Beep, beep, beep.
The heart-stopping, brain-rattling noise.
Hagaura reached a hand out from under the covers, breaking the seal, and turned off the alarm.
The technology in the ninja world was strangely uneven. They had computers, refrigerators, and air conditioners, so it was no surprise they had alarm clocks.
He checked the time; it was exactly 6:00.
Although he wanted to see Konoha Village at 4:00 AM, he was still a child and needed plenty of sleep.
Hagaura changed his clothes and headed out.
His plan was to run for half an hour to an hour, listening to his body.
Suddenly overexerting himself after a long period of inactivity was like repeatedly dancing in front of the gates of hell.
With such a great start, he didn't want it to end after only three days.
Hagaura started his run along the street.
He was up early, so there were no pedestrians or obstacles on the road.
As time passed, Hagaura's breathing grew heavier, sweat poured down his face, and his vision blurred.
Just then, a flash of green light shone on his face.
Hagaura instinctively glanced over.
He must be seeing things!
He saw a pair of legs kicking frantically in the air.
He steadied himself and realized it was Might Guy, running while doing a handstand.
"Are you running, too?"
Might Guy asked excitedly.
He felt the thrill of meeting a kindred spirit.
In the current ninja world, taijutsu users were at the bottom and often looked down on.
His unusual training methods were often met with ridicule.
One only had to look at Might Guy's father, Might Duy, for proof.
He single-handedly kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into a "lucky trio," yet he was still a Genin.
Hagaura nodded, too out of breath to speak.
"You look a little familiar."
Might Guy blinked and then recognized him. "You're the transfer student from yesterday, what's your name, Hane...?"
"Haga... Hagaura..."
Hagaura said, gasping for air.
"What 'ura'?"
Might Guy didn't hear him clearly and asked again.
"Hagaura!"
Hagaura raised his voice.
He finally understood how Kisame Hoshigaki must have felt.
"Hagaura-kun, it's nice to meet you. I'm Might Guy," Might Guy said, showing off a sparkling white smile. "You can just call me Guy."
"Okay," Hagaura said, slightly stunned. "You go ahead. I'm going to rest for a bit."
In addition to his physical exhaustion, there was another reason: he had received a notification from his system.
"Alright then."
Might Guy didn't pressure him and waved goodbye.
Of course, the main reason was that Hagaura was not his "eternal rival."
If it had been Kakashi Hatake, he would have definitely squeezed every last bit of energy out of him.
"What an alien physique," Hagaura muttered to himself, watching Guy run on one hand.
He sat down on a nearby step, and with a thought, opened the Trait Panel.
[E-rank Talent Trait: Strong Physique (Not yet acquired).]
[Trigger Condition: Reach the minimum physical level of a Genin.]
[Current Progress: 1%.]
Since it was the "minimum level," it couldn't be a Genin like Naruto Uzumaki.
Hagaura felt that the trigger condition for this trait wasn't too difficult; it was all about persistence.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and closed his eyes.
"Hagaura-kun, I'm back!"
Might Guy's voice was as full of vigor as ever.
Hagaura opened his eyes and saw him doing frog jumps.
He smiled and waved at him.
After Might Guy left, he got up and ran towards Kurenai's house.
By 7:00, the streets were getting busy.
Hagaura saw the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, the meeting point for the Kumogakure shinobi, but he didn't go in, to avoid any potential mishaps.
Passing by a dango shop, he thought of Kurenai and bought a box of takoyaki.
Hagaura arrived home just as Shinku Yuhi opened his door.
"Did you go for a run?"
Shinku looked at the panting Hagaura, who looked like he had just been pulled from the water, and was surprised.
'So much dedication at such a young age?'
'With his Yin Release talent, this boy is destined for great things.'
"Good morning, Uncle Shinku," Hagaura explained. "I'm not in very good shape, so I decided to go for a run to train."
Just then, a door nearby opened.
Kurenai, with her messy hair, came out, her bare feet padding on the floor.
She yawned and asked, "Why are you guys up so early?"
"Kurenai, you should learn from Hagaura," Shinku said, his face turning serious. "Stop sleeping in all day."
"Huh?"
Kurenai looked around, still a little confused.
'What's going on?'
She looked just like a sleepy kitten who had just woken up.
"I bought you some takoyaki," Hagaura said with a smile, handing her the paper box.
He never thought he would be "the other kid" that parents compare their children to.
"Not bad, you're a sensible little brother now," Kurenai said, her eyes lighting up as she saw the takoyaki.
"...?"
Shinku had a strange expression on his face.
He felt like some scoundrel was trying to steal the cabbage he had raised.
'It must be my imagination.'
Shinku shook his head. 'They're just kids. What am I even thinking?'
"It's just to thank you for lending me your study notes," Hagaura explained seriously.
"Abba, abba," Kurenai mumbled, chewing on the takoyaki.
If it were anyone else, it might have sounded like a curse, but from her, it was just adorable.
After breakfast, Hagaura and Kurenai walked to the Ninja Academy.
"Hagaura, did you finish yesterday's homework?" Kurenai asked, turning to him.
"You want to copy it?" Hagaura asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No way!" Kurenai said, putting her hands on her hips. "I mean, if there are any problems you don't understand, I can help you."
"I actually do have some," Hagaura said, playing along since he had already figured out her personality.
"Since you've asked so earnestly, I'll tell you," Kurenai said, her lips curving into a smile and her eyes narrowing into slits, looking very pleased.
Hagaura walked and asked questions.
He had enrolled two months late, so he had to guess on some of the questions.
He used the strategy of "if there's a long option and a short option, pick the long one."
He knew that Ronichiro wouldn't blame him given his situation.
"Do you understand?" Kurenai asked, licking her lips.
"I understand, but not completely," Hagaura said with a laugh.
"It's like that at first," Kurenai said in an old-fashioned, "been there, done that" tone. "Come to my room after school and I'll teach you properly."
'Please don't, Kurenai-nee-san.'
Hagaura returned to his seat.
He greeted Shizune and then opened the Trait Panel.
[E-rank Talent Trait: Scholar (Not yet acquired).]
[Trigger Condition: Rank first in theoretical classes during the first semester.]
[Current Progress: 1%.]
Hagaura rubbed his chin.
This trait was probably triggered because of his recent academic exchange with Kurenai.
He just didn't know what use being a "scholar" would have in the ninja world.
In the original story, Sakura Haruno was an absolute genius academically, but before she became Tsunade's apprentice, she was only a liability.