Outing

Time flew by.

Konoha Year 58, March.

Only one week remained until the Ninja Academy opened.

Over the past few months, Ning Xue's life had remained as orderly as ever.

But compared to before, his focus had shifted toward the newest one.

Yet on this day, he did not train as usual.

"All right, Ning Xue, don't even think about training today."

Hyuga Yuki smiled, but firmly grabbed her son, who was about to head for the backyard training ground.

"Your father didn't take on any missions today either. It's been a long time since our family went out together."

Hyuga Ning nodded from the side. Though his face retained its usual sternness, his eyes held a rare hint of ease.

"Mm. The Ninja Academy will be starting soon, so we should get you some new clothes and stationery. It isn't good to stay home training all the time either."

Ning Xue opened his mouth, wanting to say that he would rather stay home to study the shape transformation of Wind Release chakra or practice the precision of his Ice Needle. But when he met his parents' concerned yet expectant gazes, he swallowed those words back down. He sighed, knowing resistance would be futile this time.

"Got it," Ning Xue responded listlessly.

He could only let his mother straighten his collar before his parents led him out, one on each side.

The streets... Bustling crowds filled them, and the shops lining both sides displayed a dazzling array of goods. Shopkeepers shouted, children played—everything proved this was a prosperous village.

"Ning Xue, is there anything you want to buy?"

"Ning Xue, what do you think of this training outfit? The fabric seems more breathable."

"Ning Xue, do you want to get some tri-colored dango?"

"Ning Xue, how about this kunai pen? I heard they'll use them in theory classes at school."

"Ning Xue... Ning Xue..."

Ning Xue still could not quite get used to his mother's enthusiasm. He was already on the verge of breaking down.

No matter what his mother asked, his answers were always—

"Sure, it's okay, no need."

And so, their family shuttled back and forth between one shop and another.

The light had already vanished from Ning Xue's white eyes. Like a puppet on strings, he let his mother tug him along.

His father followed behind like a dead dog, dragging a pile of shopping bags with a despondent expression.

A woman's nature never changed. Even the gentlest, most virtuous wife would be seized by the urge to shop when faced with things she liked.

Of course, most of those things were for her husband and child.

When Hyuga Yuki stopped in front of a fabric shop to carefully compare two kinds of clothing material, Ning Xue and his dear father could only squat by the roadside. His dull Byakugan could only sweep idly across the street.

"Ning Xue, which of these two colors do you think looks better?"

Hearing his mother's question, Ning Xue could only answer quickly.

"White."

"Then, husband, which one do you want?"

"Either is fine. Either is fine."

Hyuga Ning could only answer in both pain and joy.

And among the children around their age they encountered while shopping—

Perhaps some of them would become his future classmates.

Outside the Yamanaka Flower Shop.

A lively-looking girl with a blonde ponytail held a freshly wrapped bouquet and handed it to a customer with a bright smile, her voice crisp. Ning Xue's gaze passed over her without lingering. Someone who ran a flower shop... one of the sources of noise.

He judged her without the slightest ripple in his heart.

Outside a barbecue restaurant.

In front of a barbecue restaurant wafting with the tempting scent of grilled meat, a boy with a spiky ponytail yawned with a troubled look on his face. Beside him, a chubby boy stared at the meat on the grill with shining eyes, his cheeks still moving as he chewed something.

As Ning Xue was led past by his mother, he happened to hear the boy mutter.

"Ah... what a pain. Let's hurry back after we're done eating..."

In front of a stationery shop.

A pink-haired girl was choosing new stationery with her parents. She picked up a cute pink notebook, her face brimming with a happy, expectant smile. But when she inadvertently met a pair of white eyes, she jumped in fright.

"What's wrong?"

"N-No, nothing."

"How weird."

Ning Xue said it speechlessly.

At a street corner.

"Big brother! Teach me shuriken techniques next time! I know I can learn fast!"

A long-haired boy gently ruffled his hair.

With an especially helpless tone, he said to him.

"Sorry... this is the last time."

Near Ichiraku Ramen.

Uzumaki Naruto no longer looked like the pitiful, starving child he had been before. Though his clothes were still somewhat worn, he seemed much more spirited.

He was actually holding a small coin purse, eagerly counting the coins inside while muttering.

"Oh yeah! Today I'm having an extra-large bowl too!"

It seemed Ning Xue's earlier anonymous support, along with Uncle Teuchi's occasional assistance afterward, had brought a tiny, almost negligible improvement to his financial situation.

When Naruto saw the Hyuga family—especially Ning Xue—he blinked. He seemed to find this white-haired, white-eyed guy somewhat familiar, but could not remember where he had seen him. Soon, the scent of ramen drew his attention away again.

"Uncle! Is it ready yet?!"

"Almost ready, Naruto."

Once Hyuga Yuki had chosen the clothes, she returned with a satisfied expression.

"All right, let's head home."

She looked at the sky, then at her husband behind her, who looked as though he had been through a great battle while carrying bags upon bags, and at her hollow-eyed son. At last, she declared their pardon.