Naruto: The White Spider of the Leaf

"What do you mean 'at least' the Byakugan?" Yukino puffed her cheeks, visibly insulted. "You do know the Hyūga clan's prized Doujutsu isn't just an 'at least,' right?"

Her reaction made it clear I'd hit a nerve, almost as if I'd slapped her. The proud Hyūga were one of the two strongest clans in the Leaf alongside the Uchiha after all, and I'd spoken as if they were the least desirable bloodline.

"Hmpf, hmpf, I didn't know you were a disrespectful snowflake," Yukino stood straight and turned her back to me, huffing and puffing. Despite her indignation, I knew she was mostly kidding around.

"Haaa," I sighed, "Sorry, Yuki. I'm just a little frustrated with myself. But I'll manage." I struggled to get back on my feet.

"Hey, hey, take it easy." Yukino turned back and helped me up, holding me steady. She eyed my bruises and wobbly legs. My severely damaged fists showed signs of having bled.

"Hey, Shiro, this isn't all from your spar, right? You haven't gotten into fights with the others, have you? I know they make fun of you, but..."

"No, no, it's nothing like that. I've just been training. Don't worry about it." I tried to sound nonchalant.

"What kind of training does that to your body?" She seemed unconvinced. 

I thought of outright telling her, 'the punch-and-kick trees till you bleed type', but didn't say it.

"I'll head out now. Got some stuff to do after school."

"What?" She looked at me in disbelief. "What about the medical staff? Sensei said he'd call them for you!"

"You think he'd leave me lying here if he had any intention of getting me fixed up? Yeah, right. The guy hates outsiders just as much as the others. He just said it for in front of the class."

"...Well, even so..." Yukino mused, "Shouldn't you at least go by yourself?"

Sighing, I considered it. On one hand, I'd get patched up, while on the other, I might get my teacher in trouble. If the medical-nin found out that he left a kid on the ground with this many wounds, he might get petty towards me. Then again, he's already petty.

"Alright, my limbs have been sore lately, so why not?"

Yukino smiled. "Good boy! Let's go now, come on boy~"

"Hey, I'm not a dog!"

"Hahaha, yes, yes, you're a snowflake. Let's get going."

"I ain't no snowflake either..."

That'd better not become my ninja moniker...

...

The entire process didn't take all that long to complete. The medical ninjutsu healed my bruises easily. There were no deep cuts, so it wasn't a big hurdle for the medical-nin to fix me right up. I got away with a bit of scolding about pushing myself too hard and stunting my growth, but I mostly ignored them and left after giving my thanks. Hopefully, they wouldn't bring the matter to my teacher.

Who knows what the bastard would do to spite me in that case? It could honestly vary from doubling my homework to getting the other kids to gang up on me. Wouldn't surprise me in the least. But well, it's better to be healthy than worry about that idiotic teacher.

I walked with Yukino towards the academy's exit. There, we parted ways. "I'll see you tomorrow, Yukino-chan. Enjoy your day." I put my hands in my pockets and walked off towards where Minato was waiting.

"Alrighty, you too, Shirokumo. Don't melt in the noon heat, okay?" Yukino giggled.

"I'm not an actual snowflake!" I turned to bark at her, but she'd already turned and left. "Hey!"

She made a goofy face with her tongue out, quickly leaving my sight. That brat sure likes to push my buttons.

I sighed and got to walking. The walking turned into jogging. It might not be much, but honestly, any form of training was welcome. I did get some weights for my hands and feet, probably the best way of using part of my parents' inheritance. They were ten-kilogram weights as bands on each limb. I'd been using them for months and was now accustomed to them. My plan was to go the Rock Lee route, gaining more physical strength and speed by simply moving around.

Hm... Maybe I should start using the twenty-kilogram ones now? Food for thought. I weaved through the crowded main roads as a sort of dodging course. After a while, I arrived at a park and went further into the forest area with the tallest trees.

I walked around, looking for Minato. He should be nearby.

But where is he...? I stood on edge. At that moment, a soft, barely noticeable sound reached my ears from above. I rolled out of the way just in time to dodge a falling Minato who'd jumped at me, intending to kick my head in.

After a backflip to gain distance, I exclaimed, grinning, "Ha! I heard you this time!"

"And it only took you two months to notice my little hint." Minato smiled, hands on his hips. "Pretty good, Shiro."

"I can't tell if you're mocking me or-" Before I could finish, Minato cut me off.

"But not good enough." He spoke in a monotone and vanished with a puff of smoke.

"A clone—Agh!" I got kicked in the back, landing flat on my face in the grass.

"You're forgetting something important. Shinobi are all about deceiving the enemy and delivering the final blow when they don't expect it," Minato explained. "Keep this in mind, Shiro. Never let your guard down, whether it be the battlefield or your own home."

"Yes, yes," I pushed myself up. "I'll remember that, 'sensei'!" I chuckled, prompting Minato to smile wryly.

"Haha, well, to call me sensei is a little..." Minato scratched the back of his head, turning bashful. It was surely a little embarrassing to be called that by a friend his own age.

His bashfulness was exactly what I'd intended. I rushed in and threw a roundhouse kick at Minato's head as fast as I could, with all the subtlety I could manage after months of training to hide my presence.

Yet it wasn't enough to surprise the genius. Minato grabbed my leg and used my acceleration against me, throwing me straight into a tree trunk.

"Gah!" I lost my breath again, falling to the ground in pain. "God damn it! I thought I had you this time!" I spoke in aggravation, getting up and glaring at Minato.

"Nice going!" Minato clapped. "That was a good attempt. Good job."

"... I swear this guy is mocking me..." I whispered under my breath.