(dangles chapter in front of reviewers) I don't think you really deserve this...after all, it's only been three days since my last update...I really should hold out on you. But, oh well! I'm feeling generous. Here you go. (tosses drabble out) You know what to do, loves.
1-2-3-G-O
"Salutations and greetings, and welcome to the Ninja Academy. Our prestigious institution has long been dedicated to educating the youth of Konoha Village who aspire to become ninja. We sincerely hope each and every one of you will enjoy your time here and opt to continue with us throughout the remaining years of your schooling."
The class of eight year olds stared blankly at Iruka as he read the official greeting off the memo he had received that morning. He wondered how many of them had actually understood a word he had said. Maybe "welcome". Glancing around at them, he inspected this year's students and smiled warmly. "What that means is, we're glad you're here and we want you to have a good time. My name is Iruka-sensei. I look forward to having a lot of fun with all of you." The children relaxed a little at this more casual introduction.
"Now I'd like to go around the room and have everyone tell us a little about themselves, but before we do that, I'm supposed to pass out your official academy uniforms." As Iruka walked over to a cabinet and started pulling out cardboard boxes, the students looked a little confused at this statement. They had to wear uniforms? They had never seen the older students wearing anything resembling uniforms. In fact, they didn't seem to wear anything that even looked similar…except…
Their teacher pulled a pair of shoes out of the box. They were thick, open-toed, blue, and rather clunky looking. There was a collective sweatdrop from the children at the sight. "You can't be serious!" one distressed looking girl cried. "They'll clash with everything!" Iruka chuckled and the girl fluffed her blond hair, looking indignant.
"This is the Ninja Academy uniform. You will each be given a pair of these shoes," Iruka turned and pulled some small rolls of fabric from the box as well, "…and some of this mesh and some bandages. From these materials you will create your uniform. The mesh and bandages are optional, but highly recommended. The shoes however, are required."
A small hand shot into the air. "Where do you guys get those shoes anyway? They are hardly practical for ninja use and furthermore…"
Iruka cut off the bored looking boy. "Look, don't ask me, they're standard issue. All the villages use them."
Another hand flew up. "Um, sensei, do they have to be so ugl – er, blue?"
He shrugged at the pink haired kunoichi. "Not necessarily. Any ninja equipment store can provide you with other colors. Or you could just paint them. But they have to be the same style or we are required to refuse to teach you." The crowd cried out in anger but Iruka shushed them again with his cry of "THEY'RE STANDARD ISSUE! Don't blame me, I didn't come up with these rules!"
1-2-3
In a village far away, Tsunade sat at the bar of a small pub, chatting with her companion, Shizune. She stared into the distance, speaking fondly of a time long past.
"Yes, back when I was little, I certainly had grandfather whipped," she was saying. "If I just pouted a little and gave him those big puppy dog eyes, why, I could get him to make the whole village where polka-dots if I wanted!" She burst out laughing. Shizune rolled her eyes at the older woman and smiled. Suddenly Tsunade stopped and looked contemplative.
"Y'know…I wonder if it could still work?" She glanced around the bar. "I'm getting on in years, but I really haven't changed much since then…" Smiling wickedly, she called the bartender over. "Sir, I haven't much money left you see, but I was wondering if I could just have one more drink, maybe with a little discount?" The bartender started to refuse, but stopped short when Tsunade's eyes started watering and her bottom lip started trembling. "Please?"
Almost immediately, every male in the near vicinity rushed over and shoved their drinks at the blonde. Grinning, Tsunade took one of the offered drinks. "Yep," she said happily as she prepared to drain the glass, "I've still got it."
1-2-3-G-O
Yes, that was...sufficiently random. XD I was flipping through the Naruto calendar that my friend got me (kyaaa!), when I suddenly noticed..."Hey, they all wear the same shoes. Are those like, standard issue or something?" And here we are.