Battle
"Oops… didn't expect a short nap to last so long."
Under the cover of night, Bai Ye darted across the rooftops of Konoha, his breath shallow and movements frantic.
"I've been gone for so long without telling anyone… The nurse must have noticed. This is such a pain."
Soon, he landed quietly behind the hospital building, right below his ward's window. He paused, debating whether to climb back in.
"Some of my stuff is still in the room… and Guy's still lying in there. I'm going to scold him later."
At just three years old, Bai Ye had once been hospitalized for a high fever. Bored and restless, he snuck out to train, only to be caught and sternly reprimanded by his assigned nurse. The incident had left a mental scar that lingered to this day.
Squatting down slightly, Bai Ye kicked off the ground, leaping with silent grace. He gripped the third-floor window ledge, peeked inside, and—seeing no one—slipped in with practiced ease.
"...Huh? Why's Guy's bed empty? Don't tell me he woke up and snuck out too?"
Though his friend had been in much worse condition, Bai Ye wasn't particularly worried. Infiltration by enemy shinobi was extremely rare inside Konoha's borders, and Guy didn't carry any information worth targeting.
Shrugging off the thought, Bai Ye turned to the small cabinet beside his bed. He'd left the hospital earlier still wearing a patient's gown. He began changing back into his regular clothes, intending to request discharge from the front desk and retrieve his weighted training gear.
"Ah!"
A high-pitched yelp rang out just as Bai Ye pulled his shirt over his head.
He turned toward the door and spotted Zhiyi, supporting the bandaged Might Guy, along with someone else hiding behind the frame.
"Bai Ye! You're back!"
Guy, mummified in medical wrappings, still managed to flash his signature thumbs-up and sparkling grin.
"Where were you just now? I heard another voice—aren't there supposed to be three of you?"
Now fully dressed, Bai Ye raised an eyebrow.
"I should be asking you that," Zhiyi replied dryly. "After class, I came by and found only Guy groaning in bed."
"I just took him to the bathroom, then we ate. Yue was with us, but she ran off when she saw you half-naked."
"Oh… now that you mention it, I haven't eaten all day."
"..."
Zhiyi stared blankly at him, helping Guy back into bed. This guy's brain really is wired weird.
A moment later, Yue returned, her arms full of snacks. She shoved them into Bai Ye's hands, cheeks still red.
"Here. I didn't know what you liked, so I just got a bunch from the snack street."
Apparently, she hadn't left after all—she'd been crouching near the door. Hearing Bai Ye hadn't eaten, she dashed off to get food.
"Huh? Zhiyi said you left. Why'd you come back with so much food?"
Bai Ye's bluntness made Yue flush even deeper.
Zhiyi, mortified, quickly grabbed a skewer of takoyaki from the bag and shoved it into Bai Ye's mouth.
After some time, Yue and Zhiyi excused themselves, reminding Bai Ye they'd see him at the Academy the next day. With Bai Ye's injuries being minor, there was no need to stay overnight.
---
Far away, in the Hokage's office, a man puffed on his pipe, staring into a crystal ball.
"Hmm… Bai Ye. Have you developed new ninjutsu in secret?"
The man with a mustache and piercing gaze was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
He had been keeping tabs on Bai Ye ever since the child had, at the age of two, created two unique non-seal ninjutsu—a feat unheard of even among prodigies. Though Bai Ye hadn't shown much innovation in recent years, his relentless effort hadn't gone unnoticed.
Hiruzen had heard rumors the night before and decided to investigate using his Telescope Technique. What he saw had intrigued him.
"There are many promising shinobi this generation… I must begin narrowing down candidates for the next Hokage."
He tapped his shoulder thoughtfully.
"Perhaps it's time I found him a proper mentor."
---
The next morning, Bai Ye left the hospital, settled a few minor procedures, and headed for the Ninja Academy.
In the classroom, he slouched in his seat by the window—the last row as always.
"Why hasn't the teacher arrived yet? I was planning to apply for early graduation today…"
"What?!"
The voice came from beside him. Zhiyi, who was seated unusually close, tried to keep his surprise hushed.
"You're applying for early graduation? Then I'll do it too. If we're lucky, we'll be assigned to the same squad."
Zhiyi folded his arms behind his head, affecting a cool, disinterested pose.
Bai Ye glanced at him sideways. "You're just trying to impress the girls."
Zhiyi pretended not to hear, though it wasn't far from the truth. Half the class's girls were already casting dreamy glances his way.
"You and Yuyi have monopolized every girl's attention in this class."
Senju Yuyi, third in rank, had the charm of a friendly prince. The remaining half of the girls fawned over him.
"Come on, Yue is ranked first in the class, right—"
Zhiyi suddenly stiffened. A chill ran down his spine. His eyes darted around the classroom until they locked onto Yue, glaring at him from the corner with barely restrained murderous intent.
"Hmm? You stopped talking all of a sudden."
"Ahaha… You know, I don't think me or Yuyi are Yue's type."
Zhiyi nervously wiped the sweat from his brow.
"True enough," Bai Ye muttered. "She and the other girl at the top are only interested in getting stronger. You four at the top practically rule the whole class."
Hearing this, Yue pouted ever so slightly, her gaze softening despite herself.
Zhiyi just sighed. This guy… he's sharp about everyone else, but when it comes to himself, he's an idiot.
Clap clap.
"Alright, today we're doing sparring practice. Head to the training field."
The teacher's voice cut through the chatter as he entered the room.
"Heh, guess I'm fighting you today," Zhiyi grinned. "Don't let me win too easily."