Kushina Uzumaki

"Mikoto, did you get enough rest last night?"

Mikoto looked exhausted, and Hyuga Matsuba could not help but worry.

"Yes. I thought about what you told me yesterday for a long time, then practiced for a while. Before I even had the chance to sleep, it was already morning."

"Mikoto, I'm saying this for your own good. The longer you train, the more physical strength you'll expend. If this continues, it could very well endanger your life. Take my advice and rest for a while these next few days."

Hyuga Matsuba looked utterly serious.

He was absolutely not joking this time. Chakra was not an unlimited power like the abilities in other worlds. Its effects were indeed powerful, but the strain it placed on the body was also extremely severe.

"I understand what you mean, but if I don't do this now, how else am I supposed to train myself?" Mikoto pursed her lips.

Mikoto was now capable of controlling some simple techniques, but for more advanced Ninjutsu, she did not have enough Chakra.

So, Mikoto could only cultivate by refining Chakra.

"I have a treasure to give you. I was planning to mention it later, but it seems better to give it to you now."

Hyuga Matsuba placed a notebook detailing the techniques for Six Powers, Armament Haki, and Observation Haki into Mikoto's hands.

Those were the only things Hyuga Matsuba gave Mikoto. Even if he possessed more powerful skills, she simply could not use them.

To obtain stronger skills, she first needed to be prepared. If he suddenly told her about them now, Mikoto would definitely be overwhelmed with excitement.

"Taijutsu?" Mikoto flipped through the book and carefully put it away. Since Hyuga Matsuba had said so, this book had to be important. He did not mean her any harm.

"You don't look well today, so don't continue training. I'll tell the teacher for you. Stay home, get a good night's sleep, and look through the notebook I gave you—but don't start practicing it casually yet." Hyuga Matsuba reminded her once more, packed up his things, and left for school.

Mikoto agreed. She watched Hyuga Matsuba leave with a gentle gaze, then turned and returned to her bedroom to sleep.

When he entered the classroom, Nawaki, who had arrived early, opened his mouth wide in surprise.

"Where's Mikoto? Why didn't she come? You Ximen Qing, did you dump her?!"

"Shut your mouth already. What nonsense is going through that head of yours? She isn't feeling well today, so I asked for leave for her." Hyuga Matsuba said disdainfully.

"Why do you always roll your eyes at me? Do you look down on me?"

"Haha." The students beside them all thought Nawaki was foolish.

Hearing everyone laugh, Nawaki felt that they were all looking down on him. His face darkened at once as he glared angrily at the students around him.

"I'm really worried about your intelligence. What are you going to do in the future?" Hyuga Matsuba said leisurely.

The students gradually arrived in the classroom. Everyone played and joked together, their voices growing louder and louder, until they reluctantly quieted down just before class began.

"Huh? What's going on? At this hour, the teacher should have started class already. Why hasn't she shown up? Could she be feeling unwell?" Nawaki asked.

"Maybe the teacher is still busy. Why are you cursing her like that?" Shikaku Nara shot Nawaki a glance.

"Shikaku, your imagination really is limited, just like Hyuga Matsuba's."

"Inoichi, say what you want, but don't drag me into it. And Choza, keep your eating quieter. It's too noisy." Hyuga Matsuba turned his head.

"I thought you were sleeping." Yamanaka Inoichi rubbed his nose.

After saying that, Hyuga Matsuba turned back around and continued cultivating. He also wanted to know why the teacher had not come yet.

Ueno Juri had always led by example and had never been late. This was the first time.

After a long while, Teacher Yamano finally entered the classroom, accompanied by two little red-haired girls.

Staring at the two little girls, Hyuga Matsuba felt that they looked familiar. With that appearance, could one of them be Kushina Uzumaki? Then who was the one beside her?

Hyuga Matsuba was curious. If it really was Kushina Uzumaki, that would make sense, but who was beside her? Could she also be a bug?

"They are Kushina Uzumaki and Tomoko Uzumaki. They are students who have just enrolled at the academy, and from now on, they will be members of our class. I hope everyone gets along peacefully." Ueno Juri explained.

Then she said to the two little girls, "You can choose any seats you like. Sit wherever you want."

Kushina Uzumaki clearly had the temperament of a boy, but the girl beside her was completely different. She was extremely shy, her face so red it was almost unbelievable.

"Their hair is so unusual. It's bright red, almost like Choza's."

"Yeah, yeah, look at that Kushina Uzumaki. Her face is so round, and with that distinctive hair, she looks just like an apple."

Kushina Uzumaki was speechless, but she could not say anything. She held herself back as she walked to Hyuga Matsuba's side and plopped down in Mikoto's seat.

Hyuga Matsuba did not know what to say.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have a problem with me? Keep staring, and I'll hit you." Kushina raised her fist, pretending she was about to punch him.

"This desk is piled with books. I have a deskmate." Hyuga Matsuba gestured toward the books on the desk with his chin.

"What does that have to do with me? Sitting here is my freedom. You can't control me. Are you going to tell me what to do? I refuse to listen to you. What can you do about it?" Kushina's tone was provocative.

"Fine for today. But once my deskmate comes back, you can't sit here anymore." Hyuga Matsuba lay down on the desk and ignored her.

"Huh? Where's Mikoto?" The teacher had been about to tell everyone to quiet down when she suddenly noticed one student was missing, so she asked the class.

"Teacher, she said she was feeling a little unwell today, so I'd like to ask for leave on her behalf." Hyuga Matsuba raised his hand.

"What happened? Is she feeling very unwell?" Ueno Juri pressed.

"No, she just hasn't had enough rest. She's staying home to sleep for a while today," Hyuga Matsuba continued.

"Alright." Ueno Juri understood, then put on a teacherly air. "You little troublemakers, I already warned you before. It's only been a moment, and you've already started bullying the newcomers. If there is a next time, I will punish you severely."

"Kushina can sit there for now. Tomoko, sit in the back today. I'll rearrange things after some time."

"Okay!" Tomoko Uzummaki's face was bright red as she turned and lowered her head, heading for the assigned seat.

"Everyone, there's no need to be so shy," Ueno Juri reminded them. These two students had been personally entrusted to her by the Hokage, so there could not be the slightest mistake.