The next morning, Uchiha Hayato headed to school as usual.
The previous evening, after seeing Minato and Kushina off, Hayato had been surprised to find that Uchiha Setsuna had sent someone to deliver a scroll recording his training experiences. The gesture left him puzzled.
Though he accepted the scroll, he remained cautious, deciding to observe for a few days before making any decisions.
Scratching his chin, Hayato mused about the practicality of ninja school. The curriculum offered little useful knowledge—history, mathematics, geography, and ninja theory were all things he could easily teach himself. The school also didn't delve into advanced ninjutsu.
"Once I learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu, I'll send a clone to attend school in my place," Hayato thought, recalling the keepsakes left behind by his parents.
"Hayato, good morning!"
A lively voice greeted him as a heavy slap landed on his right shoulder. Wincing slightly, Hayato turned to see Kushina's smiling face.
Feigning nonchalance, he returned the greeting while thinking, If Kushina seriously wants to become Hokage, Minato might not stand a chance.
Of course, Minato's combat sense was far superior to Kushina's, he noted.
"Kushina, has anyone ever told you that you're incredibly strong?" Hayato said with a touch of exasperation.
"Hmm, let me think… I think someone has," Kushina replied, brushing her red hair shyly. "Are you complimenting me? My strength isn't that great, you know..."
Hayato facepalmed. That wasn't a compliment, he thought. But her cheerful and straightforward personality was classic Kushina.
"Alright, let's head to school," he said.
At the school gate, a familiar figure blocked their path.
"I'm sorry, Kushina-san!"
It was Dekai.
"What's going on with the second-years? It looks lively down there," murmured a pineapple-haired boy lounging on the rooftop. "It seems interesting, but I think I'll just go find Chōza and grab some snacks instead."
Kushina was confused. This was the same boy who had mocked her hair and fought Hayato the day before. How could he be apologizing now?
She didn't want to forgive him so easily, but his serious expression gave her pause.
"Move aside, will you?" Hayato said impatiently. "If you're truly sorry, then apologize to every single classmate you've bullied."
Grabbing Kushina by the arm, Hayato led her inside, leaving Dekai standing in quiet contemplation.
"Hayato, is this really okay?" Kushina asked hesitantly. She was kind-hearted and hadn't suffered much bullying in this world, thanks to Hayato's intervention. She was already inclined to forgive Dekai.
Hayato released her arm and placed his hands behind his head. "Who knows? I don't think someone who used to enjoy bullying others can change that easily."
Reflecting on the villagers' transformation after the Pain assault, Hayato added, "If he does change, that would be a good thing. But first, he has to apologize to everyone. If Dekai is sincere, he'll do it."
Kushina nodded uncertainly, turning her gaze toward the classroom. She was startled to see Minato with dark circles under his eyes.
"Minato, what happened? Didn't you sleep well?" Hayato asked, noticing the faint shadows under Minato's eyes.
Minato's grudge against Hayato for his shocking revelations yesterday simmered in his mind, but he simply said, "Yeah, I was too excited about testing my strength against you and possibly getting a Pokémon."
Yawning, Minato's eyes sparkled with determination. "Hayato, don't hold back!"
Hayato chuckled, feeling his own youthful spirit returning. "Of course not."
"Is everyone here?" Yamashiro Yōhei asked, scanning the classroom. "Kushina-san, we didn't assign you a seat yesterday. You can sit—"
"Right here!" Kushina interrupted, quickly taking the spot beside Hayato.
Yōhei sighed with a wry smile, relieved that the other students, including Dekai, didn't seem to mind.
The uneventful school day passed quickly.
"Minato, let's head to the survival training field," Hayato said after class. He hadn't forgotten the mission he triggered, and he needed to bring the future Fourth Hokage onto his side.
Meanwhile, in another class, a girl with glasses, Nono Yakushi, spoke softly. "It's fine. I don't mind anymore. It's enough that Dekai recognizes his mistakes."
A lively girl with a ponytail laughed. "You don't know, Nono! I heard he changed after Uchiha Hayato taught him a lesson. I'd love to see him in action!"
Dekai looked embarrassed, his face alternating between pale and flushed. "It's my fault. Even though I was teased for my appearance before, I ended up doing the same to others."
He clenched his fists. "After Uchiha Hayato defeated me, Lord Third called me aside. I thought he'd scold me, but instead, he bought me an ice pop and told me to think about my actions."
His voice trembled. "I disappointed Lord Third, but Hayato… he did what I couldn't when I was being bullied. If I can become like him, maybe Lord Third will see me differently."
Nono nodded, intrigued by this Uchiha Hayato.
Back outside, Kushina's fiery red hair made her easily noticeable as she and Hayato left the school grounds.
"Should we follow them and see what they're up to?" suggested the ponytailed girl eagerly.