The moment they handed in their scrolls, they no longer cared about their grades. Whatever happened, they could just get tutoring from Ibuki-sensei or repeat the year if necessary.
In the classroom seats.
Araki didn't leave after handing over the scroll; he was still staring at Kushina, his mind racing, and he had already formed a general idea of how to make Explosive Tag.
The next step is to practice in real-world situations.
How's your learning going?
Just then, a concerned voice rang out, Kushina walked from the back of the classroom to Araki's desk.
It's lunchtime, and almost all the students in the class have left, but one person remains...
At first, the students really wanted to invite Kushina to dinner, but as Uchiha Mikoto came to see Kushina Tenten and the two were practically inseparable, the students' enthusiasm gradually faded.
As time went by, things gradually faded. Everyone went about their own business, and except for some special occasions, they no longer paid as much attention to Kushina.
At this moment, Kushina hadn't left yet, and the students in the class all knew that she was waiting for Uchiha Mikoto, so no one took the initiative to strike up a conversation with her.
that's all...
Kushina approached Araki's table, her concern barely concealed. Her gaze towards Araki burned with intense passion, as if she were about to unleash all the emotions within her, yet she managed to restrain herself and maintain a basic level of rationality.
"I understand it in my head, but my hands still don't."
Araki chuckled as he pulled a bag from his backpack, filled with Explosive Tag. Last night, he had been so engrossed in researching and creating Explosive Tag that he had completely forgotten to give the captured Explosive Tag to Kushina.
Kushina happened to be passing by, so he simply handed it over.
Since we're already here...
We can't just kick them out!
"This is..."
When Kushina took the bag from Araki, her face flushed instantly. She instinctively felt it was a gift for her, her heart pounded even faster, and she was incredibly nervous.
"Sell some Explosive Tag for me, no, I mean exchange them for blank talisman paper, and buy some pens and ink. I want to try making my own Explosive Tag," Araki said in a low voice. He didn't want anyone to hear him, regardless of whether there was anyone else in the classroom, especially since Mikoto would be coming over soon.
"Okay... alright..."
Kushina stared blankly at the bag in front of her, suddenly remembering what Araki had told her last night, and her girlish fantasy was abruptly shattered.
However, she wasn't disappointed; on the contrary, she felt quite happy.
She hadn't had any expectations; she just wanted to say hello to Araki. She had thought about this many times over the past six months, always afraid that Araki would chase her away.
Only now, after the exciting events of last night, did Kushina feel that her relationship with Araki had taken a step closer, and that's why she reluctantly made this attempt.
Currently, it seems...
Araki did not react excessively.
It seemed they tacitly accepted her arrival.
This made Kushina feel that her test had achieved a partial success.
" Kushina!"
Just then, a gentle voice came from the doorway, instantly pulling Kushina out of her reverie. She looked towards the door and knew who it was just by the voice.
"They're here!"
Kushina skipped and hopped toward the door with her small bag in hand; anyone could see her joy.
The person standing at the door right now is Uchiha Mikoto.
The two best friends have a very close relationship; they're practically inseparable except during class. What puzzles Araki is, however, that Uchiha Mikoto doesn't need to do Genin missions?
After calling Kushina's name, Uchiha Mikoto's gaze passed over Kushina and landed on Araki, who was sitting in the classroom.
A deep sense of doubt flickered in his eyes.
Based on her usual conversations with Kushina, she could sense from the latter's words a special feeling for Araki, which made her very curious.
From any angle, she found Araki to be unremarkable, lacking any distinctive features; she thought he might even be overlooked if left on the street.
What makes a guy like that Kushina's attention?
Isn't there a child prodigy like Minato Namikaze in the class?
Does Araki have something particularly outstanding about him?
Every time Uchiha Mikoto sees Araki, she ponders these questions, but she still hasn't found the answers.
After Kushina arrived at the Minato, the two left together and headed to their meal.
This phenomenon also left Araki speechless.
Whether in the world before they transmigrated or in this ninja world, the girls always prefer to do things in groups, and they always hold hands, achieving a remarkable level of unity.
After the two left, Araki put the scroll in his schoolbag. He could go to see Tsunade-sensei after school. Today was nothing short of a test for him. In the afternoon, he would face Tsunade-sensei's test on his basic medical theory knowledge. If he passed, he could officially start learning Medical Ninjutsu.
Actually, Araki didn't have particularly strong expectations in this regard, but he would still try his best to satisfy Tsunade-sensei, so that he would be valued by Tsunade-sensei more and could consult her on matters related to poison making.
only...
Araki also discovered it.
Tsunade-sensei is not particularly skilled at making poisons, nor has she studied it extensively; her focus is primarily on how to find antidotes.
If it weren't for the need to find an antidote, she would never have bothered to study poison formulas. In terms of expertise in poison techniques, Tsunade-sensei wasn't quite that proficient.
However, these alone are enough for Araki to study.
Instantly.
Araki slung his backpack over his shoulder and stood up.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze fixed on me.
His gaze was warm and enthusiastic, giving the impression of a long-time friend, yet there was an indescribable sense of distance, not strong, but real.
Um?
Araki followed the gaze and then remembered that there was still someone in the class, who happened to be Minato Namikaze, who hadn't left the classroom yet.
It's obvious.
The interaction he just had with Kushina.
Minato Namikaze saw it all.
Chapter 31 I agree to you being my brother-in-law! (Nine updates)
"Good heavens..."
Araki felt a little guilty when he looked at Minato Namikaze, after all, many things had changed from the current trajectory, the most important of which was the relationship between Minato Namikaze and Kushina.
Whether he can steal Kushina away from him is another matter, and he's not entirely sure what Kushina is thinking yet; for now, they're considered good friends.
But at least he was certain of one thing.
That means Kushina doesn't seem to develop the same close relationship with Minato Namikaze as in the original historical progression.
Minato Namikaze had been secretly in love with Kushina, silently watching over her but never expressing it. He didn't even lend a hand when Kushina was bullied, only rescuing Kushina when she was captured by the ninjas of Kumogakure Kushina.
That moment can be said to be the moment when Minato and Kushina fell in love!
Araki had no intention of interfering with such a famous scene, but he happened to stumble upon the Kumogakure invaders who were kidnapping people on his way home. He couldn't just stand by and do nothing, which directly led to the fact that such a scene would never happen again.
Even Araki wasn't sure if there would be similar opportunities in the future, but he felt it was unlikely.
" Araki, you're never in class this afternoon. Is something wrong at home?" Minato greeted Araki with a smile. This was almost their first conversation. Araki had always been invisible in class, and everyone knew about his previous language barrier.
"I'm going to study," Araki replied ambiguously. He had already spoken normally; Ibuki-sensei had told the students that Araki had been healed by Lady Tsunade, but the students didn't care about Araki.
"What are you studying?" Minato asked with concern, his eyes filled with curiosity. He hadn't paid much attention to Araki before, and he himself couldn't quite explain it, but now he wanted to find out.
" Medical Ninjutsu." Araki didn't hide it, but he sensed something unusual in Minato's eyes. It was very faint and well-concealed; perhaps Minato himself didn't even notice it, but Araki felt it. This meant that Minato considered him a rival.
"You wouldn't be learning from Lady Tsunade, would you?!" Minato suddenly widened his eyes. His reaction was very quick; almost instantly, he realized this possibility.
"Yes, Tsunade-sensei is teaching me that this is a secret, so you have to keep it a secret for me!" Araki smiled slightly. He was an old actor and hid his emotions very well. Actually, he didn't consider Minato a rival, but he felt a little sorry for Minato.
"That's amazing!" Minato exclaimed from the bottom of his heart. To be a disciple of the Sannin was something every student would envy. He then nodded and said, "Don't worry, I won't tell!"
Thank you!
Araki casually tossed out a sentence and left the classroom, without engaging in any further conversation with Minato.
Even he couldn't quite explain what kind of feeling it was.
Actually, he preferred to communicate with Nawaki. The two had very simple interactions and could become friends without any reservations.
As for the Minato...
Araki had no doubts about the other person's character and believed that the other person would not target him because of his crush; it was just that he found it strange.
Araki felt he needed to train further, and that one day in the future he would be able to face such things without any emotional fluctuations, but his current state of mind had not yet reached that level.
In the classroom.
After Araki left.
Only Minato remained.
Minato stared blankly at the doorway, then suddenly raised his right hand and pinched the back of his left hand hard.
The intense pain did not cause any change in his complexion.
What am I doing?!
Minato sighed helplessly. Even he himself didn't know why he had been so eager to talk to Araki, even though the other person was someone who was practically invisible.
Was it because Kushina spoke to Araki first?
When did I become so petty?
That shouldn't be happening!
There are plenty of people in the class who talk to Kushina, and I've never lost my composure like this before. Why do I feel such a strong sense of crisis from Araki, who is so insignificant?
Am I too tired from answering questions?
Minato shook his head with a wry smile. He spoke normally, and his tone was as gentle as ever, but he knew in his heart that he had been a little sarcastic just now, though he himself was unwilling to admit it.