While using Current Shot, I'd consciously weakened it a bit to make the casting faster and ensure I wouldn't accidentally cause serious damage. It wasn't like my Current Shot was especially deadly by any means, yet, but I had aimed for Misaki's forehead, so you never know.
I shook off those thoughts, focusing fully on Misaki again. My heart jolted in panic when I saw she still wasn't moving. Hurting a clan kid, and one from the powerful Hyuga clan, no less was a one-way ticket to trouble, and I definitely couldn't afford that. Honestly, at this point, I could barely afford the absurd amounts of food I consumed daily, aside from whatever I "borrowed" from the academy cafeteria.
Taking a deep breath to calm my racing mind, I started walking toward Misaki, who was still lying motionless. Before I even reached her, Daiken had already appeared at her side, gently checking on her condition. Again, I hadn't sensed his movement or chakra at all. I sighed quietly, slowing my approach and watching carefully.
Daiken leaned down, concern evident in his normally stone-cold voice. "Are you alright, Misaki?"
She responded with a quiet, pained groan before slowly beginning to sit up, assisted by Daiken's steady hand.
As she finally stood, Misaki turned and looked directly at me. I braced myself, fully expecting anger, tears, or some shouting, but to my complete surprise, she gave me a shy smile, her cheeks flushing brightly. My mind screamed in disbelief, "What the hell is wrong with these Konoha kids? Seriously, is their chakra rotting their logic or something?"
I sensed a dangerous feeling that she was starting to like me, and immediately decided I'd need to shut that misguided admiration down as early as possible. I only said what I said to create an opening. there was no way I could beat her with technique. And her Byakugan made it even harder to find any kind of real advantage. She could just keep blocking my chakra points until I dropped like a dead fish.
She was only seven, and maybe she'd grow out of it. But let's be honest, that rarely ever happens in these kinds of situations. Better to end it fast, maybe cause her a little embarrassment now rather than deal with a long-term problem. Besides, who likes someone after they hit them in the head? The very idea made my skin crawl.
I spoke up, trying to sound polite but firm, "Sorry, Misaki. I hope my attack didn't cause you any serious damage."
She didn't respond however Looking closely, I noticed her forehead was slightly red, but thankfully there was no blood. I breathed out a sigh of relief when Daiken confirmed my assessment, his voice returning to its usual steadiness. "She's fine. I've already checked."
Still, he motioned to a medical nin who approached quickly. Daiken added firmly, "Check her thoroughly. We can't miss anything."
The medic nodded and got to work. All the while, Misaki's eyes stayed locked on me, her blush intensifying by the second. Daiken's gaze, meanwhile, drilled holes into me with sheer curiosity, clearly wondering how I'd pulled off what I just did.
Afterwards, we were all gathered together again and informed that tomorrow would be the last day at the academy, where they'd officially announce the top-ranking students. With that, Daiken dismissed us, emphasizing how late it already was and mentioning the parents waiting anxiously outside the academy gates.
I turned around and immediately spotted Shizuru. She looked bruised and battered, almost as if she'd gotten into a street fight with a particularly angry chicken. I knew exactly what that looked like because I'd been there myself, trying to catch a stray chicken for some meat. I couldn't help it. I laughed in a dignified manner, obviously, which annoyed Shizuru instantly.
"Looks like you lost," I teased lightly.
She sighed deeply, puffing her bruised cheeks in a classic tsundere move before stubbornly looking away.
I glanced over at Kaen. His clothes had taken some damage, and he had a few scratches, but overall he looked far better than Shizuru did. I assumed he won their match, although I'd been too busy fighting Misaki to watch. I asked Shizuru with genuine confusion, "Why didn't you get the medical nin to heal you?"
She responded with stubborn pride, "I refused their help. I got these injuries because of my own weakness." Her voice suddenly hardened with newfound determination. "I won't lose like that again."
I paused, honestly impressed by her resolve. That kind of determination was rare for a member of the famously lazy Nara clan.
I stayed with her a little longer until she caught her breath, then slowly walked with her toward the academy gates. Her parents were there, waiting anxiously. Standing back at a respectful distance, I heard her father reprimanding her in a gentle but stern voice, "Resolve is good, Shizuru, but refusing help when it's available is foolish. especially during missions. You heal when you can, rest when it's safe."
Shizuru's shoulders slumped slightly, adopting the classic depressed Nara look.
Something else quickly captured my attention. Many clan kids had finished talking to their parents, and now I noticed their eyes following me curiously as I passed through them. I couldn't make out their murmurs, but the overwhelming emotion radiating from them was interest. Great. I sighed internally, knowing that drawing attention was probably inevitable after today's performance. Yet for some reason, a nagging feeling lingered at the back of my mind. like I'd forgotten something incredibly critical. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't figure out what it was.
"Well, if I can't remember, I guess it isn't that important," I finally told myself, shaking off the feeling as I slowly made my way home, breathing in the pleasant air of the setting sun.
When I finally reached my flat, I paused to admire the ceiling immediately. By now, my sprawling ceiling mural covered nearly every inch of space above me, with its intricate designs spilling down onto the walls. I felt a rush of pride. Honestly, if I had money, I'd buy real art supplies and just spend all my spare time drawing. Not only did it help stabilize my emotions, but it was also surprisingly good chakra control practice. a win-win.
I sank down onto a chair, reflecting on the events of the day. A small smile crept across my face. Before I could fully settle in, though, a knock at the door snapped me from my thoughts. Instantly suspicious, I narrowed my eyes. The academy official had already visited a couple days ago, and Shizuru had just left with her family. I sighed, muttering quietly in disappointment about needing more friends. Unfortunately, my class had only two people close to my mental maturity level, and one of them genuinely scares me.
Cautiously, I approached the door and opened it slowly. Standing there was a tall, thin shinobi wearing a tiger mask.
My eyes narrowed further in confusion. "Who are you?"
The man replied politely, his voice calm yet oddly chilling, "I am Tiger, and I'm here to invite you to Root."
My jaw dropped slightly, realization hitting me like a brick. "Ah, shit. So that's the critical thing I forgot."
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