The Light of Day, How Can It Know the Depth of Night

"Shikaku, your voice is way too loud. You've even drawn the teacher's attention," Genichi whispered, complaining.

"Heh." Shikaku twitched the corner of his mouth. "We were already discovered ages ago, so don't go blaming me for this."

"Then it's all your fault, Minato. How could you turn around and chat with a classmate during class?" Genichi continued, skillfully shifting the blame.

"I'm sorry, Genichi. It's my fault."

Minato, who had aspired to be an excellent ninja, hadn't expected to be punished by standing outside the door during his very first lesson. He replied with a listless tone.

"Tell me, are we really just going to stand here at the door like idiots for the whole period?" Genichi asked, testing the waters with a hint of annoyance.

"What are you planning, Genichi? You aren't thinking of skipping class, are you? That doesn't seem right, and I feel like Sarutobi-sensei is already quite angry," Minato replied timidly.

"Forget it. I don't want to be called in by my parents on the first day. Just thinking about it is a hassle." Shikaku intended to stand there obediently for the period and act as if nothing had happened.

"By the way, I accidentally overheard you two talking earlier. What exactly does the Wind and Lightning affinity have to do with this so-called 'protagonist'?"

Hearing this, Genichi didn't know how to explain it. He looked quietly out the window, remaining silent.

Minato also asked curiously, "Yeah, why is that?"

After a long while, Genichi finally spoke slowly, his tone seemingly profound: "If I do not speak, you naturally cannot comprehend. But even if I were to explain it, would you truly be able to understand?"

"Heh, is this 'chunibyo'?" Shikaku felt he had grasped the truth and decided not to probe further, changing the subject.

"Right, Genichi, I heard you say yesterday that you enjoy playing board games? Is it Shogi? Shall we play sometime when we're free?"

"That's no problem at all. But for now, we should prioritize ninja training to improve our strength. We can have a proper match when we have some free time," Genichi replied with a smile.

Just like that, the two felt as if they had met a kindred spirit. They nodded at each other on the surface, and the atmosphere turned friendly once more.

Free time after training? Shikaku thought to himself. Doesn't that mean I'm free every day? Occasionally crushing a newbie wouldn't be bad; I'll just treat it as a change of pace.

Board games? Genichi planned internally. Not a chance. Once my strength is up, I'll show you who the real Chess Saint of Konoha is.

At this moment, the classroom gradually quieted down, as if self-study had begun. Genichi peeked toward the door and saw Sarutobi-sensei walking out with a stern face. He spoke solemnly:

"Tell me, what is going on with you three? Why aren't you listening during the first lesson? This is the [Detailed Explanation of the Will of Fire] written personally by the Third Hokage. Is it not worth your serious study?"

Reflexively, Chiba Genichi immediately retorted, "Stop! Is the Will of Fire something that can be explained just by talking? Can one become an heir to the Will of Fire simply by memorizing this book?

Absolutely not. We, as classmates, help each other and improve our strength so that in the future, we can better protect our village and our companions. That is the true Will of Fire.

Sarutobi-sensei, your suspicion is directed at the Fire... I mean, your understanding of the Will of Fire is a bit superficial."

Sarutobi Kimura opened his mouth, unable to find words. He hadn't intended to punish them severely, only to give them a warning and send them back, but that was no longer possible. Since it involved the Will of Fire, he had to maintain his dignity as a teacher.

After thinking it over carefully, he felt Genichi's words actually held some merit. Unable to find a point to argue, he had no choice but to darken his face and say:

"I don't want to discuss this with you. Bring your parents here tomorrow."

Hearing this, Genichi stepped forward and said with feigned sadness, "My parents went out on a village mission when I was three and sacrificed themselves for the village!"

He then spread his hands and looked at Minato. "Minato, what about you?"

Minato scratched his head and replied helplessly, "I grew up in the Konoha orphanage. I've never seen my parents."

"Why are you looking at me?" Shikaku felt a bit unnerved under their gaze and said with a look of despair, "My dad is the clan head of the Nara clan, and he's still alive."

Tricky, this is too tricky. Sarutobi Kimura hadn't expected his ultimate weapon for dealing with problematic students to fail because he couldn't select a target. After struggling with it for a moment, he decided it wasn't a major issue and said:

"Sigh, forget it. I'll forgive you this time. Make sure you listen carefully in class from now on."

"Sarutobi-sensei, the knowledge taught at the Ninja Academy is too basic. To be honest, it's a waste of time and doesn't suit geniuses like us. Why don't we let our grades do the talking?" Genichi didn't intend to end it there, so he spoke confidently:

"If our grades are excellent, then don't interfere with our usual behavior."

His blood pressure spiked again. Sarutobi Kimura, who had just caught his breath, finally understood that this Chiba Genichi was surely a problematic student who would rank among the top since the academy's founding.

Forcing himself to calm his inner emotions, Sarutobi Kimura said through gritted teeth, "Is that so? Then I shall look forward to your performance in the future!"

Minato felt somewhat innocent, while Shikaku looked at the ceiling, speechless. Is this what you call a dream of living a peaceful life? Why does it feel like you're causing trouble every single second, Genichi?

The great Chiba Genichi finally returned to his loyal throne.

"The teacher didn't punish you too harshly, did he?" Mikoto asked with concern.

"It's fine. From now on, we can move freely during his classes as long as we don't disturb others," Genichi said, stating the result calmly.

"Huh?" Mikoto's beautiful eyes widened, and her small head was filled with great confusion.

"Why didn't he punish you? This sounds more like a reward."

"That's naturally because of the Will of Fire. I've already convinced the teacher. Mikoto, you can relax a bit during class from now on too."

"Really?" Mikoto was also a bit happy. She had already learned some of the textbook knowledge within her clan, so it would be quite boring to learn it a second time in class.

"By the way, Mikoto, do you know where the school cafeteria is?" Ever since he started exercising consciously, Genichi felt his appetite had increased.

"Cafeteria?" Mikoto asked, puzzled. "Where would the Ninja Academy get a cafeteria? Genichi, don't tell me you didn't prepare a bento for yourself?"

"Huh? No way, buddy. Are you telling me that the Ninja Academy, one of the core facilities of the strongest ninja village in the entire Ninja World, doesn't even have a cafeteria, and students have to bring their own lunch?"

Genichi, who had only registered yesterday and gone home before noon, found it unbelievable and asked tentatively, "Then, can I sneak out of school to eat lunch at noon?"

"That doesn't seem right. Would you like to try the bento I made myself?" In a good mood, Mikoto took out the bento she had carefully prepared from her drawer.

Because it was her first time preparing a bento for school, Mikoto Uchiha was especially meticulous this morning, and the portion size far exceeded what she usually made.

The food in the bento was arranged with exquisite order, the rich combination of ingredients catching the eye; tender chicken paired with crisp vegetables, accented by an alluring sauce, made for a perfectly balanced meal.

Genichi swallowed hard, then praised, "It looks delicious. You really are virtuous, Mikoto. You're so good to me that I don't even know how to repay you. How about I just offer myself to you?"

"In your dreams!" Her cheeks flushed instantly, turning the color of a ripe apple. Already shy about sharing a bento with a boy, Mikoto immediately pulled the bento back.

"Hehe, you two really have a great relationship," Hana, who was sitting nearby, teased with a smile.

Genichi felt nothing in his heart, accepting the comment calmly, and looked unceremoniously at his deskmate's white pupils.

A breeze blew by, lifting her hair, and Genichi noticed the blue, cross-shaped mark with two opposing hook patterns on Hana's forehead.

"This is the Caged Bird Seal," Hana said, noticing Genichi's gaze. "The Hyuga clan is divided into the Main House and the Branch House. The Main House are the true heirs of the Hyuga, bearing the heavy responsibility of protecting and carrying forward the clan. The Branch House are the protectors of the Main House, branded with the seal from childhood to shoulder the duty of guarding them."

Watching his deskmate clench her hands, her muscles trembling involuntarily, he listened to her introduce the state of the Hyuga clan without a hint of emotion; though her lips were smiling, there was no warmth in her eyes.

Only then did Genichi realize that his first impression of his deskmate had been completely wrong.

Mikoto, who at first glance seemed to have the typical aloofness of an Uchiha, was actually easy to get along with, gentle, warm-hearted, and cute—I would call her the ultimate cat-like Uchiha girl.

Yet this Hyuga Hana, who appeared as gentle as water and mild-mannered, had long since closed off her heart because of the "Caged Bird Seal," maintaining daily etiquette and keeping others at a distance; she was someone who felt despair toward reality.

Although he had long since ceased to hold any expectations for this Ninja World—a place where great power belonged to the individual, education levels were low, and bandits were everywhere in a semi-industrialized feudal society.

But when the reality of the Main House holding the power of life and death over the Branch House, forcing them into a near-slavery existence, was placed right before Genichi's eyes, a sense of absurd surrealism completely shattered the memories of the twenty-plus years of harmonious social life he had known.

"Do you want to come to my side?" Perhaps it was just a momentary impulse, but Genichi extended the invitation to the girl before him.

"What?" The topic had shifted too quickly; Hyuga Hana was still immersed in her hatred for the "Caged Bird Seal" that had stolen her freedom for life and failed to understand what Genichi meant.

Coming to his senses, Genichi realized the time and place were inappropriate, so he hurriedly changed the subject, gently pressing his left hand over his left eye and saying in a very cool tone:

"It's normal that you don't understand what I'm saying. After all, how could the light of day comprehend the depth of the night?"

"You're doing it again," Mikoto muttered under her breath.