Ⅰ
After receiving some thoughtful advice from Ino regarding how to address Naruto's misbehavior yesterday, I planned to have a chat with him once the graduation exam was finished. The test was set for early morning, at precisely eight o'clock. All students were tasked with performing a cloning jutsu (分身の術). This jutsu is used to determine whether the students have mastered the basic chakra control. Unlike the transformation jutsu, the cloning jutsu requires a sufficient amount of chakra to create one clone. If you can create one clone, you have good chakra control. However, during the exam, we are required to create three clones of ourselves. Creating three clones will demonstrate that you can easily acquire different types of jutsu, which require a tremendous amount of chakra to consume.
We patiently waited for our turn, with Iruka sensei calling out our names one by one. Once our names were called, he would bring us to an examination room, where Iruka sensei and his colleague Mizuki sensei presided as judges. They will evaluate our performances individually and give a final decision on whether we can graduate from the academy or not.
I was one of the early batch students to be called. I was able to summon three clones of myself effortlessly, passing the test with flying colors. I was thrilled to receive the Konoha headband from Iruka Sensei. He gave me a warm smile and patted me on the head after awarding me the headband.
"Congratulations, Darren," Iruka sensei praised. You did it well." After my turn, Shikamaru and Choji followed suit, successfully passing their tests. It brought me great joy to hear them pass. Despite the examination being a bit difficult, passing wasn't impossible if you paid attention in class and practiced on your own. Because of this, I had a feeling that everyone would be able to graduate.
However, my optimism was soon shattered. I heard a rumor that one student hadn't passed. The whispers pointed to a boy known for his hyperactive nature. I couldn't bear the thought that it might be him. I desperately hoped it was someone else who didn't make it. But, as reality often shows, hopes don't always come true. It was Naruto Uzumaki, my dearest friend. He was the only student who had failed the test. The news hit me very hard. It shook me to my very core, leaving me at a loss for words.
Ⅱ
After finishing our graduation exam, we were quickly told to assemble in front of the academy gate for our graduation photo. Standing in the center, I attempted to muster a smile for the camera. Yet, amidst the excitement, the thought of Naruto not being here for the shoot still lingers in my head. It felt conflicting to celebrate my own graduation while he remained unable to join us. Despite the atmosphere being filled with celebratory grins from everyone else, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt, passing the exam without him, resulting in a bitter smile.
Once the photo was taken, students began congratulating each other for passing the test. Cheers of "We did it!" filled the air, accompanied by tears of happiness. Parents stood witness to the moment. Their faces were beaming with pride as their children proudly donned the Konoha headband. Among them were Shikamaru's, Chouji's, and Ino's parents, radiating joy at their children's accomplishments. The legendary Ino-Shika-Chou trio gathered their children in tight embraces, showering them with praise and affection, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere.
During the joyful celebration, I was greeted by my Uncle, Asuma Sarutobi. He approached me with a big smile and patted me on my shoulder. "Well done, Darren," he praised. You did a fantastic job." Seeing him nod approvingly as I wore the headband, I felt a sense of pride in me.
Ever since I was adopted into the Sarutobi clan, Uncle Asuma has treated me like his own son. With my grandpa occupied leading the village, he asked his kin if someone could look after me while he handled the village affairs. Uncertain glances were exchanged as they pondered who would undertake the task. No one was sure how to care for me, an Ijin (異人) with distinct features—light blue eyes and medium-length royal maroon hair tied in a ponytail. However, despite the uncertainty, Uncle Asuma volunteered to take me under his wing.
He had some experience being exposed to foreign cultures and was well-versed in handling people from different backgrounds. While he could be strict, he was always there for me, offering parental love and care when I needed it the most.
I wish I could have shared the same news with Grandpa. It would have been nice to let him know that I passed the test despite the challenges I faced when I first arrived in Konoha. He taught me about history and sparked my fascination with becoming a Shinobi. But given that he inspired me to become one, I believed he'd react similarly to Uncle Asuma.
"Hey, Darren!" Shikamaru called out. I quickly turned to my Nara friend and responded, "Yes, Shikamaru?"
"Chouji, Ino, and I are planning a Yakiniku party to celebrate. Wanna come?" he asked.
"Sounds great!" I replied, then sought Uncle Asuma's permission to join them. He nodded, saying,
"Sure, Darren. Go ahead." With his approval, I eagerly made my way to join the festivities.
However, before I got to them, I caught a glimpse of Naruto sitting quietly on a swing beneath the tree. He was looking at me somberly, not saying a word. His eyes were cast down, reflecting the sadness in his downturned lips. I felt a combination of emotions coming from him as if he were struggling with inner turmoil and maybe even a hint of envy—the envy of seeing his closest friend graduate.
Seeing Naruto like that made me uneasy. I considered approaching him to offer some words of encouragement. However, I hesitated, fearing it might seem insincere and backfire, ultimately defeating the purpose of comforting him. All I could do was to keep looking at him and stand.
The moment was interrupted when Shikamaru called out to me, snapping me out of my reverie. "Darren," he said, reaching out to me. " Are you okay?"
I turned to Shikamaru and forced a smile, replying, "U-umm yeah, I'm fine."
But when I glanced back at Naruto a few seconds later, he had mysteriously disappeared from my sight.
Ⅲ
The mouth-watering aroma of grilled meat filled the air. Chouji couldn't resist taking another bite as he picked up a piece of cooked meat from the grill. "MMM~~~! The meat has cooked to perfection ~~!" he exclaimed with satisfaction. His chopsticks were moving swiftly as he indulged in the savory delight. A wide grin spread across his face as he continued to enjoy the delicious meal.
"There is no need to rush, you know." Shikamaru sighed, "Your dad booked us this place for two hours, and we've only been here for thirty minutes."
Chouji chuckled, "Well if you're going to keep reminding me of the time, I might as well eat until I can't take another bite." He then waved down the waiter passing by and ordered three servings of Tontoro for himself.
"Oh, Chouji. You need to enjoy the moment more." Ino butted in. "If you are going to keep focus on eating, you'll miss out on the whole experience of dining out." She paused to take a sip of her green tea before continuing, "We all graduated from the academy together, so we should spend more time talking and enjoying each other's company."
Chouji grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "I guess you're right, Ino. I just can't resist good food, you know?" He glanced around the table, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "But hey, I promise to slow down... after I finish these two." He quickly showed them the two plates of Pork Ribs, indicating his intent to enjoy them fully before easing his pace.
Shikamaru shook his head with a smirk. "Troublesome as always, Chouji. But I guess that is what makes dining with you enjoyable."
Ino agreed as she chuckled softly, her laughter ringing light and melodious in the air.
As the trio continued to enjoy their conversation over the sizzling grilled meat, I found my thoughts drifting elsewhere, preoccupied with the lingering memory of Naruto's gaze from our time at the academy. The intensity of his blue eyes seemed to imprint itself in my mind, refusing to fade like an unwelcome shadow. It was unsettling how deeply his glance had affected me, leaving me feeling strangely unsettled and distracted.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed Ino's concerned voice breaking through the haze. "Darren? You okay?" she inquired, her brow furrowing with worry as she turned her attention to me.
Startled, I blinked and shook myself out of my reverie. "Oh umm…yes, Ino?" I stammered, trying to mask my distraction with a forced smile.
"You've been awfully quiet," she observed, her expression softening with concern. "Is there something on your mind?"
My eyes flickered to the trio seated across from me—Shikamaru, Chouji, and Ino—each sharing the same expression of concern. "Well..." I began, my voice trailing off as I gathered my thoughts. "It's about Naruto. You see..." With that, I found myself opening up about the heavy burden weighing on my mind. It didn't take long to explain. Gradually, they soon understood my concerns, and their expression softened in comprehension.
"I see. It must have been quite shocking for you to hear about Naruto failing the test," Ino said softly, her words laced with empathy.
"Yeah." I nodded, "I was planning to talk to him afterward, but when I heard the news… I was at a loss for words and…seeing the disappointment in his eyes… it was… it was hard to describe..." With a heavy sigh, I paused to collect my thoughts, taking a moment to sip my drink.
"So what are you going to do?" Shikamaru leaned forward, his expression earnest with curiosity.
"I am not sure Shikamaru." I replied, shaking my head in uncertainty, "If I give him some words of encouragement, I have a feeling he would reject me. But if I don't, then…" My voice trailed off as I sank deeper into my thoughts, feeling a heavy weight settle over me. A sense of helplessness washed over me, making me want to bury my face in my hands.
Then, suddenly, Choji interjected with a bright idea, "Hmm... well, maybe you could treat him to a meal."
"A meal?" I looked up, intrigued by the idea.
"Yeah! Whenever I'm feeling down, good food always cheers me up! And my go-to comfort food is Yakiniku!" Choji enthusiastically explained, pausing only to take another mouthful of pork ribs with rice.
"I'm not so sure, Choji," I hesitated. "I doubt Naruto would be willing to join me for a meal after everything he's been through."
"Trust me, Darren," Choji reassured with a grin. "There's a saying you know: 'When gloominess starts to brew, Grab some food, let happiness ensue!'" With a satisfied nod, he returned to his meal, leaving his words to linger in the air.
"Umm, guys? Are you three okay?" Choji looked at us, wondering why we were quiet. Shikamaru, Ino, and I exchanged glances before returning our attention to our friend. We were surprised by his simple but thoughtful advice. Its rhythm stuck in our minds, leaving an impact on us, especially to me.
The idea of having a meal with Naruto might be a way to connect with him. It had been a while since we'd eaten together at Ichiraku, so perhaps Choji's idea could help with the situation.
After a brief moment of organizing my thoughts, my blonde friend sitting beside me nodded in agreement. A gentle smile tugged at her lips as she turned to me. "It's worth a try, Darren. Naruto may not feel ready to talk about it, but he would appreciate the gesture nonetheless."
Shikamaru reclined across the table and furrowed his brow in thought as he chimed in. "Yeah, food does have a way of lifting spirits. Naruto could definitely use a bite to cheer him up."
Their words lifted my spirits. Feeling buoyed by their support, I decided to try Chouji's idea of approaching Naruto again. "Alright," I affirmed, "Let's give it a shot. I'll talk to Naruto and see if he's up for it."
"That's the spirit!" Choji exclaimed, offering me a thumbs-up as he continued enjoying his meal.
"Okay then, time for me to enjoy this celebration," I declared, flagging down the passing waiter to place my order, "Three servings of beef ribs, please! And make it snappy!"
As I placed the order, Shikamaru raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Three servings all for yourself, Darren?"
"Absolutely," I replied confidently, echoing Choji's earlier sentiment. "As Choji says, 'When gloominess starts to brew, grab some food, let happiness ensue!'"
Shikamaru chuckled softly at my response, nodding in understanding. "Fair enough."
Ino giggled at the boldness of my order, her laughter carrying a hint of relief. It was clear she was glad to see me taking a positive step forward in approaching Naruto.
And with that, I was able to enjoy the Yakiniku Party and celebrate our graduation.
Ⅳ
After bidding farewell to my companions after a satisfying meal, I was on my way to the Sarutobi Compound. Thanks to Chouji's advice, I felt my feet light as I finally found a way to approach Naruto. As I trod the familiar paths leading to my home, the sky above had already been painted with the darkness of night, adorned with the twinkling jewels of distant stars. The view of the night sky was beautiful, making me wanna have a night walk after I got home.
However, all of that thought abruptly shattered by the unexpected sight of a cluster of Chunins bustling with urgency near the main gate. Curious and somewhat concerned, I hastened my steps toward the commotion. Over there, I spotted Uncle Asuma giving orders to the Sarutobi Chunins surrounding him.
"Darren," he called out as soon as he noticed me.
"Uncle Asuma," I replied, scanning the scene before us. "What's going on?"
His response hung heavily in the air, his expression betraying concern for my reaction to the news he was about to deliver. "It's about Naruto." he said solemnly, "He has stolen the Forbidden Scroll of the First Hokage."