The next morning, Uchiha Hayato went to school as usual.
Yesterday, after seeing Minato and Kushina off, Uchiha Setsuna had surprisingly sent scrolls containing Practice experience to his home, leaving him momentarily bewildered.
Although he accepted them, he hadn't completely let down his guard.
He would observe for a few days before making his next move.
He pinched his chin.
The Ninja Academy wouldn't teach too much useful knowledge; history, math, geography, Ninja theory—he could learn all of these completely through self-study.
The school also wouldn't teach any profound Ninjutsu.
Once he learned Shadow Clone, he would send a Shadow Clone to school, Uchiha Hayato recalled the mementos left by his parents in this life.
"Hayato, good morning!"
Along with a lively greeting, a strong pat landed on Uchiha Hayato's right shoulder.
The boy winced in Pain, turned around, and saw a smiling Kushina.
He feigned indifference and returned the greeting, thinking, "If Kushina wants to become Hokage, Minato probably doesn't stand a chance."
Of course, Minato's combat awareness was much stronger than Kushina's.
"Kushina, has anyone ever told you that you're very strong?" Uchiha Hayato asked helplessly.
"Hmm, let me think, I think so.
Hayato, are you complimenting me?
Actually, I'm not that strong…"
The red-haired girl smoothed her long hair, a little shy.
Uchiha Hayato covered his face.
This wasn't a compliment, but this lively and genuine personality—it was indeed Kushina.
"Alright, alright, let's go to school first."
"I'm sorry, Kushina!" The two were stopped at the Ninja Academy entrance by a familiar figure.
It was Dekai.
"What are the second-year students up to? It's so lively." On the rooftop, a pineapple-haired boy watched the school entrance idly.
"Looks quite interesting, but never mind, I'll go find Choza to eat something delicious."
Kushina was a bit confused.
She remembered this person had previously led others in mocking her hair, and he was the one who fought Uchiha Hayato, so why was he apologizing just one day later?
She didn't want to forgive him so easily, but looking at Dekai's expression, he seemed sincere.
"Would you mind moving?" Uchiha Hayato sounded a little impatient.
"If you're truly sorry, then apologize to every single classmate you've bullied, one by one."
He noticed Kushina's confusion, grabbed her arm, and walked inside, leaving Dekai behind, deep in thought.
"Hayato, is this really okay?" Kushina was, after all, a kind person.
In this world, she hadn't suffered much bullying; she had just been verbally abused when Uchiha Hayato stopped it, so she quickly wanted to forgive Dekai.
Uchiha Hayato released Kushina's arm and clasped his hands behind his head.
"Who knows?
I don't think someone who used to enjoy bullying other companions can change that easily."
He recalled the villagers' change after the Pain battle and corrected himself, "If he truly changes, that would be a good thing.
But before that, he needs to apologize to others first.
If Dekai is truly sincere, he will definitely do it."
Kushina nodded, half-understanding, then turned to look into the classroom and was startled by Minato Namikaze.
She lightly patted Uchiha Hayato, signaling for the boy to look inside, and what appeared in Uchiha Hayato's eyes was Minato Namikaze with panda eyes.
"Minato, what's wrong? Did you not sleep well last night?" Uchiha Hayato was a little surprised, looking at the faint dark circles under Minato Namikaze's eyes.
It's all your fault for saying such explosive things yesterday!
Minato didn't say it out loud, just looked at Uchiha Hayato with a slight grudge.
"Yes, I was so excited thinking about testing the exact difference between myself and you today, and being able to get a Pokémon, that I couldn't sleep."
"Ah—" Minato Namikaze yawned, but his eyes gleamed with competitiveness.
"Hayato, don't hold back."
Uchiha Hayato smiled; he felt his mindset was gradually becoming younger too.
"Of course."
"Is everyone here?
Then, Kushina, your seat wasn't arranged yesterday, so you'll sit at…"
"Hi! Yamagami-sensei, I can sit here."
Kushina took three steps in two and sat down right next to Uchiha Hayato.
Yamagami Yohei gave a wry smile.
The other students didn't react, and Dekai also sat quietly in his seat, which eased his mind considerably.
"Alright, let's begin class now…"
The boring day passed in a flash.
"Minato, let's go to the survival training ground."
He still remembered the mission he triggered; as the Fourth Hokage of the original world, it was necessary to bring Minato onto his ship.
"Hmm… it's fine, I stopped caring a long time ago.
It's good to recognize one's mistakes."
The blonde girl adjusted her glasses, smiling gently, and then asked her question.
"Dekai, how did you manage it? Apologizing to every classmate you've bullied."
"You wouldn't know, Yakushi Nonou.
I heard he was taught a lesson by Uchiha Hayato from their class, that's why he's like this." A lively girl with a ponytail nearby said with a laugh.
"I really want to see it."
Dekai's expression was a bit embarrassed, his face turning pale then green.
"It's my problem.
I used to be mocked by others for my appearance, yet I did the same thing."
"After being defeated by Uchiha Hayato, Lord Third called me out alone.
I originally thought he would scold me, but who knew he just bought me an ice pop, then sighed and told me to think about it carefully myself."
Dekai's fingernails dug deep into his flesh.
"I disappointed Lord Third.
Uchiha Hayato is different.
Not only did he teach me a lesson, but he also did something I dared not do when I was bullied.
If I were like him, Lord Third would definitely change his opinion of me."
Uchiha Hayato from the next class?
Yakushi Nonou nodded, a hint of curiosity about this person stirring in her heart.
"So you apologized to everyone one by one, just like he said?" the Byakugan girl asked.
"Yes.
But I didn't always bully others; mostly, I played Ninja games with other boys." Dekai shook his head.
"Of course, those boys aren't with me anymore now.
How childish, I…"
"Yakushi Nonou, you are the second to last person I need to apologize to.
I need to apologize to Kushina again until she forgives me."
"Look quickly! Is that Uchiha Hayato and them?" The Byakugan girl pointed out the window.
Kushina's red hair was particularly noticeable, and the one walking out of school with her was, of course, Uchiha Hayato.
"Should we follow them to see?" The ponytail girl offered what she thought was a good suggestion.