Chapter 10: Who is the Blonde Loser?
"Yamanaka Ino pushed her lunch box toward him, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said, 'If you don't mind, we can share.'
Although she was bold, this act still felt overly intimate, almost like an indirect kiss.
'No, thank you.'
Shino Aburame stood up and said, 'I'm going out to eat.'
Ino's face immediately showed a conflicted expression.
She wanted to go too, but she couldn't waste the lunch her mother had prepared for her.
Shino walked toward the front of the classroom.
As he passed by Hinata Hyuga, he paused.
'Come with me,' Shino said softly.
Hinata hesitated for a few seconds before mustering her courage, picking up her lunch box, and leaving the classroom.
'What's going on?' Ino's face froze.
She was clearly here first.
Shino's younger brother, Shino Aburame, suddenly felt the lunch box in his hand lose its appeal, his mouth twitching slightly.
And what about me? I'm your actual brother.
Should I just let you get beaten to death?
'W-where are we going?' Hinata couldn't help but ask.
They were heading further and further away, reaching a secluded corner of the school.
'Ichiraku Ramen,' Shino stopped and said.
'Huh?' Hinata hadn't expected that at all.
'Can you climb over?' Shino pointed at the wall and asked.
Hinata, still a bit dazed, instinctively shook her head upon seeing the wall.
The Hyuga clan's rules forbade her from climbing walls.
It was far too improper.
Shino reached out and grabbed her shoulders.
With a surge of chakra, he leaped over the wall and landed steadily.
'You okay?' Shino let go of the stunned Hinata.
She came to her senses, glanced at the wall, then at him, her mouth opening slightly.
If her father found out, she'd definitely be scolded.
Shino naturally noticed her conflicted expression.
Yes, he did it on purpose.
He had slightly taken advantage of Hinata's personality.
This was a modern-day scheme.
'Hinata,' Shino extended his hand and said, 'Give me your lunch box.'
Hinata paused for a moment before handing it over.
'As thanks, I'll treat you to ramen,' Shino said with a faint smile.
Hinata followed him in a daze, her face gradually turning red.
She finally realized what was happening.
Looking at the lunch box in Shino's hands, she bit her lip, feeling like she might faint.
That was the lunch she'd already taken two bites of.
It was… kind of unhygienic.
'Uncle Teuchi,' Shino called out as soon as they entered the shop, 'Nine bowls of ramen.'
'Nine bowls?' Teuchi looked at the two kids in front of him and asked, 'You sure?'
'Start with one bowl of char siu ramen,' Shino nodded and said.
He didn't explain.
Because Teuchi definitely wouldn't believe him.
After all, his last name wasn't Otsutsuki.
Hinata kept her head down.
Her heart was pounding.
'Here you go!' Soon, Teuchi placed a bowl of char siu ramen in front of Hinata.
He was about to ask what Shino wanted when he saw him open the lunch box.
Teuchi's eyes widened.
It was the first time he'd seen someone bring their own lunch to his shop.
Wasn't this implying his ramen wasn't good enough? Are you here to pick a fight?
But since Shino was just a kid, he didn't say anything.
Soon, however, he realized how wrong his assumptions were.
Nine whole bowls of ramen were completely devoured by the unassuming little girl.
He'd only seen Akimichi clan ninjas eat this much before.
Who would've thought there was another expert?
And she was clearly from the Hyuga clan.
Hinata, being stared at by Teuchi, couldn't help but curl her toes in embarrassment.
So humiliating!
She instinctively looked at Shino.
He had just finished eating her lunch, leaving not a single grain of rice behind.
Her face flushed even deeper, as if it might bleed.
He was serious?
Shino didn't say anything.
He was worried Hinata might actually faint.
If that happened, he wouldn't know how to explain it.
When they returned to school, Hinata finally regained her composure.
Shino handed her lunch box back to her.
Most of the students in the classroom were napping.
But some were diligently studying.
Like Sakura Haruno.
She sat at her desk, flipping through her textbook.
When she saw Shino and Hinata, curiosity sparked in her.
She had thought Ino had already taken the lead, but it seemed she, like Sakura, hadn't found her path.
No, Sakura was worse off.
She recalled how Sasuke Uchiha ignored her, clenching her fists.
She was determined to win him over!
'Wait for me after school,' Shino said, glancing at Hinata before returning to his seat.
Wasn't this lunch enough?
Hinata lowered her head again.
After lunch break, classes resumed.
The group gathered on the training field.
'Taijutsu is divided into two types: soft fist and hard fist,' Iruka Umino began explaining taijutsu.
Soft fist, used by the Hyuga clan with their Byakugan, was considered invincible in close combat.
Hard fist encompassed a broader range, essentially everything outside of soft fist.
The most iconic example was Might Guy's Konoha-style taijutsu and the Eight Gates.
What Iruka taught was the former.
Konoha-style taijutsu was the most widely practiced taijutsu in the village.
Every Konoha ninja learned it.
Shino glanced at Naruto Uzumaki.
Was this the legendary chaotic fighting style?
His basics were truly terrible.
Sasuke Uchiha and Hinata Hyuga, on the other hand, were the most polished.
That was the advantage of being from a prominent ninja clan.
They had early access to taijutsu and ninjutsu, along with expert instructors.
Sasuke turned his head, his eyes meeting Shino's.
For a moment, it felt like sparks flew.
He had already assessed the class.
Hinata's soft fist was impressive, but her timid personality bored him.
Besides her, Shino stood out.
His movements were frighteningly precise.
Coupled with the commanding presence he'd shown in the classroom, Sasuke sensed a kindred spirit.
After all, substitute ninjas were drawn to each other.
'Everyone, practice well. Next time we have a practical lesson, you'll spar,' Iruka clapped his hands and said, 'Class dismissed!'
The students scattered, heading home.
'Shi—' Ino froze.
She saw Shino walking toward Hinata again.
Naruto paused, scratching his head.
He had wanted to invite his new friend to walk home together.
'Naruto!' Kiba Inuzuka waved from a distance.
Next to him stood Shino's brother.
'Coming!' Naruto grinned and ran over.
[Achievement Unlocked: 'Golden Loser.' Reward: White Boar Gu.]
[White Boar Gu: A first-tier Gu insect that transforms the Gu Master's body, fundamentally increasing their physical strength.]
Shino instinctively stopped in his tracks.
The White Boar Gu had the same effect as the Black Boar Gu, both highly valuable, differing only in color.
But who was the blonde loser?