The next day, Feng An woke up early.
He ruffled his hair in frustration. "Damn it, I've graduated, and my body clock is still stuck on school time, isn't it?"
After a quick wash and breakfast, he strolled through the alleys of Konoha as he usually did on holidays, basking in the sun and entering a state of early retirement.
"Look, that good-for-nothing kid is loitering again."
"If my kid were like him, I'd break his legs."
"Don't say that. The kid is actually quite pitiful—no parents. And he's not a bad person, not mischievous like Naruto."
"Tian Hui is right. My child is so naughty. If he were as well-behaved as Feng An, at least I'd have less to worry about."
"Don't tell me; every time he walks with his hands behind his back, I always feel like he's not a child at all."
Several women gathered in a nearby alley, discussing Feng An as he passed by.
Compared to ordinary people, Feng An's senses were much sharper; he heard their chatter clearly but didn't pay it much mind, even smiling and greeting them. After all, in his previous life, he'd always encountered such "Village Intelligence Networks" when returning to his hometown, so he was used to it.
Feng An smiled at the women. "Good morning, aunties."
"Good morning."
Seeing Feng An approach, the women stopped their gossip and returned his smile.
One woman, dressed in purple, asked curiously, "Feng An, why aren't you going on missions? I see other new graduates clamoring to take on tasks, preparing for the Chunin Exams."
"What's the point of becoming a Chunin?"
The woman was startled; it was the first time she'd heard a shinobi express disinterest in promotion.
"I heard Chunin can take on higher-rank requests. They're very profitable."
Feng An shook his head. "No, auntie. High-rank requests are dangerous. Think about it—what a loss to die for a few ryō? I'm just a teenager; my prime years shouldn't be squandered so easily."
Your youth is spent chatting with us aunties and sunbathing? Isn't that a waste too?
The women exchanged glances, their expressions peculiar. Why was this kid so old-fashioned? Shouldn't someone his age be full of passion and ambition?
"Aunties, I'm busy. I'm going to wander somewhere else."
Feng An moved from one alley to another.
"Feng An." A female voice called out.
A long-haired woman with bandaged thighs and a generous figure walked toward him.
Feng An looked up. "It's Kurenai. Is something wrong?"
A slip of the tongue, born from past-life memories. He scratched his head awkwardly.
This kid, calling me by my name directly.
Kurenai Yūhi raised an eyebrow but didn't make an issue of it. "Why aren't you going on missions?"
Feng An felt a little helpless. Why did everyone keep asking him that?
He rattled off his prepared answer: "I don't want to. I'm not short on money right now. And what if I run into some overpowered missing-nin, like Zabuza Momochi or something? Then I'd be dead."
Hearing this, Kurenai became even more interested in him. His pragmatic attitude contrasted sharply with the ambition of his peers. Many young shinobi were too eager, often rushing into danger—precisely why jōnin-led teams were necessary.
"Your calm demeanor is good. No wonder Hinata cares about you. Are you interested in training with Team 8?"
Feng An looked puzzled. "Why me? And haven't you already chosen three members?"
"I think you're worth cultivating."
Feng An glanced at her. "What gave you that idea?"
"A gut feeling. Besides, Naruto has a teacher, but you don't. Are you really at peace with that?"
Feng An nodded without hesitation. "Perfectly at peace."
Naruto was the protagonist, after all; he was just an extra. The main plot wasn't centered on him.
Kurenai sighed in feigned regret. "Ah, well, nothing to be done then. Yesterday at the yakiniku place, Hinata kept begging me to take you on. Since you're unwilling, I'll just have to go back and tell her you refused."
Hmph! You think Little Hinata can sway me?
…At a training ground, several targets were fixed to trees, shuriken embedded haphazardly in them.
Hinata, training with her Byakugan active, noticed two figures approaching.
Kurenai-sensei is back… And behind her is… Feng An?
She deactivated her Byakugan, turned, and shyly greeted them. "Ah, Feng An… wh-what are you doing here…?"
Hearing this, Feng An looked up at Kurenai. "Are you tricking children?"
From Hinata's reaction, it was clear she'd known nothing about this.
Kurenai ruffled his hair and chuckled behind her hand. "But Hinata really does care about you, you know."
Then she addressed the team. "Everyone, take a break. From now on, Feng An will be training and going on missions with Team 8."
The other two stopped their training and walked over.
Akamaru barked twice at Feng An. "Woof! Woof!"
Inuzuka Kiba patted his ninken and grinned. "Let's reintroduce ourselves. I'm Inuzuka Kiba, the man who will become Hokage!"
Feng An nodded. "I'm Feng An. May your wish come true."
He left the second part—in your dreams—unsaid. Hearing Kiba's declaration, he immediately recalled the Infinite Tsukuyomi version where Kiba, as Hokage, decreed every shinobi must raise a dog. It was probably for the best he never made it; otherwise, the village might have been renamed 'Inuzuka Village.'
"W-Welcome, Feng An. P-Please take care of me." Hinata lowered her head, her voice growing softer.
"Okay. Please take care of me, too." Feng An's lips curled slightly. He deliberately stepped forward and took Hinata's small hand.
Hinata's face instantly flushed crimson. She quickly pulled her hand back, mumbling shyly, "…I was very careful this time… my hand wasn't pricked…"
Seeing Little Hinata's adorable reaction, his heart almost melted.
Just as he was basking in the moment, Kurenai punched him lightly on the head.
"Don't bully Hinata."
"I wasn't." Feng An rubbed his head and winked at Hinata. "Hinata, I wasn't bullying you, was I?"
"Mmm…" Hinata nodded gently.
"Hmph. I have something to do, so I'm leaving. You all train well." With that, Kurenai departed before anyone could ask where she was going.
"Feng An, let's do some sparring!" Inuzuka Kiba approached enthusiastically.
"But I only know some very basic ninjutsu," Feng An intended to refuse. He was only here for Little Hinata. If he could win her over, even a lifetime of being chased by a certain blonde would be worth it. Besides, Naruto was still clueless about Hinata's feelings. Training was secondary.
Even if he did spar, he'd rather it be with Hinata. Wives should be caught young; otherwise, they'd be snatched away once they grew up.
But Kiba, with a hot-blooded and somewhat simple personality—not unlike Naruto's—didn't seem to catch his polite refusal. He clapped a hand on Feng An's shoulder. "Don't worry, it's just training. I swear I'll only use some simple techniques."
Seeing Kiba's persistent enthusiasm, Feng An knew it would be hard to decline. "Alright then," he said helplessly. "But let me prepare first."
He might as well see what he was truly capable of.
Kiba put his hands behind his head. "Okay! Just call me when you're ready!"
Kiba simply thought he was nervous.
I'll only use 70% of my strength later, he muttered to himself. He glanced at Feng An's serious expression and reconsidered. Forget it, I'll use 50%. It wouldn't be good if I dealt him too big a blow.
Feng An, standing to the side, frowned slightly, his expression grave as he thought,I must control my chakra perfectly. If I accidentally kill him, it'll be over.
*****
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