The next day.
Uchiha Sasuke didn't open his eyes until nine in the morning.
"What is that smell?"
Sasuke sniffed the air curiously, not understanding the significance of the scent in his room as a seven-year-old.
"Oh no! It's already nine!"
"I'm late for school."
"Today is the survival training day."
Seeing the clock beside his bed, Sasuke panicked.
As the top student in his grade, he didn't want to be laughed at for being late, especially not by that blond loser Naruto.
Grabbing his clothes, Sasuke hurried out the door.
Squeak!
Thud!
After a few steps, Sasuke slipped and fell hard on the floor.
"Where did this water come from?"
Grimacing in pain, Sasuke noticed the wet spot on the wooden floor before quickly getting up and rushing out. Getting to school was his top priority, and he didn't want to waste time on minor issues.
Running to school, Sasuke saw two figures hurrying in the same direction.
One was the blond loser, Naruto Uzumaki, and the other was that guy from the Aburame clan.
Because of Shishou's impressive display of insect control previously, Sasuke had marked him as a rival and remembered his appearance.
"Hahaha, Sasuke, didn't expect you to be late, hahaha."
Reaching the school gate together, Naruto was the first to tease Sasuke, completely oblivious to his own tardiness.
Of course, if Naruto ever realized he was late, he wouldn't be late so often.
"Hmph!"
Embarrassed to be late and caught by someone he disliked, Sasuke snorted coldly and walked into the school.
Seeing Sasuke walk by, Shishou felt a bit guilty.
If he hadn't drugged Sasuke to help him sleep, Sasuke wouldn't have been late. Shishou himself was late because he overslept after exerting himself too much the previous night.
"Let's go, Naruto."
"Training is about to start."
Shishou reminded Naruto before quickly following Sasuke into the school.
At this time, the ninja academy was organizing outdoor survival training for lower-grade students. Both first and second graders participated in groups, and today was Shishou's class's turn.
This was why Shishou didn't use a clone but came in person after transforming.
Firstly, these ninja academy outdoor activities had Anbu guards arranged by the Third Hokage. Using a clone might get him discovered.
Secondly, Shishou had been busy learning ninjutsu and making money to support Mikoto these past few months. He wanted to take this opportunity to relax a bit.
"Naruto, Sasuke, Shishou."
"Why are you all late?"
"Do you know how long we've been waiting for you..."
As soon as the three arrived at their class, Iruka started yelling at them.
After scolding them for five minutes, Iruka waved his hand.
"Let's go!"
...
"Other groups, start your activities here."
"Since you three were late together, you three will form a group."
Reaching a grassy area in the Konoha Forest, Iruka announced the start of the training.
Students were divided into groups of three or five.
They had to find food and build a shelter to stay overnight until returning to school the next morning.
"I'll go alone."
The aloof Sasuke, without hesitation, walked off by himself.
"Hmph, who wants to be in a group with you? I can survive on my own."
Provoked by Sasuke, Naruto also ran off to survive alone.
"..."
Originally intending to look after them, Shishou shook his head in exasperation and headed deeper into the forest.
He was more familiar with the Konoha Forest than his own home, having often come here to "enlighten" animals after practicing ninjutsu.
Around the outskirts of the forest, he had already cleaned out all the large fish in the rivers and most animals.
To catch prey, he had to venture deeper into the forest.
Outdoor survival training was not only about teaching students how to survive in the wild but also about team cooperation, though teachers didn't spell it out. Students had to figure it out themselves to learn the value of camaraderie and strengthen team dynamics.
For ordinary ninjas, teamwork was indeed crucial for survival.
But if someone could overpower enemies like Madara Uchiha, Shishou preferred going solo.
Half an hour later, Shishou found a moderately-sized wild boar and skillfully took it down with taijutsu.
After gutting it and removing its innards, Shishou dragged the boar back to the camp.
"Impressive."
Secretly observing, Yugao Uzuki praised Shishou while pondering the decreased number of animals in the forest.
"Have the creatures from the Forest of Death wandered out?"
"I need to investigate that area when I have time."
...
Thud!
Shishou tossed the wild boar into the camp and leisurely started a fire.
"How did he find a wild boar?"
"I couldn't even catch a mouse."
"Ah, I wish I had some meat..."
Seeing Shishou bring back a whole wild boar, the students were amazed.
They hadn't found any rabbits, most of them settling for wild vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms.
Jealousy filled the camp as Shishou casually dragged in a wild boar.
Even Sasuke had only caught two small fish from the river.
Naruto, the "prince," found nothing and was drooling at others eating.
Surprisingly, Sakura Haruno had caught a rabbit, which was unexpected.
"Hinata."
After starting the fire, Shishou called Hinata over.
As the pampered Hyuga heiress, she hadn't found anything to eat, and her teammates were unwilling to share with her.
"Sh-Shishou-kun."
"W-What is it?"
Blushing, Hinata nervously approached Shishou, feeling like she might faint with everyone watching.
"Because you're cute."
"I thought you'd want to eat some meat with me."
Shishou smiled, showing his white teeth.
Because I'm cute...
"Shishou-kun..."
Hinata's blush deepened, her mind spinning as she swayed unsteadily.
"Ah, she fainted?"
Shishou was stunned, catching Hinata before she hit the ground.
"Mmm..."
Hinata had only been shy and light-headed. But being held by Shishou made her face flush more, causing her to faint for real.
What a peculiar constitution.
But she is cute!
"Hinata's fine. She just needs to rest."
Iruka checked on Hinata and, seeing no danger, stepped back.
In survival training, as long as students weren't in mortal danger, teachers couldn't interfere.
Since Hinata was fine, Shishou wasn't worried.
Originally, he wanted Hinata to help with the cooking, but now he had to do it himself.
Removing his sunglasses and heavy Aburame clan coat, Shishou began grilling the meat seriously in his T-shirt.
"Shishou, I want some meat too."
Ino Yamanaka approached Shishou, her stomach growling, looking at him longingly.
Behind her, Choji Akimichi's eyes gleamed, ready to pounce like a hungry wolf.
Shikamaru Nara lay in the grass, staring at the sky, clearly intending to stay there all afternoon.
"Sure, help me massage my back, and you can have some."
Shishou mischievously offered.
"Okay, deal."
Ino sat behind Shishou, massaging his back.
Then she called out to Shikamaru and Choji.
"Shikamaru, stop being useless and gather some firewood."
"Choji, you handle the meat. Make it delicious."
"Don't worry, Ino. Leave the meat to me."
Choji pulled out seasonings and began expertly grilling the meat.
As a member of the Akimichi clan, he was skilled in cooking, especially grilling.
Their barbecue restaurant was famous across the Land of Fire, making the Akimichi the wealthiest of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
"So troublesome."
"Why do we have to do this survival training?"
"Ninja stuff should be about fighting."
Shikamaru yawned, slowly heading into the forest to collect firewood.
Ino hadn't forgotten her teammates, pulling Shikamaru and Choji into the meal, though Shishou had only promised food to her.
Not minding Ino's little schemes, Shishou also took advantage, resting his head on her lap, enjoying the makeshift pillow.
"Uh..."
Ino blushed like Hinata, realizing Shishou was quite handsome without his Aburame coat.
Well, I'll forgive him this time for the pork.
Ino justified her actions, unwilling to admit she was charmed by Shishou.
Half an hour later.
Resting on Ino's lap, Shishou enjoyed the meat Hinata fed him, surrounded by envious classmates.
"Damn it, Shishou is even more obnoxious than Sasuke."
Naruto, green with envy, drooled at the sight of Shishou's leisurely feast.
Pfft.
Hearing Naruto, Shishou laughed, inviting him over.
To repay the Fourth Hokage and help Naruto bond with Shikamaru and others.
Naturally, Shishou also called his brother Shino Aburame and Kiba Inuzuka over.
As for Sasuke, Shishou wasn't worried.
Sakura and other girls were fawning over him, ensuring he wouldn't go hungry.
"Shishou, you're the best."
Naruto praised Shishou, thumbs up, while gnawing on a pig leg.
"Naruto, eat properly, and don't spit on the meat," Shishou scolded.
"Ah, sorry..."
"Here, Akamaru, have a bite," Kiba said, feeding his dog.
Amidst the noisy chatter, the night passed quickly.
At dawn, under Iruka's guidance, the students returned to school for their lessons.