"How did you get here, and how did you find this place?" Ye Chen questioned, his expression stern as he faced the timid girl before him.
Kushina's response was unexpected. "In order to thank you for helping me yesterday, I specially prepared a lunchbox for you!" She retrieved a pink bento box hidden behind her back, her face filled with anticipation.
Ye Chen's countenance softened slightly. He wasn't heartless or cruel, but the ever-present sense of impending danger gnawed at his heart. He couldn't afford to be carefree like a child; his mature soul carried the weight of an adult's experiences.
Another time traveler might have clung to the protagonist's coat-tails, but Ye Chen understood the perils that accompanied such a path. Staying close to the protagonist was akin to inviting catastrophe, especially with his advanced knowledge of the future.
Kushina, unaware of these complexities, forgave Ye Chen's cold demeanor, offering a warm smile, "It's alright, Ye Chen-kun! The bento should still be hot, so hurry up and eat it!"
Ye Chen, consumed by his intense training routine, had little time for social niceties. Nonetheless, he appreciated Kushina's gesture.
He relented, "Put it there," pointing to the rickety table outside the log cabin.
Once the bento was placed on the table, Kushina stood there expectantly, gazing at Ye Chen. Oblivious to the urgency of his training, she hoped to spend more time with him.
As Ye Chen continued his grueling exercises, Kushina's second personality fumed, convinced that he merely wished to be rid of her. Still, she maintained her warm facade.
As dawn broke, Ye Chen had been tirelessly hammering the wooden stakes, one strike after another. He had wrapped sandbags around his palms and legs, training relentlessly. Blood soaked the stakes and the white bandages, revealing the intensity of his efforts.
But Ye Chen found solace in his regimen. With the awakening of Conqueror's Haki, he sensed his physical prowess growing stronger, enhancing his overall physique.
Observation Haki allowed him to perceive the flow of Chakra within his body, opening up new realms of self-improvement he had never experienced before.
His training session ended after an hour, and he took in the fresh morning air, his gaze falling upon Kushina, who remained motionless. Wondering why she hadn't left yet, he asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"
Kushina, now pale from the cold and the grueling sight of Ye Chen's training, trembled slightly, rubbing her hands together for warmth. Her breath steamed in the chilly air as she replied, "You haven't eaten the bento yet, so I didn't leave and stayed here."
Ye Chen, somewhat apologetic but still focused, acknowledged, "I'm too devoted to training. I apologize."
Despite his apology, Kushina noticed a lack of sincerity in his words. Nevertheless, she smiled warmly, "It's alright, Ye Chen-kun! The bento should still be hot, so hurry up and eat it!"
Satisfied, Ye Chen agreed and signaled for her to go to school.
Kushina's second personality fumed once more but maintained her smile. "It's alright, I can wait for Ye Chen-kun. Just passing by."
Ye Chen's response was disinterested, and he uttered a simple, "Whatever."
Ye Chen then proceeded to devour the sushi in the bento, leaving Kushina baffled by his unorthodox eating style.
As he entered his house for a shower and to prepare for school, Kushina was left in awe of the enigmatic boy who had devoured her lovingly crafted meal.
On the way to school, Ye Chen, now impeccably dressed, walked gracefully, exuding an air of elegance. Kushina followed, observing the transformation from the boy who had trained so rigorously earlier.
Kushina, bubbly and extroverted by nature, made several attempts at conversation. However, Ye Chen remained reserved, answering her inquiries with short responses.
As they walked, Namikaze Minato approached, greeting Ye Chen warmly, "Morning, Ye-kun!"
Ye Chen returned the greeting succinctly, and Minato took note of Kushina's presence. He introduced himself with a friendly smile, "This is a new classmate. My name is Namikaze Minato. Please give me more advice."
Kushina, still reeling from Ye Chen's reticence, offered only a polite response.
Minato continued, "Ye-kun, are you provoking someone from the Uchiha clan? I heard they've been looking for you."
Kushina, intrigued, queried, "Uchiha? That name sounds familiar."
Ye Chen halted and directed a pointed look at Minato. "If you want to fight, fight!" He declared firmly.