To Ling, life at the Ninja Academy was peaceful to the point of tedium. Tobirama had already crammed the material taught in the academic classes into his head, and he could even identify several oversimplifications and errors in the textbooks. In basic ninjutsu classes, he had to carefully control his strength to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.
Most of the time, he played the role of a gifted student with "excellent grades but a withdrawn personality," sitting quietly in a corner as though he had no place in the noisy surroundings. That distinctive air, coupled with his conspicuous gray hair, only drew more eyes his way, especially those of the girls.
During lunch break that day, Ling sat alone on a bench beside the Training Ground, his eyes closed as if resting. In reality, he was running simulations of precise chakra control with Tobirama in his mind.
"Hey! You're Ling Hatake, right?" A clear, slightly bold voice rang out in front of him.
Ling opened his eyes to see a bright blond ponytail and a pair of lively blue eyes. Ino Yamanaka stood with her hands on her hips, studying him without a trace of shyness. Beside her was a somewhat embarrassed Sakura Haruno.
"Need something?" Ling's voice was flat, betraying no emotion. He recognized her: Ino, the daughter of the Yamanaka Flower Shop's owner, known among their classmates for being cheerful and outgoing.
"I saw you sitting here spacing out all by yourself," Ino said with a grin, apparently undeterred by his indifference. "I hear you're really good. Want to practice throwing shuriken with us?" She pointed toward the nearby shuriken Target Range.
Ling had intended to refuse, but Tobirama suddenly spoke in his mind: Agree. A little socializing will help conceal your tendency to isolate yourself and make others less wary. Besides, the Yamanaka Clan's secret Mind Body Switch Technique is rather interesting. There's no harm in observing it up close.
"...All right." Ling stood, keeping his answer brief.
Ino hadn't expected him to agree so readily. She froze for a moment, then her smile grew even brighter. "Wow! Really? Great! Sakura, let's go!"
Sakura seemed a little shy and greeted Ling quietly. "H-hello. I'm Sakura Haruno."
Ling nodded. "Ling Hatake."
At the Target Range, Ino demonstrated first. Her Shurikenjutsu was fairly good compared with the other girls her age, and her aim was decent, but her strength and the way she applied it were clearly lacking. Sakura was somewhat clumsy.
When Ling's turn came, he took a deep breath and began his "performance." He deliberately imitated the level of an ordinary but capable genin-proper form, decent accuracy, an occasional "miss" or two, and a reasonable amount of force. It was enough to prove that his reputation as a "genius" was deserved without being too astonishing.
"Wow! You're amazing!" Ino praised him freely, her eyes sparkling.
Sakura also looked at him with envy.
Ling merely gave a flat "Mm" and continued throwing.
During breaks in their practice, Ino flitted around Ling like a curious little sparrow, asking him one question after another.
"Hatake, how do you usually practice?"
"Your hair color is so unusual. Is it hereditary?"
"Is Kakashi the jonin your older brother? He's so handsome!"
Ling mostly answered with brief responses like "Mm," "Yes," and "On my own," but Ino seemed entirely unconcerned by his coldness and kept happily chatting away. Accustomed to Tobirama's sharp tongue and Kakashi's indifference, Ling found her sunshine-like enthusiasm strangely... unfamiliar, though not unpleasant.
Just then, Hinata Hyuga and Tenten arrived at the Training Ground together. When Hinata saw Ling, her face flushed slightly, and she greeted him in a small voice. "H-Hatake."
Tenten was much more outgoing. Her eyes lit up as she looked at the practice shuriken in Ling's hand. "Hey, Hatake, nice technique! Interested in trying the special shuriken I just picked up? They're way better than the standard ones!" She patted her bulging ninja tool pouch.
The young lady of the Hyuga Main Family, and that weapons fanatic, Tenten, Tobirama remarked. The Hyuga's Byakugan poses a considerable threat, but the Main Family has strict rules. There's no need to worry too much for now. Her family's Ninja Tool Shop might become a source of special materials for you in the future.
Ling nodded to Tenten. "I'll try them when I get the chance." Then he turned to Hinata. "Hyuga."
Hinata's face reddened further, and she murmured a quiet response.
And so, a curious scene took shape beside the Training Ground during lunch break: without quite realizing it, the withdrawn gray-haired prodigy had been surrounded by several of the most outstanding girls in Konoha's new generation-Ino Yamanaka with her fiery enthusiasm, Sakura Haruno trying hard to fit in, the shy Hinata Hyuga, and the cheerful, easygoing Tenten. Though Ling still spoke precious little, Ino and Tenten kept things lively enough to prevent any awkward silence.
Not far away, the circle of girls gathered around Sasuke Uchiha seemed to have met a "challenge." Ino's "defection" had cost Sasuke one of his most enthusiastic supporters.
Sasuke cast a cold glance in their direction. His gaze lingered on Ling for an instant, a barely perceptible hint of rivalry flickering in his eyes before he haughtily turned away. To him, Ling was merely a withdrawn fellow who happened to attract a little more attention from girls.
Naruto, meanwhile, stomped his feet nearby. "Aaargh! That stuck-up Sasuke! And that guy Ling! Why are Ino and Sakura both... Damn it!"
Ling saw all of it without the slightest ripple of emotion. To him, this was nothing more than necessary social camouflage and a means of gathering information. The only thing that concerned him a little was Ino's overly radiant smile and her unreserved enthusiasm, like a ray of sunlight trying to penetrate the cold shell of his layered defenses.
After school, Ino actually took the initiative to catch up with him and walk at his side.
"Hey, Ling Hatake, want to practice again during lunch tomorrow? I think you're super good. Could you teach me how to put more power into my throws?" She tipped her face up toward him, her smile bright.
Ling looked into her eyes. The anticipation in them was pure and straightforward. He was silent for a few seconds before nodding. "Sure."
"Great! It's a promise!" Ino waved happily and ran toward the flower shop. "See you tomorrow!"
Watching the bouncing blond ponytail disappear, Ling remained where he was, briefly lost in thought.
Hmph. Troublesome brat, Tobirama commented coldly. Still, a girl from the Yamanaka Clan... She's simplehearted. She might make useful cover. Keep the right distance.
Ling withdrew his gaze, his eyes settling back into calm.
He knew that this peaceful school life was only a surface illusion. Root might be watching from somewhere in the shadows, the aloof Uchiha prodigy regarded him as a potential rival, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki harbored an inexplicable hostility toward him. As for these "friends" who had suddenly appeared at his side, he had no idea whether they would prove a blessing or a curse.
But whatever happened, he would not stop moving forward.
He clenched his fists, feeling the power surging through his body.
Whether sunlight or shadow, he would face it all.
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