Chapter 13: Combat Practice
The classroom was quiet.
Hinata had arrived very early.
She was the teacher's favorite student, the kind of child other parents always compared their own children to.
She was well-behaved, sensible, and had excellent grades.
Although she couldn't compare to Neji within the Hyuga Clan, she had already surpassed ninety-nine percent of her peers at school.
Hinata's fingers were twisted together, mirroring her internal state.
She stared blankly at Naruto's seat.
Lately, she had sensed that something was wrong.
Naruto seemed to be keeping her at arm's length.
Hinata couldn't help but let her imagination run wild.
Had she done something to make him dislike her?
What should she do?
No, she had to ask him.
She made up her mind.
Naruto was her most important friend; she couldn't lose him.
Just then, she noticed another classmate walking in through the door.
Subconsciously looking up, her pure white, flawless eyes suddenly widened.
"Morning, Hinata."
Naruto greeted her with a smile.
It was as bright as sunshine.
This feeling... it was back, it was all back.
A hint of confusion flickered across Hinata's face: "G-Good morning, Naruto-kun."
She didn't quite understand.
Today's Naruto seemed completely different from yesterday's; he felt more like the Naruto she had first met.
Naruto didn't know what she was thinking.
Noticing her hesitant manner, he couldn't help but smile—it was the same as always.
Combined with her soft, sweet voice, it always made him want to do something.
"Um..."
Hinata felt a bit apprehensive. Why was the feeling so starkly different? Was it her imagination, or did Naruto-kun have some grievance against her?
She really wanted to know.
"What is it?"
Naruto sat down beside her, resting his head directly on the desk as he stared at Hinata with both eyes.
She truly was a sight for sore eyes.
Hmm, those baby-fat cheeks looked like two big meat buns.
"I... I..."
Being stared at made Hinata feel flustered.
Her expression changed rapidly.
Like clouds reflecting the morning sun.
"I... wanted to remind Naruto-kun that there's an assessment today."
In her desperation, Hinata found a suitable reason and let out a huge sigh of relief inwardly.
"Oh, right. I think it's combat practice,"
Naruto recalled from the memories brought back by his Shadow Clone.
A Ninja's midterm test naturally wouldn't be a simple theoretical exam like in his past life.
It focused on combat.
Mainly to test the students' ninja tool skills and Taijutsu.
As for Ninjutsu, it wasn't within the scope of the assessment.
Except for a few geniuses, it was impossible for students of this age group to have learned any Ninjutsu.
Even the basic Three Basic Jutsu were rare.
"It's a one-on-one duel decided by drawing lots. I hope I'm not in the same group as Naruto-kun."
Hinata still didn't quite dare to look into his eyes, staring down at the ground instead.
Setting up a flag right at the start, huh?
Naruto raised his head and looked at the newly entering classmate.
Sasuke.
With one hand in his pocket, he took his seat coolly.
There wasn't a single wasted movement from start to finish.
"Hinata practices Gentle Fist; I doubt I'm a match for her."
Naruto also didn't really want to be grouped with Hinata; he wouldn't be able to bring himself to strike her.
Having improved by leaps and bounds under Kakashi's tutelage recently, in a pure Taijutsu clash, the only one likely to beat him was Sasuke.
It wasn't that Hinata's Taijutsu was bad; on the contrary, it was excellent.
She had strong natural talent and the dedicated teaching of Hiashi Hyuga; she certainly wouldn't be inferior to him.
But her personality prevented her from fully displaying her strength.
"N-no, that's not true."
Hinata hurriedly shook her head, but her heart felt a little flutter of joy.
Naruto-kun praised me again.
During their brief conversation, the empty seats in the classroom gradually filled up.
Iruka walked to the podium and said, "Everyone, follow me to the training ground."
Without much nonsense, he took a notebook and led the way out of the classroom.
Naruto greeted Inuzuka Kiba and Shino Aburame.
Since it was his clone attending class, combined with his special status, he hadn't made any new friends over the past two months.
As for the other students, they basically never took the initiative to approach him.
This was the so-called 'atmosphere.'
He could be considered isolated at school.
Of course, that's not to say Shikamaru, Choji, and the others were overly cold.
It was actually quite simple to become friends with them.
Iruka led the 27 students to the school's training ground.
He scanned the group, and after confirming no one was missing, he performed hand signs to summon a sealing scroll.
With a *poof*...
A lottery box appeared in front of him.
"The rules are simple: whoever you draw is your opponent. I will grade you based on your performance and provide a ranking."
Iruka smiled and added, "This ranking will eventually be sent to your parents."
He knew the weaknesses of these children under seven years old very well.
Sure enough, even Sasuke, who usually seemed not to care about anything, had his eyes sharpen upon hearing the word 'parents.'
He longed to win and gain the recognition of his parents and older brother.
However, seeing Naruto's unchanging expression, Iruka couldn't help but sigh slightly.
Perhaps he shouldn't blame a child who had also lost his parents.
"Beginning now."
Iruka's expression turned serious as he said, "Draw lots in order."
Kiba, standing at the very front, sauntered up to the lottery box and said, "Let's see who the unlucky one is... Oh, Nara Shikamaru."
Hearing his name, a look of 'why am I so unlucky' appeared on Shikamaru's face.
"Teacher, can I forfeit?"
He opened his dead-fish eyes and spoke lazily.
"No!"
Iruka understood Shikamaru's personality, but it was precisely because he understood that he felt frustrated by his lack of ambition.
He clearly had a brilliant mind, yet he never used it.
Are you kidding me?
"Fine."
Shikamaru sighed and walked onto the field.
Kiba looked directly at him—the two were friends, after all—and grinned, showing his teeth: "Watch out!"
He dropped onto all fours and charged over like a large dog.
Shikamaru felt a blur before his eyes as a blue gale of Chakra appeared right in front of him.
He instinctively extended his arm.
*Rip!*
The corner of his sleeve tore.
But that was it.
Kiba felt as if his claws had struck hard stone.
It must be Chakra covering the skin.
The current Shikamaru had not yet mastered his family's secret techniques.
His Chakra reserves were also similar to Kiba's—not much.
Kiba's eyes noticed Shikamaru's left hand quickly pulling a shuriken from his ninja tool pouch.
He immediately retreated.
But the expected attack never came.
Instead, Shikamaru let out a loud cry and fell to the ground, clutching his arm and saying, "I'm injured, I forfeit."
His face was full of bitterness and resentment.
It seemed as if he were extremely unwilling to surrender.
Kiba stood dumbfounded, pointing a finger at him: "You... you..."
Naruto couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Good grief, a fixed match.
As expected of you, Shikamaru.
In his past life, this kind of 'insurance scam' dive would have earned him tens of thousands.
Iruka helplessly announced the result.
Time passed quickly.
Finally, it was Naruto's turn.
He walked forward and greeted him: "Iruka-sensei."
Iruka nodded, very satisfied with his attitude.
Naruto rubbed his hands together.
Time to witness a miracle.
He pulled a small slip of paper from the lottery box and opened it with an expectant heart.
He could finally test the results of his training during this period.
The next moment, his expression froze.
The name written clearly on the paper was Hyuga Hinata.
"..."
I really am cursed with bad luck.
Ah, what a painful realization.
Thanks to user 20200201020844031 for the 1500 Qidian coin tip!