The Youth Never Cared About the Stones Beneath His Feet

"You two passed. Pack up, let's go eat."

Aburame Keiichi said dismissively, patting his clothes. He casually picked up Morino Kei, who was lying on the ground, and tied him to a nearby wooden post.

"As for the one who failed, I'm afraid you'll have to go back to the Ninja Academy and fight for another year."

Aburame Keiichi bent down and looked at Morino Kei, his expression playful as he gazed at the boy who looked weak but still unconvinced.

"Well, as a punishment for failing, you can stay tied up here for a while. Starving a bit will help you remember."

"Nyah, nyah, nyah, what's with that face? You look like you're suffering deeply. I'm just tying you up for a bit and making you hungry to teach you a lesson. If this were a real combat situation, your reckless behavior would have meant your grave was already being dug."

Aburame Keiichi raised an eyebrow and said.

"As for you two, eat first. I'm going to change. You little brat, you hit too hard. I'm getting chills down my back."

Aburame Keiichi shook his head and walked out, then suddenly turned back.

"Also, no feeding him. As your instructor, I have the right to give you orders, and you must obey them completely."

"Ninja exist to complete missions above all else. Everything else is secondary and can be discarded when facing a mission. Understand?"

The man half-turned, the wrinkles from his years of squinting looking somewhat fierce.

"Do not disobey my orders, or you'll be sent back to the Ninja Academy with him..."

As his voice faded, Aburame Keiichi disappeared from his spot.

Only the two of them remained, looking at each other.

"So, is Kei really going to be sent back to the Ninja Academy..."

Hyuga Rei sat cross-legged with her lunchbox, her expression somewhat solemn.

"Well... who knows? Most likely," Uchiha Kai said, shaking his head.

Although Uchiha Kai said this, he was indifferent in his heart.

After all, this was a classic test from the original story – the bell-stealing exercise. The true core of it was that as long as one shared their bento with their companions and showed they valued them, they could pass this hidden test.

But it didn't matter. Based on the boy's personality, he would have done this even without knowing the plot beforehand.

This was because he had the capital to bear the consequences.

Thus, the arrogant Uchiha casually opened his bento, praising the luxurious meal.

"Whoa—roast meat, pork cutlet, tempura. Not a single vegetable in sight," the boy said in surprise.

"Ah... eating so much fried food in the morning will make me gain weight..." the girl sent a signal of self-discipline.

The aroma of fried food and roast meat wafted out. Uchiha Kai, who hadn't eaten breakfast and had just gone through an intense battle, was running on empty. His stomach was already protesting.

He picked up his chopsticks and took a large bite, his eyes lighting up. "Surprisingly good. Teacher Keiichi has good taste."

"Gurgle..."

Morino Kei, sitting beside them, blushed and tried to lower his head to hide the mournful sounds from his stomach.

"Oh? You look hungry, Kei-san~"

Uchiha Kai said teasingly, but chewed even louder.

"Nyah! Isn't that obvious!" Morino Kei suddenly shouted, then slumped back down, as if all his strength and options were gone.

"Ah... being hungry was one thing, but then that insidious teacher used his Kikaichū to drain a bunch of my energy. I feel like I'm about to starve to death..."

Morino Kei's expression was bleak, as if his soul had left his body.

The next second, the enticing aroma drew closer. Morino Kei sniffed, confused. When he looked up, he saw the boy holding a large piece of roast meat to his mouth.

"Open up, young master, who needs to be fed," Uchiha Kai teased.

"? Don't do that. Did you forget what that guy just said?!" Morino Kei asked, bewildered.

"And then?" Uchiha Kai raised an eyebrow, looking unconcerned.

"What 'and then'?! I'm out, but do you really want to go back to school for another year?!" Morino Kei's voice was urgent.

"How many years of effort have you put in? Don't you know yourself?! You don't need to waste a year out of spite!"

"So?" The boy was unyielding.

"What 'so'?! Are you even listening to me?! Stop messing around and just eat. I won't die from being hungry for a while. Besides, that old pervert is probably watching us right now!"

"Think about it, Kai. You never used to act so impulsively."

Morino Kei earnestly advised, anxious like an ant on a hot pan, afraid that Uchiha Kai would make an irrational decision out of a moment of hot-headedness.

"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about? Who's being impulsive? Do I look like that kind of hot-headed idiot?"

Uchiha Kai showed a strange expression and glanced at Morino Kei.

"You're being impulsive right now! You arrogant jerk!" Morino Kei's face turned red. With a surge of strength he didn't know he had, he struggled as if to free his hands to hit Uchiha Kai.

"Am I? I don't think so," the boy looked around, feigning ignorance.

"I only see my companion, who fought alongside me, starving with his back against his stomach, and I happen to have a large and delicious bento in my hand."

"A match made in heaven! This is practically kindergarten-level decryption, anyone normal would know what to do." the boy said, shrugging.

"But..." Morino Kei still wanted to say something, but was interrupted by the boy.

"There's no 'but', worst case scenario, we go back together." Uchiha Kai moved his chopsticks forward another two inches.

"Ah~ Open wide, young master."

"I... gulp" Morino Kei's eyes widened, his nose twitched.

The next second, he was roughly shoved a mouthful of food.

"Mmm~ Delicious!"

Morino Kei let out an exaggerated sound, a warm current flowed through his stomach, and his tired body felt much better.

"Here~ Eat up." The girl beside him also offered her bento.

"Huh?! Rei, you..."

"So much fried food, if I eat it all, my figure will be ruined."

Morino Kei looked at the girl in surprise, this stubborn genius who never backed down from anyone.

"Don't think I'll feed you, use your own mouth." Hyuga Rei turned her head away, saying proudly.

"Wuwuwuwuwuwu! Kai! Rei!"

"I'm so touched!!" he exclaimed, burying his head in the bento. Morino Kei's eating manners were utterly hideous, no different from the ninja hounds of the Inuzuka clan.

"If you dare to drip snot on me, I'll kill you..." Hyuga Rei's veins bulged as she said softly, watching Morino Kei's exaggerated expression.

"Haha, then I'll break one of your legs." Uchiha Kai joined the group teasing Morino Kei with a wicked grin.

"Waaah! Is eating a meal this costly!"

The three of them burst into laughter, the unpleasantness from before completely forgotten.

A breeze blew, and a few leaves drifted to the ground, only to be crushed by combat boots that appeared out of nowhere.

"Huh?! You two, you completely ignored what I said, didn't you?"

Aburame Keiichi, who had suddenly appeared, spoke with a chilling tone, his gaze fixed unpleasantly on Morino Kei, who was busily devouring his bento.

"As Ninja, you disregarded your superior's orders and acted on your own." Aburame Keiichi drew out his words.

"You can't even do something this simple." Suddenly, a surge of anger erupted, an invisible killing intent enveloped the three, causing birds to scatter and leaves to hang suspended.

"Are you, trash?"