Night, in Sora's room.
After dinner, Sora sat cross-legged on his bed as usual, practicing controlling the partial beast transformation on his chest. Azure dragon scales slowly emerged on his chest, then slowly receded.
But his mind kept returning to the thoughts that had appeared in his head earlier.
'Maybe the stress has been too much lately?'
"After all, this rotten world is all about fighting and killing every day, the Third Great Ninja War is coming, and that old fox Danzo is watching, it's hard not to think too much..."
Sora sighed, blaming it all on the general environment of the ninja world. One takes on the color of one's company.
Calming his mood, forcing himself to push those thoughts to the back of his mind, Sora focused again on practicing the partial transformation, no longer thinking about those ideas.
But did Sora really forget?
No, those thoughts did not disappear at all, he just buried them in the deepest part of his heart.
And... who knows, one day these thoughts might become another choice?
...
Sora repeated his three-point life between school, the training ground, and the orphanage day after day.
Unknowingly, Konoha year 38 reached year's end. The cold air heralded the arrival of winter, and also marked the end of the ninja school's semester.
For most students, this meant a pleasant long vacation.
But for Sora, this day held a more special meaning, he graduated.
After the closing ceremony, students cheered and flooded out of the classroom, discussing their holiday plans.
Sora's feelings were somewhat complicated.
He was finally leaving this place where he had spent nearly a year. Although he had wanted to graduate early from the start, to do missions to increase his strength and accumulate experience.
But this was, after all, the starting point of his integration into this world.
"Sora..."
"You... you're really not coming next semester?"
The voice of Kurenai Yūhi, thick with reluctance, came from beside him. She lowered her head, her wine-red eyes glistening, clearly in very low spirits.
Seeing her like this, Sora sighed inwardly and said helplessly:
"Yes, it's the Hokage's arrangement. I have to report to the Anbu."
"But I'm not leaving Konoha. We can still meet in the future."
"But... but it won't be the same." Kurenai's voice carried a hint of a sob. "You're going to the Anbu, will you have to carry out very dangerous missions? Will it be a long time before we can meet again?"
Seeing her on the verge of tears, Sora rubbed her hair as he used to, comforting her:
"Don't worry, I'm pretty strong, nothing will happen. And I promise you, whenever I have the chance, I'll come back to see you, or treat you to Ichiraku Ramen, until you're full!"
Kurenai sniffled, forcing a smile, but still looked dejected:
"Promise... don't lie."
"Of course." Sora nodded seriously.
At that moment, Asuma, chewing on a blade of grass, sauntered over. Behind him were others like Morino Ibiki from the top 16 of the exams, as well as classmates Kotetsu Hagane and Kamizuki Izumo, and Uesugi Rin from the orphanage.
"Hey, Sora!" Asuma still had that cocky look, but his tone was much better than at the start of the school year. "I heard today counts as your official graduation? Pretty fast."
Morino Ibiki still had that expressionless face, just nodding at Sora as a greeting.
Genma Shiranui, with a senbon in his mouth, said indistinctly: "Tsk, one less strong fighter in the school, it'll be boring."
Kotetsu Hagane slapped his chest heartily: "Sora, don't forget us classmates when you make it big!"
Kamizuki Izumo pushed his glasses up, adding: "Especially if we enter the Torture and Interrogation Force in the future, if you need help..." He didn't finish before Kotetsu elbowed him.
"..."
Uesugi Rin also said softly: "Brother Sora, congratulations on graduating."
She was different from Sora and Miyamoto Ichirō. Her ninja talent wasn't low, and her academic grades were among the top in Class C. Sora estimated she had the potential to become a jōnin-level ninja with normal development.
Looking at these faces, some familiar, some only vaguely recognized, Sora was actually a bit surprised.
He hadn't expected so many people to come specifically to say goodbye now that he was leaving.
He had only mentioned his graduation and entry into the Anbu to Kurenai Yūhi and the orphanage people, not to anyone else.
Sora thought about it. No need to guess, it must have been Asuma, the "Crown Prince," who spread the news.
Asuma glanced at the red-eyed Kurenai Yūhi, then at Sora, and took the initiative to suggest:
"Alright, enough standing around here. To celebrate the holiday, and also... uh, to see you off, let's go to Yakiniku Q! My treat!"
"Wow! Asuma, you're actually being generous for once!"
"Yakiniku! Yeah!"
"..."
The suggestion was immediately met with agreement from everyone. Kurenai Yūhi also perked up a little.
So the group noisily headed towards Konoha's famous Yakiniku Q restaurant.
The Yakiniku Q restaurant in the evening was bustling with noise and filled with lively atmosphere.
Sora's group found a large table and sat down. As the Crown Prince of Konoha, Asuma grandly ordered a huge pile of beef, pork belly, and various vegetables.
"Wow! It looks so delicious!"
"Hurry, eat! It won't be good if it gets overcooked!"
"..."
The atmosphere quickly became lively. Everyone vied for the grilled meat while chattering away.
Asuma, flipping the meat on the grill, looked at Sora:
"Hey, Sora, when you go to the Anbu, don't disgrace our Class B. Even though you're a pretty annoying guy, your strength is undeniable."
Sora smiled, picking up a piece of beef tongue: "Don't worry, I'll be careful."
As a transmigrator, Sora was well aware of the dangers of the Anbu. But Sarutobi Hiruzen specifically pulling him into the Anbu for training meant he obviously wouldn't be sent on overly dangerous missions too early, so he wasn't too worried.
Kurenai Yūhi sat quietly next to Sora, eating small bites of the meat Sora had grilled and cut into small pieces for her. She stole glances at Sora from time to time, her heart full of reluctance and worry.
'Sora must stay safe...'
Kotetsu Hagane and Kamizuki Izumo were arguing about who would become the more impressive chūnin in the future, one claiming to be the future Gate Guard King, the other a future interrogation expert.
Looking at the lively scene before him, Sora felt somewhat emotional.
This was Konoha. There was strife, there were schemes, but there was also this simple, bustling, everyday life.
"Hey! Sora! What are you spacing out for! Kotetsu is about to grab all the meat!" Asuma's voice brought him back to reality.
Kotetsu Hagane's plate was already piled high, his mouth stuffed full, still trying to grab the last few slices of meat on the grill.
"Leave some for me!" Sora also joined the meat-grabbing battle, temporarily pushing aside those heavy thoughts.
The yakiniku meal lasted a long time. It only ended when it was completely dark outside and everyone's stomachs were completely full.
It's worth mentioning that Sora alone ate as much as all the others combined. Fortunately, Asuma was paying, so Sora didn't have to worry.
But when Asuma came out after settling the bill, he shed tears of regret.
Leaving the yakiniku restaurant, everyone said their goodbyes, promising to meet again when possible.
Kurenai Yūhi walked last. She looked at Sora and said very seriously: "Sora, you must be careful. And... remember what you said, come back to see me."
"Yes, I remember."
"You too, practice your genjutsu well at school. Next time we meet, I'll have to check up on you properly."
Looking at Kurenai's serious little face, Sora couldn't help but pinch it, making her face turn bright red.
"Don't worry! I won't lose to you!"
Kurenai Yūhi revealed a bright smile, waved vigorously, then turned and ran towards her mother, who had specifically come to pick her up and wore an amused expression.
Watching the others' retreating figures, Sora took a deep breath of the cold air.
His ninja school life had come to a complete end.
'The Anbu... let me see what the roots of Konoha are really like.'
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