Up Early

After a morning of training, Ruri had acquired the Ninjutsu Lightning Blade. Back in the real world, he looked at the brightening sky, stood up, brushed the dirt off his pants, and went into his room.

Once inside, Ruri looked at Mei Ling Hyuga and Neji Hyuga, who were still asleep, then smiled and went into the kitchen to make breakfast for them.

"Ah, I remember my college days. Life was so carefree back then. But without anyone to share it with, those days were pretty dull, too!" Ruri said with a smile.

Now I've crossed over into the Naruto world and become a little kid with neither parent. Still, Mei Ling Hyuga counts as my mother, doesn't she? I can feel a little motherly love from her. She really is a classic homemaker. Hizashi Hyuga was so lucky to marry a beauty like Mei Ling Hyuga! It really makes me jealous! Ruri thought, smiling.

"Ruri, why are you up so early today?"

Just as Ruri finished that thought, Mei Ling Hyuga came out of the bedroom and stood in the kitchen doorway, rubbing her eyes as she spoke.

Hearing Mei Ling Hyuga's voice, Ruri immediately snapped out of his thoughts. He set down the food in his hands, looked at her, and said, "Aunt Meiling, you're awake! I got up to use the bathroom and couldn't get back to sleep, so I figured I might as well make breakfast for you and Neji!"

As he spoke, Ruri carried the prepared food to the dining table, then said to Mei Ling Hyuga, "Aunt Meiling, go ahead and eat before it gets cold! I'm going to wash up!"

Mei Ling Hyuga nodded, then sat down at the dining table and started eating the food Ruri had made.

"Ruri, I had no idea you were such a good cook. This is really delicious!" Mei Ling Hyuga said as she ate.

Ruri was washing up in the yard when he heard her. He called back into the room, "It's nothing special. I used to cook for myself all the time, so after all that time, I figured out a few tasty dishes!"

After finishing up, Ruri said goodbye to Mei Ling Hyuga and headed for school.

How lucky am I? When I first arrived in the Naruto world, it felt a little dull. Now there's a beautiful woman living at home, and two pretty girls keeping me company at school! This really is the life! Ruri thought as he walked along Main Street.

Konoha was still relatively undeveloped. It had little in the way of advanced weapons or equipment, let alone cars and the like. Because of that, the air in Konoha was wonderfully clean.

The deep blue sky and fluffy white clouds were soothing to look at. In the city where Ruri had lived, all the car exhaust had polluted the air beyond recognition.

The sky there had once been deep blue, just like Konoha's, but severe pollution had since turned it a gloomy gray.

"Boss, you're up early today!"

As Ruri walked along the road, a voice sounded behind him. He turned his head, looked at the lively little boy, and said, "What, is that a problem? Aren't you up just as early?"

The little boy speaking to Ruri was Akagimaru, whom he had met just a few days earlier.

"Hehe, let's go to school together, Boss!" Akagimaru said with a grin as he came up beside Ruri.

"Let's go!"

With that, Ruri and Akagimaru headed toward school, chatting and laughing along the way.