Because children in this world matured quickly, most of them, with the exception of a few, understood the underlying meaning behind Aburame Shiki's words.
For a brief moment, the expressions of those around him shifted subtly.
Shiki gave no reaction, but Aburame Shino squirmed like a needle had been planted under his skin, a sharp unease lodged in his chest and throat. He reaffirmed his thought: sooner or later, his older brother would get beaten to death.
He would have to become stronger—strong enough to protect him, to at least leave a whole body intact.
Nara Shikamaru tugged at the corner of his mouth. You've got a pretty distorted idea of what a "peaceful life" is.
"This friend is officially mine!"
Before anyone could respond, Inuzuka Kiba clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes.
Uchiha Sasuke's expression flickered slightly. He sensed the aura of a strong opponent. For someone intent on mastering the Ninja Academy like his brother Uchiha Itachi, this silent challenge carried weight.
"So cool!"
Yamanaka Ino folded her hands together, her eyes turning into hearts of fiery red.
Hyūga Hinata felt her heartbeat accelerate, and she instinctively twitched her index finger. Aburame Shiki's demeanor was exactly what she admired the most.
"Quiet!"
Iruka Umino's timely intervention stopped the tension from escalating further. Yet even as he spoke, he made a mental note of Shiki—the student who left such a lasting impression.
"You may return to your seat," Iruka said to Uzumaki Naruto, his tone neutral and unreadable. He had lost his own parents in the Nine-Tails incident, and he had never been particularly warm toward Naruto.
The introductions continued.
"Thank you!"
Naruto's voice carried a note of gratitude. He instinctively realized that Aburame Shiki had just helped him out. It was the first time anyone besides the Third Hokage or his occasional mentor had proactively befriended him and offered aid.
"There really were some flies," Shiki remarked calmly.
Aburame Shino and Nara Shikamaru turned their heads in near-perfect synchronization. The former knew his brother too well; the latter was simply intelligent.
Same thought, huh? Yeah, right. That's mischievous as hell.
[Achievement Unlocked: Aburame Shino—"Sweat dripping, eh little brother?"]Reward: Bookworm GuBookworm Gu: A First-Stage Gu. Any book it consumes is instantly memorized by the user.
Shiki raised an eyebrow. After all these years, his little brother had finally hit the jackpot.
After the introductions, formal classes began.
The Ninja Academy's curriculum was surprisingly comprehensive. Beyond the basics of body techniques, students studied weapon throwing, the Will of Fire, astronomy, mathematics, and more.
Shiki listened for a while before his mind drifted back to the essentials: which achievements should he tackle first?
He decided to focus on Hyūga Hinata and Uchiha Sasuke. By his understanding, the former required gaining Hyūga Hizashi's approval, while the latter… probably needed a few well-placed beatings.
The bell rang for lunch.
"Shiki-kun," Yamanaka Ino leaned forward over her desk, holding her bento box. "Wanna eat together?"
Shiki glanced subtly. She wasn't wearing her usual midriff-baring outfit. His gaze lingered for a moment on her waist and legs—he had always noticed those features.
He nodded. Good.
Ino's face lit up with a bright smile. She and Sakura Haruno had negotiated earlier—Sasuke would be hers, but she couldn't claim Shiki.
Aburame Shino silently gave up his seat.
"Shiki-kun," Ino said, offering a piece of rice ball. "Try this—my family's special rose rice ball."
Shiki took it and bit in. A subtle scent of rose filled his senses.
"My mom makes these really well. I'm learning now," Ino explained, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear. "Once I master it, Shiki-kun, you must give me your honest opinion."
A little girl already thinking this far ahead? Shiki understood immediately: this wasn't about romance—just a simple attraction to beauty.
Her achievement hinted at that already.
Shiki was about to reply when a hand appeared in front of him.
"I'm Inuzuka Kiba."
Kiba grinned and gave a thumbs-up. "You were amazing just now!"
"Aburame Shiki," Shiki said, shaking his hand. Kiba's enthusiasm was genuine—kids weren't complicated. If they liked someone, they simply wanted to be around them.
[Achievement Unlocked: "Fox and Dog Friends"]Reward: Little Light GuLittle Light Gu: A First-Stage Gu. Enhances the attack power of the Moonlight Gu.
Shiki couldn't help but think: Really? You're even giving me achievements that make sense in social interactions?
Then it hit him—the achievement appeared because he met Kiba. So, "dog friend" meant Kiba, and "fox friend"… must be Naruto.
Could he really be a genius?
Hinata quietly ate her lunch, her small face occasionally contorted with inner conflict. The excitement belonged to them; she had nothing. She wanted to join in, but she didn't summon the courage all afternoon.
"Shiki-kun, walking home together?"
Ino, carrying her bag, stood in front of him, posture straight, a look of anticipation on her face.
"Next time, for sure," Shiki said, shaking his head. "I have other things to do."
"I see." Ino didn't persist. Though she was infatuated with handsome boys, she had restraint.
"See you tomorrow," she said, walking out of the classroom with a light, bouncy step.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura ran after Uchiha Sasuke.
"Shino, go with Naruto and the others," Shiki instructed, stepping ahead.
"He's going to the Konoha Hospital," Aburame Shino explained, reading Naruto's puzzled expression.
"I know that," Kiba chimed in. "My sister said it—Shiki's medical ninja talent is terrifyingly good."
His sister was Inuzuka Hana, the medical vet in the medical class.
Hyūga Hinata trudged along the school streets, disappointed. So many chances, all missed. Beyond knowing his name, she hadn't even spoken a word.
Suddenly, she stopped. Her head lifted instinctively, spotting Aburame Shiki not far ahead.
"Huh?"
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Wanna eat together?" Shiki asked, glancing back.
Eat together?
Hinata felt dizzy, her cheeks burning inexplicably. She bit her lip, words failing her.
Today wasn't an exceptional day—it was against the Hyūga rules. Dinner meant going home, or at least seeking her father's approval.
"Then, tomorrow," Shiki said, walking ahead, leaving her his back. "Don't let anyone else know."
Shyness didn't equal weakness.
Hinata, despite her hesitance, was actually strong in canon. Her timidity now stemmed from the Hyūga family's strict rules and her fear of Hizashi.
Shiki's plan was simple: break the rules, confront the fear. Just like in his previous life when he climbed over the school wall—once, and then countless times thereafter.