Although Ruri lacked an exceptionally powerful Space-Time Ninjutsu like the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique, the combat style he had planned for his future-whether Taijutsu or the Flame-Flame Fruit's abilities, which required no hand seals-already meant that most people in the shinobi world would be ill-equipped to face a ninja who fought as swiftly as he did.
Ruri also very much wanted to try adding his own chakra to the Rasengan, a Ninjutsu that required no hand seals, and changing its nature to create a Rasengan uniquely his own.
But until his chakra reserves reached jonin level, Ruri had no way to infuse the Rasengan with chakra to bring about that nature transformation.
Looking at the tree he had severed with his Rasengan, Ruri rubbed his palms together and said, "Enrollment at the Ninja Academy is only a few days away. I really can't wait! It's getting late, too. I promised Aunt Meiling today that I'd go to her house for dinner!"
Looking at the darkening sky, Ruri remembered that he still had to go over to Hizashi's house for dinner. He hurriedly packed up his ninja tools and created five shadow clones to continue practicing there, while he ran back along a small path toward the village.
Ruri soon reached the Hyuga Clan Compound. Before he even reached the gate to Hizashi's courtyard, he could smell the food wafting out from inside. He couldn't help swallowing, realizing that he was already absolutely starving.
The courtyard gate was open, so Ruri walked straight inside.
"Aunt Meiling, I'm here!" Ruri called out to the beautiful young woman busy bringing dishes to the table.
"You're back, Ruri! Come in and eat. I made your favorite food today. Hurry inside, or it'll get cold and won't taste as good!"
Meiling, who was carrying food to the table, smiled with delight when she saw Ruri come in and invited him inside to eat.
"All right, then I'll help myself. Where's Uncle Hizashi?"
Ruri sat by the doorway and took off his shoes. Seeing only Mei Ling inside, he asked her.
"Your Uncle Hizashi is playing with Neji. He'll be out in a moment!" Mei Ling said with a smile.
Just as Mei Ling finished speaking, Hizashi came out of the inner room holding little Neji and said, "Ruri, you're here! Sit down and eat!"
Hearing Ruri's voice, Hizashi brought little Neji over to the dining table.
"Wow! He's so cute!" Ruri said happily when he saw little Neji.
As Ruri looked at little Neji in Hizashi's arms, the babbling baby's large, pure-white eyes gazed curiously back at him, innocent and guileless. His adorable little face nearly melted Ruri's heart.
"Haha, you were just like this when you were little. Of course, you're still very cute now!" Meiling sat down at the dining table, a delighted smile on her face. She looked utterly happy.
With two adorable children and her husband all sitting beside her, perhaps this was the life she had always longed for.
Everyone was there, and they began their pleasant dinner in a warm, harmonious atmosphere. At that moment, in a small house somewhere in Konoha, four people happily shared their evening meal.
Time ticked by, and soon nearly all the food was gone. Hizashi sipped the sake in his bowl and said, "Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, Neji's already a year old, and you've grown so much too, Ruri. You'll be going to the Ninja Academy in a few days, won't you?"
Hearing Hizashi's words, Ruri replied, "Yes, Uncle Hizashi. Enrollment and class assignments at the Ninja Academy are in a few days. I'm really looking forward to it!" As he spoke, Ruri set down his chopsticks.
"I don't have any missions these next few days. Would you like me to come with you to enroll?"
Normally, children went to enroll at the Ninja Academy with their parents. Looking at his young cousin's son, who had lost both parents at an early age and had lived so independently ever since, Hizashi felt he ought to accompany him so he wouldn't feel left out.
"No need, Uncle Hizashi. I can go on my own in a few days. I've already prepared all my enrollment documents, and my admission notice is ready too. I can handle it myself, so there's no need to trouble yourself," Ruri said with a smile.
Having grown up without parents, Ruri could experience how wonderful it was to have them through Hizashi Hyuga and Mei Ling Hyuga, and he could feel just how deeply they cared about him.
Besides, Ruri's soul was already in its twenties. He wasn't like the children here who had lost both parents at a young age and truly become orphans. He could handle a little matter like this himself.
"Then make sure you take good care of yourself when you go to the Ninja Academy alone. Our Ruri is so cute and handsome. Who knows how many girls you'll charm once you're there!" Mei Ling Hyuga set down her bowl and chopsticks, leaned over beside Ruri, and happily pinched his cheek.
"I know, Aunt Meiling. I'll take good care of myself, so don't worry!" Having become such a little boy despite being in his twenties, Ruri still wasn't quite used to it. With a young woman pinching his cheek like this, his face flushed faintly. He felt a little shy.
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