Ninja Academy, Physical Conditioning class.
Today's training focus was running. They had to run 50 laps around the playground, and the last student will have to do an additional 10 laps.
Every student gave their best effort to avoid being the last one.
After completing 50 laps, it's clear that Ruri secured the first place. She has a fondness for resolving conflicts with her fists. In her own words, it's the Uchiha way of dealing with things.
No one was surprised by this, and even the teacher, Fujimura Taiga, sees it as normal.
Except for the occasional naturally talented civilian, the students from prestigious Shinobi clans always dominate the top positions in the academy.
Especially the wealthy Uchiha clan, who co-founded Konoha with the Senju family, making them the wealthiest and most influential family in Konoha.
Their clan controls a garrison with unimaginable power.
Although they have made enemies due to their influence, even the Hokage wouldn't dare to dismiss them easily, considering their status as the founders of Konoha.
Being one of the two ninjas who founded Konoha, it's only natural for them to have such pride.
"Congratulations, student Ruri, once again you've taken first place," Fujimura Taiga congratulated.
Whether it's physical competitions, ninjutsu , shuriken throwing, and more, Ruri consistently ranks first in Class A.
With such a talented student in the class, the overall performance of the class improves without any extra effort from the teacher.
There was only one thing that bothered Fujimura Taiga...
"Excuse me, Chunin Fujimura, you're blocking my view," Ruri said impatiently, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she raised her head.
"..."
She was a disrespectful student who didn't show proper respect for her teacher and the ninja way.
How can a student speak to a teacher in such a tone? What has happened to the respect for Chunin? Chunin are already the backbone of the village. Don't underestimate a Chunin.
Fujimura Taiga felt a chill running down his spine!
But as he thought about Ruri's exceptional skills in shuriken throwing and ninjutsu, including running fifty laps on the playground without breaking a sweat...
Fujimura Taiga was left speechless. It's a bit disheartening, but he no longer feels capable of teaching Ruri.
Being surpassed by one's own student should be a cause for joy for any teacher, but faced with Ruri's contemptuous gaze, Fujimura Taiga couldn't help but feel depressed.
It's not just the constant note-passing in class and the frequent disruptions to his fragile bachelor psyche.
In order to ensure they paid attention in class, Fujimura Taiga even had to move Shiraishi to a different seat. After class, Ruri stormed into his office and used her fists to teach him how to be a proper sensei.
These were all bitter memories that Fujimura Taiga couldn't bear to face.
He was just a Chunin, a Chunin with excellent teaching abilities but mediocre combat skills.
Fortunately, he had a broad mind and didn't let it affect his relationship with his students, otherwise... Otherwise, he might dare to complain to the Third Hokage.
In his eyes, Ruri was just a mischievous girl, albeit one who occasionally crossed the line.
"Fujimura-sensei is a good teacher, there's no need to provoke him so much," Shiraishi said after catching his breath from completing fifty laps.
Since they had to run fifty laps consecutively, with each lap covering a distance of 400 meters, and without stopping or slowing down, it was quite challenging for third-year students.
Most of them were like Shiraishi. Although they managed to complete the run, they were left breathless.
Ruri, on the other hand, was the only one who ran fifty laps around the playground without breaking a sweat.
"Are you satisfied now? If you are, treat me to a glass of juice from the canteen" Ruri handed Shiraishi a 1,000-ryo voucher.
"..."
Shiraishi headed straight to the canteen and returned with two glasses of juice, one for Ruri and one for himself.
Ruri glanced at the juice and remained silent.
Suddenly, from not too far away, a chorus of excited voices rang out:
"Minato-san!!"
"Yeah! Minato is so handsome!!"
Startled by the enthusiastic cheers from the girls, both Shiraishi and Ruri turned their attention to another class on the playground, where their class was taking place.
The center of attention was a blond boy about the same age as Shiraishi. He had a somewhat feminine appearance, but his attractiveness couldn't be denied.
Especially with his flowing and well-groomed hair, and his bashful expression due to the attention from the girls, he exuded a captivating aura.
For a moment, the playground was filled with an atmosphere of infatuation.
"That's Namikaze Minato from Class B. He's still the heartthrob of the academy" Shiraishi said, recognizing the boy who was being cheered on by the girls.
He was different from his usual calm and ordinary self. He was like an idol to the third-grade students.
Although he had a slightly feminine look, he was undeniably handsome. He's bound to become a heartthrob as he grows up.
Shiraishi felt a tinge of envy.
"You know him?" Ruri raised an eyebrow.
"We've talked a few times, but we're not particularly close," Shiraishi replied, taking a sip of juice.
"These people really irritate me."
"Well, that's youth."
"It's just so noisy! Those girls are such airheads. Instead of admiring others, they should focus on their own training. They look like the type that would die early on the battlefield."
Ruri bluntly criticized the girls.
"Is it really okay to speak ill of your classmates like that?"
"Well, they're the ones being so noisy. I'm going back."
After speaking, Ruri crumpled the empty paper cup into a ball, threw it into the trash can, and walked back to the main building.
Shiraishi scratched his head, looking a little worried.
The next day.
"I have an important announcement to make today" Fujimura Taiga, said with a serious expression, holding a stack of documents in his hand.
The students exchanged curious glances, wondering what was about to be announced.
Ignoring their whispers, Fujimura Taiga continued, "Starting today, the Medical and Health class will become a compulsory course for all grades at the academy. Additionally, we will be introducing an experimental class specializing in training Medical Nins. Any interested students can apply."
With that, Fujimura Taiga handed out application forms to each student.
Ruri received the form but didn't even bother to look at it. She had no interest in becoming a Medical Nin.
On the other hand, Shiraishi found the application form intriguing.
However, why did the village make such a decision at this time? Perhaps it had something to do with the intense battles happening on the frontlines.
Ayane, too, received the application form but, like Ruri, paid it no attention.
To become a Medical Nin, one needed to have a yang chakra affinity, and Ayane's affinity was not positive. Even if she had the desire, it would be impossible for her to become a Medical Nin. At best, she could become a nurse or something similar.
But the Hyuga clan would never allow that.
In the eyes of the Hyuga clan, her incredible talents should be used to protect the main family, not wasted on becoming a Medical Nin or a nurse.