Gifting a Pet, Feed Decays

The next day, Uchiha Tunan woke up early and left the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Instead of heading directly to the Ninja Academy, he went to a pet shop in the commercial district and picked out a kitten.

The kitten was pure white with pink paw pads, making it exceptionally cute.

After placing the kitten in a small cage provided by the shop, Uchiha Tunan finally headed to the Ninja Academy.

As soon as he entered the classroom, he, as usual, drew many gazes, including those of Hyuga Senrin and Uchiha Mina.

Oh, and Kakashi too.

Uchiha Tunan walked straight to Uchiha Mina and placed the cage on her desk.

"I thought about it last night, and this little guy might be able to help you."

Uchiha Mina looked at the kitten in the cage and said with surprise, "Tunan-kun, is this a gift for me?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

Seeing this, the classmates in the classroom started to tease them again.

In a corner unnoticed by anyone, Hyuga Senrin was completely lost in thought, her fists clenched tightly under the desk.

Her fingernails broke the skin of her palm, and a trickle of blood flowed from between her fingers.

Although Uchiha Mina had been taught a lesson by Hyuga Senrin last time.

As a member of the Uchiha Clan, she wasn't truly afraid of Hyuga Senrin.

Moreover, Uchiha Mina felt that the gap between them wasn't that significant.

Especially with Uchiha Tunan's guidance, she believed she would be able to defeat Hyuga Senrin soon.

Now, facing the pet Uchiha Tunan had proactively gifted her, she accepted it without any psychological burden.

During class, Mizuki Uno was lecturing at the podium.

Uchiha Tunan listened attentively as always, even though he had already mastered the content.

But to maintain his persona in everyone's eyes, he had to pretend to be listening intently.

Hyuga Senrin sat rigidly in her seat, her vacant eyes fixed on Uchiha Tunan's back.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Mina was quietly playing with the kitten Uchiha Tunan had given her.

Facing the kitten curled up in the cage, Uchiha Mina curiously reached her finger inside.

The kitten cautiously poked its head out, sniffed her finger, then extended its pink tongue and licked it.

Uchiha Mina's heart melted instantly.

She looked up at Uchiha Tunan's back in front of her, her heart filled with sweetness.

Tunan-kun, don't worry, I'll take good care of this little guy.

After the first class ended.

Hyuga Senrin, with a face full of coldness, approached Uchiha Mina.

"Come out."

Hyuga Senrin said in a low voice, then walked towards the training ground.

Uchiha Mina glanced at Uchiha Tunan, who was engrossed in his book, then followed without fear.

Under the shade of a tree on the training ground, Hyuga Senrin and Uchiha Mina stood facing each other.

"Do you really think I wouldn't kill you?" Veins bulged around Hyuga Senrin's eyes, and a morbid ruthlessness appeared on her face.

"Hmph, why aren't you pretending to be weak anymore? Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you've activated your Byakugan." Uchiha Mina crossed her arms, looking at Hyuga Senrin with the demeanor of a victor.

Hyuga Senrin slowly raised her hand, forming the starting stance for the Gentle Fist, and said coldly:

"People of the same kind can only be together with people of the same kind.

Tunan-kun and I are both orphans. I am the most suitable person for him."

Uchiha Mina lowered her hands, took a kunai from her ninja tool pouch, and pointed it at Hyuga Senrin.

"Ridiculous. My parents died during the Second Shinobi World War.

By your logic, I'm also an orphan. Why should I give Tunan-kun to you?"

Hyuga Senrin was slightly taken aback and fell silent for a long time, as if pondering something.

This was the Ninja Academy. At most, she could teach Uchiha Mina a lesson, but she couldn't actually kill her.

The consequence would be punishment, and if Tunan-kun found out, she might never have another chance.

With that thought, Hyuga Senrin deactivated her Byakugan, then knelt on the ground, supporting herself with her hands.

"I'm begging you, give Tunan-kun to me. You still have your clan.

But I have nothing. I can't lose Tunan-kun."

If the hard way doesn't work, I'll have to try the soft approach.

Uchiha Mina hadn't expected Hyuga Senrin to pull a stunt like that.

"Just give up."

Uchiha Mina's tone softened slightly as she continued, "Oh, right. There's something you might not know."

Hyuga Senrin looked up, her gaze questioning Uchiha Mina.

"The Hyuga Clan doesn't allow marriage with outsiders, you know. I never really liked you, and I don't see you as a romantic rival."

After speaking, Uchiha Mina smirked slightly, then put away her kunai and walked towards the classroom. Clearly, Hyuga Senrin's kneeling earlier had put her in an excellent mood. The shadow of her previous defeat had completely vanished.

Under the shade of the trees on the training grounds.

Hyuga Senrin was left kneeling there, her head bowed deeply, her face a mask of madness.

It wasn't until class was about to start that Hyuga Senrin walked into the classroom like a zombie.

The fact that the Hyuga Clan didn't allow marriage with outsiders was something most people in Konoha knew. It just wasn't gossip, so no one really brought it up. Hyuga Senrin had never really thought about it before. But with Uchiha Mina pointing it out, Hyuga Senrin immediately remembered that everyone she saw in the clan compound was a Hyuga. She had never seen a married Hyuga outside the compound, nor had she seen anyone marry into the Hyuga Clan. A simple confirmation was enough for Hyuga Senrin to realize Uchiha Mina was telling the truth.

During class, Hyuga Senrin didn't hear a single word the teacher said. Her face was as pale as paper, and her eyes seemed to glisten with unshed tears, which she desperately held back. So, it's impossible for me to be with Tunan. Even if Tunan liked me, it wouldn't matter. The Main Family wouldn't allow it. Hyuga Senrin raised her hand, reaching into her thick bangs to touch the Caged Bird Seal. Is there no possibility of eloping, of leaving everything behind? The Caged Bird... a restraint that can never be broken. Only death offers release. But the world of the dead doesn't have Tunan. Thinking this, Hyuga Senrin shifted her gaze to Uchiha Tunan's back. Tunan, even if I have to die, I'll be with you.

On the large tree outside the window, two white pigeons nestled together. Uchiha Tunan had witnessed everything that had happened between the two women. Although he didn't know what they said, he could guess most of it. Hyuga Senrin was essentially a lost cause. All she cared about was romance, and he had wasted precious time taking her out to eat. He had given her enough hope to encourage her to compete with Uchiha Mina, but she hadn't focused on training. Looking at her now, she seemed quite dejected. This backup option was a bust; he could only count on Uchiha Mina. After all, from the looks of it, Uchiha Mina seemed quite fond of that little cat. Once she poured enough emotion into the cat, Uchiha Tunan planned to find a suitable opportunity before the Third War to kill it. This might just awaken Uchiha Mina's high-level Sharingan.