Going Out

Time passed in a blur.

Konoha year 58, March.

Only one week remained until the start of the Ninja Academy.

Over the past few months, Ning Xue's life had remained orderly and disciplined.

However, compared to the time before, his focus had shifted toward his latest priority.

But today, he did not train as he usually did.

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

Hyuga Yuki smiled, but her tone was firm as she pulled her son, who was just about to head toward the backyard training ground.

"Your father didn't take any missions today, and it's been a long time since our family went out for a stroll together."

Hyuga Ning nodded from the side. Although his face maintained its usual sternness, his eyes revealed a rare hint of relaxation.

"Mm, the Ninja Academy is opening soon. It's time to get you some new clothes and stationery. It's not good to just stay home and train all the time."

Ning Xue opened his mouth, wanting to say that he would rather stay home to study the shape transformation of his wind-attribute chakra or practice the precision of his Ice Needles, but upon meeting his parents' concerned and expectant gazes, he swallowed those words back. He sighed, knowing that resistance was futile this time.

"Understood," Ning Xue replied listlessly.

He could only let his mother straighten his collar before being led out the door, flanked by his parents on either side.

On the streets... the crowds were bustling, and the shops on both sides were filled with a dazzling array of goods. The shouts of shopkeepers and the laughter of children all served as proof of a prosperous village.

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

"Ning Xue, how about this training outfit? The fabric seems more breathable."

"Ning Xue, do you want to go buy some three-colored dango?"

"Ning Xue, what about this kunai-shaped pen? I heard you'll need it for theory classes at school."

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

Ning Xue still wasn't quite used to his mother's enthusiasm; he was on the verge of a breakdown.

No matter what his mother asked, his response was always:

"Sure, that's fine, no need."

And so, he followed his family as they wove back and forth between various shops.

Ning Xue's white Byakugan eyes had lost their luster, and like a marionette, he allowed his mother to pull him along.

His father, meanwhile, looked like a beaten dog, dragging a pile of shopping bags behind them with a dejected expression.

The essence of a woman remains unchanged; even the most gentle and virtuous wife will be filled with the desire to shop when faced with things she likes.

Of course, most of these items were for her husband and child.

Just as Hyuga Yuki stopped in front of a fabric store to carefully compare two types of material, Ning Xue and his dear father could only squat by the side of the road, his lusterless Byakugan scanning the street in boredom.

"Ning Xue, which color do you think looks better?"

Hearing his mother's question, Ning Xue had to answer quickly.

"Just white will do."

"And husband, which one do you want?"

"Anything is fine, anything."

Hyuga Ning could only answer with a mix of pain and pleasure.

As they wandered through the streets, they passed by some children of the same age.

Perhaps some of them would become his future classmates.

In front of the Yamanaka Flower Shop.

A girl with a golden ponytail and a lively, cheerful personality was holding a bouquet of freshly wrapped flowers, smiling as she handed them to a customer, her voice crisp. Ning Xue's gaze swept over her without lingering. One of the sources of noise... who ran the flower shop.

He evaluated her with a heart devoid of ripples.

Outside a barbecue restaurant.

In front of the restaurant, which was wafting with the tempting aroma of meat, a boy with a pineapple-style ponytail was yawning with a troubled expression. Beside him, a chubby boy was staring at the grill with glowing eyes, his cheeks still moving as he chewed on something.

Ning Xue was pulled past by his mother and happened to hear the boy muttering.

"Ah, ah... what a drag, let's just finish eating and go back..."

In front of a stationery store.

A pink-haired girl was picking out new stationery with her parents. She picked up a cute pink notebook, her face beaming with a happy and expectant smile, but she accidentally locked eyes with a pair of white eyes and was startled.

"What's wrong?"

"N-nothing."

"How strange."

Ning Xue was speechless.

At a street corner.

"Nii-san! Teach me shurikenjutsu next time! I'm sure I can learn it really fast!"

A long-haired boy gently ruffled his hair.

He spoke to him in an exceptionally helpless tone.

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

Near Ichiraku Ramen.

At this moment, Uzumaki Naruto no longer looked like the pitiful, starving child he had been before. Although his clothes were still a bit old, his spirits were much higher.

He was actually holding a small coin purse, counting the coins inside with an excited expression, muttering to himself:

"Yes! I'm going to eat an extra-large bowl today!"

It seemed that Ning Xue's previous anonymous sponsorship and Teuchi's occasional subsequent assistance had improved his financial situation, if only by a negligible amount.

When Naruto saw the Hyuga family, especially Ning Xue, he blinked. He felt that this white-haired, white-eyed guy looked a bit familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen him. Soon, he was distracted by the aroma of the ramen again.

"Old man! Is it ready yet?!"

"Almost there, Naruto."

Just as Hyuga Yuki finished picking out her clothes, she walked back with a satisfied look on her face.

"Alright, let's head back."

She glanced at the sky, then looked at her husband, who was carrying bags upon bags as if he had just survived a great battle, and her son, who had a hollow look in his eyes. Finally, she issued the decree of amnesty.