Konoha: Gu master

The school bell rang.

Iruka Umino walked into the classroom with his textbook under his arm.

He scanned the room and nodded approvingly. All the students were present.

But then, his eye twitched slightly. What on earth is Naruto wearing? Iruka thought, noticing Naruto dressed in a bright green jumpsuit. Has this guy finally lost it? he thought to himself, not saying it out loud.

"Everyone, please take out your books," Iruka composed himself and began the lesson.

Hinata Hyuga stared blankly at her textbook, her mind elsewhere. It was the first time she'd ever been so distracted. All she could think about was what would happen after school.

Like her, Sasuke Uchiha was also lost in thought. He was waiting for Shinho Aburame to approach him. Although his mother had assured him, he was still worried. Shinho hadn't shown any intention of seeking him out that morning.

Naruto listened for a while before his thoughts drifted back to Might Guy. He had trained hard yesterday, to the point of exhaustion. But somehow, after a night's sleep, he felt completely refreshed, as if the fatigue had never existed.

Shinho opened his book and propped it up to block Iruka's view. Adjusting his sunglasses, he focused his mind inward. With the increase in Gu insects, his inner space had become quite lively. Time slipped away as he cultivated.

Iruka glanced at Shinho, then at Sasuke and Hinata. He couldn't help but question himself. If slower students don't pay attention, it's their issue. But if top students aren't engaged, perhaps it's the teacher's problem.

After class, Iruka returned to his office to reflect.

"Shinho-kun!"

Ino Yamanaka appeared before Shinho, holding two lunchboxes. Time to get another meal.

Shinho accepted one and said, "Thank you."

Shino Aburame sensibly got up and left. He glanced at Hinata and fetched a chair for her.

"Smells so good!"

Naruto wiped his mouth, eyes full of envy. "Too bad I don't know how to make lunchboxes."

His lunches were always instant noodles.

"Want to learn? I can teach you," Shinho offered, glancing at him. "In a couple of days, I'll give you a recipe book."

"Thanks, Shinho!" Naruto grinned, his teeth flashing brightly.

"...?"

Shinho twitched slightly. Have you completely become like Guy now? Your dad was the Yellow Flash, killing enemies unseen. Will you be the Flashing Teeth, defeating foes with your smile? What about your talk-no-jutsu?

"Let's eat."

As before, Shinho offered his lunchbox to Hinata. She had been in a daze all morning, but finally focused now that Shinho was beside her. She didn't have to think about anything else.

After lunch, it was nap time. Everyone lay down on their desks to sleep. Shinho, however, secretly continued cultivating, using his true essence to cleanse his inner space.

Soon, school was over.

Sasuke, who usually left first, remained seated. He pretended to organize his desk but was actually stealing glances at Shinho.

Why hasn't he come to find me yet?

Did Mom fool me?

"Hinata," Shinho walked straight to her and said, "Let's go."

Sasuke was petrified on the spot.

"Sasuke-kun!"

Sakura Haruno seized the rare opportunity to approach him, excitement evident on her face. "Shall we go home together?"

"Darn it!"

Ino clenched her fists instinctively. No way! She's already lost to Sakura with Sasuke, and now Hinata with Shinho. If this keeps up, she'll have nothing left to lose!

She needed to take the initiative!

"I don't have time," Sasuke replied expressionlessly, rejecting Sakura.

So annoying! He grabbed his backpack and left the classroom.

Sakura stood there, stunned. But she quickly recovered. She was already used to Sasuke's attitude.

"Let's go," Shikamaru Nara shook his head. The troubles of being handsome, he thought. Thankfully, his dream was to marry an average girl.

"When are we going fishing again?" Choji Akimichi shook his empty snack bag, missing Shinho's grilled fish.

"Fishing!"

Naruto perked up instantly. "This time, I'll avenge my defeat and take first place!"

"Let's ask Shinho tomorrow," Shikamaru said, hands behind his head as he walked out.

Within their little circle, Shinho had unknowingly taken the lead. Shikamaru had noticed the change, but didn’t have the motivation to give it any thought.

---

Back at the familiar grove, where Hinata had first seen Shinho:

This time, there was no snow.

Hinata followed behind Shinho. She lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly. Just thinking about the upcoming confrontation made her extremely nervous.

"It's about time," Shinho stopped and said, "Come out."

From behind the trees emerged the older boy who had previously harassed him, along with the three bullies.

Hinata's body stiffened. She felt as if she were under a binding spell, unable to move.

"Y-You... You're the one who b-beat them up last time, right?" The boy's speech was disjointed.

Shinho's mouth twitched. What kind of acting is this? At this rate, they're going to get cut from the script.

But he couldn't blame them. A qualified actor needs at least two and a half years of training. They hadn't even had two and a half weeks.

Fortunately, Hinata was so nervous she didn't notice the flaws.

"It was me," Shinho replied calmly.

"I'll t-take care of you," the boy said, his speech gradually becoming smoother, as if his language system was rebooting. "You three, go teach that white-eyed freak a lesson!"

"B-But, boss..." The three boys didn't dare move.

Hinata and Shinho were standing together, after all.

"Get over here!" The older boy took a deep breath and decided to go all out, beckoning Shinho with his finger.

Messing this up could be dangerous. Shinho had already had Shino investigate them and put pressure on their parents. Otherwise, they wouldn't have dared face this demon again.

"Hinata, you don't want to see me get bullied by them, do you?" Shinho looked at her.

Hinata instinctively raised her head. She was met with his smile.

Her heart trembled. If he ended up beaten and bruised... No, she couldn't allow that!

Hinata suddenly turned her gaze to the three boys who had bullied her before. The veins around her eyes bulged as chakra rapidly gathered, a surge of power welling up in her pearl-like eyes.

Byakugan—Activate!

She lunged forward. Scenes of her father's training flashed in her mind.

Her palms struck out to the left and right. The two boys, frozen in fear, were hit squarely in the abdomen. The force made them double over before collapsing.

Hinata spun, her right palm striking again. The remaining boy was knocked out cold.

She turned, glaring at the older boy standing in front of Shinho.

The so-called "monster girl" had awakened!

"S-Spare me..." The boy was terrified. He scrambled away, stumbling as he fled.

Shinho didn't even glance at him. After all, they were just tools. His goal had been achieved.

He looked at Hinata with curiosity, observing her after activating the Byakugan.

"D-Don't look... there..." The fierce Hinata suddenly reverted to her shy self.

She recalled how the boys had called her a "white-eyed freak" and quickly lowered her head to hide her eyes from Shinho.

"They're beautiful," Shinho said with a smile.

Hinata stood there, stunned. Her cheeks visibly reddened, steam almost rising in the cold winter air.