"Hey there, esteemed chief students."
Just as Tatsuma and Minato stepped onto the Academy grounds, they were greeted by a sardonic voice. Minato, walking a pace behind Tatsuma, mirrored his confusion.
Glancing toward the origin of the voice, they found Shikaku accompanied by Choza and Inoichi, all wearing mischievous grins. The source of the sarcasm was none other than Shikaku himself. Catching the attention of the duo, Shikaku continued with a playful smirk:
"Considering it's a first in Academy history for two students to clinch the top spot simultaneously, don't you think you owe me, the unsung hero and your stepping stone, a celebratory meal?"
Upon processing this, Tatsuma and Minato hadn't shown any immediate reactions. Choza, amidst his snack of potato chips, unexpectedly shot his hand up high and declared, "Count me in! Stepping stones, unite!"
"..."
A hush settled over the group, particularly catching Shikaku off guard. He had just playfully referred to himself as a stepping stone, and here was Choza turning it into some kind of honorable pledge.
Fortunately, both Shikaku and Inoichi had grown up alongside Choza, well aware of the Akimichi clan's unwavering dedication to the art of eating. The reputation of their gluttony extended far and wide, both within and beyond the village.
"Chief students, huh? Not bad, Minato. Looks like you're holding your ground against me." Tatsuma chuckled, giving Minato a friendly pat on the shoulder. In the practical tests preceding the break, both Tatsuma and Minato displayed comparable skills in the combat assessments. The only notable difference was Tatsuma's heightened determination to emerge victorious, even if it meant sustaining injuries to outdo Minato.
Furthermore, Tatsuma considered the joint performance of himself and Shikaku in the initial round as a bit of a setback. Hence, despite Tatsuma winning all three matches and Minato securing two out of three, a tied score seemed a fair assessment given the circumstances.
However, this did lead to the cancellation of a reward since he didn't win this bet. Tatsuma wasn't overly disappointed about missing out on a talent reward this time. He acknowledged that Minato's performance had been genuinely commendable, worthy of the title of chief student.
Moreover, post-tests, Minato actively sought out Tsunade's expertise to mend his injuries. Tatsuma couldn't help but feel that without Tsunade's Medical Ninjutsu, at least half of his break time would have been wasted.
Initially concerned that Tatsuma's strong desire for victory might make it challenging for him to accept the situation, Minato was pleasantly surprised to find Tatsuma still sporting a smile. Witnessing this, Minato's admiration for Tatsuma only deepened, prompting him to say:
"Let me treat a few of you to ramen tonight; I don't have a bottomless wallet, though."
"Alright!"
The first day of the new semester unfolded with a laid-back atmosphere. Sarutobi Atoma gleefully disclosed the results of the previous exam. The overall performance from the previous semester was commendable, with Tatsuma and Minato standing out in particular.
Initially, it was Sarutobi Atoma who decided to place these two commoner students in the same class, even displacing a child from the Shimura Clan. At first, he had concerns about whether these two would blend in seamlessly after enrollment.
However, geniuses were geniuses. Tatsuma and Minato exceeded his expectations, earning the titles of first-year chief students at the ninja school and catching the attention of the Third Hokage and Jiraiya.
Sarutobi Atoma showered the two with praise for an extended period, and even Tatsuma, who had experienced two lifetimes, found himself blushing. It wasn't shyness but rather a sense of shame, as they were being excessively aplauded for their modest skills.
Admittedly, in the realm of praising others, Tatsuma still had some room for improvement. Constantly uttering "you deserve it" left and right could potentially make him come across as less refined than he truly was.
However, not everyone managed to meet Sarutobi Atoma's satisfaction. Following the commendation, Sarutobi Atoma, without singling out individuals, offered some constructive criticism directed mainly at students born into prominent ninja clans, particularly those famous for the Shadow Secret Technique, without explicitly naming names.
Yet, Atoma emphasized that a certain student whose father holds the esteemed position of a Jonin Captain and serves as the Hokage's strategist was the worst of them all!
In response, Nara Shikaku expressed genuine confusion, unable to discern whom Sarutobi Atoma was referring to. He even pondered aloud if such a student existed in their class.
After an extensive address, Sarutobi Atoma concluded the recap of the previous semester. However, it was worth noting that the morning classes had just drawn to a close.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio headed home and notified their parents about skipping dinner at home. Meanwhile, Tatsuma and Minato opted to remain at the academy and enjoy the lunches they brought with them. This choice also played a pivotal role in Minato's plan to treat them to dinner later in the evening.
Amid the lunch break, Tatsuma and Minato dedicated some time to a game of shogi. Steering away from physical activities, Tatsuma was keen on refining his shogi skills, recognizing its importance in leveraging Shikaku's expertise in the future.
The sole game that captured Shikaku's interest was shogi, and he held a commendable skill level. Tatsuma could only secure victory in one or two games out of ten. Nevertheless, this proved to be the most effective method for Tatsuma to raise his talent points limit.
Despite engaging with Shikaku, Tatsuma noticed that Shikaku never dropped any special talents; he only contributed talent points, primarily in the category of wisdom.
In the afternoon, Sarutobi Atoma commenced the introduction of the second-semester curriculum, mirroring Tatsuma's earlier studies. The focus shifted towards mastering two E-rank Ninjutsu: the Escape Technique and the Cloak of Invisibility Technique.
Furthermore, both of these Ninjutsu came with rice tags, requiring financial investment.
Certainly, it wasn't tuition fees but the essential materials required for mastering these techniques. Take the Escape Technique, for instance; it demanded items like ropes, potions, and small steel wires suitable for sewing into sleeves. Similarly, the Cloak of Invisibility Technique resembled a handicraft class, with students responsible for obtaining their own tools and materials.
Upon receiving this information, the others appeared nonchalant, yet Tatsuma and Minato couldn't help but feel conflicted. Being the only orphans in the class, their families were not financially well-off, putting them in a challenging position.
However, when Sarutobi Atoma handed out the procurement list, both of them let out a sigh of relief. The items on the list weren't particularly expensive, and, coincidentally, the prices aligned with the New Year's money sent by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
In simpler terms, the village had already allocated funds for them to acquire these items. Tatsuma and Minato, accustomed to a consistent spending standard, felt a sense of reassurance. However, they couldn't help but wonder if there were fellow students who weren't as conscientious with their expenses.
Nevertheless, such worries didn't linger in the minds of the two children. Their gratitude stemmed from the fact that they hadn't spent their New Year's money recklessly.
After handing out the procurement list and textbooks, Sarutobi Atoma briefly went over the semester schedule and then exited the classroom, granting everyone some self-study time.
In reality, though, studying was the last thing on anyone's mind. The children, still caught up in the holiday spirit, were animatedly discussing the interesting events of the New Year, with some even weaving Shikaku's shogi moves into the conversation.
The sole exception was Minato, who diligently applied himself to his studies. Tatsuma, on the other hand, found his thoughts wandering, contemplating scenarios like introducing board games from his past life and convincing Shikaku to join him.
While Tatsuma might have been a novice at shogi, he was a master at games like Connect Five in his previous life, unrivaled by the boys, girls, grandpas, and grandmas in the neighborhood.
Engrossed in his thoughts, Tatsuma and Minato were interrupted by the bell signaling the end of the class. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio strategically positioned themselves at both ends of Tatsuma and Minato's row of seats, almost as if they were apprehensive the two might make a quick getaway.
True to his honest and reliable nature, Minato indeed treated them to ramen. Shikaku and Inoichi didn't shy away from ordering the priciest enhanced ramen, while Choza boldly requested a whopping five bowls.
Despite the extravagant choices, Minato maintained his cheerful demeanor, fully capable of covering the expenses. However, when the time came to settle the bill, both Tatsuma and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio voluntarily reached for their wallets and paid their shares.
"Um, wasn't I supposed to treat you guys?"
Minato, already reaching for his wallet, paused for a moment, clearly taken aback. Shikaku shook his head, remarking, "If my mom catches wind that I extorted money from my classmates, I'll be in deep trouble. Spare me the trouble please."
With these words, Shikaku was the first to hand the money to the owner. Minato, still a bit perplexed, hesitated, but when his turn came, he only needed to settle his own portion.
On the journey home, Tatsuma observed Minato, who still wore a puzzled expression, and offered a reassuring pat on his shoulder. "Unlike us, they never struggle for a bowl of ramen. They're just using this as a way to get a bit closer to us."
"Really?"
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