There was a bang.
The door was kicked open.
"Who was that?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi jumped. "How many times have I told you? When I'm working, you need to... huh, this familiar feeling."
"Old man, are you even awake?"
Tsunade appeared amid the smoke.
Her green jacket fluttered in the wind, revealing the large character for "gamble" on its back.
Nostalgia appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.
She was back. It was all coming back!
Unfortunately, Orochimaru had already packed up and run off.
And Jiraiya spent all his time away searching for the Child of Prophecy.
Sometimes, Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to ask him: if Mount Myōboku and Konoha were in danger at the same time, who would you save first?
Honestly, he did not even have an answer himself.
"Where is Shihui Aburame?"
Tsunade folded her arms across her chest and demanded, "This person had better actually exist!"
Even now, she could not believe a six-year-old brat could learn the Chakra Scalpel.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "Shihui Aburame would already be out of school at this hour. Go see him tomorrow."
Tsunade frowned in displeasure but said nothing more.
"How about going out for drinks tonight?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked wistful. "It's been a long time since we got together as teacher and student."
"Not interested."
Tsunade turned and waved a hand. "I only came back to take on an apprentice."
"Lady Tsunade! Wait for me!"
Shizune hurried after her.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a little surprised.
Even alcohol couldn't tempt Tsunade anymore?
He sighed, lit his pipe, and thought of the past.
Teacher, I've spent my whole life treading on thin ice. Can I ever reach where you stood?
Dusk fell.
Hinata Hyuga came to the wooden house again.
Looking at the beautiful Moon Orchids, she still felt as though it was not quite real.
Ever since she was little, her every action had been required to befit her status as the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter.
But today, she had broken the rules.
She could still explain away climbing over the wall at noon.
Now, there was no way to do that.
When she got home, her father's thunderous fury would undoubtedly await her.
Yet, for some reason, she was not panicking at all. She felt an inexplicable composure.
Hinata Hyuga raised her head.
She caught a rich aroma.
Shihui Aburame was cooking.
Standing on a stool with a spatula in hand, he bustled about.
Hinata Hyuga blinked.
Shihui Aburame always managed to show her something new.
She had thought farming was already the limit, but she had never expected him to be able to cook, too.
Compared to making ramen, stir-frying required considerably more skill.
Hinata Hyuga suddenly felt ashamed.
She did not know how to do anything.
And they were the same age.
A dozen or so minutes later, the food was on the table.
Great confusion filled Hinata Hyuga's little eyes.
She did not recognize any of the dishes.
"Twice-cooked pork, mouthwatering chicken, fish-fragrant shredded pork, and eggplant with minced pork."
Shihui Aburame listed the dishes with a calm expression.
Hinata Hyuga was even more bewildered.
What were all these dishes?
"Eat."
Shihui Aburame picked up his chopsticks. "If it's not enough, I'll cook more."
Full of anticipation, Hinata Hyuga picked up a piece of chicken and put it in her mouth.
The next second, her eyes widened. She gulped it down after a few quick chews, then fanned her mouth.
"Hah! Hah!"
Hinata Hyuga's little face was bright red, her throat bobbing as she repeatedly swallowed.
Spicy!
So spicy!
She suspected Shihui Aburame had added a lethal dose of chilies.
"Is it spicy?"
Shihui Aburame got up and poured her a glass of milk.
"Hah... no."
Hinata Hyuga gulped down several mouthfuls of milk.
Beads of sweat had already appeared on her forehead.
"I forgot to ask you. My fault."
Looking at her adorable expression, Shihui Aburame placed the twice-cooked pork in front of her. "This one isn't as spicy."
He had been from Sichuan in his previous life. Adding chilies had become instinctive.
"It's... it's fine."
Hinata Hyuga breathed out, feeling much better already.
But she did not dare touch the mouthwatering chicken again.
Left with no choice, Shihui Aburame made a decision that went against his ancestors.
He cooked without chilies.
"Thank you for the meal."
An hour later, Hinata Hyuga put down her chopsticks and spoke with some embarrassment.
After all, she kept coming over for free food and drinks.
This filled her with determination. She had to do something to repay him.
"I'll walk you back."
Shihui Aburame stood up as he spoke. He had no particular interest in six-year-old girls. It was all just to earn achievements.
He actually preferred mature women.
Hinata Hyuga nodded.
Though reluctant, she still had to leave.
Shihui Aburame escorted Hinata Hyuga back to the Hyuga Clan, then went home.
After washing the dishes, he went outside.
This time, he chose an enormous tree, the kind that would take one person's outstretched arms to encircle.
He now had both the Black Boar Gu and the White Boar Gu, giving him twice the increase in strength-and it was permanent.
Shihui Aburame wanted to see just how powerful he was.
A full-power punch!
A visible layer of airflow formed around his fist.
The tremendous force cracked the bark, then drove it inward.
In the blink of an eye, a shape resembling a bull's-eye formed in front of him.
I got stronger without going bald!
Shihui Aburame thought of Tsunade's Superhuman Strength.
Although his punch fell somewhat short in terms of spectacle, it already had that feel.
Besides, the strength increases from the Black Boar Gu and White Boar Gu had yet to reach their limits. They needed some time.
When that happened, he would truly possess innate superhuman strength.
A new day began.
Shihui Aburame sat in the classroom, thinking about his recent passive achievements.
He had noticed a bit of a pattern.
The system seemed rather abnormal, with a bizarre sense of logic.
"Good morning, Shiki."
Ino Yamanaka's sweet smile blossomed before him.
Shihui Aburame nodded.
Ino Yamanaka did not mind.
Although Shihui Aburame was not particularly enthusiastic, he was far better than Sasuke Uchiha, who completely ignored Sakura Haruno.
"Yesterday, I..."
Ino Yamanaka had barely started a conversation before she was interrupted.
"Shiki, I caught a big fish yesterday."
Naruto Uzumaki spoke excitedly. "A whole kilo!"
Who asked you?!
Ino Yamanaka could not help clenching her fists.
"A kilo?"
Shihui Aburame was a little surprised.
"What do you think?"
Naruto Uzumaki asked with a smug expression.
"I like to tell the truth. It was probably beginner's luck."
Shihui Aburame's expression remained calm as he spoke.
Naruto Uzumaki's smile immediately stiffened a little.
"Let's have a fishing competition this weekend."
An idea struck Shihui Aburame, and he spoke.
Perhaps he could pick up another achievement.
"Really?"
Naruto Uzumaki immediately brimmed with enthusiasm. "I'm going to be the king of fishing!"
"That's not a sure thing."
Kiba Inuzuka patted him on the shoulder as he spoke.
"You're coming too?"
Naruto Uzumaki paused in surprise.
"As your friend, of course I'm coming."
Kiba Inuzuka gave a confident smile. "Besides, I've got to show you how great yours truly is!"
Now that they knew each other better, he had revealed his habit of calling himself "yours truly."
Naruto Uzumaki did not mind. He was delighted.
At last, someone would fool around with him.
"I really don't see what's so fun about fishing."
Ino Yamanaka muttered.
"Ino, do you want to come?"
Shihui Aburame asked.
"Yes!"
Ino Yamanaka immediately raised her head and patted her flat chest. "I'm pretty confident in my fishing skills."
"Shihui Aburame!"
Umino Iruka's sudden call silenced the classroom.
Everyone instinctively looked toward the doorway.
Alongside him stood Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade.
"Grandpa Third!"
Naruto Uzumaki blurted out.
"Lord Hokage?"
The other students immediately grew excited.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as the strongest Hokage, enjoyed immense prestige in Konoha.
The fact that most students dreamed of becoming Hokage offered a glimpse of that.
"Who's the person beside him?"
"What do they want with Shihui Aburame?"
The classroom buzzed with chatter.
Since the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade had rarely stayed in Konoha.
They were young and did not recognize her.
"I'm stepping out for a moment."
Shihui Aburame walked out under the gazes of Ino Yamanaka and his other friends.
He spotted Tsunade at a glance.
That pale, deep abyss filled him with solemn respect.
(End of chapter)