Chapter 21: Bonds Forged in Detention
Outside Classroom A, a truly spectacular scene was unfolding. An entire class of new students, on their very first day, had been collectively sentenced to stand in the hallway. The classroom was completely empty.
Even the calculative Nara Shikaku and the reserved Namikaze Minato were among them. Shikaku had been dragged out by his inseparable friends, Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza. Minato, feeling awkward about being the only one left inside, had voluntarily joined the punishment.
"Don't look so glum," Hyuga Shinra announced, breaking the sullen silence. "When you're all famous ninja in the future, this might be a fond memory you look back on and laugh about."
He leaned against the wall, completely at ease. "It was just a fight. It's nothing. If you're not wild and reckless in your youth, what stories will you have to tell when you're old?"
"Shinra, you certainly have a unique way of looking at things," Nawaki muttered, his head hanging low. "But if I'm to become Hokage, this will be a stain on my record!"
"Don't worry about it, Nawaki," Shinra 'comforted' him. "Frankly, just looking at you, I don't think you have to worry about becoming Hokage anyway."
Nawaki shot him a look that could kill. Ignoring the murderous glare, Shinra turned his attention to Mikoto, who stood shyly beside him.
"Mikoto, you were so kind to me," he said, his voice softening. "You risked getting in trouble to plead my case to the teacher. I like you more and more."
"I... I didn't..." she stammered, her cheeks flushing as she became acutely aware of the curious, gossipy stares from their classmates. She gave Shinra a light, frustrated tap on the arm before burying her face in her hands, utterly mortified.
Seeing she was on the verge of genuine tears from embarrassment, Shinra decided to back off. He shifted his gaze to a safer target: Hyuga Hizashi.
"Hizashi! So, should I beat you up now, or should I beat you up later?" he asked cheerfully.
Not wanting to lose face in front of everyone, Hizashi puffed out his chest. "I didn't say anything wrong! This whole thing was your fault!"
"Alright, let's not waste words. You know the deal—payment for peace," Shinra said, holding out his hand.
Hizashi hesitated for a moment, then, with practiced resignation, pulled ten thousand ryo from his pocket and placed it in Shinra's waiting palm.
"Hyuga Shinra! How dare you extort my brother!" Hyuga Hiashi snapped, his sense of justice and familial duty overriding his earlier sulk.
"Extort? What harsh language," Shinra chided. "He gave it to me voluntarily. Isn't that right, Hizashi?" He fixed Hizashi with a look that promised future retribution if he disagreed.
"Hizashi, don't be afraid. I'll stand by you," Hiashi declared.
Hizashi looked at his older brother, whose strength was roughly equal to his own, and then at Shinra, who had consistently pummeled him into the ground. The choice was clear.
"Big brother... it's fine. I really did give it to him voluntarily," Hizashi mumbled, looking away in shame.
"You...!" Hiashi pointed at his brother, speechless. He could only shoot a final, furious glare at Shinra before turning away to sulk once more.
"Twelve thousand ryo... you're really rich," Nawaki commented, eyeing the money in Shinra's hand with envy.
"You're the heir to the Senju clan, and you're impressed by this small change?" Shinra retorted with a dismissive glance.
"Ha! My grandma takes all my allowance for gambling. The money I have left is only enough for the cheapest bowl of ramen," Nawaki lamented, pulling out his near-empty wallet and shaking out a few coins.
"Brother... you really are pitiful," Shinra said, his tone genuinely sympathetic. He'd forgotten for a moment that Tsunade was a factor in Nawaki's poverty.
Soon, Teacher Ueno Kuri returned. He looked at the line of punished students and sighed in resignation. "Everyone, back inside. If something like this happens again, the punishment will be severe."
A true, formal punishment was impossible; the backgrounds of these children were too formidable. He was just relieved that Uchiha Ken had suffered no serious injury.
Back in the classroom, Ueno Kuri glared at them all before launching into a lecture on the rules and regulations of the Ninja Academy. Formal classes would begin tomorrow; today was for orientation.
"I don't want to hear another word about what happened today. Consider the matter closed," he concluded sternly. "But if it happens again, don't expect any leniency from me."
A few sparse, unenthusiastic "Yes, sensei"s echoed through the room. Most students had already laid their heads on their desks. A prominent vein throbbed on Ueno Kuri's forehead.
"Fine! Since it's the first day, I'll let it slide. But if anyone dares to do this tomorrow, you'll be running laps on the training ground until you collapse!"
When the final bell rang, Shinra stretched and turned to Mikoto. "Mikoto, would you like to get something to eat with me? My treat."
"Your treat? I want to come too!" Nawaki interjected, his ears perking up at the mention of food.
Shinra looked at the third wheel and smiled wryly. "Alright then," he announced to the whole class. "I'm treating everyone to barbecue at the Konoha Barbecue House! Anyone who wants to come is welcome!"
"Alright! Shinra, you're a true friend! I'm in!" Akimichi Choza boomed, already on his feet.
"Mikoto, you'll come, won't you? Save me some face," Shinra added softly.
"Mm-hmm," Mikoto nodded, her reply barely audible.
Nearly the entire Class A accepted the invitation. Even the Hyuga brothers, Hiashi and Hizashi, gave curt nods of agreement.
At the restaurant, Nawaki took charge. "Boss! We need your biggest private room!"
"Coming right up! For such a fine group of future shinobi, I'll give you a 30% discount," the owner began.
Once they were settled in the private room, Shinra started ordering. "Let's start with fifty plates of the premium beef and vegetables."
"Whoa! There are a lot of us, and Choza can eat, but this is too much!" the usually quiet Yamanaka Inoichi pointed out.
"He's right, Shinra," Mikoto added worriedly. "If we can't finish it, it'll be a waste. And this must be so expensive."
"Don't worry," Shinra said, just as Nawaki opened his mouth to explain. "You just don't know how much I can eat."
The ensuing feast became the stuff of legend. Even the legendary appetite of Akimichi Choza looked modest next to Shinra's methodical, relentless consumption.
As the meal was winding down, Mikoto leaned close to Shinra, her voice a whisper. "Shinra, do you have enough money? I have plenty with me if you need it."
Shinra chuckled softly, reached out, and gently ruffled her hair. "Don't worry about it," he murmured back. "I have more than enough. Enough to support you, in fact."
"Hmph! I'm ignoring you now," she huffed, her face turning crimson. She picked up her glass of juice and took a long drink, trying to hide her overwhelming shyness.
By the time they finished, evening had fallen. The students gradually dispersed, heading for their homes.
After saying goodbye to Mikoto and Nawaki, Shinra found himself walking back to the Hyuga compound alongside Hiashi and Hizashi. The journey was silent and awkward. Hiashi maintained his stern, unapproachable facade, and Shinra quickly grew bored of trying to engage him. His attempts to chat with Hizashi were equally fruitless, as the younger boy seemed too intimidated to hold a conversation.
Upon reaching the Hyuga clan's grounds, they parted ways with a silent nod, each heading to their own home. Shinra walked alone, the events of the day playing in his mind. It had been chaotic, but it had also forged the first threads of connection in this new chapter of his life.