Shino had arrived early, and his sunglasses were reflecting light when he saw Xia Mu.
He said in a low voice, "Xia Mu, I've already learned it."
Xia Mu was not surprised by this: "It's only been a few days, and you've already learned it. As expected, your talent is very good."
"It's because the trick you taught was good."
Shino said humbly, "This has helped me a lot. I feel that my Chakra control is much more precise, and my strength has also increased. Xia Mu, thank you."
Xia Mu waved his hand: "Thank me for what? You paid for it. Besides, the stronger Shino is, the more secure I feel. If we're in the same class in the future, I'll definitely feel confident in entrusting my back to Shino. Of course, I will also train hard so that Shino can also feel confident in entrusting his back to me."
Uh, it sounds a bit... well, don't get the wrong idea.
This is a promise of mutual protection between partners. It's very touching and passionate, okay?
Shino didn't say anything more, but nodded solemnly. For a Ninja, those who can entrust their backs to each other are life-and-death partners and the most trustworthy friends.
He, Shino Aburame, would not betray his friend's trust!
Today's lesson was about Chakra extraction and hand signs.
Although many people had already learned it, there were still some who had never been exposed to it since childhood and had only recently learned to read and some history these past few days, but the most important Chakra extraction and hand signs had to be taught.
Iruka-sensei was diligently teaching on the podium, fearing that the students wouldn't understand. He was truly trying hard to be a good teacher.
However, the students who had already learned didn't listen, which was fine, but the students who hadn't learned well were also not serious, which immediately angered him.
He picked up the blackboard eraser and threw it, hitting a certain blond kid right on the head.
Then a roar sounded: "Naruto! Have you learned hand signs? You're slacking off! With you like this, you still dare to boast that you want to become Hokage! Come up to the podium now and demonstrate hand signs!"
The blond kid immediately wilted and walked to the podium slowly, making hand signs sluggishly.
The hand signs of the twelve earthly branches are the basic hand signs. They are actually not difficult, the key is whether one is proficient, especially not to be flustered and make wrong signs during combat, which would be dangerous.
It was just that Naruto was a poor student after all, and he didn't study well either. For a while, he made countless mistakes.
Xia Mu looked at the blond kid's terrible hand signs and couldn't help but cover his face.
This blond kid was really a bit stupid when he was young, and he kept saying he wanted to be Hokage but didn't work hard, giving people the feeling of being boastful. Plus, without a teacher's guidance, he was naturally a tail-ender.
If it weren't for Jiraiya's careful guidance later, let alone becoming Hokage, he would probably have been a Genin for the rest of his life and ended up as a joke.
Hot-bloodedness or something like that is the protagonist's thing, but if Naruto wasn't the protagonist, all his hot-blooded speeches would just be bragging.
You're always talking about Hokage, why don't you study hard!
It's okay if you don't know at first, but you should listen carefully and ask the teacher for guidance after class!
Iruka-sensei was also furious and roared: "Naruto! Don't leave after school! Come to my office, I'll give you one-on-one guidance, you're not allowed to leave until you learn it!"
Naruto was stunned: "Huh? Iruka-sensei, you can't do that! I was planning to ask Sakura to go shopping after school!"
"You want to ask a girl to go shopping like this? You're dreaming!"
"But..."
"No buts! Follow me to the office after school, understand?"
"...Okay."
Naruto finally gave in. He probably also knew that Iruka-sensei was doing it for his own good, but he really liked Sakura and really wanted to go on a date with Sakura.
Just as Naruto walked back to his seat, Sakura's cold voice came: "Naruto, don't be so self-important, I won't agree."
Clang!
Naruto's heart shattered into pieces.
Yes, Sakura had always liked Sasuke, that pretentious guy, and had never given Naruto a good look. Even if he said all sorts of sweet words, even if he tried to please her in various ways, not only did he not get any warmth in return, but he would also be severely scolded or even beaten. However, he just liked Sakura, what could he do?
Xia Mu looked at Naruto's lonely back and rolled his eyes just like Hinata.
This guy, he keeps saying he wants to be Hokage, but he spends all day thinking about picking up girls. Is that how you achieve your dream?
And he's only a little over six years old now, which is a bit too precocious. The key is that you should find a better girl! Hinata is so cute and her eyes are full of you, how can you be so blind?
It's unbearable to watch!
Fortunately, Xia Mu was just complaining. He wouldn't interfere with the protagonists' affairs.
After school, Naruto was dragged away by Iruka-sensei.
Xia Mu naturally had to take Shino home to see if Shino had really learned one-handed hand signs, and also treat Shino to a meal to enhance their friendship.
Oh, right, since they were going to enhance their friendship, he also invited two other friends.
He said to the two who were preparing to go home: "Shikamaru, Choji, do you want to come to my place for dinner? It's the last harvest of vegetables in my yard today, and I plan to eat them all and plant new ones. Shino and I probably can't finish them, do you want to come?"
As soon as Choji heard there was food, he immediately agreed: "I'm going, I'm going!"
Shikamaru scratched his head: "How troublesome! Tell me where your place is first. I'll go home and get some venison. We have a bit too much venison lately and can't finish it at home. It's good to have everyone help consume some."
See? He said it was troublesome, but he not only agreed but also actively brought meat. Who wouldn't like such a friend?
Shino also said when he heard this: "Xia Mu, your yard has few types of vegetables. I'll also go home and get some vegetables so everyone can taste the fresh and tender vegetables grown by the Aburame Clan."
Choji crunched on his potato chips and said casually: "Then I'll go home and get some snacks."
"You guys..."
Xia Mu covered his face, "Whatever you want, but don't be so polite when you come to my place in the future. We're all friends, I just want everyone to have a meal together."
The few of them just smiled. Anyway, they wouldn't show up empty-handed.
Xia Mu also let them be. After telling them his address, they went their separate ways, and he went straight to the street, bought some pork and pig trotters, and also bought some eggs and tomatoes, and two chickens.
He didn't know many home-cooked dishes, and since he was inviting friends over today, he naturally went all out.
However, he didn't know how to cook venison, so he had to let Shikamaru do it himself.
After returning home, he immediately cooked a large pot of rice. After all, Choji had a big appetite, and if he didn't prepare enough, it wouldn't be enough to eat. In addition, the amount and variety of dishes couldn't be small. Although the family wasn't rich, they couldn't be stingy when hosting guests.
Just as Xia Mu was preparing the pig trotters, Shino arrived with two large baskets of vegetables.
Xia Mu looked speechless: "Shino, are you setting up a stall here?"
Shino looked matter-of-fact: "We grew a lot of vegetables at home, and since we couldn't eat it all anyway, I brought some more. By the way, let me demonstrate my one-handed hand seals for you. See if there are any problems."
This guy, he can even change the subject now!
Fortunately, Xia Mu was too lazy to say anything. He watched Shino complete the Three Body Technique with one hand seal and nodded in approval.