Shorai stepped out of the Academy building as the first drops of rain began to fall, soft and steady at first, then growing heavier.
With a low puff from a prepared scroll, he summoned an umbrella, its canopy unfurling with a gentle snap. The scent of wet earth and fresh rain filled the air.
He took a few steps forward when he noticed Ino hurrying from the training grounds, her footsteps quick against the slick stone.
Their eyes met, and Ino's face brightened with a cute, surprised smile.
"Oh! What a coincidence, done with your class as well, Shorai-kun?" she said, blinking up at him.
"For some time now," he replied, thoughtful, stepping aside to let her walk beside him. "Still, two more exams to go."
Ino tilted her head, curiosity sparkling. "Here you go again... What's on your mind?"
"Graduation," Shorai said, glancing sideways at her. "Do you know what's going to happen?"
Ino looked away, biting her lip as if recalling a vague memory. "N-no... I asked my father once. He said, 'It's for me to find out.' What does that even mean?" Her brows furrowed in mild irritation.
"That's interesting," Shorai smiled, noticing her narrowing eyes. "Even clan-borns aren't told. I guess it's something everyone has to discover for themselves. Probably a special moment... aside from just getting the headband."
"Hmph! What could be so special about it? I'll be an official Konoha Kunoichi and start real missions!" she declared, then glanced at him cautiously. "You... do you want to team up? We could do missions together..."
"What a good friend you are, Ino! Already planning that far ahead, huh?" Shorai chuckled softly, amused by her earnestness.
"Maybe I won't have time... or maybe I will," he said, watching her expression shifting to a playful pout.
"I know you will! Doing missions with a close friend beats going with strangers, you know..." she replied warmly.
A crescent smile curved Shorai's lips as they continued walking, their steps falling into easy rhythm.
The rain fell harder now, thunder rumbling distantly.
They paused outside her clan's flower shop, the warm glow spilling onto the wet street. Shorai noticed Ino's mother watching them from inside.
Before he could say goodbye, Ino stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him in a light hug. Taken aback, Shorai stared at the back of her head, surprised by the sudden closeness. Then he felt her grip gently tighten.
His expression softened, and with a thin smile, he placed a free hand on her back in a quiet, a light mutual gesture.
Drip... drip...
An infinity held in a moment, the only sounds the steady patter of rain on the umbrella and Ino's beating heart against his.
Finally, she pulled away with a fleeting smile. "See you, Shorai! Thanks for walking me home... I... I..." She dashed inside, her ponytail swaying beneath the awning.
Shorai watched her go, as he began to notice something, a tug stirring inside him. Have I always been this sentimental, or is this new?
He lingered a moment longer, the warmth of her embrace still fresh against his skin. As he pondered his body and mind, his gaze dropped to his chest, where the faint pulse of Aether, like a sleeping animal, patiently awaited its release. A warning resurfaced in his mind: Reality can bring hidden consequences.
Moments later, he turned and headed home. The weather was too poor for outdoor training. Inside his room, he locked the door and focused on chakra control, refining its form while pondering fuinjutsu and the complexities of layered sealing.
As the rain continued to fall steadily, days passed and the rhythm of the Academy life resumed, bringing Shorai back to the familiar bustle of classrooms and the challenges that awaited him.
Early in the morning, Tetsuo found Shorai coming out of his room and informed him of the need to attend today's class.
Shorai raised a brow at Tetsuo's exasperated look, then outside the apartment block, he finally understood.
Grown shinobi in flak jackets hurried past, their faces grim.
The sacred monument of the Hokage faces had been defaced—marked with flamboyant graffiti unmistakably familiar to Shorai.
He shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips, and made his way to the Academy.
Inside, the classroom felt smaller, emptier. The usual seats on the right—where he and Sasuke once sat—were vacant.
Sasuke and Shikamaru occupied the back center seats, their expressions curious but contrasting.
Sakura sat beside Kiba, both drawn to the rare sight of his presence.
Ino, at the front desk, waved him over enthusiastically. "Shorai! Come sit with me!"
As he settled beside her, a sudden loud bickering erupted from the hallway, silencing the room.
Iruka, seething with anger, walked in carrying Naruto, who was tied with a rope over his shoulder like a freshly caught fish flailing for freedom.
Laughter erupted across the classroom.
Iruka set Naruto down and fixed him with a stern glare.
"Listen, Naruto! This is no time for goofing off! You've already failed twice!"
Naruto shrugged, provoking Iruka's frustration further.
The teacher announced a retest of the Transformation Jutsu for everyone—even those who had passed.
"WHAT?!" "NARUTO!!" echoed through the room.
Students lined up, taking turns as Iruka observed and took notes.
When Naruto's turn came, he muttered, "Like I care..."
Shorai leaned on his desk, arms crossed, a thin smile playing on his lips as he anticipated the chaos.
Puff...
"I-Irukaaa Sensei..."
"YOU DUMBASS! NO MORE STUPID JUTSUS!"
The class stared at Naruto with mixed expressions—disgust, amusement, and awe. Some exchanged glances, while others whispered in hushed voices.
Naruto's jutsu had improved, becoming more... appealing to some of the boys who had hit puberty.
The day ended with a taijutsu drill and news of an upcoming meeting for final scores.
Iruka dragged Naruto away, still grumbling.
That evening, after walking home with Sakura and Ino, Shorai returned to his room.
With a prepared shadow clone and the Reality Stone's power to time his arrival, Shorai monitored Naruto and Iruka at Ichiraku Ramen.
He overheard Naruto declaring, "The Fourth Hokage was a hero who saved the village... mng... mhgn..."
Iruka paused, then asked, "Then why did you do that?"
"Because I'll be Hokage! The greatest one ever!" Naruto replied confidently.
"And the most foolish!" Shorai chuckled, taking a seat beside Iruka.
Iruka shook his head, distracted by Naruto's words.
Naruto jolted, staring behind sensei. "Shorai!"
"Yo! Good evening, Sensei. What an interesting coincidence meeting you here! And here I wondered who was the loud one. I believe the decoration is removed?" Shorai smiled at them and ordered a bowl.
"Good to see you, Shorai. Yeah... he cleaned it up," Iruka replied, then turned toward Naruto with a serious look. "You wouldn't want someone to do the same to your face, Naruto. You're close to becoming a Konoha shinobi... yet you act nothing like one."
Naruto grinned slyly and asked to borrow Iruka's headband, but Iruka refused, reminding him he must graduate first.
"So stingy!" Naruto complained.
"You crafty little... you removed the goggles!" Shorai teased, subtly signaling him for another bowl behind Iruka's back.
Naruto's eyes widened with sudden realization, then quickly narrowed with a sly grin.
Iruka blinked, raising a brow, completely oblivious.
"Boss! Another bowl!" Naruto shouted.
"Here you go!" came the call.
Shorai laughed, while both Iruka and his wallet cried.