AWB Chapter 125 Gravity
Chapter 125 Gravity
The next day, inside the ninja academy.
Last night, after handing over Mizuki, who had been reduced to an ordinary person, to the Third Hokage, Naruto clearly noticed that Iruka-sensei was unusually depressed, shrouded in an invisible gloom.
Naruto completely understood Iruka's feelings. Mizuki, that complete bastard, had been lurking around Iruka as his "close friend" since childhood. His disguise was so skillful and his deception so thorough that it was outrageous.
He didn't genuinely care about Iruka; he was merely trying to attract the Third Hokage's attention by portraying himself as a model student who "cares for his orphaned companion."
What's even more disgusting is that Iruka's deepest pain—his parents, who sacrificed themselves in the Nine-Tails' attack and were hailed as heroes—became the reason Mizuki secretly envied Iruka!
Because in Konoha, the identity of a hero's orphan itself can bring a certain amount of attention and sympathy... Well, Naruto still has some complaints.
However, Iruka's current despondency stems not only from anger and sadness at being betrayed by a longtime friend. A deeper reason lies in self-blame.
After witnessing Mizuki tear off his disguise and utter those vicious words to Naruto, as well as the ferocious way he ruthlessly threw the giant shuriken at Naruto, Iruka was filled with lingering fear and guilt.
He hated himself for not seeing through Mizuki's true colors hidden beneath his smile sooner, which gave Mizuki the opportunity to manipulate Naruto and nearly put him in extreme danger. He felt he had failed in his duty as a teacher.
In the end, it was Naruto who took the initiative to comfort the dejected Iruka. He patted Iruka on the shoulder, "Alright, Iruka-sensei, don't be sad or blame yourself for that scumbag anymore. It's not worth it. See, I'm fine now, aren't I?"
Hearing his words of comfort, Iruka felt a little less heavy-hearted and guilty.
To dispel the oppressive atmosphere, the teacher and student decided to do something they were most familiar with and that brought them the most comfort before taking a complete rest—Naruto suggested with a smile.
"Let's go, Iruka-sensei, I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen! Consider it a late-night snack."
So, in the quiet of the night, the teacher and student walked toward the small shop with its warm lights, and a bowl of steaming hot char siu ramen marked the end of a night filled with betrayal, reversals, and eventual peace.
That's all that happened last night.
Now, all the graduates gathered in the familiar classroom for the last time, and the air was filled with a complex atmosphere that mixed feelings of parting and excitement for the future.
Today, we will announce a crucial matter that will determine their fate for a long time to come – the class assignment list.
The genin were excitedly discussing potential teammates and speculating about who the jonin instructor would be. Some boys couldn't help but steal glances at the quiet, black-haired girl in the corner of the classroom—Uchiha Satsuki.
But when they saw that Zuo Yue was still staying by the blond man's side almost every step of the way, they all let out a disappointed "Tch..." and turned away dejectedly.
At the same time, a sliver of wishful thinking crept into their hearts. Maybe... when the classes are divided, these two always-sticky guys will be separated? What if... what if I get grouped with Satsuki, and we spend all our time together, maybe my chance will come?
If Naruto could hear these thoughts, he would probably just sigh helplessly, "No wonder Sasuke's looks are so attractive..." Even though Sasuke has hardly spoken to them, his face alone is enough to keep these guys hooked.
At that moment, Naruto's attention was entirely focused on the girl beside him. He turned his head slightly and noticed that Satsuki seemed to be closer than usual, almost touching his arm.
Moreover... he caught a glimpse of unease in her slightly pursed lips and her occasionally fleeting gaze.
"Um... Naruto," Satsuki's voice held a hint of hesitation, "we're about to be assigned to different classes... who... who do you want to be paired with?"
Without hesitation, Naruto blurted out, "Is there even a question? Of course, I'll be on your team."
These words instantly made Zuo Yue's eyes light up. She lowered her head slightly, trying to hide the uncontrollable upward curve of her lips, "...Of course. After all... in this class, it seems that only you are qualified to be my teammate."
Naruto wasn't sure if this counted as a tsundere statement; it sounded a bit childish and a little proud, but his tone was full of reassurance and gentleness.
However, the unease deep in Zuo Yue's heart had not completely disappeared. Because, as far as she knew, the class assignment list was supposedly "randomly" allocated after a comprehensive consideration by the Hokage and the Jonin teams, and it was full of uncertainty.
What if... what if I really didn't end up on the same team as Naruto...
The thought of becoming a ninja and having to carry out various missions, possibly no longer being able to see Naruto every day like now, quietly spread the panic of losing something important again.
She subconsciously moved closer to Naruto, her voice carrying a hint of... a resolute "what's the use" attitude.
"Naruto..."
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"...If we weren't assigned to the same group..." Satsuki looked up, her eyes gleaming with an extremely serious yet willful light, "How about we... repeat our first year?"
"...???"
Satsuki put on a serious expression that said, "I'm not kidding," and she was genuinely considering this option.
Anyway, Satsuki had already made up her mind: if it wasn't a team without Naruto, then she didn't want that team!
Nara Shikamaru, who had slipped away to rest in a corner at the back of the classroom because he found the front too noisy, overheard Naruto and Satsuki's "shocking" conversation and felt a chill run down his spine.
He had noticed long ago that since the Uchiha clan massacre a few years ago, Sasuke's dependence on and clinginess to Naruto had increased exponentially, reaching an astonishing level.
It wasn't just being inseparable; it was practically like being "Siamese twins"—when Naruto went to the bathroom, Satsuki would wait for him a short distance away outside; when Naruto was tired from training and resting, Satsuki would immediately hand him water and a towel; and sometimes, even if Naruto just talked to Kiba or Choji for a few more minutes, he could feel a cold, almost tangible gaze coming from Satsuki's direction...
To be honest, even as an observer, Shikamaru felt an immense, suffocating pressure from this almost suffocating dependence and possessiveness.
Just thinking about it made him feel extremely troubled, and he wished he could stay far away from it.
But... Naruto seems to be enjoying it?!
Shikamaru glanced at the blond guy next to him who seemed completely oblivious to anything amiss, and even occasionally ruffled Satsuki's hair, his mind filled with bewilderment.
Forget it... Anyway, it was consensual between them, so it's better for me not to get involved in this kind of troublesome thing.
Shikamaru wisely decided to continue playing dead and turned his attention to the window.
Just then, the classroom door opened, and Ms. Iruka walked in with a list. The noise in the classroom instantly subsided, and all eyes were focused on the teacher's podium.
Iruka stood behind the podium, his gaze slowly sweeping over every familiar and young face below the stage, and began his final speech as their homeroom teacher.
"From today onwards, you are no longer students of the Ninja Academy... You are now registered Konoha ninjas. However, you are only 'genin' at this stage, and the road ahead will hold many unimaginable difficulties for you..."
Iruka spoke slowly and earnestly. His words were filled with pride at watching his children finally grow up, a touch of sadness at the impending separation, but above all, the deepest and most heartfelt blessings.
He sincerely hoped that the students he taught, after embarking on this thorny path of the ninja, would be able to rely on their own strength to bravely overcome all the trials and tribulations that lay ahead.
After the final words of advice, the atmosphere in the classroom became somewhat solemn yet filled with anticipation. Iruka composed himself and picked up the list that would determine everyone's future team affiliation.
"Now, I will announce the class assignments. The students whose names are called are members of the same team, and there will be designated instructors, Jonin, to guide you."