Beep, beep, beep.
The sound was enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat. Hanekawa reached out, broke through the blanket's cocoon, and shut off the alarm.
Technology in the ninja world was… oddly convenient. Computers, refrigerators, air conditioners—all existed. So, of course, alarm clocks were no exception.
He glanced at the time: exactly six o'clock.
Though he wanted to sneak a peek at Konoha at four in the morning, he was still a kid and needed sufficient sleep.
Hanekawa changed clothes and stepped outside.
His plan was to run for half an hour to an hour, pacing himself. Long periods of inactivity followed by sudden intense exercise would be like repeatedly hopping at the gates of death.
This was too perfect a start—he didn't want to enjoy it for just three days.
Running along the streets, Hanekawa felt the cool morning air against his face. There were few pedestrians, so no obstacles.
As time passed, his breaths grew heavier, sweat poured like rain, and his vision blurred.
Then, a green light shone across his face.
Hanekawa instinctively glanced up.
Too intense!
Legs flailing in the air, he realized it was Might Guy running on his hands.
"Are you running too?" Guy asked excitedly.
He was thrilled to encounter a kindred spirit.
In the current ninja world, taijutsu specialists were at the bottom of the hierarchy, often ridiculed for their eccentric training.
One could see this from Might Guy's father, Might Duy. Despite his low rank, he had single-handedly taken down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Hanekawa simply nodded, too out of breath to speak.
"You look familiar," Guy said, blinking, suddenly recognizing him. "You're the transfer student from yesterday, Han—something?"
"Ha… Hanekawa…" Hanekawa gasped for air.
"Han…Kawa?" Guy repeated, unsure.
"Hanekawa!" Hanekawa raised his voice.
He finally understood how Kisame must feel.
"Hanekawa, nice to meet you. I'm Might Guy," Guy said, flashing his trademark grin. "Just call me Guy."
"Mm." Hanekawa paused, then said, "You go ahead. I'll rest a bit."
Besides his physical exhaustion, another reason was that his system had issued a notification.
"All right." Guy didn't press him, waving goodbye.
The main reason? Hanekawa wasn't his lifelong rival. If it were Kakashi, Guy would have drained every last drop of his stamina.
"What alien-level physique…" Hanekawa muttered, watching Guy run on one hand.
He plopped down on the nearby steps and opened the skill panel with a thought.
[E-Rank Talent: Robust Physique (Not Acquired)][Trigger: Body reaches minimum Genin level.][Current Progress: 1%]
Minimum level meant no Naruto-level prodigy. The condition didn't seem too hard—persistence was key.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and closed his eyes.
"Hanekawa, I'm back!"
Guy's voice was as full of energy as ever. Hanekawa opened his eyes to see him doing frog jumps, grinning and waving.
Once Guy left, Hanekawa headed toward Kurenai's house.
By seven, the streets were lively.
He passed the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, the planned meeting spot for the Kumogakure ninja, but didn't enter to avoid raising suspicion.
On the way, passing a takoyaki stall, he thought of Kurenai and bought a box of octopus balls.
Returning home, he just missed seeing her older brother, Shinku, open the door.
"Did you go running?"
Shinku stared at Hanekawa, gasping like he'd just been pulled from water. So young, yet so dedicated? With his Yin Release talent, this kid was destined for greatness.
"Good morning, Uncle Shinku," Hanekawa explained. "I have a weak body, so I planned to run for exercise."
At that moment, the front door opened again.
Barefoot, hair messy, Kurenai appeared, yawning. "Why are you all up so early?"
"Red, you should learn from Hanekawa," Shinku said, scolding her. "Stop sleeping in all the time."
"Huh?" Kurenai looked around, still half-asleep. What's going on? Her expression was like a little kitten just waking.
"I got you some octopus balls," Hanekawa said, smiling and handing her the box.
He hadn't expected to ever be treated like someone else's little brother.
"Nice, you're already a thoughtful little brother," Kurenai said, her eyes sparkling at the snack.
"…?" Shinku raised an eyebrow. Something about this moment felt… off. Probably just his imagination—kids being kids.
"This is just to thank you for lending me your study notes," Hanekawa said earnestly.
"Kya-kya," Kurenai mumbled, chewing the takoyaki.
After breakfast, Hanekawa and Kurenai headed to the ninja academy.
"Hanekawa, did you finish yesterday's homework?" Kurenai asked, glancing at him.
"Need me to copy?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not," she said, hands on her hips. "I just mean, if you don't understand something, I can help."
"I do have some questions," Hanekawa replied, having quickly figured out her personality.
"Since you asked sincerely, I'll tell you." Kurenai's lips curved, her eyes sparkling.
As they walked, Hanekawa asked about several questions he'd had to guess at after joining two months late. Three long, one short? Pick the shortest. Three short, one long? Pick the longest. He knew Yamamoto wouldn't blame him.
"Got it?" Kurenai asked, licking her lips.
"Got it… sort of," Hanekawa said with a smile.
"That's how it is at first," Kurenai said like a seasoned pro. "Come to my room after school—I'll teach you properly."
No way… Red.
Hanekawa returned to his seat, greeted Shizune, and opened the skill panel.
[E-Rank Talent: Academic Ace (Not Acquired)][Trigger: Rank first in first semester theory class.][Current Progress: 1%]
Hanekawa stroked his chin. This skill likely triggered by his study session with Kurenai.
He just didn't know yet what being an academic ace would do in the ninja world.
In the original story, Sakura was top of her class—but before studying under Tsunade, she could only hold others back.