"This tastes good," Shinho Aburame said, taking a bite of the meatball.
Ino Yamanaka finally relaxed. Receiving a positive review was already a victory for her. She didn't expect too much, given that it was her first attempt.
"Hinata," Shinho pushed his lunchbox toward her and said, "I can't finish this."
"I... I..." Hinata Hyuga blushed visibly under his gaze.
"It's okay," Ino reassured her. "I can help you with it."
She thought Hinata couldn't possibly eat two lunchboxes. Besides, she definitely wanted to taste Shinho-kun's cooking.
Plan successful!
"O-Okay," Hinata agreed instinctively, not knowing how to refuse.
Shinho didn't say much more. Since she didn't want to reveal her big appetite, he wouldn't expose her.
Fifteen minutes later, lunch was over.
"Shinho-kun," Ino extended her fair hand and said, "Let me wash your lunchbox for you."
"No need," Shinho shook his head. "Let's go together."
"Alright," Ino immediately smiled.
Shinho picked up his lunchbox and walked out. Hinata and Ino followed behind him.
Naruto Uzumaki was about to join them but was called back.
"Naruto," Shino Aburame said calmly, "Wait for me."
"Sure!" Naruto didn't suspect anything and sat back down.
This is tough! But since he's my real brother... Shino sighed inwardly.
Sasuke Uchiha watched Shinho surrounded by girls and felt puzzled.
Why isn't he affected? Doesn't his focus get scattered?
In the afternoon, it was finally time for the class Sasuke had been eagerly awaiting: ninja tool throwing.
In the ninja academy, aside from theoretical classes, they only taught three combat-related skills: the Three Basic Techniques, ninja tool throwing, and basic taijutsu.
Mastering these adequately would qualify one to become a Genin.
"Students, eyes on me. I have a few words I would like to convey," Iruka Umino clapped his hands and said, "Ninja tool throwing is a skill every ninja must master..."
Half an hour later, he concluded his few words and took out a kunai.
"I will now demonstrate two throwing methods," Iruka said.
He casually threw the kunai, which accurately hit the bullseye ten meters away.
He smiled, then took out two more kunai, throwing them simultaneously with both hands. They landed on the target, forming a cross.
"Wow!" Some students exclaimed and applauded. "Teacher, you're amazing!"
Sasuke Uchiha sneered.
That's it? Not even one ten-thousandth of what we Uchihas can do.
"Everyone, take turns in order," Iruka said, stepping aside.
Shinho watched his classmates make various mistakes and pondered.
He seldom, or rather never, used ninja tools. He wasn't sure about his accuracy.
But he thought he shouldn't be bad.
The key to ninja tool throwing lies in strength and chakra control.
Through his cultivation of true essence and medical ninjutsu studies, his control far exceeded that of his peers.
"Ah! Sasuke-kun!" Suddenly, excited screams brought Shinho back to reality.
He looked at Sasuke in the field.
As expected, Sasuke replicated Iruka's demonstration perfectly.
But he wasn't done yet.
Sasuke glanced at Shinho, then pulled back his hands. The two kunai that hit the bullseye flew back into his hands.
He casually put them into his ninja pouch and coolly left the field.
"So cool!"
Screams and cheers erupted even louder.
Show-off.
Shinho's mouth twitched.
Why did that guy look at me? What's going on? Is he provoking me? Now I have to show my true skills.
"Whatever, I'll give it a shot!" Naruto confidently walked up.
He took out a kunai and threw it forcefully.
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Because there was no kunai on the target at all.
Blushing, Naruto took out two more kunai.
Thunk, thunk.
This time he hit the target, but both were on the outer rings.
"Naruto, you can step down," Iruka said, unfazed.
"I was just off today!" Naruto muttered as he ran back.
Ino, Hinata, and others completed the task smoothly.
Coming from ninja clans, their foundation was better, and their talents weren't lacking.
"Good luck, Shinho-kun!" Ino rolled up her sleeves, revealing a fair arm.
"Shinho, nothing to worry about," Kiba Inuzuka said with a grin. "I don't submit to anyone but you."
Sasuke stared intently at Shinho.
Although he acknowledged Shinho's strength, he couldn't be good at everything.
He had never seen Shinho use ninja tools before, indicating he wasn't proficient.
Shinho glanced at him.
With such a strong gaze, it was hard to ignore.
Sure enough, he wants to compete with me. Even for the sake of achievement, I need to defeat him thoroughly.
Shinho smiled.
Just because he didn't use them doesn't mean he couldn't.
Standing in the middle of the field, he casually flicked his wrist. A faint trace of true essence wrapped around the kunai, which directly hit the bullseye.
"Not bad, I have quite the accuracy," Shinho nodded slightly, just as he expected.
He took out two more kunai, thought for a moment, and threw them simultaneously.
If he simply replicated Iruka's demonstration, he wouldn't surpass Sasuke, so he added a little trick.
With a snap, the two kunai collided in mid-air.
Just when everyone thought Shinho had made a mistake, they rotated again, collided once more, and then one after another hit the bullseye, forming a cross.
After a few seconds of silence, screams led by Ino erupted.
Shinho left the field with a calm expression.
Sasuke stood frozen.
No way, how can he do everything?
He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.
He had already planned it all out.
Shinho would see his perfect ninja tool throwing skills, be shocked, and then ask for guidance.
He could then agree, in exchange for more opportunities to spar.
Now it's all ruined.
Sasuke felt a bit lost.
"Alright, that's all for today's class," Iruka said with a smile. "Those who haven't mastered it, don't worry; we'll continue next time."
"Shinho!" Naruto ran straight to Shinho.
He was very excited about meeting his new teacher.
Seeing this, Sasuke retracted the foot he had just stepped forward with.
He thought; I'd better find another reason.
"Let's go," Shinho said.
He had met Might Guy twice before, in the Forest of Death, where he happened to see him running.
Of course, waiting for him to appear would be too troublesome.
He directly went to Konoha's main gate to inquire from the two gatekeepers, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.
These two were jokingly called the ones whom even the Six Paths of Pain wouldn't dare to walk through the main gate in front of.
After getting the information, Shinho led Naruto toward the Forest of Death.
Before long, they saw a strange man wearing a green vest running upside down, with his hands.