Konoha Village?

After taking a bath and changing into clean clothes, Ning Xue felt refreshed.

He wanted to find Neji and have another fight.

But when he saw his mother still sitting there, mending something, he couldn't help growing curious.

"Mother, what are you doing?"

"Getting a few things ready for you."

Hyuga Yuki unfolded the clothes in her hands. It was a slightly worn but clearly altered light blue short-sleeved shirt, with a pair of black shorts beside it.

"Take a look. Do they fit? I heard you're supposed to dress a little more formally for the Ninja Academy entrance ceremony."

Ning Xue paused. The Ninja Academy... That was right. It was already January of Konoha Year 58. There were less than three months left until the April school term.

"Time really flies," Yuki couldn't help remarking.

"In the blink of an eye, Ning Xue is old enough to start school. I heard there are quite a few children in this year's class. Maybe he'll make some new friends."

Her tone was gentle, but she still felt a little worried about her child. She knew her son was introverted, even somewhat withdrawn, and Neji was the only child his age in the clan he could really talk to.

Ning Xue took the clothes and held them up against himself. They seemed to fit just right.

"Thank you, Mother."

Ning Xue thanked his mother with a slight smile.

But he didn't feel much about starting at the Ninja Academy soon.

After all, gaining knowledge was important to him, but he also needed to be more cautious. He might end up caught in a whirlpool of trouble.

Of course, he also needed to train even harder in secret.

Hyuga Yuki studied her son carefully, smoothing his hair as she spoke softly.

"They look like a perfect fit," Yuki said with a smile.

"When you start school, listen to your teachers and get along with your classmates. And of course, don't neglect your training."

She paused, her voice growing gentler.

"If... if anything makes you unhappy, you must come back and tell your father and me."

She knew children could bully one another, especially someone like Ning Xue, with his unusual hair color and quiet disposition.

Ning Xue looked at the sincere concern in his mother's eyes. Warmth stirred in his heart, and he nodded.

"I understand, Mother."

Afternoon, Konoha Village streets

Ning Xue had finally left the Hyuga Clan Compound, wandering the streets of Konoha.

Compared to the solemn atmosphere inside the compound, the village streets felt much livelier. Shinobi hurried past, while vendors' calls rang out without pause.

And, of course, there was one other thing.

"Youth!!!!"

A green-clad figure came sprinting by.

"How strange," Ning Xue muttered. Then he headed toward his destination.

There were nearly three months until the Ninja Academy term began. Training every day during that time wouldn't do, so he needed to take an occasional break. He might as well look up some things he could learn. They could come in handy later, especially since he hadn't learned any Wind Release yet.

So his first stop was the Konoha Library. It was located in Hokage Mountain (Kage Rock), in the center of the village.

His goal this time was to find books on human anatomy and Wind Release Ninjutsu.

The entrance to the library was quiet, a stark contrast to the bustle outside. After presenting his identification, he stepped into this sea of knowledge.

The interior was more spacious than he'd expected, with tall bookshelves standing in rows. The air was filled with the distinctive, tranquil scent of old books and wood.

A few villagers and Genin were quietly browsing.

Most of the books and materials here were public works intended for villagers and Genin.

Since it was his first time here, he asked the librarian where he could find books on the fundamentals of Ninjutsu and medicine.

After getting an answer, he bowed, then went to look for the books he wanted.

About ten minutes later, he gathered several thick books and settled down to read in a quiet corner.

Detailed Explanation of Human Meridians and Acupoints.

It was an introductory book on basic Medical Ninjutsu and meridian studies.

The Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist was already based on this field, but he hoped to deepen his understanding from a more general, scholarly perspective.

Introduction to Wind Style Chakra Nature Transformation.

This was one of his main targets.

He found several basic books in the section on Wind Style, such as Introduction to Wind Style Chakra and Analysis of Basic Wind Style Shape Transformation, but they were all too advanced for him at the moment.

Public Edition of Low-Rank Wind Release Ninjutsu Scrolls. It contained some of the most basic D-rank and even unranked techniques, such as how to coat a Kunai with Wind Style chakra to increase its cutting power, or the simplest Wind Release applications, like creating a small gust of wind.

Though simple, they gave him practical reference material.

Illustrated Guide to Herbs and Poisons (Low-Rank). It was a guide to common medicinal plants that were approved for public discussion. Though low-rank, it was genuinely useful to him at this stage, and he might be able to add more materials to it later.

He read quickly. The soul of an older man had given him keen insight, allowing him to skim ten lines at a glance.

Combined with his nearly adult way of thinking, he finished a book in no time.

After spending about five hours in the library, Ning Xue closed the book and quietly left.

Only after leaving the library did he notice that the sun had already slipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over Kage Rock on the mountain.

He knew it was time to go home, so he set off in that direction.