Road to Ninja Part 9

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Hey guys,

Sorry for not posting chapters for the past two days. Uni is getting Hectic at the beginning itself now, so I guess releases might be affected from now on. I will still try my best to post 1 chapter per day, so don't worry, I won't drop this novel anytime soon. As for the new arc, it's taking a lot out of me, after all, I need to rethink a lot of times before I write something since there are a lot of changes and new characters. It's not easy to write characters in stories since the characters need to have their own personality and quirks. This arc will focus on character developments of those from the older generation and younger generation since this will be like Boruto movie of some sorts, though it is Hanato in this case, so yeah the entire thing is like a combination of Road to Ninja and Boruto- Naruto the movie of some sorts with new characters and whatnot. I will try my best to make this a satisfying arc for you guys so please stick around for a while and keep reading till the sports festival arc resumes.

Another thing I wanted to inform is that I will be shortening some chapters to like 1000 words range instead of 1500+ since it is challenging to write that much on a tight schedule. This chapter below is an example of 1000+ words. That's all for now.

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("Who is Irina-chan now?") Naruto panicked internally as he took the two boxes from Kushina.

"All right, let's go then," Shikamaru turned to head out of the room.

"Oh… Thanks, mom," Naruto smiled.

"Go and set things right between you two," Kushina said.

("What the…")

("Menma and Sakura also have a problem in between them?")

("Now what am I going to do?") Naruto panicked.

"Coming or not, Menma?" Shikamaru asked.

At this moment, Naruto had other thoughts, should he run away or not. Naruto regretted promising to Obito he would take care of Menma's troubles. He only wanted to look out for a fellow like him who faced almost the same problems.

"Menma?" Kushina looked at Naruto.

"I will be back later," Naruto smiled.

"Sure," Kushina smiled at Naruto as well.

Soon Naruto and Shikamaru left towards the Hokage office.

On the way,

Naruto and Shikamaru chatted about a few things from which Naruto learned more information surrounding his comrades. As Shikamaru continued to speak, Naruto asked.

"Shikamaru, did you go home yet?" Naruto asked.

"I was planning to, but there's this arrangement I have to discuss," Shikamaru referred to the arrangements he had to make with Sakura about the Lad of fire's daimyō's visit.

"Wouldn't Temari get angry at you?" Naruto asked.

"Temari?"

"You know how it is…" Shikamaru smiled wryly.

"troublesome?" Naruto asked.

"I can't admit that now, can I?" Shikamaru asked.

"Aren't you admitting to it right now?" Naruto asked.

"…" Shikamaru didn't answer.

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Hidden Leaf, Ninja Academy…

"All right, everyone, gather on the field," a teacher announced.

Azami then thought back to what Naruto had said the previous night.

("Dad told me to not give up,")

("Azami will become friends with her today,") The girl thought to her self.

Soon the class was outside, and Azami noticed the girl stood apart from the rest. The girl was alone underneath a tree staring at the rest of the class practicing their routine exercises.

Azami's gaze was drawn to the girl's eyes. Her eyes though otherworldly, seemed human as it reflected her longing to be with the class.

As Azami hesitated to approach the girl, at this moment, she noticed a man approaching the girl. It was her class's instructor.

"Uchiha Hazuki," the man in the green Konoha vest, respectfully called her.

Hazuki looked up at the man who was twice as tall as her.

"Yes, sensei?" Hazuki responded.

"Do you plan to fail this time as well?" The man asked.

"…" Hazuki answered with silence.

Azami frowned at the conversation that took place. She didn't want to eavesdrop on them, but the discussion concerned the girl's future and what might be Azami's last chance to befriend her. However, it wasn't that Azami wasn't aware of the girl's failure. Azami knew that the girl didn't want to be a ninja in the first place. Even though Hazuki surpassed her peers in all ninja abilities and tests, she hesitated to take the final exams. Rather than hesitation, she wanted to quit being a ninja. She was very similar to how Azami was back in the original timeline.

The man looked at Hazuki.

"Please don't hold the others back Hazuki,"

"There are those who want to become ninjas with all their hearts," The man explained.

Hazuki was naive and indecisive, but she was also kind and didn't want to hurt others.

"I will take the exam," Hazuki said.

"You always say that, but you don't put the effort,"

"If you try even one percent, you can surpass others completely, that's how talented you are Hazuki," The man said with a smile.

"…" Hazuki remained silent.

"Please Hazuki, for your parents' sake,"

"For the sake of the village, please pass and become a ninja," The man begged.

The man seemed to be forced into making the girl say yes, but it could be understood that it wasn't the man's fault. With such a talented being appearing all of a sudden with eyes that seemed to be more legendary than their history was aware of, which village wouldn't want to cultivate such young talent.

"I will pass this time…" Hazuki said with hesitance.

The man stared at Hazuki for a moment before sighing.

"Please do so,"

"I can't hold back the others for long," The man said following which he turned around and walked away.

Hazuki then looked at the sky, almost feeling like she couldn't take the burden anymore.

"Hi," a voice interrupted Hazuki's thoughts.

"…" Hazuki turned around only to see a young pink-haired girl approaching her with a smile.

"Hi," Hazuki greeted back with a weak voice.

Hazuki had been with Azami in the same class for a long time. Azami had approached Hazuki before, but Hazuki would never have a good conversation since she would try to avoid many that approached her.

Hazuki looked at Azami,

"Are you angry?" Hazuki asked.

"Why?" Azami asked back.

"I held everyone back," Hazuki said slowly.

"…"

"Nope," Azami said with a playful laugh.

"Huh?" Hazuki was surprised.

"What does Hazuki want to become?" Azami asked.

"What do I want?" Hazuki asked with doubt.

"Yeah?" Azami asked.

"I-I…"

"I want to become a teacher," Hazuki said.

"A teacher?" Azami asked.

"Yeah," Hazuki answered.

"A teacher who will teach, not to fight," Hazuki answered.

"That's great!"

"Hazuki should become a teacher," Azami cheered.

"But, I can't," Hazuki said in a low voice.

"Everyone wants me to become a ninja," Hazuki said.

"Then become a ninja teacher," Azami said.

"huh?" Hazuki was confused.

"Teach in the ninja academy,"

"Teach them, not to fight," Azami said.

"Bu"

"BuHahahahaha…hahaha," Hazuki blurted out laughing.

"Hahaha," Azami also laughed at the same time.

"You are funny," Hazuki said.

"hehe," Azami smirked.

…

"Hazuki," Azami called out.

"huh?"

"Will you be Azami's friend?" Azami asked.

"…"

"Okay," Hazuki nodded, following which Azami extended her right hand.

"Hmm?" Hazuki stared at Azami's hand.

She then lifted her head to see Azami with a smile.

Hazuki then shook her hand with a smile as well.

"Yay, Azami is now friends with Hazuki," Azami announced.