The Art of Dodging

Konohagakure.

It had been a few months since Takumi joined the Ninja Academy, and in that short span, he had already been swept into a whirlwind of adventures. Among the highlights was forming a bond with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Initially, things were a bit awkward with Choza, who, for reasons Takumi still didn't fully understand, had thought both he and Minato were plotting to steal his beloved potato chips. However, after treating Choza to a hearty meal at Yakiniku Q, the misunderstanding was cleared up, and Choza quickly warmed to them. From that point on, Choza became one of the most enthusiastic supporters of their budding friendship. Even Shikaku, usually known for his detached and laid-back demeanor, seemed unusually keen to befriend them, which took everyone by surprise.

Today was the day of the first sparring competition of second years at the Ninja Academy, a highly anticipated event by all—except for one. Coincidentally, or perhaps not, Shikaku had fallen mysteriously "ill" for the past two days, conveniently dodging the buildup to the match. As Takumi prepared for the day, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself at the thought of Shikaku's sudden illness. "As Shikaku's good brother, it's only right that I check up on him, right? I mean, what kind of friend would I be otherwise?" Takumi mused, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Takumi, do you think we should bring something for Shikaku?" Minato asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. "He hasn't been at the Academy for two days. He must be really sick."

"Yeah, really sick," Takumi replied with exaggerated seriousness, though the grin on his face only grew wider. "But don't worry. Friends don't need gifts. Just seeing our smiling faces will be enough to brighten his day—and maybe even cure him."

As they walked through the peaceful Nara clan compound, Takumi spotted Inoichi and Choza heading in the same direction.

"Hey, Choza! Are you guys going to visit Shikaku too?" Minato called out, waving as they approached.

Choza turned around, clutching his potato chip packet defensively. "Yeah, my mom told me to check on him," he replied, his tone a bit reluctant, as if his visit was more a chore than an act of concern.

Inoichi raised an eyebrow, his sharp eyes already picking up on the situation. "You two heading there too?"

As the second-smartest in the group, Inoichi had already figured out what was really going on. He knew Shikaku wasn't actually sick; the guy was just dodging the sparring competition—a clever strategy he had pulled more than once before.

"Of course! How could I not visit my dear brother in his time of need?" Takumi declared dramatically, his voice dripping with exaggerated concern, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Inoichi caught onto Takumi's playful tone instantly. A knowing smile spread across his face, one that Takumi mirrored. Without needing words, they both knew they were on the same page and already plotting the next steps.

After a short walk, they reached Shikaku's house. Takumi knocked on the door, and moments later, Shikaku's mother, Yoshino, greeted them warmly.

"Good morning, Aunt Yoshino!" Choza and Inoichi said in unison, bowing respectfully.

Takumi and Minato, unfamiliar with Yoshino, quickly followed their lead, offering respectful greetings as well.

"Oh, what a nice surprise! Are you here to check on Shikaku?" Yoshino asked with a welcoming smile. She stepped aside to let them in. "Feel free to go upstairs and see him. I'll bring you some snacks shortly."

After thanking her, they made their way to Shikaku's room. Takumi knocked, and without waiting for a reply, pushed the door open.

Inside, Shikaku was sitting cross-legged on the floor, completely absorbed in a game of shogi. His focus was so intense that he didn't even notice them entering.

"Hey, Shikaku! You look pale as a ghost!" Takumi quipped from the doorway, his smirk widening as he leaned against the frame, enjoying the situation far too much.

Shikaku jolted in surprise, blinking up at them. Realizing his friends had arrived, he quickly shifted into "sick mode," slumping back and clutching his stomach, as if he were in agony.

Inoichi crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "Are you really sick, Shikaku? You don't look bedridden to me. More like you're just being lazy."

"Lazy?" Shikaku scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I prefer to call it 'strategic efficiency.' Besides, my body's weak. I need to conserve my strength."

Takumi grinned wider. "Ah, of course. Conserving your strength by playing shogi. The ultimate cure for any illness."

Inoichi snickered. "Come on, just admit it. You think sparring's a drag, don't you?"

Shikaku's expression faltered for a second, but he quickly regained his composure. "Not at all. I'm simply prioritizing my health over some pointless competition. Why waste energy when I could be sharpening my mind?"

"Oh, sure. Because playing shogi is definitely sharpening your mind for ninja combat," Takumi shot back, his voice thick with sarcasm.

At that moment, Yoshino entered the room carrying a tray of snacks. "I thought you might be hungry," she said as she set the tray down, catching the tail end of their conversation. She narrowed her eyes at Shikaku. "Are you really that sick, or are you just avoiding the sparring competition?"

Shikaku opened his mouth to respond, but Takumi, never missing a beat, jumped in first. "Oh, Aunt Yoshino, Shikaku was just telling us about his brilliant strategy—conserving his energy for something far more important than sparring."

Yoshino raised an eyebrow, her skepticism clear. "Is that so? Because it sounds to me like he's just trying to avoid a little hard work."

Shikaku looked from his mother to his friends, realizing he was completely cornered. Letting out a long, exaggerated sigh, he threw up his hands in mock defeat. "Fine! Sparring's a drag, okay? It's always the same thing. Why bother when I could be doing something more productive... like this?" He gestured to the shogi board, though even he couldn't fully commit to the excuse anymore.

Yoshino crossed her arms, her expression hovering between amusement and exasperation. "You'd better stop with the excuses and start acting like a real ninja. Otherwise, the only thing you'll be conserving is your free time—after a few extra hours of training."

The room erupted in laughter, with Inoichi and Takumi exchanging triumphant looks.

"Alright, alright, I'll go," Shikaku grumbled, rolling his eyes. "But don't think this is over. I'll get back at you guys."

"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" Takumi teased, his voice thick with smug satisfaction.

As they left the house, Yoshino shook her head with a fond smile. "You're lucky to have friends like these," she muttered to Shikaku, who, though defeated, couldn't help but respect the cleverness of his companions.

Meanwhile, Minato and Choza, who hadn't fully understood what had been going on, exchanged puzzled looks. Both had the same thought: "It seems I have much more to learn."