"…" Fūka was feeling wrong; it wasn't just getting hit while lying down—he was getting shot while lying down!
Especially since he had just been lectured by Kiyono Makoto for over an hour. And now this?!
"Uchiha Fūka, even though you were born into the Uchiha clan, you've failed to apply your talents to your training. You're always distracted in class, causing trouble, not cooperating with your classmates, and making a fool of yourself by challenging Kakashi during his graduation exam. You've become the laughingstock of the entire school and even Konoha. You've made a fool of your teacher!"
Kiyono Makoto wasn't lying. Over the past vacation, other teachers from different classes had mocked Kiyono Makoto's Uchiha Fūka, which had embarrassed him a great deal.
If Fūka weren't from the Uchiha clan, Kiyono Makoto would have used his authority to transfer him to another class long ago.
"Mr. Kiyono, that's not how it is!" Obito suddenly stood up, his face full of righteous indignation. "Fūka worked hard during the vacation. He's not a laughingstock!"
As soon as he finished speaking, whispers started spreading through the classroom.
"I heard Fūka, that idiot, was practicing taijutsu and ended up in the hospital. I heard even the medical fees were covered by the doctor." A kid from the Hyūga clan, named Hyūga Masaki, who knew a few moves from the Hyūga's Gentle Fist, joked. He was something of a minor figure in the class.
"Despite being from the Uchiha clan with a powerful bloodline, he's blind to it and can only learn taijutsu?" Asuma Sarutobi glanced at Fūka and then casually looked away.
"Embarrassing."
"He's just an idiot."
Other minor characters, already unhappy with Fūka, were now piling on, taking the opportunity to ridicule him.
Fūka scanned the room. He wasn't a bad person, but he wasn't someone who would passively accept insults either. He noted everyone who spoke against him, adding them to his blacklist.
This blacklist contained most of the class, including Mizuki, the jealous kid.
However, Kurenai, Ibiki, Shino, and Rin remained silent, not joining in the attack.
As expected of important characters from the original story, their temperaments were indeed different.
At this moment, Kiyono Makoto waved a hand to silence the discussion, glanced at Obito, and then at the silently stoic Fūka. He felt a strange sensation.
If it had been the old Fūka facing such slander, he would have likely jumped up to fight back. But today… had he changed his ways?
"No effort should be belittled!" Kiyono Makoto said, "Uchiha Fūka worked hard during the vacation, and regardless of the reason, his efforts should be acknowledged. I hope you can continue to work hard like this in the future. However, I am very disappointed with your previous behavior!"
Though the tone still carried some displeasure, Kiyono Makoto had indeed acknowledged Fūka's efforts during the vacation, which was somewhat surprising to Fūka.
But thinking about it, it made sense. After all, the class included the 'Fire's Second Generation' Asuma Sarutobi, as well as Kakashi, the son of Konoha White Fang, and talented kids like Kurenai. The Third Hokage wouldn't assign a mediocre person as a class teacher.
"Just like Iruka, who's Naruto's teacher, huh?"
Afterward, Kiyono Makoto made a few more remarks and arranged for the afternoon's training session before leaving the classroom.
At that moment, the school bell rang outside.
The morning classes had ended.
The ninja school suddenly transformed from a peaceful paradise into a bustling marketplace. The noise of countless kids chattering filled every classroom and then spread to the cafeteria, playground, and even beyond.
"Kurenai, I brought some delicious bento. Let's go up to the rooftop and eat together." Asuma Sarutobi, the 'Fire's Second Generation,' showed off his wealth with two boxes of bento as he approached Kurenai.
Kurenai blinked her big, innocent eyes and, looking incredibly cute with her chubby cheeks trembling, nodded agreeably.
"Obito, I brought a bento too. Let's eat together." Rin also approached Obito.
Obito was momentarily taken aback, then looked at Fūka with a hesitant expression.
"What's wrong?" Rin asked curiously, as Obito had never shown this kind of expression before.
"Well, Rin, your bento is really good, but…" Obito was troubled. On one hand, his bento was with Fūka. On the other hand, he had been eating at Fūka's house all vacation long, getting used to Chinese cuisine. From spicy cabbage and mashed potatoes to garlic shrimp, Kung Pao chicken, and steamed fish heads, Obito had been savoring such high-nutrition dishes that his taste buds were almost overwhelmed.
"Rin, why don't we eat with Fūka today?" Obito pleaded with a pitiful look.
"Why?" Rin tilted her head, puzzled. Like most of the class, Rin didn't like Fūka, but being kind-hearted, she preferred to avoid trouble.
"Because the food he makes is delicious!" Obito swallowed hard, his stomach audibly rumbling.
Meanwhile, Fūka had already taken out the bento he prepared that morning and looked at Obito.
In the end, Rin nodded in agreement.
After all, at 6 years old, Rin was gentle and had no reason to refuse Obito's sincere invitation.
The three of them didn't choose a specific place and simply ate in the classroom.
Rin's bento was simple—rice balls with seaweed, shredded meat, and vegetables. It looked very appetizing.
Next to her, Obito eagerly opened his bento. Inside were rice and Fūka's morning-cooked dishes—spicy cabbage and mashed potatoes. Even though they were cold, the taste remained unchanged, especially the spicy cabbage. Despite being cold, it still had a tangy, spicy aroma that filled the air. Some classmates couldn't help but sneeze from the scent but found themselves wanting to smell it again.
"It smells so good!"
"Yeah, it's sour and spicy. My mouth is watering!"
"Whose bento is this? It smells amazing."
Obito couldn't help but shovel the food into his mouth, eating with gusto.
Rin looked on with surprise at the spicy and tangy aroma coming from Obito's bento.
Then Fūka opened his bento, and the tangy, spicy aroma intensified.
Rin couldn't resist swallowing, her eyes showing a hint of anticipation.
Seeing this, Fūka pushed the bento toward Rin and said nonchalantly, "Why don't you try some?"
"Huh?" Rin was startled and almost reflexively declined, but the enticing aroma was too tempting. After a cute frown, she nodded and took a bite of the spicy cabbage, her face showing amazement.
'So delicious! If Fūka can make such tasty food, he must have a kind heart!' Rin thought to herself.
"How is it?" Fūka asked knowingly.
Rin nodded vigorously. "It's delicious, really delicious! It's sour, spicy, and fragrant. The flavor is fantastic!"
At this point, other classmates were also drawn over by the delicious smell.
Even Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai, who had been heading to the rooftop, came over. Kurenai's chubby face showed a bit of longing, clearly a foodie at heart.
"Ah, it's so good!" Obito continued eating, thoroughly satisfied. Seeing Rin also enjoying the food, he couldn't help but laugh and say, "How's it? Isn't it good? This is Fūka's homemade dish, although it's a bit cold, it still tastes great."
"Hmph, what's so impressive about that? It's just more vinegar and chili peppers. How childish!" A white-haired kid sneered disdainfully.
Fūka looked up and smiled. It turned out to be Mizuki. This guy's jealousy was too intense. Just because of spicy cabbage?
If I made two main dishes, would he get so jealous he'd kill someone?
"I think so too. I can make this kind of dish, and it'll taste better than what Uchiha Fūka made!"
Several classmates who had previously looked down on Fūka voiced their support for Mizuki and, feeling somewhat disgruntled, left the classroom.
"Kurenai?" Asuma Sarutobi looked at the still-standing Kurenai with some hesitation.
"Um, can I have some too?" Little Kurenai, seeing Rin enjoying the food so much, couldn't resist the temptation of good food.
Asuma Sarutobi facepalmed and sighed in resignation.
In the end, Obito, Rin, Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai all sat beside Fūka, enjoying the meal together.
But, hey, could they eat any faster? What about the bento's owner?