As Toji strolled down Tea Avenue, he couldn't help but marvel at the bustling energy of the street. Food vendors hawked their wares, their savory scents wafting through the air and mingling with the chatter of passersby. The aroma of freshly grilled meats and steaming bowls of noodles filled the air, tempting Toji's senses with their tantalizing allure.
Despite his disciplined approach to nutrition, Toji couldn't resist the occasional indulgence in street food. The dango sticks he had just purchased were a welcome treat, their sweet and chewy texture providing a satisfying contrast to his usual diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. It was a small indulgence, but one that brought a brief moment of pleasure amidst the rigors of his daily routine.
As he walked, Toji's thoughts turned to Naruto and the academy. While Toji had been granted a reprieve from classes due to his monthly doctor's appointments, Naruto was still hard at work honing his skills as a ninja. Toji couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at his friend's boundless energy and enthusiasm, even as he admired his determination to succeed.
It was where Naruto sunk most of his money after most of his academy classes. A habit Toji was trying to shake out of him, to no avail. The blonde simply loved ramen too much. Plus it was one of the only food stands that fed him willingly. Toji could let it go. He just wouldn't show the blonde idiot any mercy whenever he asked for money. They each got equal allowances. No way he was wasting his money so the blonde could eat more ramen.
Not his fault Naruto always moaned about not having any money for ninja supplies. That one was all on him. Toji could forgive mistakes in training. The one thing Toji wouldn't forgive was an idiot wasting what little money they were given.
Toji had just finished his first stick of dango when he heard the academy bell ring, signaling the end of classes for the day. He stood back across the road from the academy as the parents for most of the other kids waited just outside. He could see the Yamanaka and Akimichi clan parents standing together. Just off to the side were some Uchiha. And further away from almost all of them was the Hyuuga.
He hardly ever saw any Nara, Inuzuka, or Aburame parents. They usually let their kids have more freedom than the other main clans. The Yamanaka and Akimichi were more like helicopter parents where the Uchiha and Hyuuga just wanted to control every moment of their kids' schedules.
Toji was almost glad he was an orphan. He didn't think he could handle having parents butting in to his every action. He just wished the Uchiha who came occasionally would stop sending him looks. He wasn't dumb. Toji knew how similar he looked to them. He wouldn't be surprised if he was in some way related. But there was no way in hell he was ever getting involved in clan politics. It was too similar to the damn Zen'in. Just the thought of them gave him a bad taste in his mouth.
It wasn't long until all the kids were streaming out and Toji felt suddenly like a parent when Naruto came rushing over. He noticed the blonde had recognized his scent before spotting him. His nose was getting better. It was one thing he noticed the two of them had in common; their sense of smell and hearing was heightened compared to those of a normal child. Toji wasn't quite sure what gave Naruto the same kind of senses as Toji himself had, but perhaps it was just an innate technique he was born with, or as this world called it, a kekkei genkai.
"Ooo! What'd you buy?!"
Toji handed over the three dango sticks he had graciously bought for Naruto with his own money while he munched on his last one.
"Just some dango. The usual sugar fix the doc recommended. Were there any new things I missed?"
"Nah." Naruto said before he took a big bite out of his first dango stick. "Jusht the ushual lesshons on chakra conhtorl."
