NARUTO: Starting with Hinata

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Speaking of growing flowers, that's not an easy topic to discuss.

"Shiki has been helping me a lot lately." Hinata said, noticing Shino's expression, "I want to prepare a gift for him."

"A gift?" Shino felt a little relieved.

Fortunately, he hadn't told anyone that his brother liked growing flowers. But soon, he frowned again.

What else does his brother like besides growing flowers?

For a moment, he couldn't find an answer.

"Got it!" Shino suddenly remembered something that happened two years ago. His brother had made a strange contraption and called it "a man's romance."

"You can't do it alone; you need a few more people to help." Shino said, adjusting his sunglasses.

---

After school, the classroom quickly emptied.

"Ino, aren't you leaving?" Sakura asked with a puzzled look.

"You go ahead. I'll finish this question." Ino replied, her expression unchanged.

This was a lie.

"What's the question?" Sakura asked, raising her chin slightly with pride, "If you ask sincerely, I might be merciful and tell you."

Despite her average performance in practical classes, Sakura always ranked among the top three in theoretical classes, earning her the title of an academic master.

"Look, Sasuke!" Ino pointed outside the door.

"Where? Where?" Sakura's attention was instantly diverted.

"If you don't chase him, he'll get away. Go, go!" Ino waved her arms.

"See you tomorrow!" Sakura trotted out of the classroom.

"Shino, when are we leaving?" Ino asked excitedly after Sakura had gone.

"Wait an hour." Shino thought for a moment before responding.

"Why?" Ino asked, confused.

"If my brother didn't tell you in advance, he probably wanted to surprise you. If we go now, he'll notice, and he might blame us." Shino explained.

"You're right." Ino said, feeling happy as though she had drunk honey. She sat back down, already daydreaming about what she might name their future children.

Shino glanced at her with a sigh, 'Brother, I did my best.'

He had seen Shiki and Hinata walking together earlier, likely heading toward the cabin, though he didn't know they were training. If they were on a date and Ino caught them, Shino didn't dare imagine the fallout.

For safety, it was best to be cautious.

---

Time passed, and eventually, Shino stood up and left the school with Ino.

They walked in silence. Shino, being the quiet type, didn't have much to say, and Ino was too lost in her thoughts to speak.

"I'll check the situation." Shino said as they neared the cabin.

"Okay," Ino replied, standing on tiptoe to try and peek at the other side of the house.

Soon, Shino returned, "My brother has left." He said.

Ino rushed toward the cabin, her heart racing. She was eager to see what flowers Shiki had planted, 'If it's roses…' She thought, her face flushing slightly.

"Huh?" Ino slowed her pace as she spotted Sasuke jumping and Naruto running. Recently, the two had been leaving together every day to train, much to Sakura's frustration.

Ino couldn't help but smile.

"In the courtyard." Shino said, opening the door.

Ino's gaze was immediately drawn to the moon orchid, "So beautiful." He murmured.

The sky was darkening, but the moon orchid glowed faintly, filling the air with a dreamy atmosphere.

"What's it called?" Ino asked, realizing she didn't recognize the flower.

"No idea." Shino replied simply.

---

Outside the former residence of Senju...

Bang!

Shiki hit the ground again.

He glanced at the toes that had stopped just 0.01 centimeters from his throat and swallowed nervously.

He wasn't hungry—he was terrified. If those toes had moved just a bit more, they might have ended up in his mouth—or worse, he would've been kicked across the field.

Tsunade retracted her foot, setting it gently on the ground beside the high-heeled sandals she had discarded earlier.

Shiki climbed back up.

[Achievement unlocked: 'We still don't know how many people saw Uchiha Sasuke jump high that day.' Reward: Bronze Relic Gu.]

[Bronze Relic Gu: A first-level Gu worm, consumable, which can raise a first-level Gu Master to the next small realm.]

Shiki was stunned. Two lines of text appeared in his vision.

'It really triggered an achievement?' He thought, 'Why not something more heroic?'

But that wasn't the point. The important thing was the reward.

He was currently a mid-level first-level Gu Master. Using the Bronze Relic Gu would push him to the high level of the first stage. Combined with his Wine Gu, he'd be at the peak of the first level—a significant power boost.

"Are you okay?" Tsunade asked, reaching out to rub his head.

"I'm fine." Shiki replied, twitching slightly, "But stop touching my head while we're sparring."

"Really?" Tsunade chuckled, only to become even more playful, now rubbing and pinching his face.

"..."

Frustrated, Shiki threw a punch, but Tsunade dodged it with ease, hopping lightly out of the way.

She smirked and beckoned him with a finger, "Come on, hit me. If you manage to land a punch, I'll give you a reward."

'Hard. My fists are hard!' Shiki thought, gritting his teeth and diving into another round of attacks.

But no matter how much he tried, he was still no match for her skill.

---

Night fell, and Shiki collapsed once more.

"Want to go again?" Tsunade asked with a smile, clearly enjoying their sparring.

"No more," Shiki waved his hand in surrender.

He was exhausted.

Tsunade put on her high-heeled sandals and picked him up, just like she had done yesterday.

Shiki lay in her arms, sighing to himself. After fighting for so long, it was finally time to relax.

Unfortunately, the comfort didn't last long before she let him go.

He took a shower and returned to his room.

Suppressing his fatigue, Shiki sat cross-legged on the bed and channeled his true essence into the bronze relic Gu.

The first-level consumption of Gu worms is only effective against first-level Gu Masters, so there was no need to wait.

The sooner he improved his strength, the better.

There was also the possibility of obtaining more bronze relic Gu in the future.

After a long while, Shiki opened his eyes.

Although he had only advanced a small realm, the changes in his true essence were quite significant.

Both the quality and the upper limit of his essence had been enhanced.

Once the wine worm finished refining the true essence, his strength would rise even further.

For now, sleep was all he wanted.

Tsunade had worn him out to the point of exhaustion.

At the same time, a group gathered in his wooden house.

Besides Sasuke, Naruto, Ino, and Shino, there was another unexpected visitor: Hinata.

Her presence caught everyone by surprise, especially Shino.

He had been doing his best to keep her from crossing paths with Ino.

Yet, here Hinata was, launching a surprise counterattack.

Luckily, the two seemed to share a deep sisterly bond.

"I need your help with something." Hinata said, taking a deep breath, "Could you make something for me?"

Shino blinked, wondering how to respond.

What did she need help with, and why had she come to him and Ino?

Hinata, oblivious to any concept of rivalry or jealousy, continued.

"Make what?" Naruto asked, eager to assist.

He was always enthusiastic, especially when it came to helping his friends, and he considered Hinata one of them.

"Here."

Hinata pulled out a blueprint.

At its center was a white disc with black bands extending from both sides.

---

Thursday.

After school, Naruto rushed over to Sasuke.

With a mysterious tone, he said, "I can't spar with you today."

There was a practical class with Grade 2, Class A tomorrow, and to make an impression, he had already arranged extra training with Might Guy in the evening.

"Spar?"

Sakura froze in shock.

She had been planning to approach Sasuke quietly to surprise him, but now the surprise was on her.

"Shut up!" Sasuke said, glaring at her slightly, "I never agreed to spar with you, Naruto."

If Naruto kept talking about sparring, Sasuke might really hit him.

Children in the ninja world matured early, and Naruto's choice of words could easily lead to misunderstandings.

Some matured faster than others, though. For example, Naruto was clearly behind.

He scratched his head, "Huh? But haven't you been sparring with me these past few days?"

"Idiot!"

Sasuke couldn't take it anymore and quickly dashed away.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura called, immediately following after him.

"Did I say something wrong?" Naruto asked, still confused, but he quickly brushed it off.

Might Guy was waiting for him in the Forest of Death.

He had to master Konoha Whirlwind and Konoha Bad Rock Rising today.

"Don't follow me." Sasuke said coldly as Sakura trailed behind him.

"I…"

Sakura stopped, but as Sasuke walked away, she covered her face with excitement.

Ah, so handsome!

She loved Sasuke's cold demeanor.

At the Uchiha Clan compound:

"Mother!" Sasuke called as he kicked off his shoes and ran inside.

"Are you back?" Mikoto asked, stepping out.

She was wearing an apron, her long hair tied up, holding a spatula in her hand. She exuded the perfect aura of a gentle and caring mother.