After the greetings, Shisui put his arm around Xiao Tou's shoulder, gently turned him to face himself, and finally asked about his purpose for coming:
"Xiao Tou, did you have something you wanted to talk to me about just now?"
Remembering his reason for being here, Xiao Tou became anxious again:
"That's right, you promised us we'd practice the Great Fireball Technique! You can't break your promise this time!"
Shisui scratched his cheek a bit awkwardly, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Chizhao, who was quietly listening to their conversation.
He had intended to find another excuse to refuse, but Chizhao spoke first.
"That works out, Shisui. You go ahead and be busy, I should head back too."
Xiao Tou hadn't expected Chizhao to say that. He looked at the Village at the foot of the mountain and, with a hidden motive, invited her:
"Don't you want to visit our new home? This natural scenery isn't common in Konoha."
Not swayed by Xiao Tou's words, Chizhao thought for a moment.
The Uchiha are currently living in seclusion in the mountains, so it's best if no one from Konoha appears here.
Shisui also understood this. The Village was still under construction, and now was not the time for them to have guests.
"It's getting late. I'll take Chizhao back first. You wait for me in the Village."
Xiao Tou, not getting his way, adopted a feigned nonchalance and turned to walk down the winding mountain path:
"Alright then! Who knows when the next time will be..."
"Don't worry! I'll come often!"
Chizhao waved goodbye to Xiao Tou's receding figure. His figure paused slightly, the tips of his ears quietly tinged with a blush, and he ran down the mountain as if escaping.
After watching Xiao Tou's figure disappear down the path, Shisui stood with his hands on his hips, a relaxed posture.
The afterglow of the setting sun stretched his tall figure long, and his strong physique appeared even more upright amidst the interplay of light and shadow.
"It's a promise, you have to come often! No matter what difficulties you encounter, you can confide in me..."
He pondered for a moment, a serious expression gathering between his brows, and added:
"Including emotional troubles."
Before he finished speaking, Chizhao had stepped forward and tightly embraced this young man, several years her senior, her heart full of gratitude.
In her eyes, Shisui truly was like a reliable older brother; ever since she arrived in Konoha Village, he had quietly accompanied and protected her.
"Thank you, Shisui! I like you the most!"
Chizhao looked up, her innocent and lovely face breaking into a brilliant smile.
Shisui was struck by this sudden impact, his eyes wide, his hand covering his mouth, restraining the emotions that were about to burst forth, feeling his cheeks gradually grow hot.
Oh no...
He didn't know if it was because of the girl's words or her overly innocent face.
He went limp, dropping to one knee in front of Chizhao, his head bowed as if suppressing something.
"What's wrong, Shisui?"
Startled by Shisui's action, Chizhao worriedly stepped forward to check, thinking his eyes were suddenly bothering him again.
The hand she extended was gently grasped by Shisui. He looked up, his expression a complex one that Chizhao couldn't understand.
It was joy, relief, and a hint of almost imperceptible restraint.
"I'm fine... I like Chizhao the most too."
Relieved, Chizhao smiled happily. She quickly took out a spare tempered glass screen protector from her card holder and handed it to Shisui.
"Here, this is for you, to make it easier to come again next time."
As if receiving some important gift, Shisui held it firmly in his hand, smiling and nodding.
In the orange-yellow afterglow of the sunset, Chizhao waved goodbye to Shisui, her figure gradually disappearing behind the light portal.
The tempered glass in his hand was clean and transparent, its novel appearance like something not belonging to this world.
But Shisui had no mind to study it. After the white light portal disappeared before him, he turned, put the tempered glass into his embrace, and walked down the mountain.
A small bird spread its wings and flew overhead, drawing his gaze to the magnificent sunset.
Recalling the girl's words and smile, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.
I hope you always keep that smile.
..........
Ninjutsu training was in full swing.
After school in the evening, the empty classroom was quiet, with only the rustling sound of Iruka Umino flipping through papers echoing in the air.
He reviewed the students' report cards one by one, and when his gaze fell upon Shiratori Chichao's name, he couldn't help but stop his movements.
Her written and taijutsu scores on this report card were almost perfect, and her Shuriken test consistently exceeded expectations.
It wasn't until the last few semesters of Ninjutsu training that her weaknesses gradually became apparent.
In Ninjutsu, except for the Clone Technique, all other subjects were failing, even to the point of being abysmal.
This reminded him of a senior, who also wasn't proficient in Ninjutsu but became an excellent Jonin due to his outstanding talent in taijutsu.
Perhaps Chizhao could also find her own path, like that senior.
The classroom door creaked open, and Iruka looked up to see an old man in a white robe slowly entering the room, his face kind yet radiating authority.
"Hokage-sama? Why are you here?" Iruka stood up in surprise.
Walking into the classroom with his hands behind his back, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze fell on the report cards on the desk, and he naturally picked one up to examine it carefully:
"Isn't the graduation test about to start? I came to check on the students' grades."
Iruka relaxed slightly and began to report truthfully.
"Most of the grades are quite good, but Naruto and Chizhao might need more attention..."
Looking at the Ninjutsu column on Shiratori Chichao's report card, where only the Clone Technique was a passing grade, Hiruzen's lips curved into a meaningful smile.
Was she gambling on the final Ninjutsu exam question?
Or was she gambling on whether the school would let her graduate successfully?
Heh, how interesting.
Putting down the report card in his hand, Hiruzen picked up another one.
Compared to the previous grades, Uzumaki Naruto's scores were unexpectedly mediocre in every subject, with several Ninjutsu skills at the very bottom.
And the Clone Technique was one of them.
It might be a bit difficult to help him pass.
Sighing softly, Hiruzen put down the report card with his hands behind his back and looked at Iruka:
"Iruka, has the final exam question been decided yet?"
Iruka's eyes shifted, carefully pondering Hokage-sama's intentions.
Coming to see him at this time, and only asking about the graduation exam question...
His eyes darted to Shiratori Chichao's report card on the desk, and a flash of insight went through Iruka's mind.
"It's tentatively set as the Clone Technique."
"Hmm... Then let's go with that."
Hiruzen nodded, seemingly quite satisfied with this decision.
Iruka, who had guessed the correct answer, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Hiruzen, with his hands behind his back, walked to the door and paused:
"I'm still counting on you with Naruto, Iruka."
Iruka straightened his posture slightly.
"Your backgrounds are similar. I believe you can understand his feelings and guide him to the right path."
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
After giving all his instructions, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Iruka Umino an appreciative look, then leisurely walked out of the classroom, deep in thought about dinner.
With Hiruzen Sarutobi's departure, silence returned to the classroom.
Iruka sat back down at the podium, organizing the report cards in his hand, and looking at the two on top, he smiled helplessly.
Even without my help, Naruto will find his own path.
Because he has someone more important than me supporting him.
I hope you all grow up well and fulfill your dreams.
