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Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Come to My Room After School

BEEP BEEP BEEP.

The demonic sound that could stop a heart flooded his brain. Hagawa extended a hand, breaking the seal of his blanket to turn off the alarm clock. The technology in the ninja world was lopsided; they had computers, refrigerators, and air conditioners, so an alarm clock was nothing special.

He glanced at the time. It was exactly 6 AM. Although he wanted to see what Konoha looked like at 4 AM, he was still a child and needed to get enough sleep.

Hagawa changed his clothes and went out. His plan was to run for half an hour to an hour, depending on his stamina. For someone who hadn't exercised in a long time, suddenly engaging in intense exercise was no different from repeatedly side-strafing in front of King Yama's gate. He had never had such a wonderful start to a new life, and he had no intention of enjoying it for only three days.

Hagawa began jogging along the street. He was up relatively early, so there were few pedestrians and no obstacles. As time passed, his breathing grew heavier, sweat poured down like rain, and even his vision started to blur.

Just then, a green light shone on his face. Hagawa instinctively glanced over.

I must have woken up too suddenly! He was seeing a pair of legs pedaling wildly in the air.

He steadied himself and realized it was just Might Guy, running on his hands.

"Are you running too?" Might Guy asked excitedly. He felt the thrill of meeting a kindred spirit. In the current ninja world, taijutsu specialists were at the bottom of the hierarchy, looked down upon by others. His strange training methods often drew ridicule. One could glimpse the whole picture just by looking at his father, Might Duy. He alone had kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into the "Lucky Three Treasures," yet he was still just a Genin.

Hagawa nodded, having no energy to speak.

"You look a little familiar," Might Guy said, blinking. He suddenly recognized him. "You're the transfer student from yesterday. Your name is Ha-something."

"Ha... Hagawa..." Hagawa said, gasping for breath.

"Haga-what?" Might Guy didn't hear clearly and asked again.

"Hagawa!" Hagawa raised his voice. He could finally understand how Kisame Hoshigaki felt.

"Hagawa, hello! I'm Might Guy," Guy said, flashing his sparkling white teeth. "You can just call me Guy."

"Mm," Hagawa grunted, then said, "You go on ahead. I'm going to rest for a bit." Besides his stamina reaching its limit, there was another reason: the system had a notification.

"Alright then." Might Guy didn't force the issue and waved at him. Of course, the main reason was that Hagawa wasn't his eternal rival. If it had been Kakashi Hatake, he would have definitely squeezed out every last drop of his stamina.

"What kind of alien physique is that?" Hagawa muttered as he watched Guy run off on one hand. He plopped down on a nearby step and, with a thought, opened his Trait panel.

[E-Rank Talent Trait: Robust Physique (Not Yet Acquired)]

Activation Condition: Reach the minimum physical level of a Genin.

Current Progress: 1%

Since it was the minimum level, it couldn't possibly be referring to a Genin like Naruto Uzumaki. Hagawa felt the activation condition for this Trait wasn't particularly difficult; it just required persistence. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and closed his eyes.

"Hagawa, I'm back again!" Might Guy's voice was as energetic as ever. Hagawa opened his eyes and saw him doing frog jumps. He smiled and waved at him.

After Guy left, he got up and ran back towards Kurenai's house. By 7 AM, the streets were starting to get busy. Hagawa saw the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore—the meeting place with the Cloud ninja—but he didn't go in, to avoid any mistakes. On his way past a dango shop, he thought of Kurenai and bought a box of takoyaki.

When Hagawa got home, he happened to run into Shinku Yuhi opening the door.

"Did you go for a run?" Shinku asked, his face full of surprise as he looked at Hagawa, who was panting and looked like he'd just been fished out of water. So hardworking at such a young age? Combined with his talent in Yin Release, this child will surely become a great talent.

"Good morning, Uncle Shinku," Hagawa explained. "My body is a bit weak, so I decided to start running to build it up."

Just then, a nearby door opened. Kurenai, barefoot on the carpet with messy hair, walked out. She let out a yawn and asked, "Why are you two up so early?"

"Kurenai, you should learn from Hagawa," Shinku said with a stern face. "Stop being a sleepyhead all the time."

"Eh?" Kurenai looked from side to side, still a bit dazed. What has happened? She looked exactly like a little milk kitten that had just woken up.

"I bought you takoyaki," Hagawa said with a smile, handing her a paper box. He never thought he'd one day become the "other people's kid."

"Not bad. You're already a sensible little brother," Kurenai said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the takoyaki.

"...?" A strange expression appeared on Shinku's face. He felt like a pig was digging up the cabbage he had planted. It must be an illusion. Shinku shook his head. They're just kids. What am I thinking?

"This is just to thank you for lending me your study notes," Hagawa explained with a straight face.

"Abba abba," Kurenai mumbled, her mouth full of takoyaki as she transmitted an unintelligible message. If it were anyone else, it might have sounded rude, but from her, it was nothing but cute.

After breakfast, Hagawa and Kurenai headed to the Ninja Academy.

"Hagawa, did you finish yesterday's homework?" Kurenai asked, turning to look at him.

"You want to copy?" Hagawa raised an eyebrow.

"How could that be possible?" Kurenai said with her hands on her hips. "I mean, if there are any questions you don't know, I can help you."

"I do have some, actually," Hagawa said, playing along, as he had already figured out her personality.

"Since you've asked with such sincerity, I will graciously tell you," Kurenai said, the corners of her mouth curling up and her eyes眯成a line, looking extremely pleased.

Hagawa asked questions as they walked. He had enrolled two months late, so for some questions, he had to rely on guessing. "Three long one short, pick the shortest; three short one long, pick the longest." In any case, Eiichiro knew his situation and wouldn't blame him.

"Do you get it now?" Kurenai asked, licking her lips.

"I get it, but not completely," Hagawa said with a smile.

"It's like that at the beginning," Kurenai said, putting on the airs of an experienced elder. "Come to my room after school. I'll teach you properly."

Oh no, Big Sis Kurenai.

Hagawa returned to his seat. He greeted Shizune, then opened his Trait panel.

[E-Rank Talent Trait: Top Student (Not Yet Acquired)]

Activation Condition: Place first in the first semester's theory exams.

Current Progress: 1%

Hagawa stroked his chin. This Trait was most likely triggered by his academic discussion with Kurenai just now. He just didn't know what use a "Top Student" Trait would have in the ninja world. In the original series, Sakura Haruno was a top-tier academic, but before becoming Tsunade's apprentice, she could only hold the team back.

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