School begins

[Successfully became acquainted with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Favorability increased. Fate points +21]

[Current fate points: 41]

[Current lifespan: 16]

Yecheng hefted his slightly heavy wallet, a pleased smile crossing his lips.

The Third was a generous man. Not only had he bought all the fish Yecheng had caught, he had even contributed 21 fate points.

So generous!

More importantly, getting acquainted with Hiruzen Sarutobi this time had actually increased his lifespan by a year without him even noticing!

Yecheng reckoned this had to do with the man's strength and the resources he could mobilize.

After all, if the Hokage asked someone to treat his bloodline disease, even if they couldn't cure it completely, extending his life by a year was still possible.

After exploring the system over the past few days, Yecheng had figured out some of the rules governing fate points.

The stronger the people he got acquainted with, and the more they could influence his fate, the more fate points he received.

In that case, if he got acquainted with Princess Tsunade, or even became her apprentice, he would definitely gain a huge number of fate points. He might even save up enough for a ten-pull in one go!

That was also part of the reason Yecheng had taken the initiative to demonstrate his chakra control in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

In the original story, Sakura Haruno had been chosen as Tsunade's apprentice because of her exceptional fine control over chakra. Yecheng was essentially copying her path to success.

Here in Konoha, anyone with talent had to face two major hurdles: Orochimaru and Danzo.

Orochimaru had already defected from the village, so he didn't need much consideration for now, but Danzo was a threat right on his doorstep.

Yecheng knew perfectly well that unless he found a powerful backer soon, Danzo's Root would come knocking and brand him with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. From then on, his humanity would be extinguished, and he would have no freedom left.

He absolutely had to avoid that, no matter what!

Several days later.

Spring returned to the land, and as the cherry blossoms bloomed, the Ninja Academy officially opened for the new school year.

Yecheng hadn't deliberately arrived early, so things were already bustling when he reached the gates.

The children all wore smiles full of hope and anticipation as they came to the Ninja Academy, accompanied and led by their parents.

Yet among them was one person all alone, looking out of place.

He sat by himself on a swing in the park by the entrance, with only his shadow for company.

The bustle belonged to them, not to him.

Yecheng strode over and hauled Naruto off the swing.

"Why haven't you gone inside yet? You'll get scolded if you're late."

"Yecheng!"

Once he saw who it was, Naruto broke into a sunny smile and followed him into the school.

Class 1-A.

Yecheng pushed open the classroom door and walked inside.

The somewhat noisy classroom immediately fell silent at the sight of him.

That was hardly surprising. With the Kaguya Clan's bloodline, Yecheng was good-looking to begin with. Coupled with his striking white hair, he was already a handsome little boy despite his young age.

He was quite endearing.

The girls in the classroom immediately let out delighted squeals, excitedly discussing their strikingly handsome classmate with their best friends.

"Ugh, two more troublesome guys."

Shikamaru Nara sighed with an air well beyond his years and shook his head helplessly.

Why couldn't everyone just quiet down and coast through the days?

"Isn't it nice to have things a little livelier?"

Choji Akimichi, sitting beside him, didn't understand what he meant. He merely offered a response before going back to eating the chips in his hand.

Beside him, Ino Yamanaka's eyes lit up at the sight of Yecheng, and she nudged her best friend, Sakura Haruno, with her elbow.

"Sakura, do you see him? He's so handsome! I think he's even more handsome than Sasuke-kun! Especially that sickly look. It makes him extra appealing!"

Sakura Haruno had still been gazing dreamily at Sasuke. Only when she heard Ino did she turn to glance at Yecheng.

He really is handsome!

"But compared to his sickly look, I like Sasuke-kun's cool look better~

"Ino, if you like him, you'd better make your move!"

Then no one will compete with me for Sasuke-kun!

Ino chuckled, seeing through her little scheme immediately. But it didn't matter. Since Sakura's heart is set on Sasuke, Yecheng is all mine!

She was just about to act when she noticed someone had already beaten her to it and approached Yecheng.

"Y-Yecheng-kun, this is to thank you for last time..."

Hinata Hyuga's pretty face flushed with embarrassment. With her head lowered, she offered him an exquisitely wrapped gift in both hands.

"Since it's from you, Hinata, I'll accept it. Thank you."

Yecheng didn't make much of a fuss over accepting it. Hinata was giving him a thank-you gift, so refusing would have been worse. Besides, with her personality, she would inevitably overthink it.

Wha... Hinata?

How could it be her?

She actually took the initiative?

When Ino saw who it was, she was stunned.

Children from ninja clans like them had met occasionally. In Ino's impression, Hinata was soft, passive, and withdrawn. She would never make the first move.

Much less act like this toward a boy!

Something's not right!

Just then, Naruto spoke up beside them. "Yecheng, why is she giving you a present? And she said it was to thank you."

Nicely done!

Ino immediately pumped a fist in her mind.

Smiling, Yecheng explained how Hinata had been bullied before. "It wasn't a big deal."

"Yecheng, that's just like you!"

Naruto said with a smile.

"If it had been you, Naruto, I think you would've stepped up too."

Yecheng's expression turned a little strange, because this had originally been Naruto's scene.

Does this count as me... hiss!

That's stealing someone's girl. It really is!

"Wow! A hero saving a damsel in distress!"

After hearing the whole story, Ino liked Yecheng even more. It was as though she could see his heroic figure defeating three people all by himself.

The only shame was that she hadn't been the one he saved.

She couldn't help imagining it. If she were surrounded and being bullied, and a handsome boy suddenly appeared and rescued her, she would definitely fall in love with him!

At that thought, she looked at Hinata's flushed little face again, and her expression froze.

She thought she now understood why Hinata had been so forward.

Ugh, just when Sakura Haruno was out of the picture, along came Hinata Hyuga!

Why do I always have so many rivals in love?!

Damn it!

Seeing Ino behind Hinata, Yecheng paused briefly, then waved a hand.

"Like I said, it wasn't anything that dramatic. My name's Yecheng. We're all classmates starting today, so I look forward to getting along with you."

"Mm-hmm! I'm Ino Yamanaka. I look forward to getting along with you too!"

As the two exchanged names, several lines of small text immediately popped up in Yecheng's field of vision.

[You have successfully become acquainted with the Yamanaka Clan's young lady, Ino Yamanaka. Favorability increased. Fate points +9]

[Current fate points: 50]

[Current lifespan: 16]

Ino Yamanaka alone had given him 9 fate points...

Looking around at the other students in the classroom, Yecheng's lips curved into a smile.

Fate points and a ten-pull were beckoning to him!