14. The Celebration

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When the dust settled, both combatants were still standing, though clearly exhausted. The Hokage lowered his barrier and smiled warmly at Kira.

"You have exceeded my expectations, Kira. Your Water Breathing techniques are truly remarkable. You have proven yourself beyond any doubt."

Kira bowed deeply, his heart swelling with pride and relief. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. It has been an honor."

The students erupted in applause, their e for Kira evident in their cheers. Even Sasuke, who had watched the entire match with a critical eye, couldn't deny the skill and determination Kira had displayed.

Iruka stepped forward, his face beaming with pride. "Kira, you have truly proven yourself today. Congratulations on your early graduation."

As Kira stood there, basking in the admiration and respect of his peers, he felt a sense of accomplishment and purpose. He knew that this was just the beginning of his journey. There were still many challenges ahead, but he was ready to face them head-on.

.....

In the midst of the celebration, Sasuke slipped away, his mind racing with thoughts. Watching Kira's performance had reignited his own determination. He couldn't afford to be left behind. He had to surpass his brother, Itachi, and prove his own worth.

"Sasuke, where are you going?" a Sakura called after him.

Sasuke didn't answer. He had only one goal in mind: to become stronger. He would train harder than ever before, pushing himself to the limits. The image of Kira's victory was a constant reminder of what was possible with dedication and hard work.

As the crowd began to disperse, the Hokage approached Kira once more. "Kira, I have one more request for you."

Kira looked up, curious. "Yes, Hokage-sama?"

"I would like you to continue your training under the guidance of some of our village's best shinobi. There is much you can learn from them, and I believe it will help you reach your full potential."

Kira nodded eagerly. "I would be honored, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen smiled. "Good. I will make the necessary arrangements. In the meantime, take some time to rest and recover. You have earned it."

...

As the students continued to cheer, Naruto's voice rang out above the crowd. "Hey, Kira! We have to celebrate your graduation! Let's go to Ichiraku's later on!"

Kira, still catching his breath, smiled at the enthusiastic blond. "Sure, Naruto. Ichiraku's sounds perfect. Let's meet there later."

The other students, caught up in the excitement, promised to come along as well. Sasuke, though still deep in thought, gave a slight nod of agreement.

Iruka approached Kira, holding a certificate. "Kira, this is for you. Congratulations on becoming a shinobi."

Kira took the certificate with reverence, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Iruka-sensei."

With the certificate in hand, Kira left the training field and headed toward his clan compound. His heart raced with pride and excitement. He couldn't wait to share the news with his family.

Kira entered the Kozuki compound, the familiar surroundings providing a sense of comfort and belonging. He quickly found his mother and grandfather in the courtyard.

"Mother, Grandfather, look!" Kira exclaimed, holding up his shinobi certificate.

His mother's eyes filled with tears of pride. "Oh, Kira, you did it! I'm so proud of you."

Hiroshi smiled warmly, his pride evident. "Well done, Kira. You've made us all very proud."

Kira basked in their praise for a moment before his expression turned serious. "Grandfather, there's something else I need to show you."

He led Hiroshi to his office and handed over a scroll. Hiroshi looked at it curiously. "What's this?"

As he unrolled the scroll and began to read, his eyes widened in shock. "This... this is the Water Breathing Technique!?"

Kira smiled. "I believe this technique should be taught to the Kozuki clansmen. It will make us stronger."

Hiroshi looked at Kira with a mixture of amazement and pride. "You are truly remarkable, Kira. This will be a great asset to our clan. Thank you."

Kira nodded. "I want our clan to be strong, Grandfather. I hope this helps."

Hiroshi placed a hand on Kira's shoulder. "It will. And you, Kira, will make a great clan head in the future. I have no doubt about that."

.....

Later that evening, Kira made his way to Ichiraku Ramen. The warm, inviting smell of broth and noodles greeted him as he approached. Inside, he found Naruto and the others waiting for him. Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Ten Ten, Ino, and Hinata had all gathered to celebrate his achievement.

"Kira, over here!" Naruto called, waving enthusiastically.

Kira joined the group, a smile on his face. He was pleasantly surprised to see Sasuke among them. He hadn't expected the usually aloof Uchiha to come.

As they settled in and ordered their ramen, the atmosphere was lively and cheerful. They shared stories, laughed, and enjoyed the delicious food.

"Hey, Kira," Ino said, leaning forward with a curious look. "What kind of girls do you like?"

Sakura immediately reprimanded her. "Ino, why are you asking such improper questions at our age?"

But the others were just as curious, even Shikamaru, who usually found such things troublesome, was waiting to hear Kira's answer.

Kira chuckled and looked up at the sky, a dreamy expression on his face. "I'll marry the Rabbit Moon Goddess."

Naruto was the first to retort, laughing loudly. "Kira, are you feeling unwell? Why are you saying crazy things?"

Shikamaru, who had also looked at the moon, then back at Kira, felt a strange seriousness in Kira's words. "Kira's not joking," he thought to himself. "He's serious about this."

The group fell silent for a moment, each processing Kira's words. Then, Hinata spoke up shyly, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Why... why the Rabbit Moon Goddess, Kira?"

Kira smiled softly. "Because she represents a dream, something beyond our reach. It's a symbol of striving for the impossible, of never giving up on your dreams."

Sasuke, who had been listening quietly, gave a slight nod of understanding. He, too, had dreams that seemed impossible, and he knew the value of never giving up.

As they continued their celebration, the group bonded over their shared dreams and ambitions. They ate their ramen and dango, enjoying the warm camaraderie.

As the evening wore on, the friends began to part ways, each heading home with a sense of fulfillment and inspiration. Kira lingered a moment longer, looking up at the night sky.

"Thank you, everyone," he said quietly, his heart full of gratitude. "This is just the beginning."

He knew that the path ahead would be challenging, but with the support of his friends and family, and the strength of his own determination, he was ready to face whatever came his way.

The night was filled with stars, and as Kira walked back to his clan compound, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He would continue to train, to grow stronger, and to protect those he cared about. And one day, he would make his dream of marrying the Rabbit Moon Goddess come true, no matter how impossible it seemed.

After the celebration at Ichiraku Ramen, Kira walked back to his clan compound, feeling both exhausted and exhilarated. The night air was cool and refreshing, and as he stepped into his home, he was greeted by the serene silence of the sleeping household. He made his way to his room, changed into his night clothes, and slipped under the covers. The events of the day played through his mind, and he fell asleep with a smile on his face, dreaming of the future.

The next morning, Kira woke up early, the first rays of sunlight filtering through his window. He stretched and got ready for the day, feeling a sense of purpose. He had graduated early, but he knew his journey had only just begun. There was still so much to learn and master, especially the Geppo technique, which had proven to be quite challenging.

Kira headed to the woods, his favorite training spot, and summoned three clones. They immediately began to mock him, a routine he had grown accustomed to.

"Alright, boss," one clone said with a smirk, "let's see if you can manage not to fall on your face today."

"Yeah, maybe you'll finally figure out how to step on air without looking like a complete idiot," another clone added, laughing.

Kira rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Alright, alright. Let's get to work."

For the entire week, Kira focused solely on polishing his Geppo skill. He practiced relentlessly, determined to master the technique. The clones were a vital part of his training, offering both guidance and ridicule in equal measure.

Each day began the same way: Kira would wake up at dawn, head to the woods, and create his clones. They would then spend hours practicing, with Kira attempting to control his chakra bursts to achieve the desired effect of stepping on air.

The first few days were frustrating. Despite his best efforts, Kira found himself crashing back to the ground more often than not. His legs ached from the constant strain, and his patience was tested by the clones' incessant mocking.

"You're too stiff," one clone said after yet another failed attempt. "Relax and let the chakra flow naturally."

Another clone chimed in, "Yeah, you're overthinking it. Just feel the rhythm and go with it."

Kira nodded, taking their advice to heart. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried again. He focused on the flow of his chakra, visualizing the energy moving through his body and into his feet. He jumped, releasing a burst of chakra to propel himself upward.

For a moment, he felt the air beneath his feet, solid and supportive. But then he lost his balance and tumbled back to the ground.

"Better," a clone said, helping him up. "You were up there longer this time."

"Just a few hundred more tries, and you'll get it," another clone teased.

Kira laughed, despite the frustration. "Thanks, guys. Let's keep going."

As the week went on, Kira's progress was slow but steady. He began to understand the rhythm and balance required for Geppo, learning to time his chakra bursts with his movements more precisely. His clones continued to provide feedback, their mocking lessening as he improved.

One day, as he practiced, he managed to stay aloft for several seconds, jumping from one invisible platform to another. The clones watched with a mixture of pride and amusement.

"Look at you, finally getting the hang of it," one clone said, grinning.

"Yeah, you're almost not a complete failure," another clone added with a laugh.

Kira couldn't help but smile. He was getting closer to mastering Geppo, and the progress was encouraging.

By the end of the week, Kira felt a significant improvement in his control over Geppo. His movements were more fluid, and he could maintain himself in the air for longer periods. The breakthrough came one evening as the sun set, casting long shadows across the training ground.

Kira jumped, releasing a burst of chakra from his feet. This time, he didn't fall. Instead, he found himself standing on an invisible platform of air. He jumped again, and again, each time stepping on the air as if it were a solid surface.

The clones cheered, their mocking replaced with genuine pride. "You did it, boss!"

Kira landed gracefully on the ground, his heart pounding with exhilaration. "We did it," he corrected, a smile spreading across his face. "Thanks for all your help."

The clones nodded, their expressions serious. "You've come a long way, Kira. Keep pushing forward."

Kira felt a surge of pride and determination. He had mastered Geppo, and he was ready to continue his journey. With this new skill in his arsenal, he felt more prepared than ever for the challenges that lay ahead.

After his intense week of training, Kira took a moment to reflect on his progress. He realized how much he had grown, not just in terms of his skills but also in his confidence and determination. The path of a shinobi was never easy, but he was ready to face it with unwavering resolve.