Konoha Notes

Chapter 291 Chance Encounter
Ninja Academy also has holidays, although they are not as long as those in regular schools.

Naruto is bored.

Holidays are much harder to endure than school days, especially after completing holiday training tasks, when time becomes an empty void that one doesn't know how to fill.

Shikamaru and the others are nowhere to be found...

Naruto walked out of his house and unknowingly wandered to the entrance of the Ninja Academy.

Even though it was already holiday time, the school gate was unusually lively. The teachers of the Ninja Academy were gathered together, some holding scrolls, others checking personal belongings.

Iruka was among them, putting on an armband that read "On Duty".

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto's eyes lit up, and he ran over quickly. "Where are you going?"

"Naruto? What are you doing here?" Iruka turned around. "How's your Shadow Clone Jutsu and Transformation Jutsu coming along? We agreed that once you master one of them, I'd take you to test your chakra attributes."

Naruto stammered and couldn't say a word.

Iruka sighed, "The Three Body Techniques are all very basic ninjutsu, Naruto..."

"I'll definitely learn it! I'll definitely! I'll master the Transformation Technique soon!" Naruto shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Then go back and practice. The chakra test strips are ready."

Naruto leaned closer, looking at Iruka's armband: "Iruka-sensei, are you going out on a mission?"

"This?" Iruka adjusted his armband. "We're going to the stadium outside the village to help maintain order."

"The arena..." Naruto's voice rose again, "Yes, that...that martial arts competition, there are many matches where ninjas fight each other!"

"Correct."

"I want to go too!" Naruto jumped up and hugged Iruka around the waist. "Take me with you, Iruka-sensei!"

"no!"

"I can help! I can give directions! Or help people find seats!" Naruto gestured eagerly.

"This is the teacher's task," Iruka said, pressing down on Naruto's head. "I can't take you with me."

He pulled the student off his body and put him aside.

"When you get back, I'll treat you to ramen and double portions of char siu."

Naruto didn't say a word, dejectedly turned around, dragged his feet to the old swing at the school gate, and sat down heavily. The swing chains made a dull creaking sound. He lowered his head, and his golden hair drooped down.

Iruka looked at him, feeling a pang in his heart.

"Iruka, it's time to go."

"I'm so sorry, everyone please wait a moment, I'll be right back." Iruka turned and ran towards the school.

He stormed into the teachers' office. Ebisu was standing at the table organizing materials when he heard him and looked up.

"It's time to gather now, Iruka-sensei." Ebisu pushed up his sunglasses. "What are you dawdling for?"

“Um… Ebisu-sensei.” Iruka took a deep breath. “Naruto is at school right now, and I’d like to take him to watch the tournament. If he could see a real ninja battle beforehand…”

"Iruka!" Ebisu said in a deep voice, "The arena area is full of mixed people. You should know Naruto's identity, right?"

"Furthermore, as a ninja, you bring students along when you're on a mission..."

"Nothing bad."

A gentle voice came from the doorway.

The two turned their heads at the same time—Hiruzen Sarutobi was standing there, holding a pipe.

"As a teacher, there's no problem with that."

“Third Hokage!” Ebisu stood up. “But…”

"Shuji's in the arena area; nothing will go wrong there. Just let Hiashi know." Hiruzen Sarutobi walked into the office, glancing at Iruka, whose forehead was beaded with sweat. "Iruka will also make sure Naruto doesn't wander off, right?"

"Yes...yes! I will definitely keep an eye on him!" Iruka nodded vigorously.
-
Naruto sat on the swing, his toes scraping the ground, drawing meaningless circles.

The chains rattled again. It wasn't the wind making them.

He looked up and saw Iruka standing in front of him, a smile on his face. "Let's go."

"……Eh?"

"I'll take you to see the game." Iruka extended his hand.

Naruto's eyes gradually brightened.

"real?!"

"Really, but you have to promise me..."

"I agree to everything!" Naruto jumped off the swing and grabbed Iruka's hand. "Hurry up, we're going to be late for the mission, Iruka-sensei!"
-
Shuji knew that Iwagakure would probably have to wait for the village's reply. If it were Hiroto instead of Bunya who arrived, they would probably be able to make a decision immediately.

As for Mei Terumi...

“This won’t do Kirigakure any harm, and the Fourth Hokage won’t refuse.” She smiled. “For me personally, it’s a good thing that I’ve earned a favor from Shuuji-kun.”

"We only agreed on the matter of returning the favor by having tea." Shuji looked at the golden and fragrant roasted corn in his hand. "However, it seems like I'm getting the better deal by giving it to you like this."

“Since Shuji-kun feels it’s not enough…” Mei Terumi took a bite of her corn, “then later…”

"Brother Shuuji!"

A burst of energetic shouts erupted, and a small, blond figure suddenly stopped in front of him, creating a gust of wind.

"Hello, Naruto. Have you finished watching the match?"

"Yes! Amazing! A ninja tournament!" Naruto waved his hand, "Earth Release..."

He squinted, thought for a long time, but couldn't remember the name.

"...And also, Wind Release..."

Then it got stuck again.

"Anyway, it's all super fun! Hey, hey! Can I participate in the competition too? After becoming a ninja."

“If the skill level is suitable,” Shuji replied.

"Eh... So, Iruka-sensei didn't participate in the competition because he wasn't good enough?" Naruto tilted his head.

Iruka, who had just squeezed out of the crowd and was still sweating, stumbled upon hearing this and his face flushed red.

"Naruto... Naruto, teacher... teacher is because of... mission..."

His embarrassment stopped when he saw Xiu Si, and he immediately stood still.

"I'm sorry, Captain Shuji, I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"Eh," Naruto only then noticed that there was someone else next to Shuuji. He stared at Mei Terumi for a few seconds, a look of confusion on his face, "Hmm..."

"Naruto, it's time to go!" Iruka grabbed Naruto's shoulder.

"It seems different..."

Iruka stopped what he was doing: "What's different?"

"Last time it seemed to be a blonde with short hair, but this time it's a long-haired sister..." Naruto muttered to himself.

Mei Terumi stopped chewing her corn.

Iruka looked at Shuuji—his expression remained unchanged, but Iruka couldn't help but swallow.

"...Um, Naruto, are you hungry? I'll take you to get some ramen."

"I just ate takoyaki, not yet..."

Naruto rubbed his stomach, and before he could finish speaking, he was lifted up by the back of his collar and pulled into the crowd.

The Mizukage's reserve officer looked at Shuuji with a half-smile.

"Short golden hair... Shuji-kun, the diplomatic methods between Kumogakure and Konoha sound quite interesting."

(End of this chapter)