The flower-arranging class ended.
Haruna Yamanaka was very generous and gave them all their arrangements.
Because of this unexpected turn of events, Shihui Aburame had to make a trip home.
He walked for a few minutes, then stopped.
The glass of a roadside shop reflected Ino Yamanaka's figure.
Shihui Aburame turned around and looked at her.
"Shiki-kun."
Having been spotted, Ino Yamanaka walked up without hesitation, raised her cosmos flowers, and asked, "Look, aren't they pretty?"
"Pretty."
Shihui Aburame looked at her as he spoke.
Compared to the cosmos flowers already in bloom, she was like a bud that needed time and watering to blossom.
"How about we trade arrangements?"
Ino Yamanaka revealed her purpose.
Shihui Aburame nodded.
He did not mind whether he had sunflowers or cosmos flowers.
A happy smile immediately appeared on Ino Yamanaka's face.
Holding the sunflowers, she said with earnest eyes, "I'll make sure they stay in bloom long enough."
Though to Shihui Aburame, it was a wasted effort.
After all, fresh flowers would eventually wither.
His philosophy was to pluck a flower while it bloomed, rather than wait until only bare branches remained.
"Shiki-kun."
Ino Yamanaka looked up at him and said, "Come over to my house to see them when you have time."
With that, she turned and jogged away without waiting for Shihui Aburame's answer.
Her golden ponytail swayed behind her head, finally disappearing along with her figure.
So that was what she was planning?
Shihui Aburame could not help smiling.
The afternoon lesson covered the Three Basic Techniques.
Just as in the original story, Naruto Uzumaki was the worst.
The difference was that he was not dejected.
Right now, his head was filled with nothing but Taijutsu.
"Before class ends, I have an announcement."
Umino Iruka closed his textbook and said, "Since Mr. Mizuki has taken leave, I'll be covering second-year Class A next week."
Shihui Aburame raised his eyebrows.
There were three familiar faces in second-year Class A: Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten.
The last three of the Konoha Twelve.
As for Mizuki, he did not remember much about him.
He only remembered that he had goaded Naruto Uzumaki into stealing the Scroll of Seals.
But Shihui Aburame thought Hiruzen Sarutobi had allowed and orchestrated it.
A Genin stealing the Scroll of Seals, filled with forbidden techniques, so easily was simply too absurd.
"For convenience, we'll hold your practical lessons together then."
Umino Iruka smiled and said, "Second-year Class A has Neji Hyuga, the top student in the entire school."
Sasuke Uchiha immediately raised his head.
Interest appeared on his face.
The Hyuga Clan was as renowned as the Uchiha Clan, so naturally, he had paid attention to them.
He had long heard of the prodigy Neji Hyuga.
But he did not know how strong he actually was.
Now he could test him.
Before enrolling, Sasuke Uchiha had set himself a goal.
He would graduate at the top of the entire school, just like his older brother, Uchiha Itachi.
Back then, he had already marked Neji Hyuga as someone he had to defeat.
But he had never expected to suffer a crushing defeat first, losing to Shihui Aburame twice in a row.
Neji...
Hinata Hyuga's heart tightened.
Ever since Neji Hyuga had received the Caged Bird Seal, their relationship had deteriorated sharply.
She did not know how to face him anymore.
"Class dismissed."
Umino Iruka left the classroom with his textbook.
The students headed home, until only Sasuke Uchiha and the others remained.
"Fishing!"
Naruto Uzumaki said enthusiastically, "I'm definitely catching the most this time."
"I am."
Sasuke Uchiha walked past him.
"No way!"
Naruto Uzumaki chased after him, refusing to concede.
"Idiot."
Sasuke Uchiha curled his lip.
If not for Shihui Aburame, he would never have considered competing with Naruto Uzumaki.
Even at fishing.
To him, Naruto Uzumaki was dead last.
Who does he think he is, trying to be my friend?
Sasuke Uchiha only acknowledged Shihui Aburame.
Because he was strong enough.
"That Naruto!"
Sakura Haruno jogged forward with an annoyed expression. Shihui Aburame stood up and walked out at an unhurried pace.
"Shiki-kun."
Ino Yamanaka chatted with him with a smile. "My mom said you have a real talent for flower arranging."
Hinata Hyuga was rather quiet.
She did not know what to say.
"That's Shiki-kun for you."
Kiba Inuzuka glanced to either side as he spoke.
"Do you want to be like that too?"
Shikamaru Nara asked, his hands clasped behind his head.
"No."
Kiba Inuzuka shook his head and said seriously, "I like dogs better than girls."
"You still haven't picked a dog?"
Shikamaru Nara was a little surprised.
The Inuzuka Clan possessed secret techniques that let them merge with dogs.
Every member would have a dog as a lifelong partner, serving a variety of purposes.
"No."
Kiba Inuzuka said gloomily, "I haven't really liked any of them."
"There's no rush. Take your time."
Shino Aburame interjected, "Even waiting until graduation wouldn't be too late."
"Shino, when did you get here?"
Kiba Inuzuka asked in surprise.
"..."
Shino Aburame answered expressionlessly, "I've been behind you the whole time."
"Ah, sorry."
Kiba Inuzuka hurriedly apologized.
"It's fine."
Shino Aburame did not mind.
He was already used to being overlooked.
When they reached the riverbank, they spread out as they had last time and began fishing.
Having won once, Shihui Aburame no longer felt competitive.
Sasuke Uchiha alone burned with fighting spirit, more serious than ever before.
An hour later, the fishing contest ended.
"How many?"
Sasuke Uchiha immediately looked at Naruto Uzumaki.
He was incredibly nervous inside, but his expression remained unchanged, as cool and aloof as ever.
"You're asking me?"
Naruto Uzumaki looked surprised.
"Yes, you."
Sasuke Uchiha said.
"You acted like I was beneath you before, but now you're..."
With that confirmation, Naruto Uzumaki immediately grew smug.
"Shut up."
Sasuke Uchiha asked impatiently, "How many?"
"Seven."
Naruto Uzumaki raised his chin slightly and asked, "Well? Ready to admit defeat?"
"I caught nine."
Without even looking at him, Sasuke Uchiha walked toward Shihui Aburame and said, "I won."
Naruto Uzumaki froze in place.
"When do you want to spar?"
Shihui Aburame asked casually.
"Tomorrow."
Sasuke Uchiha paused, then said, "I have a question."
"What?"
Shihui Aburame raised his head to look at him.
"How much of your strength did you use in our last fight?"
Sasuke Uchiha took a deep breath as he asked.
"Do you want the truth or a lie?"
Shihui Aburame asked in return.
"The truth, of course."
Sasuke Uchiha gave a soft snort as he spoke.
"Thirty percent."
Shihui Aburame's tone was calm.
Of all his Gu, he had only used the Jade Skin Gu, White Boar Gu, and Black Boar Gu.
He had even held back with the latter two.
He had not used the others, such as the Moonlight Gu, Little Light Gu, or Bone Spear Gu.
Sasuke Uchiha's expression stiffened, his face filled with disbelief.
Why only thirty percent?
In both fights, he had felt that Shihui Aburame had not used his full strength.
He had thought it would be seventy percent, never expecting thirty.
"You're lying!"
Sasuke Uchiha stared fixedly at Shihui Aburame.