Immortality?

"You little rascal. Mikoto was gone for only one day, and you were already getting involved with another girl. You're a total scumbag." Nawaki looked at Hyuga Shin with contempt.

Nawaki's voice wasn't quiet, and every student's eyes turned toward Hyuga Shin and Kushina Uzumaki. All the boys looked at Shin with disdain, though there was also a hint of envy mixed in.

The girls, meanwhile, all looked at Kushina with envy.

Hyuga Shin shrugged and didn't bother explaining. No one would believe him anyway, so what was the point? Besides, he did have a bit of a soft spot for Kushina.

Just try having someone else bite Hyuga Shin. If he didn't knock their teeth out, they'd be lucky to have teeth sturdy enough to withstand it.

"Don't you all say such things!" Kushina stood up, her face bright red.

"Look at her blushing. With that red hair, she looks even more like a tomato. She can't compare to the gentle Mikoto. I can't believe Shin likes tomatoes. He has no taste at all."

"I, I..." Tears welled in Kushina's eyes, but she fought to keep them from falling.

"That's enough! Stop it." Hyuga Shin's expression was cold.

Even Nawaki, the biggest troublemaker, sat down sheepishly at the look on Shin's face. The others didn't dare say another word.

"Actually, red hair isn't ugly. Your chubby little face is pretty cute, too. At the Ninja Academy, you're prettier and cuter than every other girl except Mikoto," Hyuga Shin said softly.

"R-really?" Kushina asked, her voice unsteady with tears.

"Of course. If you don't believe me, look around the class. Even Tomoko Uzumaki, who came here with you, isn't as pretty or cute as you."

"Mm!" Kushina nodded, then said earnestly, "Thanks for comforting me. I promise I'll let you off the hook once after school. I won't hit you."

Hyuga Shin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He hadn't realized Kushina had been planning to beat him up after school.

After the morning classes ended, it was time for lunch. Kushina realized, to her embarrassment, that she hadn't brought a bento.

Seeing the awkward look on Kushina's face, Hyuga Shin smiled and took out his enormous bento.

"Let's eat together!"

"Why did you bring so much?" Even five people might not have been able to finish the huge bento.

"Because I knew you wouldn't bring one, so I brought enough for you," Hyuga Shin said mysteriously.

"Hehe. Do you think I'm three years old? But since you invited me so sincerely, I won't be shy." Kushina happily reached for a seaweed rice roll and took a small bite.

"It's delicious! This is the best seaweed roll I've ever had," Kushina exclaimed.

"No wonder it's a bento made by Mikoto. It smells amazing! Can I have a piece?" Nawaki came over, shamelessly begging.

"Here, take a skewer of dango and get lost." Hyuga Shin picked up a skewer of glutinous rice dumplings and handed it to Nawaki.

Nawaki left happily, and Kushina's expression darkened.

"Who exactly is Mikoto? What's your relationship with her?" Kushina asked, pretending not to care.

Whenever Mikoto came up, Kushina felt uncomfortable. For some reason, she felt a hint of hostility toward this Mikoto she'd never even met.

"You'll find out tomorrow. Our relationship? We're the closest people in the world to each other." As he spoke, Hyuga Shin continued eating his bento.

Kushina puffed out her cheeks, swallowed the last bite of her seaweed roll, and said angrily, "I'm full."

"You're full after one seaweed roll?" Hyuga Shin asked in surprise. But then he remembered that Mikoto didn't eat much either, and understood.

He'd understood nothing. Kushina was only full because she was so mad she'd worked up an appetite for anger.

Honestly, Kushina didn't even know why she was upset. She just was.

After Hyuga Shin finished eating, Kushina stared at him, stunned. Could he really eat more than a pig?

"What are you staring at? Sure, I eat a lot, but I didn't eat your family's steamed buns."

"Why do you have to be so annoying?" Kushina fumed. She'd been at the Academy for half a day, and she'd already gotten angrier than she had in years.

The lunch break soon ended, and the afternoon practical lesson began. Since two new students had joined, Ueno Juri needed to explain things to them separately, so Hyuga Shin and the others were left to their own devices.

"Shin, I can use the Water Wave Technique now. Want to see?" Nawaki came over to him.

"Why do you keep coming over to me? Sometimes I really wonder about your sexual orientation. Get lost. What does it matter to me if you can use a ninjutsu?"

Hyuga Shin pushed Nawaki away in disgust.

"You care more about girls than your friends. I'll go find someone else." Nawaki left in a huff to show off his ninjutsu to Shikaku Nara and the others.

This time, there was no repeat of yesterday's hilarious incident. Nawaki successfully used the Water Wave Technique, and the wave was big enough to flood half the training ground.

The consequences were, of course, severe. Nawaki was now standing under the sun as punishment. Poor Nawaki.

"School is so boring!" After practicing his swordsmanship, Hyuga Shin lay on the sandy ground nearby, feeling a little bored.

But Hyuga Shin had never considered graduating early or joining the Anbu. The Anbu's rules were too strict, and he didn't want to be tied down.

These next few years at the Academy would also give him time to build up his strength. By the time he graduated from the Ninja Academy, he estimated he'd definitely be at Kage Level.

By then, even if that guy Madara Uchiha came looking for trouble, Hyuga Shin wouldn't fear him at all. He might even be able to kill him.

Still, the odds wouldn't be high. Even with Madara Uchiha on death's door, Hyuga Shin wouldn't dare underestimate him. Who knew how many tricks he had up his sleeve?

"Just keep training bit by bit. This kind of life isn't bad, either." Looking up at the dazzling sun, Hyuga Shin smiled.

This life was a hundred times better than the nine-to-five grind he'd had before he crossed over.

Hyuga Shin stayed there until school let out. Then he got up, dusted the sand off himself, and went home alone.

When he got home, Mikoto had already made dinner and was waiting for him.

After greeting Mikoto, Hyuga Shin washed his hands and sat down to eat.

After dinner, Hyuga Shin told Mikoto about the two transfer students, Kushina and Tomoko.

"Then this Kushina Uzumaki must be very pretty, right?" Mikoto smiled at Hyuga Shin, a cold glint in her eyes as a dark aura seemed to envelop her.

"Is she jealous?" Cold sweat appeared on Hyuga Shin's forehead. This was the first time he'd seen Mikoto like this. What a terrifying presence!

"She can't compare to you. You're the prettiest person in the world, Mikoto," Shin said, wiping the sweat from his brow. Jealous women were terrifying, even when Mikoto was still a little girl.

"Is that so? What do you think would happen if I told Tsunade about what you just said?" Mikoto smiled brightly, though her words were wicked.

"You've changed, Mikoto. You're not the endlessly gentle girl I used to know," Hyuga Shin said gloomily, his expression dismal.

Mikoto burst out laughing, then said softly, "As long as you don't forget me, that's all I need. I don't expect too much."