The Ninja Academy had been open for nearly a month, and the new students were gradually adapting to the rhythm of the classroom.
For most six-year-olds, this was still a period full of novelty and exploration, and they had not yet formed a clear sense of competition or the fixed concept of being a "dead last."
Hinata sat quietly by the window in the classroom, like an exquisite background piece.
The Breath Concealment Technique made the aura around her peaceful, no different from any other ordinary introverted child.
Her white eyes seemed to be looking at Iruka-sensei, who was explaining the Ninja Creed on the podium, but in reality, her mind was already immersed in the nurturing of the Spiritual Power within her body, deep within her consciousness space, studying deeper levels of understanding.
These basic courses felt incredibly tedious to her; it was better to Cultivate at home by herself.
The classroom atmosphere was quite peaceful.
Most of the children listened attentively, or carried a sense of curiosity toward the unknown world.
However, Uzumaki Naruto appeared somewhat restless.
His blue eyes looked around curiously; he seemed to have listened to some of what the teacher said, yet also seemed not to have.
He would occasionally squirm or fiddle with the stationery on his desk, but he was far from reaching the level of being a "Problem Child" who openly caused trouble later on.
At this moment, he was just an ordinary naughty boy with excess energy and a short attention span.
The so-called "dead last" title would still require time and a series of failing grades to be established.
Uchiha Sasuke sat on the other side, his back straight and his expression focused.
His black eyes followed Iruka-sensei closely, and he would occasionally lower his head to take serious notes on key points.
The pride of the Uchiha Clan and the thirst for power seemed to have been branded onto him since the beginning of school, making him appear more mature and serious than his peers.
There was no interaction between him and Naruto at this time, let alone "not getting along"; they were merely two strangers from completely different worlds who paid no attention to each other.
When the bell rang for the end of class, the children swarmed out of the classroom like birds from a cage to play.
Hinata remained quietly in her seat, not participating in any of the frolicking.
Her gaze would occasionally sweep across the playground outside the classroom, seeing Naruto trying to join a group of boys playing Ninja games, only to appear somewhat out of place due to his clumsy movements and overly eager attitude, eventually being subtly excluded.
He was not discouraged, either; he ran to the swing by himself, swinging while loudly talking to himself about his "Hokage Declaration."
But before long, he would return to a state of self-deprecation and loneliness; school life had not brought much change to Naruto.
He was still that excluded "Fox Demon" who was looked at with strange eyes.
With no friends and no sense of presence, he could only resort to acting out to get everyone's attention.
Sasuke, on the other hand, was usually alone, leaning under the shade of a tree or performing some basic physical exercises, his expression cold as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with him.
Hinata took all of this in.
The tracks of fate had not yet completely overlapped.
She knew that the lifelong bond and rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke would still need a specific catalyst and time to ferment before truly beginning.
For example, when Sasuke becomes number one, and Naruto is also number one—but Naruto is number one from the bottom.
That's when he starts carrying the title of "dead last."
At that time, Sasuke would receive everyone's praise and admiration.
Naruto would start noticing Sasuke then, while Sasuke wouldn't give a second thought to a "dead last" like Naruto.
Then Naruto would start trying to compete with Sasuke, thinking the guy wasn't all that great, and the two would start clashing.
Their bond would begin from that moment.
It really was... a friendship born from conflict.
Hinata would occasionally chat with the main characters to earn points from the System, but she spent most of her time on her own Cultivation.
During class, the teacher basically never called on Hinata to answer questions—she wasn't sure if it was because of her Breath Concealment Technique... After school, Hinata walked home alone.
Someone had originally been arranged to pick her up, but Hinata refused on the grounds that she wanted to go for a walk after school.
Although Hiashi frowned slightly, thinking it was somewhat inappropriate, he still accepted it.
But Hinata could feel that there were clan members following her in the shadows; they were likely sent by Hiashi to protect her safety.
On her way home from school, Hinata encountered Naruto, who was alone and looking somewhat dejected.
Everyone else was walking home in groups of twos and threes, and only Naruto stood there, watching those classmates who were picked up by their parents or walking away with friends.
Naruto noticed Hinata ahead; seeing that she was also alone, he was a bit happy, as if he had found one of his own kind.
"Hehe, you're alone too."
Naruto walked up to greet her.
"Mm. Naruto, aren't you going home yet?"
Upon hearing this, Naruto's eyes seemed to dim a bit.
Did he... have a home? It was just a place where he could sleep... a cluttered room with cup noodle containers thrown everywhere, the whole place smelling of instant ramen. Could that place really be called a home?
Hinata looked at the somewhat dejected Naruto and spoke up.
"I'm going to have ramen. Do you want to come?"
Naruto's eyes lit up, but he quickly became discouraged again.
He had no money; his living allowance wasn't enough, so he could only survive by stockpiling instant noodles—he even collected many limited-edition ones in his fridge—and he didn't know how to cook.
"It's my treat."
"Really? But..."
Hinata knew what he was worried about; she pulled out some cash from her robe, showing Naruto through her actions that she didn't lack money.
Seeing this, Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.
"Hehe... You're really nice."
The two walked down the road; at this moment, Naruto finally felt like the other children—he was no longer alone.
It was still the familiar Ichiraku Ramen.
Lifting the curtain, Naruto couldn't wait to shout.
"Two bowls of ramen!"
"Oh~ Naruto is here. Haven't seen you for a while."
"Hehe, I've been in school..."
Then he turned his gaze to Hinata, a bit surprised she would come with Naruto, and spoke with a smile.
"Are you two in the same class?"
"Mm-hm! She's a really good person."
"Haha, wait a moment, I'll go make them for you."
Steaming bowls of ramen were served, and the two began to feast without hesitation.
Naruto praised while eating with his mouth full.
"Mmm, the noodles you make, Uncle, are still so delicious."
Teuchi only smiled and turned back to continue making noodles.
Mainly because he saw that Hinata was about to finish... "Another bowl, please."
Teuchi seamlessly served another bowl.
Naruto didn't think much of it, assuming she probably hadn't eaten lunch.
It wasn't until he finished his own that he saw Hinata asking for a third bowl; Naruto was somewhat shocked. Hinata looked so small; how could she eat so much more than him?
Under Naruto's dumbfounded gaze, Hinata finished four bowls of noodles before paying the bill.
"Little girl, I might hold a Big Eater Competition in the future. You must come and participate when the time comes."
Teuchi gave a thumbs-up.
"Yes, I will. Thank you for the meal."
Naruto and Hinata got up to leave; after walking a few meters away, Naruto suddenly turned around.
"Hinata! Next time, it's my treat!"
Naruto waved his arms, shouting with enthusiasm, and then turned to run toward his own lonely little apartment.
Hinata walked back unhurriedly... When she returned to the Hyuga Clan Compound, the atmosphere was as solemn as ever.
Hiashi was pushing her harder in her Cultivation, and the requirements for the basic training of the Gentle Fist were becoming increasingly strict.
Hinata complied, her movements as standard as if measured by a ruler, yet they still lacked that "spirit" belonging to the Hyuga Gentle Fist.
Hiashi attributed this to her age and her "potential" not yet being fully awakened, so he did not push her too excessively.