"Everyone has heard about Kushina's introduction. I hope you will get along well in the future. Kushina, find a seat and sit down," the ninja teacher announced, mustering a rare smile.
Kushina surveyed the classroom and realized that the front row was already full. She hesitated, then made her way towards the last row. With trepidation, she approached Ye Chen and asked timidly, "Hello, can I sit here?"
Ye Chen responded with silence, merely shifting to create some space. Kushina, relieved, gratefully took her seat.
The elders from her clan had admonished Kushina to maintain a low profile and avoid causing trouble during her stay in Konoha, which was considered the Uzumaki clan's sanctuary.
The instructor resumed the class, directing everyone to open their textbooks. The topic at hand was the formation of Chakra, an integral concept in the ninja world.
"Chakra is an energy created by the body's mastery of the perfect fusion of its components," the teacher began, elaborating on its role as an energy source for various ninja techniques.
A question was posed to the class: "Who can explain how Chakra is constructed?"
Most students hesitated, but Namikaze Minato confidently volunteered. He elucidated that Chakra comprised two main components: the physical energy absorbed by the body and the spiritual energy cultivated through practice and experiences, emphasizing the fusion of these forces as the essence of Chakra.
The instructor commended Minato's response before continuing the lesson. The classroom buzzed with murmurs and admiring glances, particularly from the female students who blushed in his presence. Meanwhile, the male students couldn't help but feel competitive.
Ye Chen, however, remained unfazed by the dynamics, attentively absorbing the information.
During the lesson, a timid voice interrupted Ye Chen's concentration. Turning his head slightly, he saw Kushina, her face flushed and eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"Is something wrong?" Ye Chen inquired with a cool demeanor.
"N-nothing!" Kushina stammered, waving her hand dismissively. Then, she added, "I haven't received the book yet. Can you lend it to me?"
Ye Chen contemplated for a moment before retrieving a thick ninjutsu textbook from his bag. He handed it to Kushina, his tone cold as he stated, "Return it when you're done."
Kushina accepted the book with a mixture of surprise and relief. Borrowing it had been easier than she anticipated, and she felt as if she were in a dream. Contrary to her expectations, the children in Konoha Village appeared less arrogant and more accommodating than she'd been led to believe.
A tinge of disappointment briefly crossed her mind as she thought, "Aren't the children in major villages supposed to be haughty and difficult to approach?"
However, she swiftly recalled her clan's elders' instructions to maintain a low profile and avoid trouble. To appease them, she decided to maintain a pleasant demeanor.
As the day at Ninja School progressed with theoretical and practical classes, time flew by. School eventually concluded, and Ye Chen made his way to the village's entrance. There, he encountered Namikaze Minato, who extended an invitation to dine at a new restaurant, Yile Ramen.
Ye Chen found the idea peculiar. Ichiraku Ramen, after all, was renowned as Uzumaki Naruto's favorite food, and he hadn't expected it to exist in this era. Nevertheless, mindful of his training regimen, he politely declined, stating, "Thank you, but I have other plans."
Namikaze Minato chuckled awkwardly, understanding Ye Chen's priorities. Ye Chen nodded and continued on his way.
Nara Shikahisa, Akamichi Dingza, and Namikaze Minato proceeded to Ichile Ramen, eager to enjoy a meal together.
The sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow over Konoha Village, rendering it peaceful and serene.
Ye Chen, preoccupied with thoughts about the pirate treasure box system, found himself absentmindedly strolling through the tranquil streets. He pondered why he hadn't encountered a treasure box yet but opted not to force the issue. With Conqueror's Haki at his disposal, he believed he could eventually become the world's most formidable ninja.
As Ye Chen continued his contemplative walk, he suddenly heard voices filled with arrogance and condescension. Rounding a corner, he discovered three children tormenting another, who seemed distressed and helpless.
The girl at the center of their bullying was none other than Kushina, the new student from the Village Hidden in the Whirling Tides.
Despite the silence of the tranquil village, bullying incidents seemed to persist across all worlds.
Kushina's eyes darted about, unable to meet her tormentors' gazes. The trio's unpleasant comments and negative attitudes left her feeling vulnerable and exposed.
One of the children, Hanada, even brandished a pair of scissors, suggesting, "What an obnoxious red-haired girl; let's cut her hair!"
Hanada's eyes bore a hint of jealousy as she glanced at Kushina. She made a bold claim, mentioning her cousin's association with the Uchiha clan, implying that she possessed influence.
Ye Chen, watching this unfold, frowned and felt compelled to intervene. He couldn't stand idly by while others were mistreated.