Campus Celebrity Tahm

Tahm and Hinata ultimately stole the spotlight from the heartthrob genius Sasuke and the hot-blooded Naruto with their unique entrance.

Under a sea of shocked gazes, Tahm silently led the somewhat embarrassed Hinata to an empty seat beside Naruto and Sakura. Because Tahm was so enormous, the desk in front of his seat was crushed beneath him, leaving him looking as though he were stuck in place. The scene was incredibly comical. Yet no one dared to laugh. After all, this oversized summoning beast had just pulled a person out of his mouth, which was far too intimidating.

"Boss Tahm, you're finally here!" Naruto called out with a grin.

Seeing Naruto looking so pleased with himself, Tahm asked in the tone of a seasoned driver setting off, "Naruto, how's the new look working out?"

Naruto merely grinned foolishly, as if he were begging to get beaten. "Haha! Sakura should like me now!" He completely ignored the fact that Sakura herself was sitting right beside him. A moment later, Sakura sent him flying with a powerful uppercut. Naruto landed flat on his back and let out a strange groan, making Tahm break out in a cold sweat.

The people around them did not react at all, as though they were already used to it. Tahm could not help wondering what Naruto had been up to all morning.

Once everyone had arrived, Iruka began their first lesson. Since they were all meeting for the first time in the same classroom, things were not very lively. The class discipline, however, was surprisingly good.

As expected, after a brief introduction, Iruka began explaining the basics of chakra cultivation. After all, many of the students came from civilian families and had never been exposed to chakra training.

Hinata and Sakura had already refined their chakra, but their good-student nature still made them sit up straight and listen attentively. Lively Ino was already getting restless. She idly played with the ends of her golden ponytail with one hand while looking around, seemingly searching for something. Naruto, on the other hand, was already nodding off. He quietly said to Tahm beside him, "Boss Tahm, this class is so boring. I've already learned all this stuff."

"One can learn from the strengths of others," Tahm lectured solemnly. "Listen to other people's experiences. You might gain some unique insights."

"Boss Tahm, are you holding a novel?" Naruto asked, his face covered in black lines.

"Ahem, ahem. Do you think you can compare yourself to me? Come talk to me once you can beat me!" Tahm coughed awkwardly several times, then changed tactics. "Do you really want to skip class, become the dead-last student in the academy, make Sakura look down on you, and ultimately let that handsome black-haired genius over there steal your girlfriend?"

Tahm described the terrifying details as though they had already happened, instantly making Naruto behave. He began listening to the lesson with utmost seriousness.

Having dealt with Naruto, Tahm himself grew bored. Had I really come back to elementary school again? Speaking of which, this world had laptops and broadband internet, so why didn't it have smartphones and telephones? And the novels in this world were so boring. After being baptized by countless wish-fulfillment novels in his previous life, Tahm could not find even the slightest pleasure in using them to pass the time. Sigh... If he hadn't promised to accompany Hinata, he never would have come to experience school life.

Perhaps sensing Tahm's distracted gaze, Hinata considerately reached over with her soft, boneless hand and held his palm before returning her attention to the lesson. Feeling the warm, tender touch in his palm, Tahm felt deeply content. With someone accompanying him, school life did not seem quite so boring after all.

At last, class ended, and it was time for the lunch break.

Tahm suddenly opened his huge mouth again and began pulling out boxed lunches, one after another. There were so many that they piled up on the desk into a small mountain. He had prepared the food the day before. He had to admit that the alternate dimension inside his body had the special ability to preserve both freshness and temperature. It was practically an essential skill for home life and travel.

"Come on, come on. I prepared boxed lunches for everyone, so don't be shy." Tahm beckoned to several acquaintances.

"Awesome!" Naruto was the first to rush over. Yet, very considerately, he took two portions and handed one to Sakura.

"Huh? I have one too?" Ino had not expected it. After all, she had not seen Tahm for several days.

"Of course. We're friends who've eaten together and beaten up street punks together, after all." Tahm smiled. He would never admit that he simply wanted to raise Ino's opinion of him while he was at it.

The moment the lunch boxes were opened, an extraordinary aroma of food spread throughout the classroom.

Before long, a chubby boy came running over with a pineapple-headed boy in tow and asked without the slightest hesitation, "Tahm, can we have a portion too?"

Ino hurriedly introduced them, a little embarrassed. "They're my good friends, Choji and Shikamaru." Shikamaru, for his part, was still muttering things like "What a drag."

The rest of the lunch boxes were actually food Tahm had prepared for himself. After all, Tahm alone could eat enough for dozens of people. But out of fondness for the rookies from the original story and a fellow food lover's sympathy, he generously handed over two boxed lunches anyway.

Choji eagerly took a bite and praised it. "Dishes I've never seen before, such a unique flavor... This is truly top-notch cuisine! Tahm, you're my best friend!" The chubby boy's eyes practically glowed as he ate.

Who wants to be your best friend? It would be different if Ino were the one saying that. Tahm silently complained.

At that moment, Kiba Inuzuka came over as well. "Tahm, could I have one too? Akamaru really wants to try it." As he spoke, the little dog Akamaru perched on his head barked several times, showing goodwill toward the giant toad who was also a summoning beast.

Even the taciturn Shino came forward with Kiba and said calmly, "Boss, give me one too."

When did I become a street-stall vendor? Tahm thought, though he generously handed over two more portions anyway.

The last person to appear was the handsome Sasuke. He had not yet developed the cold, arrogant demeanor he would later possess. His face still carried a hint of youthful blush as he asked in a voice that could make fangirls squeal, "Um, could I have a taste too?"

And just like that, Tahm formed bonds with the protagonists who would one day stand at the peak of the Shinobi World—in a rather special way.

In the space of a single day, Tahm became the talk of the Ninja Academy. Every student enviously discussed Lady Hinata of the Hyuga family and her summoning beast, Tahm, who looked incredibly powerful, could store an astonishing amount in his mouth, and was also exceptionally skilled at cooking.

Several little girls even ran up to Hinata to ask whether she planned to transfer her summoning contract. The normally introverted Hinata bristled like a cat, her face flushed red as she shouted, "I would never give up Tahm! Never!"

The first day of classes finally came to an end. With Hinata riding on his head, Tahm leisurely walked home, admiring the bustling scenery along the road.

"It's just like when we first met." As she gazed at the sunset on the horizon, the girl atop his head suddenly said this.

"Yeah. It's only been two short months, but so much has happened." Tahm sighed as well.

"It's so nice having Tahm around." The girl coyly leaned down and wrapped her small body around Tahm's huge head.

"Me too." Tahm gave a warm smile that toads were fundamentally incapable of making. "I'm really glad I met you, Hinata."

When I opened Qidian, I suddenly discovered that my book had a cover! Thanks to all the wonderful members of the art team for taking care of me. Here's another chapter update to celebrate.