School officially began

Ruri obtained Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin, and his strength increased once again. He trained inside the Ring for about an hour, then returned to the real world.

"I was so lucky today! I went to the Ninja Academy this morning, met the Fourth Hokage, and got to know two pretty girls. And just now, I even got Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin. This is great!" Ruri said as he headed down the mountain.

Ruri had spent a long time in there, but very little time had actually passed in the outside world, so it was still early.

Ruri strolled back to his front gate and spotted a white sticky note by the courtyard. He walked closer to read it.

"Ruri, come over for dinner tonight! Auntie Meiling made your favorite braised meatballs! Make sure you come!"

Ruri smiled after reading the note. Without saying anything, he tucked it into his pocket and headed for Hizashi Hyuga's house.

After a walk of less than half an hour, Ruri arrived at Hizashi Hyuga's house in the Hyuga Clan Compound. The courtyard gate was unlocked and slightly ajar, so he gently pushed it open and went inside.

"Uncle Hizashi's place looks a little different today. The dinner table is outside!" Ruri said when he saw a table laden with food in the courtyard.

Just then, Hizashi came out of the house carrying some dishes. Spotting Ruri, he smiled and said, "Ruri, come help me bring the chairs out!"

Ruri nodded, went into the house, and carried the chairs outside, arranging them around the table.

"Uncle Hizashi, where are Aunt Meiling and Neji?" Ruri asked after looking around the courtyard without seeing either of them.

"Oh, those two? They just went out to buy a few things. They'll be back soon!" Hizashi said, rubbing his hands together after setting the food on the table.

Ruri nodded and began helping Hizashi get everything ready.

A few minutes later, Mei Ling Hyuga pushed open the courtyard gate and came inside, holding Neji Hyuga in her arms and carrying several bags.

Seeing the bags in Mei Ling Hyuga's hand, Ruri immediately went over. "Let me take those, Aunt Meiling!"

Ruri took the things Aunt Meiling had brought and carried them into the house.

Watching Ruri walk away, Mei Ling Hyuga smiled and said, "Ruri really has grown up."

Just then, Hizashi Hyuga came over and took Neji into his arms. "He certainly has! Come on, let's eat. The two of us have been waiting ages for you!"

After taking Neji, Hizashi walked over to the dinner table with Meiling. Ruri happened to come out of the house at the same time.

The four of them finished dinner together, chatting and laughing. This was surely the kind of life every woman longed for. That night, Ruri did not return to his own home, but stayed at Hizashi's house instead.

Konoha was peaceful and quiet, like a bustling city where everyone went home at night, leaving the streets empty, with only the traffic lights flashing red and green in turn.

The next morning, Ruri got up early. Yesterday had been the Enrollment Ceremony, and today was the first proper day of school. He did not dare be late.

After getting up early, Ruri hurriedly ate a meal. He also made breakfast for Uncle Hizashi, Aunt Meiling, and little Neji before leaving for the Ninja Academy...

Ruri had risen so early that there were hardly any people on the streets, and the shops had yet to open. It was very quiet, and the air was fresh. Without the usual noise and bustle, he walked leisurely down the street.

"I remember getting up early to go to school for morning study sessions. There were people everywhere. Even at this hour, the morning rush was already in full swing. It was nothing like Konoha. It's so quiet here that it really lifts your spirits," Ruri said as he walked down the street, admiring the scenery on either side.

Just then, a sweet voice called out from behind Ruri. "Good morning, Ruri!"

Hearing the voice, he immediately turned around and saw two pretty girls. They were none other than Reika Hyuga and Momokusa Harukawa.

"Oh, do you two get up this early every day?" Ruri asked, greeting them with a smile.

Reika and Harukawa nodded. "Yes, we get up this early every day because the streets are so quiet at this hour! How about we go to school together?"

"Sure! Let's go!" Ruri nodded with a smile, then headed toward the school with them.

Although it was still early, quite a few students had already begun arriving at the Ninja Academy's entrance.

When they reached the entrance to the Ninja Academy, Ruri looked inside and said, "Come on! Let's go in!"

"I didn't expect almost everyone in our class to be here this early!" Ruri said to the two girls when he saw that more than twenty students had already arrived.

The three of them went into the classroom and sat down in their seats.

Once seated, Ruri happened to catch sight of his deskmate Momokusa Harukawa's profile. She was so beautiful, like a fairy, that he found himself staring at her in a daze.

Momokusa Harukawa noticed Ruri sneaking looks at her. Her face flushed as she asked, "Ruri, why do you keep staring at me? Is there something on my face?"