"It's over. Let's go," Shinho Aburame said softly as he gently patted Hinata Hyuga on the head.
Hinata, who was still in shock, didn't even have time to blush. By the time she regained her senses, Shinho was already walking away. She glanced at the unconscious Neji Hyuga, hesitated for a few seconds, then hurried after him.
Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, and Kiba Inuzuka instinctively moved aside to clear a path. Only Naruto Uzumaki trembled with excitement.
He proudly gave a thumbs-up, exclaiming, "As expected of my lifelong rival!"
Sasuke Uchiha's face was blank. He felt that Shinho had grown even stronger.
Can I really defeat Shinho after awakening the Sharingan? For the first time, Sasuke's belief in the Sharingan's invincibility wavered.
Shino Aburame let out a deep breath. He realized that his biggest obstacle to becoming the strongest insect master wasn't other clans—it was his own brother. But now, he had to ask himself: If Shinho could defeat his opponents without even using his bugs, did that still count as being an insect master?[1]
"He already mastered super strength?!" Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, leaned closer to the crystal ball. Even he, who was normally composed, couldn't help but show some surprise.
Mastering super strength was something that even most jōnin couldn't accomplish—it was no simple feat. Tsunade herself had dominated the field with that ability.
"Making him Tsunade's student was definitely the right choice," Sarutobi chuckled, pleased with himself. He had played a role in arranging Shinho's apprenticeship with Tsunade after all.
"Go arrest Mizuki and interrogate him," Sarutobi ordered, his expression turning serious again.
He had already pieced together the events leading up to this. It was obvious that Mizuki had manipulated Shinjutsu and got unlucky when running into a group of geniuses, which led to his plan's failure.
This wasn't the first issue with Mizuki either. Sarutobi pulled out a mission report. Mizuki's team had taken on a mission to recover a scroll, and his teammate's mysterious death had always been suspicious.
"A terrifying force…" Iruka Umino muttered after coming back to his senses.
Even though he had only indirectly felt Shinho's power, it was almost enough to knock him off his feet.
Iruka glanced at Shinho, who looked calm and composed. He silently apologized for ever doubting Shinho's strength. One phrase stuck in his mind: Being a genius is just the starting line.
"Today's combat lesson is over," Iruka announced, picking up the unconscious Neji. "I'll take him to the hospital."
After a quick check, he realized that Neji only had a fractured bone. With the help of medical ninjutsu, Neji would be up and moving within a few hours.
After Iruka left, the students from both classes stood frozen for a moment, still processing what had just happened. It wasn't until Shinho turned to leave that they finally dispersed like birds scattering in the wind.
"Oh my gosh!"
"That was terrifying!"
"It felt like a dream!"
Many of the students were still discussing the battle, their voices tinged with lingering fear.
"Why… why is this happening to me?!" Mizuki, hiding nearby, was trembling with anger, his eyes red with frustration.
He had thought Neji Hyuga was the strongest student around. But then Shinho Aburame appeared…
Who does this kid belong to? Oh, right… Iruka's student. Mizuki's hatred for Iruka boiled over. He wished he could kill him right then and there.
"You're under arrest, Mizuki."
Suddenly, two ANBU appeared, catching the unaware Mizuki completely off guard.
"W-what?" Mizuki stammered, his body shaking with fear.
Had they found out that he'd killed his injured teammate during that mission?
"Please come with us," the ANBU ninja said as they grabbed his wrist.
"Wait! I've served the village! I've bled for the village! You can't do this! I want to see the Hokage!" Mizuki shouted desperately, struggling as he was taken away.
Meanwhile, Shinho, unaware of Mizuki's arrest, had already reached the school gates.
He glanced around. Aside from Naruto, who was as cheerful as ever, the others seemed a bit downcast—especially Hinata and Sasuke. Shinho could guess what was on their minds.
"I'll treat everyone to ramen," Shinho said with a faint smile.
"Yay!" Naruto cheered, immediately on board.
He loved Ichiraku Ramen—not just for the taste but also for the atmosphere. Teuchi, the ramen chef, had never looked at Naruto with disdain or treated him differently.
"Shinho, you worked hard today and even beat Neji. Let me treat you," Ino said with a small cough, trying to sound casual.
Sakura opened her mouth as if to object but thought better of it. She wanted to point out that it didn't seem like Shinho had worked that hard—after all, he'd defeated Neji with just one punch.
"I should be the one treating," Shinho said, glancing at Hinata.
Ino caught his subtle look. What was that supposed to mean?
Her expression firmed, she said; "No! Absolutely not!"
Shinho paused and then nodded. Hinata's secret about her appetite was already known by her father and others in the Hyuga clan, so there was no point in hiding it from Ino and the rest.
I just hope Ino's wallet can handle it, Shinho thought to himself. But as the daughter of the Yamanaka clan, she should be fine… right?
They soon arrived at Ichiraku Ramen. Because they had left school early, the shop was empty.
"Order whatever you like, no need to hold back," Ino said grandly, waving her hand.
"Thanks, Ino!" Choji's eyes lit up, filled with excitement.
Ino's heart sank a little, but she remained outwardly calm. She was used to eating with Choji and Shikamaru—she knew Choji's appetite quite well.
"Hinata, don't worry," Shinho said, picking up a pair of chopsticks. "Neji will be fine."
He had controlled his strength. With the power of the Black and White Boar Gu, combined with his superhuman strength, Neji was lucky that Shinho had held back. If he hadn't, Neji would probably be on his way to meet his late father.
"Eat to your heart's content," Shinho continued, smiling. "Everyone here is a friend, so it's no problem."
Hinata understood his hidden meaning and nodded.
Ino, however, was left puzzled. Hinata's appetite couldn't be bigger than Choji's… could it?
"Teuchi-san, I'll have a bowl of tonkotsu ramen," Shinho ordered.
"I'll have the same," Ino quickly added, flashing Shinho a bright smile.
Shinho glanced at her, and she responded with an even bigger grin. This is what they call husband and wife in harmony, she thought.
"Shinho," Naruto leaned forward, his curiosity piqued, "What was that punch you used earlier called?"
The others were just as curious, watching Shinho intently.
"It's called super strength," Shinho explained. "My teacher taught it to me."
"I've made up my mind!" Sakura suddenly declared; her face full of determination. "I'm going to learn medical ninjutsu too!"
If she mastered medical ninjutsu, she could ahem "take care" of Sasuke when he was injured. And if he resisted… well, that's what the super strength was for. Her imagination was already running wild.
Shinho wasn't sure if Tsunade would take on another student like Sakura, but he felt it might be difficult. Still, Sakura had decent potential for medical ninjutsu, even if it wasn't Tsunade who taught her.
Shinho finished his bowl of ramen and put down his chopsticks.
Everyone else had finished too, except for Hinata and Choji.
As time passed, the others' heads filled with question marks as the bowls stacked up in front of Hinata and Choji.
Ino nervously reached for her wallet.
What do I do? she thought. I don't think I brought enough money…
Tl/n: [1] I'm using the term, 'insect master' here because the alternate term, 'Gu master' shouldn't be familiar to Naruto world natives, well I guess it depends on the language, but it felt right at the moment, and when I translated the previous chapters.
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