Chapter 34: Graduation Season

 Konoha sixty years, autumn.

At the ninja school, Iruka stormed into the classroom, his face twisted with anger. Following closely behind him was a dejected Naruto, his shoulders slumped.

"Naruto, go to the back and stand for the day!" Iruka barked, pointing to the back of the room.

Naruto obeyed without a word, trudging to his designated spot. Iruka's anger flared even more at the sight of the usually boisterous Naruto being so subdued.

Because of Naruto, he had been called to the Hokage's office countless times over the past six years. Every mischievous stunt Naruto pulled, Iruka had to clean up the mess. Today was no different; Naruto had slipped out of school, causing chaos with a bucket of paint at the Hokage's monument. Iruka had spent the morning apologizing to the Anbu and guard ninjas who had to clean up the mess.

As Iruka prepared to start the lesson, he glanced around the classroom. His blood pressure rose at the sight of several empty seats.

"Where are Tetsuya and the others?" he demanded, his voice tight with frustration.

The empty seats were glaringly obvious. Besides Naruto's, Iruka recognized the absences of Tetsuya, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Chōji. These five were the biggest troublemakers in the class. Sleeping in class, handing in blank papers, teasing pets—if it was against the rules, they did it.

Ino and Hinata exchanged helpless looks before Ino stood up. "Sensei, Tetsuya and the others went to practice ninjutsu. With the graduation exam coming up, it's understandable," she explained, trying to defend her friends.

Iruka's eyes narrowed. He wasn't convinced, but he didn't have the energy to argue. "Fine," he muttered. "Just don't cause any more trouble."

From the back of the room, Naruto's voice rang out. "Damn it, Tetsuya didn't invite me! He must be scared I'll surpass him!"

Sasuke snorted in disdain. "Idiot."

"Shut up, Naruto!" Iruka snapped, his patience wearing thin. He knew these kids were beyond ordinary students. They didn't need to practice basic ninjutsu techniques—they were just avoiding class.

Taking a deep breath, Iruka forced himself to calm down. "Next week," he reminded himself. "Just one more week until the graduation exam, and I'll be free from these troublemakers."

In a secluded corner of the school, Tetsuya, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Chōji lounged on sun chairs they had cleverly sealed into scrolls.

"Tetsuya, you're a genius," Shikamaru said, gazing up at the leaves overhead. "Why didn't I think of sealing a chair into a scroll before?"

Chōji nodded in agreement, munching on potato chips. "Yeah, this is the life," he said. "Hey, Tetsuya, want some chips?"

Tetsuya was flattered. It wasn't often Chōji offered to share his food. He could only recall Naruto and Shikamaru ever earning that honor before.

Kiba, on the other hand, was less relaxed. "Aren't you worried Iruka-sensei will be furious when he finds out? He's bound to be really angry."

Shikamaru waved off the concern. "We're graduating soon. There's not much left to teach in class, and Iruka-sensei is busy tutoring Naruto. He won't have time to deal with us."

Tetsuya smirked. Shikamaru's logic was sound, though harsh on Naruto.

Sighing, Kiba leaned back. "Hard to believe we're graduating soon," he said, a hint of melancholy in his voice.

The group fell silent, each lost in their thoughts. After next week, they would be real ninjas. The carefree days of academy life were coming to an end.

Shikamaru sighed. His dream was to live a simple life, marry a woman who wasn't too pretty, and die before her after a peaceful existence. But as the son of the Nara clan leader, duty called.

"Life is such a drag," he muttered.

Tetsuya's thoughts drifted to the future. He knew the ninja world was on the brink of turbulence. In three years, greater battles would emerge. He needed to be prepared. Sasuke, his eternal rival, had challenged him countless times over the years, each time ending in failure. But Tetsuya still felt he had a long way to go.

"Is Sasuke really the reincarnation of Indra?" Tetsuya wondered. "Every generation of Indra is a genius. Why hasn't Indra's chakra revealed itself to Sasuke yet?"

Realizing he had dampened the mood, Kiba quickly changed the subject. "So, how do you think the teams will be divided?"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "It's obvious. Chōji and Ino will be on my team. As for you, Kiba, you'll probably be with Shino and Hinata for an investigation team."

Shikamaru understood the dynamics well. Clan children were rarely teamed with civilians, and the teams were balanced with a girl as a mediator. His father's team had been all boys, but the Ino–Shika–Chō trio was a strong unit.

The only uncertainty was Tetsuya. His strength was unparalleled, having bested Sasuke countless times. He held the title of top student in combat.

"Shikamaru's right," Tetsuya said. "Kiba, Shikamaru, make sure you look out for Ino and Hinata."

Kiba pounded his chest in assurance. "Don't worry, Tetsuya. I'll protect Hinata. Right, Akamaru?" The little dog barked in agreement.

Shikamaru nodded lazily, but Tetsuya knew he could be trusted. It was a promise among friends, a bond forged in their shared experiences and challenges.

The group settled back into their chairs, the weight of impending graduation hanging over them. They knew their lives were about to change forever.