Late at night, Hoshino Clan compound.
Inside the clan head's room, candlelight flickered across Hoshino Ichiro's dark expression.
"Why hasn't Shōhei returned yet?!"
His face shifted between light and shadow.
In Konoha, carrying out something like this required careful planning. Ichiro hadn't expected Hoshino Shōhei to complete the task in a single day.
But even if he was still observing Yoru and waiting for the right moment—
At the very least, he should have sent back a message.
"…Did he take the scroll and run?"
Ichiro's frown loosened slightly.
"No… impossible."
Shōhei had been sent on a mission he wasn't meant to survive.
Even if he tried to escape, Konoha's ANBU would hunt him down without fail.
Besides, his parents and younger brother were still within the clan.
Given Ichiro's understanding of him—
He would never make such a choice.
"…Unless—"
Ichiro's expression suddenly changed.
"…Let's hope not."
Morning.
The rising sun was as beautiful as ever.
Yet to Hoshino Ichiro—
It felt blinding.
"Third Hokage…"
His expression darkened.
"Is an orphan really worth assigning a shinobi above Chunin level to guard him at all times?!"
In his eyes, the fact that there had been no news for so long meant only one thing—
Hoshino Shōhei was already dead.
And the only ones capable of doing that—
Were the shinobi sent by the Third Hokage to watch over Yoru.
As for the possibility that Yoru himself had done it?
Impossible.
A Chunin losing to a six-year-old Academy student?
Even the wildest fiction wouldn't dare write something like that.
"It seems… this matter will require a longer plan."
Monday. Year 1, Class A.
"Good morning, Mikoto!"
Seeing his deskmate, the fatigue from two days of intense training seemed to fade instantly.
Yesterday, Yoru had continued training his body within a reasonable limit. Worried about possible danger outside, he didn't go to the riverside.
Instead—
He trained inside all day.
From barely managing one hundred push-ups on the first day—
To completing one hundred twenty-five on his final set yesterday.
An astonishing rate of progress!
If the Marines from the One Piece world saw this, countless jaws would drop.
Normally, this level of improvement would take half a year of training at Marine Headquarters.
Yoru—
Did it in just two days.
And yet—
He had still felt it was too slow!
If those trainees aiming to become great Marines heard that, they'd probably want to beat him up on the spot.
"Good morning, Yoru."
Mikoto's voice was as gentle as ever, soft and warm.
Hmm… what should we name our future child…
"Hey, Hoshino-kun, what did you do this weekend?"
"Hoshino-kun, let's hang out next weekend!"
…
"Uh… just call me Yoru," he said.
His thoughts were instantly interrupted by several enthusiastic girls from the class.
"Ahhh!!!"
The girls around him blushed and covered their faces, letting out excited screams.
"Hi, Yoru-san!"
They called out in unison, full of joy.
"Hey! What are you yelling for, you idiot?!"
"He told me to call him that, you shameless witch!"
"What did you say, you pig?!"
…
Who knew girls in the Naruto world matured this early?
They were only six!
And already their minds were full of things like this!
And as for looks—
Sorry, but in this world, everyone was part of the looks club!
The enthusiastic (and slightly terrifying) energy of these anime girls left Yoru sweating.
Too intense.
Way too intense for six-year-olds!
"You're quite popular, Yoru-san."
Yoru turned to Mikoto.
She was still gentle as ever…
But something felt slightly off.
"No matter what others say, it's not as good as hearing you say 'good morning, Yoru'… Mikoto."
At that moment, Yoru looked like a devoted prince from a story, gazing at her with a soft expression.
"D-Don't say such strange things, Yoru!"
Mikoto froze for a moment before her face flushed red, like a ripe cherry.
"Morning, Yoru!"
"Ah! Minato-kun!"
"What a bright smile—I can't take it!"
Just as Yoru thought the moment between them was perfect—
A very untimely voice cut in.
"…Ah, morning."
Yoru tilted his head, his face darkening as he looked at Minato.
For some reason—
He really wanted to land a magma punch on that sunny face.
"Uh… did I come at a bad time?"
Seeing Yoru's expression and Mikoto's shy appearance, Minato gave a helpless smile.
"Class is starting! Quiet down! Back to your seats!"
Just as the classroom grew noisy again, Nakamura Hino's angry shout rang out once more.
The class instantly fell silent.