At the Ninja Academy, during physical education class.
The training for today was a race, running fifty laps around the track. The last-place student would have to run an additional ten laps.
So every student put in their full effort, determined not to be the last.
After fifty laps, there was no doubt that Ruri was in first place.
Despite being a girl, she actually enjoyed using her fists to make her point. In her words, this was the Uchiha clan's accumulated wisdom on how to handle things.
Everyone was already used to this, and the homeroom teacher, Fujimura Taiga, also considered it a matter of course.
Aside from occasional civilian geniuses, among students of the same grade at the Ninja Academy, the top spot was always held by those from established ninja clans.
Especially the prestigious Uchiha clan, who, along with the Senju clan, founded Konoha. They were arguably the most elite clan in Konoha.
The power held by the Police Force, which their clan managed, was beyond imagination.
Although this had offended many people, as Konoha's strongest ninja clan, even the Hokage might not give them a good face.
As one of the two ninja clans that founded Konoha, it was only natural for them to possess such pride.
"Congratulations, Ruri, another first place."
Fujimura Taiga said with a congratulatory tone.
Whether it was the physical race, ninjutsu application, sparring, or shuriken throwing, Ruri was always at the top of the A-class in the third grade.
Having such a talented student in his class meant his performance evaluations would soar without him having to do anything.
There was only one thing that bothered him—
"Move aside a bit, Chunin Teacher Fujimura, you're blocking my view."
Ruri's delicate brows furrowed, and she tilted her head slightly, speaking in an impatient tone.
"…"
She was a disrespectful and unruly female student!
Was there any student who spoke to their teacher in such a tone?
What was wrong with being a Chunin?
Chunin were already the backbone of the village.
Don't look down on Chunin!
Fujimura Taiga shivered with anger!
When would Konoha's Chunin truly stand up for themselves?
But then he thought about Ruri's usual shuriken throwing skills, her ninjutsu, and how she ran fifty laps around the track without even breaking a sweat… Fujimura Taiga was speechless.
It was a bit sad to say, but he no longer had the ability to teach Ruri.
Being surpassed by a student should be something every teacher is happy about, but seeing Ruri's contemptuous gaze, Fujimura Taiga was utterly dejected.
It wasn't just the constant exchange of notes with her deskmate during class, which often stimulated his fragile, bachelor's heart.
To make the two of them pay attention, Fujimura Taiga once moved Shiraishi to a different seat. After class, Ruri immediately rushed to the office, threatening to use her fists to teach him how to be an excellent Ninja Academy teacher.
These were all bleak past events that Fujimura Taiga couldn't bear to look back on.
He was just a Chunin, and a Chunin known for his excellent teaching ability, but his combat skills were unremarkable.
Fortunately, he was broad-minded and didn't bother arguing with children, otherwise… otherwise, if he got really angry, he would dare to complain to the Third Hokage!
In his eyes, Ruri was merely a somewhat mischievous girl, even if sometimes she was a bit too mischievous.
"Teacher Fujimura is a good teacher, there's no need to provoke him like that."
About a minute later, Shiraishi also finished his fifty laps, looking breathless and a bit out of breath.
Because they had to run fifty laps continuously, each lap being four hundred meters, without stopping in between, and maintaining a certain speed, it was still somewhat difficult for third-grade students.
Most of them were like Shiraishi; although they could finish, they would be panting afterward.
Someone like Ruri, who ran fifty laps around the track without changing her expression, was probably the only one.
"Have you finished pretending? If you have, go buy me a cup of juice from the convenience store."
She handed Shiraishi a one-thousand ryo bill.
"…"
Shiraishi obediently went. When he returned, he had bought two cups of juice, one for Ruri and one for himself.
Ruri glanced at it and said nothing.
Just then, a burst of cheerful feminine shouts suddenly came from not far away:
"Minato-kun!!!"
"Ah! Minato is so handsome!!!"
Startled by the girls' collective shouts, Shiraishi and Ruri simultaneously looked towards another class on the playground; they were also having physical education.
The central figure of the commotion was a blond boy about Shiraishi's age.
How to describe him? He was a bit effeminate, but his appearance was truly outstanding.
Especially his refreshing, flowing hair, and the delicate, shy face that became even more charming due to the girls' excited shouts.
For a moment, the playground was filled with a rosy, romantic atmosphere.
"That's Namikaze Minato from the adjacent B-class, right? That guy is still so popular at school."
Shiraishi seemed to recognize the boy the girls were cheering for.
Unlike his own unremarkable self, the other person was an idol among the third-graders.
Although he looked a bit effeminate, he was truly handsome and refined.
He would definitely grow up to be a beautiful man.
He himself was indeed plain and unadorned.
He was so envious.
"You know him?"
Ruri raised an eyebrow.
"We've spoken occasionally, but I wouldn't say we're particularly close."
Shiraishi took a sip of juice and said.
"These people are really making my ears ring."
"Well, this is youth."
"They're so noisy! Those girls are a bunch of infatuated fools. Instead of idolizing others, they should hone their own skills more. They look like the type who would die early on the battlefield."
Ruri unceremoniously criticized those infatuated girls.
"Is it really okay to curse your classmates like that?"
"Who told them to be so noisy? I'm going back first."
With that, Ruri crumpled the empty paper cup into a ball, threw it into the trash can, and headed back towards the school building.
Shiraishi scratched his head, looking troubled.
The next day.
"Today, I have an important announcement to make."
Homeroom teacher Fujimura Taiga held a stack of documents, his expression solemn, as he spoke to all the students in the class.
The students looked at each other, not knowing what was happening, whispering amongst themselves.
Fujimura Taiga ignored the whispering students and spoke directly: "Starting today, medical and hygiene class will officially be selected as a compulsory course for all grades at the Ninja Academy. In addition, the Ninja Academy will also establish a special experimental class to train medical ninjas. Students who are interested can apply with me."
Saying this, Fujimura Taiga opened the documents he held, distributing the application forms one by one.
Ruri took the application form, placed it aside, and didn't even glance at it.
She had no interest in becoming a medical ninja.
Shiraishi, on the other hand, was quite interested in the application form.
However, why would the village make such a decision at this time?
Perhaps it was related to the increasingly tense situation on the front lines.
Ayane, on the other side, also received the application form, and like Ruri, she paid it no mind.
To become a medical ninja, one must first have Yang-release chakra, and her attribute was not Yang-release. So even if she had the desire, it would be impossible for her to become a medical ninja, at most becoming something like a nurse.
But such a profession, the Hyuga clan would surely not allow.
Her powerful talent, in the eyes of the Main House, should be used to protect the Main House, not to become some medical ninja or nurse.
(PS: Here's a note, the protagonist is the same age as Minato…)