Chapter 9: I'm Just After Their Achievements
It was evening when Shiki Aburame leisurely returned home.
Shima Aburame had long grown accustomed to his late returns.
Ever since he was young, Shiki had always been remarkably mature, so Shima felt at ease.
In this world, being precocious meant being a genius.
Take Itachi Uchiha, for example.
At four years old, he participated in the Third Ninja World War and went completely insane.
At Shiki's age, he was always able to sleep soundly.
Moreover, he adhered to the principle of never carrying fatigue or stress into the next day, so he went to bed early.
The next day, he woke up brimming with energy.
When Shiki pushed open the door, he saw the diligent Shino Aburame.
Shino stood still, his face crawling with parasitic bugs.
Training so early in the morning?
Shiki's lips twitched.
And his trypophobia was about to act up!
In an anime, this might be fine, but in reality, the sight was just too creepy.
"Brother."
Under Shino's control, the bugs retreated back into his body.
The reason for his diligence was Shiki's provocative remarks.
Because he genuinely believed his older brother would get himself beaten to death one day.
"Breakfast."
Shiki headed to the living room.
Traditional Japanese breakfasts were quite simple.
Rice, miso soup, natto, and grilled fish.
Shiki couldn't stand natto, so he never ate it.
At a street breakfast stall, he casually bought two hot spring eggs, rice balls, and milk.
Shino was a bit puzzled.
This was the first time he'd seen Shiki act like this.
Was he not full?
At school, Shino suddenly noticed something off.
The situation was completely different from what he'd imagined.
He had thought Shiki would be ostracized for his behavior yesterday, but instead, his popularity had skyrocketed.
All along the way, people greeted him, and he was quite well-liked.
"Kids are always pretty straightforward. They just like good-looking people," Shiki said with a faint smile.
You could see it in Sasuke Uchiha from the original story.
Shino was speechless.
What a brutally honest reason.
Entering the classroom, Shiki scanned the room.
They'd arrived early, and only about a third of the seats were filled.
Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto Uzumaki hadn't arrived yet, but Hinata Hyuga was already in her seat.
"Shino, ask Hinata to step outside for a moment," Shiki said after a moment's thought.
Shino froze.
Did his brother like Hinata?
But yesterday, he was clearly having a great time chatting with Ino.
Was he two-timing?
Shino became even more convinced.
His brother was definitely going to get himself killed one day.
Hinata had already noticed Shiki and Shino.
More accurately, she noticed the latter.
Last night, she had trouble sleeping and woke up early, still feeling both excited and uneasy.
The reason, of course, was Shiki's invitation from yesterday.
Going out without telling her father gave her a sense of breaking a taboo.
"Hinata-san," Shino said, walking up to her. "My brother wants to talk to you."
Hinata blinked, instinctively glancing at Shiki.
But he stood at the doorway, wearing sunglasses, his thoughts unreadable.
Hinata hesitated for a few seconds before standing up and walking out.
"Come with me."
Without explaining, Shiki led her up the stairs to the rooftop.
The rooftop was empty and quiet.
Shiki handed her a bag.
Hinata tilted her head, confused.
"Eat this, then head back to class."
Without lingering, Shiki turned and left.
Hinata curiously opened the bag, and upon seeing it was full of food, her small face flushed red, her whole body practically steaming.
Did Shiki prepare this just for her?
Not only did he know she hadn't eaten enough, but he'd also considered her shy personality.
Hinata's head spun, a whirlwind of thoughts swirling through her mind.
She took a bite of a rice ball, and it tasted a little sweet.
"No passive achievement triggered."
Shiki sat at his desk, arms crossed, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Hinata had previously triggered a passive achievement related to food.
Based on his experience, there should be more.
After all, eating was one of Hinata's defining traits.
"Shiki-kun!"
A familiar voice rang out.
Shiki looked up to see Ino Yamanaka waving at him with a radiant smile.
What passive achievements did she have?
"The moon was beautiful last night," Ino said, sharing her thoughts. "It was so bright, like a polished gem."
The moon was beautiful?
Shiki glanced at her.
Her golden bangs fell over her right eye.
He suddenly recalled that meme.
If you're not using your eyes, you could donate them to someone who needs them.
Speaking of blondes, he couldn't help but think of Tsunade.
Would she take him as a disciple?
It wasn't just about the "perks." With the status of Tsunade's disciple, Shiki would have absolute security in the Hidden Leaf Village.
"This afternoon is practical training," Iruka Umino announced, wrapping up the morning's lessons. "Everyone, gather at the training field on time."
Though called "practical training," it was really just taijutsu practice and an assessment.
Under normal circumstances, six- or seven-year-old kids couldn't possibly master ninjutsu.
Iruka's goal was to gauge their foundations.
Students from ninja clans naturally had stronger foundations.
His focus was on the civilian students.
Many students grew excited.
While the ninja academy had a lot of theory classes, practical training was the most important.
It was tied to their future.
Of course, kids didn't think that far ahead.
They were just thrilled to get to play outside.
But there were exceptions, like Sasuke Uchiha.
Practical training would let him figure out who was worthy of being his opponent.
He hoped someone could make him go all out.
That way, he could earn praise from his father and brother.
In a casino somewhere in the Land of Fire.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune, holding a pink pig, pleaded earnestly. "Please, stop!"
"One last bet!" the blonde woman, eyes bloodshot, shouted. "Big! Big! Big!"
"Sorry," the alluring dealer said with a charming smile. "The roll is small."
"Damn it!" Tsunade clenched her fists in frustration.
Suddenly, she frowned, her gaze sharpening.
"Shizune, let's go."
Tsunade stood and left the casino.
Shizune blinked, confused.
What just happened?
"Come out!" Tsunade stopped in a secluded alley.
"Lady Tsunade," a Hidden Leaf ANBU appeared, presenting a letter with both hands. "This is from Lord Hokage."
"That old man just won't leave me alone," Tsunade said, clearly annoyed, but she took the letter and read it.
Soon, a look of skepticism crossed her beautiful face.
"Is the old man trying to trick me into coming back?" Tsunade tossed the letter to Shizune.
"A six-year-old learned the Chakra Scalpel?" Shizune's eyes widened.
She considered herself highly talented in medical ninjutsu, and with Tsunade's guidance, she hadn't mastered the Chakra Scalpel until after she was twelve.
A six-year-old? Seriously?!