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Yuhi Shinku watched as his daughter fawned over Yuichi Yuichi with stars in her eyes, pondering, "When did I become just a backdrop in all this?"
Lost in thought, Yuhi Shinku was jolted back to reality when Yuichi and Yuhi Kurenai approached him.
"Ahem," Yuichi cleared his throat.
"Uncle Shinku, are you here to bring us lunch boxes?"
Yuhi Shinku's fierce glare snapped Yuichi back from his distraction. Yuhi Kurenai, catching on, glared at her father before Yuichi could say anything.
"Dad, don't be so mean to Yuichi!" she scolded.
Yuhi Shinku took a deep breath, trying to calm his turbulent emotions. Despite his frustration, he handed two bento boxes to Yuichi. "I forgot to prepare bento boxes for you two. I bought these outside."
He pushed the bento boxes into Yuichi's hands, his frustration slightly mitigated by making Yuichi carry both.
As Yuhi Shinku prepared to leave, Yuichi casually asked, "You didn't get into trouble, did you?"
"Huh?" Yuhi Shinku, about to leave with Kurenai, was taken aback by Yuichi's question. "What do you mean I didn't get into trouble?"
"I've never caused trouble!" Yuichi retorted defensively. "I didn't interrupt the teacher or skip class. How could I get into trouble?"
Kurenai nodded in agreement. "That's true. What kind of trouble could you cause in a ninja school?"
At that moment, Kakashi approached. Might Guy, seeing Kakashi, gave him a thumbs-up and cheered, "Yuichi, I saw it all! So strong! You're truly my lifelong opponent!"
Kurenai's expression froze. "Didn't you say you didn't cause trouble?"
"Yes," Yuichi replied confidently. "Kakashi wanted to fight after class, and I agreed. Sparring is fine, right?"
Yuhi Shinku looked at Kakashi, who was covered in dust and had an obvious mark on his chin. Kakashi's left arm was swinging awkwardly, indicating an injury. Shaking his head, Yuhi Shinku took out some ointment from his pocket.
"This is for healing. Next time, let this kid do what you did."
Kakashi, surprised, took the ointment with a nod. "I'll definitely do it!"
Yuhi Shinku laughed, patted Kakashi on the shoulder, and said, "I look forward to hearing good news!"
"Yeah!" Kakashi agreed enthusiastically.
As Yuhi Shinku left, Yuichi felt a twinge of suspicion about his intentions but chose not to dwell on it.
The afternoon class with Umino Ikkaku was uneventful for Yuichi. After spending the entire afternoon with the dull task of learning to read, Yuichi eagerly awaited the end of school. As soon as the bell rang, he grabbed Kurenai and jumped out of the second-floor window.
"Wuhu! School's over!" he shouted.
The classroom fell silent as Ikkaku Umino, who was finishing up a lecture, looked on with a dark expression. Most students had seen Yuichi dart toward the gate, carrying Kurenai like a princess.
Ikkaku Umino took a deep breath, preparing to use the Lion Roar to call Yuichi back. But before he could, Kakashi jumped out of the window, following Yuichi , like a large, black rat.
Seeing Kakashi's action, all the students who had learned chakra techniques, except Uchiha Obito, dashed out. Obito remained seated, his reasons known to some and a mystery to others.
Ikkaku Umino, stunned, watched as only a third of his students remained in the classroom.
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