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"This kid's been hiding his strength pretty well." A faint smile curled at Doikoku Funeno's lips.
Ken had taken down Hyuga Ko with ease. That alone proved he was on a completely different level. Otherwise, there was no way he could've made it look so effortless.
Class 1-3 might've just produced a real talent.
Maybe… he could even compete with Uchiha Itachi?
Over the past two months, Itachi had been shining in school, practically earning the title of number one among the students.
Doikoku Funeno thought about it for a moment, then shook his head.
A genius like Uchiha Itachi wasn't something you ran into every day. That kind of talent was rare.
As for Ken hiding his true strength, Doikoku Funeno wasn't upset. If anything, he admired the boy's low-key attitude and steady, composed way of handling things. Someone like that could go far.
At the same age, Doikoku Funeno knew he could never have been this mature. The more he looked at Ken, the more impressed he became.
"Uchiha Ken wins!" Doikoku Funeno cleared his throat and announced the result.
After winning, Ken didn't show the slightest hint of excitement. He simply walked back into the crowd as if nothing had happened.
Beating Hyuga Ko didn't give him any sense of accomplishment.
After all, he possessed three kekkei genkai. If he had lost, he might as well have smashed his head into a block of tofu.
"Inuzuka Kiba, Akimichi Choji, take Hyuga Ko to the infirmary," Doikoku Funeno sighed.
"Hopefully this defeat teaches him something."
Even though Hyuga Ko was arrogant, he was still his student. Doikoku Funeno genuinely hoped he'd learn to rein in that attitude.
"Sensei, can't you pick someone else? Look at these skinny arms, I can't carry him!" Inuzuka Kiba complained, pointing at himself.
"Yeah, Sensei, I get out of breath just walking a few steps," Akimichi Choji added, speaking through a mouthful of chips.
Both of them clearly couldn't stand Hyuga Ko either.
"Akimichi Choji, don't talk to me while eating. And no bargaining. Go, now."
"…Fine."
The two reluctantly hauled up Hyuga Ko, who was still twitching on the ground. He looked absolutely miserable, especially after throwing up.
"Hey, don't puke on me! That's what you get for barking like you're tough!" Inuzuka Kiba mocked.
"This guy's so heavy. Can't he go on a diet?" Choji grumbled.
Their words nearly made Hyuga Ko cough up blood from sheer anger, but he had no choice but to swallow it. He still needed them to carry him to the infirmary.
"Combat class continues!"
The remaining matches weren't nearly as interesting, and before long, the school day came to an end.
Doikoku Funeno scanned the students.
"That's it for today's combat class. Dismissed!"
"Yeah!"
Nothing beat the joy of getting out of class. The students cheered.
…
Infirmary
"Hitomi, are you feeling better?" After class, Ken didn't go home. Instead, he headed to the infirmary to check on her.
A lot of people in class didn't like him because he was from the Uchiha clan. Hitomi was different. On the first day of school, she'd even treated him to takoyaki.
After two months of getting along, Ken already considered her a friend.
And now that she wasn't feeling well, visiting her just felt natural.
"A medical ninja treated me earlier. I'm fine now. I should be able to head home soon. Sorry for making you worry."
Ken's concern clearly moved Hyuga Hitomi. Her eyes grew misty, like she was about to cry.
"Hey, why are you crying?" Ken scratched his head, then said, "If we're friends, just call me Ken. I'll call you Hitomi. Sound good?"
"Really?" Hitomi looked both surprised and happy. "Are we really friends now?"
Ken nodded firmly.
She treated people sincerely. That alone made her worth befriending.
"That's great!" Hitomi clenched her small fist, unable to hide her excitement.
"K-Ken… from now on, we're friends. Please take care of me!" She held out her fair little hand.
"Same here, Hitomi!" Ken reached out and shook it, noticing how soft and warm her hand felt.
"To celebrate, when you're free, I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen!" Hitomi said excitedly.
"No need." Ken waved his hand.
"No, I insist!" Hitomi was surprisingly firm.
"I'm free today." Ken looked at her seriously.
Ichiraku Ramen had a great reputation, and he'd been wanting to try it for ages. Unfortunately, his wallet had always said no.
Now that someone was offering… why refuse?
No time like the present.
"Uh…" Hitomi went quiet for a moment, then smiled sweetly. "Ken, you're pretty straightforward."
"Then let's go now."
Her heart started racing.
Eating ramen together with Ken… did that count as a date?
"You guys going for ramen?" A round head suddenly popped into view. It was Sarutobi Kei.
"Yes. I was going to treat Ken, but my allowance is limited, so I can't invite you too. Sorry," Hitomi said apologetically.
Please don't third-wheel us… she thought.
"You're letting a girl pay? Where's your dignity?" Kei scoffed.
Ken chuckled.
Dignity? Can that fill your stomach?
"I haven't had Ichiraku in a while either. How about this—I'll treat both of you," Kei said generously.
During combat class earlier, Ken had gone easy on him. Kei didn't like owing favors, so he followed them here.
"I might eat a lot. You sure about that?" Ken scratched his head.
"I eat a lot too!" Hitomi forced a smile, thinking, Kei, I hope you know what you're getting into…
"I'm going to be Hokage someday. I always keep my word!" Kei puffed out his chest proudly.
"Alright then, thanks in advance, future Hokage!" Ken clapped happily.
Kei, you just ruined my date. I'm definitely getting you back for this, Hitomi thought.
Ichiraku Ramen wasn't far from the academy. The three of them walked there together.
In less than ten minutes, they arrived.
"One tonkotsu ramen."
"One chashu ramen."
"One special ramen!"
"Coming right up!" Teuchi hurried off to prepare the dishes.
Half an hour later…
Looking at the stacks of empty bowls piled high, Sarutobi Kei stood there frozen.
"You two… eat a lot…" he muttered.
He counted carefully.
Hitomi had eaten six bowls.
Ken… twelve.
Absolutely terrifying appetites.
Meanwhile, he had only managed two.
But a promise was a promise.
After all, he was going to be Hokage one day. Breaking his word would ruin his reputation before he even got there.
So Kei had no choice but to grit his teeth and pay.
What he didn't know was that some girls from the Hyuga clan naturally had big appetites.
And Ken, with his Sage Body, was on a whole different level.
"Please come again!" Teuchi personally saw them out with a big smile.
Twenty bowls of ramen.
Not only was it a compliment to his cooking, but it also brought in a nice 1,500 ryo.
"Thanks, Kei!"
Ken and Hitomi thanked him in perfect sync. Ken even let out a satisfied burp. It had been a while since he'd eaten this much.
"It's nothing between classmates," Kei said, hands behind his back.
In reality, he was clutching his now-empty wallet, crying inside while putting on a calm front.
Sarutobi Kei, don't let money shake your resolve to become Hokage. Stay strong. Stay dignified.
He smiled at them.
Though honestly, it looked more like he was about to cry.
o(╥﹏╥)o
"....."