Plans

Naruto found that life at the ninja school was far less exciting than his solitary training in the back mountains. Not only was the curriculum uneventful, but he also struggled to connect with the other students, feeling like they were from entirely different worlds.

The complexities of his life weighed on him.

Beyond his personal concerns, another source of discomfort was Sasuke.

Nights were his time to retreat to the back mountain for training. But one evening, a young man with a distinctive pineapple-shaped haircut approached, accompanied by a plump boy holding a stash of snacks.

"These girls are so fixated on Sasuke's looks," the pineapple-haired boy grumbled.

"If Shikamaru were to showcase his intelligence, they'd probably like him too," the chubby boy mumbled through a mouthful of snacks.

The pineapple-haired boy was none other than Nara Shikamaru, a member of the Nara clan, while the snack-loving chubby boy was Akimichi Chōji of the Akimichi family.

Naruto was slightly perplexed by their sudden visit and initiative to strike up a conversation. If he were anyone else, he might have found it unusual, but in this case, he simply looked helpless. Understanding the deeper connections, Naruto knew that their fathers had shared a close relationship with Minato, and Nara Shikaku once considered adopting him, though it was ultimately blocked by the Hokage.

Now, it seemed that they had received some guidance from their families. Naruto sighed, "I just want to sleep."

Shikamaru shrugged, "You seem to have slept all morning."

In fact, it was already the afternoon, and Naruto had spent the entire day napping. He had quickly eaten some cup noodles for lunch, while other children enjoyed homemade meals from their families. It didn't bother him, but he couldn't help but feel a little different.

Suddenly, Chōji offered the snacks in his hand, surprising not only Naruto but also Shikamaru.

Akimichi clan members rarely shared their food with others. It wasn't that they lacked generosity; in fact, the Akimichi family was renowned for their warm and caring nature. However, they would gladly invite you to join them for a meal but were hesitant to part with their personal dishes.

In this context, Akimichi Chōji broke the mold. With a simple smile, he handed a bag of snacks to Naruto and remarked, "Having some snacks will help keep you refreshed in the afternoon. I'm Akimichi Chōji. My dad encouraged me to be friends with you."

On the side, Nara Shikamaru looked on with an amused grin. The relationship between the three prominent families was well-established, and apart from Yamanaka Ino, who was the only girl in their generation, Chōji and Shikamaru had been friends since childhood.

Chōji introduced himself, "I'm Chōji, and I'm here to make friends with you."

Naruto was taken aback by their kindness, thinking it wasn't necessary, but before he could respond, Nara Shikamaru added, "We also have some news to share. This morning, while you were taking your nap, Mr. Iruka announced that we'd have outdoor homework in the afternoon. It includes shuriken and kunai throwing, along with some practical exercises to learn from each other. Since nobody volunteered, I took the liberty of arranging a session for you and Uchiha Sasuke to demonstrate and discuss."

Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. He turned his head to look at the far corner of the classroom, where a throng of girls had surrounded Uchiha Sasuke during lunch break.

Curious, Naruto asked, "Aren't those girls crazy about Sasuke? Why didn't they sign up?"

Nara Shikamaru gave him a wry smile and explained, "Liking someone and being beaten by them are two very different things. I think they're avoiding the possibility of losing to someone they admire. Sasuke's already known to be quite strong, considering his training at home. He might be the top student in our class."

Inwardly, Naruto wondered if he was like the tail end of the crane, underestimated by others. If they knew his true strength, they'd be in for a big surprise, possibly leaving their jaws on the ground.

As Naruto contemplated this, he noticed that Chōji was still holding out the bag of snacks, offering them to him once more. His kindness was heartwarming, and this time Naruto accepted a handful of potato chips with a smile, saying, "Thank you, Chōji," displaying his polite manners. He subtly signaled his preference for this kind of snack.

Chōji resumed munching on his own chips contentedly. Both he and Shikamaru remained by Naruto's side until the lunch break ended.

Naruto couldn't help but think that his naptime was over, and with the prospect of outdoor teaching in the afternoon, he wouldn't be able to sneak in any more sleep.

As he contemplated his options, he mused, "Well, I might as well give it a shot."

.....

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