuyoshi echoed.
Uchiha Shinichi crossed his arms over his chest and said proudly:
"That pretty boy has repeated grades several times; his skills must be mediocre. When it's time for practical class, I'll see where he can hide his face!"
"Right!" Uchiha Tsuyoshi realized: "When Sister Hong sees that he's good-looking but useless, she'll definitely change her mind."
"..."
Hyuga Aokawa didn't know that a melodramatic plot had already begun in the classroom because of his arrival,
and that he had been cast in it.
But even if he knew, he wouldn't care; he didn't have the energy to get involved in these kids' games.
After returning from the restroom, he glanced at Hinata Ayane, who was eating again, shook his head, and continued reading his book.
After a few classes, Hinata Ayane had completely finished off all the bread and snacks, large and small, under her desk.
The morning classes thus came to an end.
Text suddenly popped up before Hyuga Aokawa's eyes.
[Diligent study and progress, you have received a Favor]
[Substitution Jutsu (Practiced level) *1]
[Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Practiced level) *1]
[energy crystal *20]
He hadn't expected that just listening attentively in class could trigger a Favor.
If these small Favors could pop up from time to time, it would be a decent income.
Ding-a-ling!
The bell for the end of school rang!
The teacher on the stage also packed up the teaching aids and announced the end of school.
"See you this afternoon!"
Hinata Ayane's voice rang out.
Hyuga Aokawa had just looked up.
She had already stood up and rushed out of the classroom, disappearing.
Does she have to be so punctual?
He shook his head and began packing his books from the desk.
He returned home after school.
His grandmother had already prepared the meal.
After eating, Hyuga Aokawa lay on the sofa to space out for a while, then went to his room to rest.
The Ninja Academy's schedule was similar to that of later generations; he took a 30-minute nap before getting up to go back to school.
The afternoon classes were taught by other teachers.
They were basic subjects like "Overview of Kunai Combat," "Basics of Trap Placement," and "Hidden Weapon Throwing."
Hyuga Aokawa had already acquired this knowledge through Favors and had decent practical experience, so they weren't very useful to him.
What he lacked now wasn't these skill-based things, but rather some common-sense knowledge.
He casually picked up a book, his gaze sweeping over it.
"Overview of Medical Ninja"
Hyuga Aokawa opened the cover of this "Overview of Medical Ninja."
In the middle of the title page was a message:
"The value of a Medical Ninja lies in protecting the lives of their comrades. Those who do not know how to cherish their comrades are not fit to be Ninjas, let alone Medical Ninjas. — Tsunade-hime"