The girl was wearing a slightly oversized dark outfit, which made her look somewhat slender. She rested her chin on her hand, her black short hair casually falling by her ear, and was staring out at the rising sun with a tired expression.
'Honestly, she said she'd take good care of me for Uncle... but then she got so drunk and caused trouble until the middle of the night. In the end, who was taking care of whom?'
The black-haired girl yawned, looking exhausted. The messy image of a certain blonde figure from last night flashed through her mind, and she muttered helplessly to herself.
"Hello, classmate, excuse me, can I sit here?"
A gentle, clear voice came.
The girl turned her head at the sound, seemingly still lost in her thoughts, her eyes hazy from just having snapped back to reality.
She looked at Shinichi, then glanced at the empty seat beside her. There was no particular expression on her face, just a slightly lazy nod, and her voice was soft: "Hmm, whatever."
"My name is Shinichi Higashino, classmate. What's yours?"
"Shizune." Shizune replied weakly, her voice so light it seemed to float in the air. She lifted her eyelids slightly and looked at Shinichi again.
This unremarkable classmate's smile was surprisingly comforting, like the non-aggressive sunlight of morning, but this warmth quickly dissipated. Her mind was currently filled with another vexing matter.
Just thinking about how the drunk woman would make a mess of the house again after waking up, and how she would have to go back to clean up, Shizune felt a dull ache begin in her temples. Even the classroom before her and this new desk mate beside her seemed a bit unreal.
Shizune?
That's right, I remember Shizune and Kakashi were the same age and in the same class.
It seems this is indeed a good thing.
Shinichi's lips curved slightly. He looked calmly towards the podium, waiting for the teacher to arrive, but new ideas had already sparked in his mind due to the unexpected discovery of Shizune as his new desk mate.
A few minutes later, the teacher still hadn't appeared. The classroom door was pushed open with a "bang," and a figure rushed in, bringing with him a gust of slightly dry wind.
The newcomer had dark skin and a noticeably sturdier build than other children his age. He was covered in sweat, as if he had run here in a frenzy.
He took a few deep breaths, his eyes under thick brows quickly scanning the classroom. Finding only one empty seat left in the three-seater by the window in the upper right corner, he strode over without hesitation.
"Good, I made it!" He plopped down in the empty seat next to Shinichi, letting out a long sigh, then grumbled with some dissatisfaction: "Seriously, Chen-sensei really doesn't pay attention to time. On the first day, he..."
Halfway through his sentence, he seemed to realize he hadn't greeted his new desk mate. He suddenly turned his head, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, his smile bright and clear: "My name is Ishizuka Takashi, just call me Takashi! What's your name?"
Takashi?
A certain meme flashed through Shinichi's mind, but he showed no sign of it, returning a friendly smile: "Shinichi Higashino, you can call me Shinichi."
As he spoke, he observed Ishizuka Takashi's sturdy build and the 'Chen-sensei' he had casually mentioned. A guess formed in his mind, and he spoke seemingly casually: "Takashi, from your appearance, you must be good at Taijutsu?"
"Not really!" Ishizuka Takashi waved his hand, his smile containing a frank self-mockery, but his eyes sparkled: "Rather than saying I'm good at it, it's more like it's all I know. I only got in after passing the make-up exam with Taijutsu. My master always says that people who can't use Ninjutsu can't be Ninja, and he advises me to give up, but I'm determined to prove to him that even if I only know Taijutsu, I can become an excellent Ninja."
"What do you think, Shinichi?"
"Of course, Taijutsu itself is a remarkable path, capable of creating miracles."
Shinichi's tone was sincere, completely devoid of falsehood, because Taijutsu truly could create miracles. Might Guy was the best example.
"Ahahahahaha, well said! Miracles! Yes, miracles!" Ishizuka Takashi's smile grew even wider upon hearing this, clearly pleased. Then he enthusiastically said: "Speaking of which, Shinichi, are you also interested in Taijutsu? I see your build is quite sturdy too. How about we spar sometime? Chen-sensei always says that actual combat is the best practice!"
It really is you!
Only knowing Taijutsu, Chen-sensei... Combining these two important pieces of information, Shinichi understood in his heart. This black-skinned, robust boy with a bright smile and a bit of recklessness was probably the Disciple who only knew Taijutsu, never appeared in the anime, was mentioned by Chen-sensei, and died in the Third Ninja World War.
Thoughts flashed through his mind, but on his face, he merely smiled and nodded: "Of course I'm interested. If there's a chance in the future, please guide me."
Shizune, who had been mostly unnoticed on the far right, seemed to be disturbed by the sudden surge of enthusiasm beside her. She silently glanced at the two conversing happily, barely perceptibly pouted, and then buried her chin back in her arms, exuding an aura of introversion.
On the stage, the homeroom teacher finally appeared, and the classroom gradually quieted down.
The homeroom teacher began the routine speech, introducing school rules, curriculum arrangements, and so on.
Shinichi sat upright, his gaze fixed on the podium, seemingly listening attentively, but his mind was already racing.
He pondered how to interact with these two desk mates, or more accurately, how to connect with the people behind them through these two desk mates.
One was Mr. Chen, known as Konoha's strongest Taijutsu Ninja, nicknamed Konoha Dragon God. If he could reach Chen-sensei through Ishizuka Takashi, even just getting a little guidance would be of immeasurable benefit to solidifying his foundation, broadening his Taijutsu perspective, and even shaping his future persona in Taijutsu.
The other was Tsunade Hime, one of the Sannin, known as Konoha's strongest Medical Ninja. Chakra control, Medical Ninjutsu, Super Strength, and even the Senju Clan... these represented another invaluable treasure trove.
Ishizuka Takashi and Shizune were the "keys" to opening these two treasure troves.
Just as I said before, this is a good thing!
Shinichi's attention returned to the podium. Below the podium, pairs of eyes were either expectant, bewildered, or excited, while in the depths of Shinichi's clear eyes, there was a deep sea of Calm calculation.
Soon, the morning classes ended amidst the homeroom teacher's explanations and the varied moods of the new students, and it was time for lunch dismissal.
Crowds began to pour out of the classrooms, converging in the corridors and on the paths leading to the playground. The chirping of conversations and laughter once again filled the space.
Shinichi walked unhurriedly with the crowd, his gaze calmly sweeping over faces that were either unfamiliar or somewhat familiar.
It was also in this stream of students leaving school that he first clearly saw the "acquaintances" who had only existed in his memories.
Kurenai Yuhi, Sarutobi Asuma, Might Guy, Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin... these names that would shine in the Ninja World in the future were now just ordinary children mixed in the crowd. Shinichi's gaze swept over them indifferently, not lingering on any of them for more than a second.
Even Uchiha Obito, who would cause immense turmoil in the future, couldn't draw any extra attention from him.
At this moment, his eyes could only hold one person. His gaze, as if pulled by an invisible magnet, instantly pierced through the noisy crowd, accurately locking onto the figure with silver-white hair.
Kakashi!