Araki walked into the ninja school alongside Teacher Yinsui, and during this process, he could very clearly feel a change in Teacher Yinsui's attitude towards him.
Of course...
Araki was well aware that these changes were all because of Lady Tsunade.
As usual, Araki entered the classroom and sat in his familiar seat. Just as he sat down, he suddenly felt a resentful gaze fixated on him.
There was no need to think.
Whether it was the angle of the gaze or the sense of resentment...
It must be Kushina Uzumaki!
Araki deliberately didn't look in Kushina Uzumaki's direction. As he had anticipated, after glaring at him fiercely for a while, Kushina Uzumaki withdrew her gaze.
After Teacher Yinsui entered the classroom, the class quieted down and began the new day's lessons.
...
Araki propped his chin up with both hands. He wanted to take a short break during the morning hours, but every time he was about to lower his head, he immediately felt a sharp gaze focused on him.
The owner of that gaze was none other than Teacher Yinsui!
"Sigh..."
Araki couldn't help but sigh and raised his head again. Although he felt no fatigue or drowsiness under the baptism of that green chakra, he couldn't help but feel that life would be too tiring if he didn't take a rest.
It had been over three years since he came to this world through the time leap, and almost all his time was spent catching up on sleep during the day and training at night. He already felt like he was pushing himself to the limit, and now he was being pushed to become the Hokage!
It was a helpless feeling!
It reminded Araki of his school days when every teacher claimed there wasn't much homework, but it piled up nonetheless.
Now he was being scrutinized by Teacher Yinsui in the morning at the ninja school, attending Lady Tsunade's medical ninjutsu class in the afternoon, and had an appointment with Teacher Might Dai about youth in the evening...
It was too tight!
The schedule was too packed!
Even Araki was afraid that he wouldn't be able to handle it.
But there was no other way. He could only endure it until he graduated from the ninja school, and perhaps things would get better then.
...
The time passed quickly in half a day.
At the moment the bell rang for class dismissal, Araki stood up and walked out of the classroom. He was ready to go to Teacher Tsunade's house.
For him at the moment...
Studying medical ninjutsu was secondary. The most important thing was to calculate Nawaki's fortune and recharge himself. He desperately needed that green chakra.
Kushina was at the back of the classroom. She saw Araki walking out and was about to catch up with him to ask about last night. However, she was surrounded by classmates.
"Kushina, what do you want to eat for lunch?"
"Kushina, want to go together for lunch?"
"Kushina, it's my treat today!"
"Kushina, don't pay attention to them. My mom cooks really delicious food. Come to my house!"
"..."
One student after another invited Kushina. The children of the ninja world were mature early, and combined with Kushina's appearance, she had captured the attention of most of them. Ever since she arrived in the classroom, she had already found a place in the hearts of many.
However, the students didn't express their thoughts properly. They all followed the trend. If one person initiated something, many others would follow suit, unwilling to be left behind.
In the past, they used to bully Kushina to get her attention, but now they were inviting her to have meals together.
"I..."
Kushina suddenly felt overwhelmed. With all the voices ringing in her ears, she didn't even know whom to refuse first.
In that instant, Araki disappeared from her sight.
"I'll eat alone!"
Kushina stamped her foot in frustration. She didn't care about the students in her class. She just wanted to ask Araki about last night, why he didn't even put his bag back. However, she missed the opportunity as she walked out like that, attracting attention.
Then, under the gaze of everyone's eyes, Kushina walked out of the classroom on her own, appearing rushed and visibly unhappy.
"Hey, Kushina!"
"Hey, Kushina!"
Suddenly, a collision sound occurred. Kushina sat on the ground, holding her forehead, obviously having bumped into something.
"Are you okay?"
A gentle female voice came from outside the door, and then another figure, who had also fallen, quickly approached Kushina to check on her condition, disregarding her own headache.
"I'm fine, it's my fault, I'm sorry."
Kushina waved her hand repeatedly. Araki's words kept echoing in her mind, that she should be kind to others in Konoha Village. Besides, it was her fault for walking too quickly in her annoyed state. She couldn't blame the girl she collided with.
If anyone should be blamed, it's Araki!
But...
This girl is so gentle!
Even when Kushina heard that soft and gentle voice, she felt an urge to care for her. She then looked up to observe the girl who had collided with her.
The girl had beautiful long black hair, a delicate face filled with gentleness, and especially those black eyes that radiated a pitiful tenderness that made people feel sorry for her.
What attracted Kushina's attention the most was that this girl wore the forehead protector of Konoha Village.
This meant that she was already a Genin.
"It was my fault for not looking where I was going. It's not your fault, I'm sorry." The girl smiled gently, expressing her apology as well, making it difficult for anyone to feel any resentment. She then reached out to rub Kushina's forehead that had been bumped, showing concern and asking, "Your forehead is red. Does it hurt a lot?"
"It's fine." Kushina shook her head, realizing why the collision had hurt so much as she looked at the girl's forehead protector.
"I'm Uchiha Mikoto," the girl introduced herself with a smile.
"I'm Uzumaki Kushina." Kushina quickly introduced herself.
"You haven't eaten yet, right? How about I treat you? Let's have a meal together. Consider it my way of making it up to you." Mikoto got up from the ground, without even patting the dirt off herself, and reached out her hand to help Kushina.
"Um... okay."
Kushina hesitated for a moment, thinking about how all the students in the classroom wanted to have lunch with her. Mikoto happened to be a good shield, and Kushina had a good impression of her. Since coming to Konoha Village, she hadn't made any female friends yet, so it would be a good opportunity to get to know her.
Suddenly, Kushina reached out her hand and accepted Mikoto's invitation, allowing Mikoto to pull her up.
After they stood up, both instinctively adjusted their messy hair and dusted off their clothes. It was evident that they cared about their appearance.
"Hehehe..."
Upon seeing the two of them, Mikoto couldn't help but burst into laughter. She naturally linked her arm with Kushina's wrist, as if they had been close friends for a long time.
"I'll treat you to Sansei Dango. I love the desserts at that shop. They taste amazing!"
Mikoto pulled Kushina along as they walked out. The two of them disappeared from the sight of the students in the classroom.
The boys in the classroom looked at each other, dumbfounded, unable to utter a word.
They had all planned to invite Kushina to have lunch together.
Some even secretly made bets to see who would be successful in the end.
The outcome exceeded everyone's expectations.
In the end, Kushina actually went to eat with another girl.
In a seat towards the front of the classroom, a blond-haired student was organizing his desk, seemingly unconcerned about the situation. However, when Kushina and Mikoto left, a faint smile formed at the corners of his mouth.
"These guys never get what they want."
After learning the outcome, Minato Namikaze didn't linger in the classroom. However, a crazy thought emerged in his mind.
If he were the one to ask her out...
Would he succeed?
Or would he be just like everyone else?
This new redhead girl is really something special!
I wonder what she likes?
These thoughts crossed Minato's mind, but he kept them suppressed and didn't show any signs. During his student days, he displayed maturity far beyond his peers.