12 Dinner

The obstacle course was in a different location than the usual training ground.

As the class followed Iruka, they continued to speculate excitedly about what we would find.

Soon, we could see the obstacle course, speculation ceased and the most energetic children expressed their excitement, while the laziest ones were already suffering just by looking.

Iruka stopped at a distance from the obstacle course and turned, looking at the class.

"Children, listen up! I will explain what you will do and what each section consists of. The first thing will be to measure your dexterity..."

To measure dexterity, there were different wooden logs arranged on the ground, the students had to jump agilely over each log to get to the next part, where they will measure our balance and reflexes.

It consists of a large piece of wood, supported by two others at the ends.

We must run over the wooden log, while dodging the rubber balls that will be coming and going, tied to some posts that are on each side.

However, even if the balls aren't painful, losing your balance and falling to the grass certainly could be.

After that there is a high wall, with some wooden sticks embedded here and there, referencing the branches of a tree.

The purpose is to train our climbing skills and speed in doing so, after all, we have to finish as fast as we can.

Although there is no support in the middle part of the wall, they are only at the base and at the top.

Iruka explains that we must be able to reach the upper supports by taking momentum from the base.

"So, any questions?" Kiba and Naruto quickly raised their hands.

"Kiba." Iruka pointed at the Inuzuka and spoke to him.

"Can I be the first!?" Kiba lowered his hand and pointed his index finger at himself.

Iruka's expression was flat as he pointed at the Uzumaki, "Naruto, your question. And don't ask me if you can be the first." Iruka added when Naruto was about to speak.

"Err.." Naruto was a bit shy and started to lower his hand, however, soon his face lit up and he raised it again "So, can I be second!?"

The class burst into laughter as Iruka's forehead creased further.

"As always, I will decide who will go and when." Iruka said while checking the sheet of paper.

"So... Kuro Shizumatta." After going through the list for a while, Iruka said my name.

"You can do it, Kuro-kun!"

"Good luck!"

The girls cheered as he walked to the obstacle course.

Soon, I was standing in front of the skill test.

"Start!" I heard Iruka yell from the right.

And that I did. The logs were pretty straightforward, although there were some taller or shorter than others, I managed to cross the stage easily.

When I got to the end, I jumped up and got to the balance and reflexes test.

The moment my foot touched the wood, I moved forward quickly.

For other children it may be a bit more difficult due to the height and having to divide their concentration on the rubber balls, however I did not have that problem.

I used chakra to hold my ground and due to my high perception compared to the other students, I was able to easily predict the trajectory of the balls.

Still, my high movement speed makes it impossible for any of them to touch me.

Once I got to the end, instead of jumping down and running to the last part as Iruka explained, I jumped straight into the wall.

I calculated my landing to be on one of the sticks at the base, and once my foot touched it, I jumped up.

At this point, the test is arranged for the children to use their hands and hold onto the upper sticks, however, I don't need to do such a thing.

Once my momentum was lost, I put my left foot on the wall using chakra, and jumped again, crossing over the wall and reaching the other side, where I landed on my feet.

I looked to the right and saw Iruka beckoning me to come.

.

- (POV - Iruka) -

"Start! "I yelled at Kuro, something he quickly did.

However, the agility test posed no challenge. Despite the difference in height and size between the logs, Kuro managed to traverse them with incredible fluidity.

With the balance and reflexes test, it was the same. It didn't even move sideways at any point, it just went straight. Also, something surprising was his speed. When you thought he was giving it his all, he will suddenly increase his speed and pass before any of the rubber balls can get in his way.

However, the surprises did not end there. Afterwards, he jumped directly to the last wall and with an incredible display of agility, he landed and jumped off a pole at the base.

Although, I must admit, when he lost his momentum and hadn't grabbed onto the upper sticks, I thought he had overestimated himself.

However, he soon proved me wrong, and in a surprising way.

The boy used chakra to lean against the wall and thus jump again.

He finished the test in about 3, maybe 4 seconds.

When Kuro looked over here, I cleared my surprise and motioned for him to come.

- (POV - Kuro) -

Right now I'm going to buy ingredients for dinner.

As for Iruka, after I get to where everyone was, he asks if I already knew the Tree Climbing Technique, to which I replied in the affirmative.

When he asked me if someone taught it to me or if I learned it on my own, I said I saw a Genin do it and then I tried it at home and succeeded.

A simple reason, but you cannot tell if it is true or not.

Still, he was quite surprised by my answer.

Like the children, when they found out it was the Technique.

Anyway, it's shopping time.

Today, I plan to cook Curry.

Therefore, I am going to the most popular rice shop in the area.

Although it is just as expensive, sometimes you have to indulge yourself.

Soon, I arrived at the place and entered.

There were some people around, although the housewives stood out.

I walked over to the counter, where there were some women talking to each other.

"Oh? Do you need something boy?" The middle-aged woman behind the counter noticed me and said.

"Aw! What a cute little one!" The other women started saying as they parted and let me pass.

Ignoring the comments from the housewives, I spoke to the owner, "A small bag of rice, please."

"Okay" The woman nodded and went to the back.

"Kuro? What are you doing here?" Before the housewives could comment, a voice came from behind me.

I turned my head to the entrance and saw Sasuke Uchiha walking towards the counter.

However, the women spoke before he could say anything.

"Sasuke-kun! Good to see you again!"

"Mikoto isn't with you today?"

'It seems like it's pretty well known, well, the Uchiha Clan compound is pretty close after all.' I thought as I looked at Sasuke trying to answer the questions thrown at him.

"Mikoto! How have you been?"

One of the women screamed, causing the others to look at the entrance, where there was a beautiful woman with long black hair and eyes of the same color.

"Hm? Suzuki? Yeah, I've been fine, how about you?" Mikoto replied, then looked between the women and put her eyes on Sasuke. "Sasuke, did you buy rice?"

Sasuke shook his head, "No, Mom. I haven't seen Nowa-san."

"Is that so? I suppose she must be in the back." When Mikoto finished speaking, she received Suzuki's reply and soon, the women were talking.

"So what are you doing here?" Sasuke turned to me and asked me.

Looking at him, I replied. "Buying rice."

"Hmph! I know you're buying rice! What else could you buy here? I asked you what you were doing in this particular store." Sasuke snorted and crossed his arms.

"I live near here." I replied.

"Eh? Really? Why have I never seen you come this way?" Sasuke asked puzzled.

"I go to the library after school." I replied, at the same time that the owner of the store returned.

"Sorry, little one. I don't have any small bags left. I looked everywhere but couldn't find any." Nowa told me while making an apologetic face.

'How unfortunate… should I buy a bigger bag?' I thought for a moment before answering.

"Well, no problem." Nowa showed an apologetic smile and attended to Sasuke.

I am still debating whether to buy the bigger and therefore more expensive bag.

Soon Nowa went back to the back.

'Well, maybe I'll go to the Yakiniku Q restaurant.'

"Hm? Sasuke, is this the friend you talk about sometimes?"

I looked up and saw Mikoto looking at me curiously.

After hearing what she said, I turned my gaze towards the future avenger.

Sasuke's cheeks were already a little flushed as he looked at his mother and replied, "Mom! He's not my friend! He's just a classmate!"

"Oh?" Mikoto looked at me, then at her son and me again before continuing. "Really?"

I nodded at her question.

"You see?" Sasuke echoed my answer.

"Hm... So why don't we invite your classmate to dinner?" Mikoto hummed for a moment before speaking.

"Eh!? Mom! Why!?" Sasuke asked, very confused.

"Well, I heard your order was out of stock, plus I'm curious about the 'Cat-Eyed Boy' you tell me about sometimes." Mikoto replied with a smile.

Sasuke just grunted with a little pout.

Mikoto smiled motherly and turned to me, "It's a bit late though; I'm Mikoto Uchiha, Sasuke's mother. It's my pleasure."

I smiled back and spoke, "I am Kuro Shizumatta. It is my pleasure."

Mikoto nodded. "So what do you think? Do you want to have dinner at our house?"

I was about to refuse, however, I saw Sasuke behind his mother, with a warning look and slightly shaking his head.

I just hope this pays off a bit, as well as upsetting the future avenger.

"Thank you, Mikoto-san. If it's not a bother, I'd love to go."