NABC Chapter 176 The Daily Life of Konoha Ninja Academy, All Things Sweet Drink!
Chapter 176 The Daily Life of Konoha Ninja Academy, All Things Sweet Drink!
Chapter 177 The Daily Life of Konoha Ninja Academy, All Things Sweet Drink!
Life at the ninja academy, after the dramatic self-introduction at the start of the semester, gradually settled into a calm and flowing daily routine.
The tender green leaves are becoming more and more lush, and sunlight shines through the classroom windows, casting warm spots of light on the neatly arranged desks.
The air was filled with the smell of chalk dust, new books, and the slightly sweaty energy unique to children.
Menma sat by the window, resting his chin on his hand. His gaze seemed to be fixed on Iruka Umino, who was giving a long lecture on the basic theory of chakra refining, but in reality, he was lost in thought.
Refining chakra?
For him, it was as natural and ingrained as breathing.
The key points of the ninjutsu and chakra system that Iruka explained had already been honed into instinct by him during the brutal battles in the "Limited Tsukuyomi World".
At this moment, the vast chakra within his body was flowing and circulating slowly in an extremely subtle and imperceptible manner.
Most of the time, what appears in the ninja academy is just a shadow clone.
The true master has long been using the Flying Thunder God Technique to traverse between the political affairs of the Star Kingdom, the construction of the Star Ninja Village, or certain more covert operations.
Only occasionally, when Naruto is particularly looking forward to going to school together, or when there are unexpected situations that Shadow Clones cannot handle, Menma's true form will briefly appear in this classroom filled with childish noise.
For example, today, the person sitting next to Naruto is the real Menma.
He could clearly feel the rich and real texture of the chakra within his body, rather than the subtle, illusory feeling of energy constructs that were like shadow clones. He listened as Iruka explained the "Will of Fire," protecting the village, safeguarding his comrades, and creating a peaceful future for the next generation.
To Menma, who is now personally overturning the old order, these words sound almost ironically hollow and hypocritical.
He lowered his eyes slightly, concealing the coldness and aloofness that flashed across his eyes, and quietly played the role of a "quiet, academically competent war orphan".
Naruto Uzumaki, on the other hand, was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, completely stirring up the atmosphere of the class.
He seemed to have inexhaustible energy. He couldn't sit still in class and always couldn't help but look around or whisper to Menma, although Menma mostly just nodded or gave a brief response.
After class, it was his time to shine. Like an energetic puppy, he would run and laugh in the classroom and hallway.
Surprisingly, his undisguised enthusiasm and somewhat naive sincerity also attracted some companions.
Choji Akimichi quickly discovered that Naruto shared the same pure love for snacks as he did, and the two often shared potato chips, quickly forming a "potato chip friendship".
Kiba Inuzuka admired Naruto's fearless spirit. Although the two often bickered and argued about trivial things like who could run faster or who was stronger, this energetic clash made them quickly become acquainted.
Although Nara Shikamaru always complains about being "troublesome" and thinks Naruto is too noisy, he also enjoys watching Naruto do all sorts of exaggerated things to get everyone's attention, watching him and Kiba play around like two little animals, and watching Choji be overjoyed when Naruto shares half a bag of potato chips with him.
Occasionally, a faint, almost imperceptible glint would flash in Shikamaru's usually half-closed eyes, a hint that he thought, "It's troublesome, but it's also quite interesting."
Even though Sasuke was adored by the girls and often argued with Naruto, he didn't dislike Naruto like the other villagers did; the two were more like sworn enemies.
Before he knew it, Naruto gradually integrated into his classmates' lives.
The school bell rang like heavenly music.
Naruto was almost the first to rush out of the classroom.
"Menma-kun! Hinata! Hurry up!" He stood at the end of the corridor, cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting loudly, which drew good-natured laughter from the other students.
Mianma calmly packed up her books and slung her simple cloth bag over her shoulder.
Hinata Hyuga followed him with quick, short steps, her fair face slightly flushed, and her long, dark blue hair swaying gently with each step.
She was wearing the Hyuga clan's simple training uniform, with a light-colored hooded jacket over it.
Hearing Naruto's call, she instinctively moved closer to Menma, her fingers gently pinching the hem of his old dark blue coat.
She quickly loosened her grip as if she had been burned, her head drooping even lower, and her ears turning red.
Ever since that unexpected declaration from the "big sister" on the first day of school, Hinata, who has returned to normal, has become even more shy in front of Menma.
But that careful affection and dependence were clearly conveyed through these small gestures.
"Naruto-kun—we're here—" Hinata responded softly, her voice almost drowned out by the noise in the corridor.
The three met up and walked out of the school gate with the flow of students leaving school.
The golden rays of the setting sun stretched their shadows long.
Nara Shikamaru walked slowly home with his hands in his pockets, the setting sun casting a long shadow behind him.
He stayed a little later than usual because he watched the clouds drift by under the shade of the trees by the playground for a while and pondered the possibility of simplifying the "shadow imitation technique".
Of course, the conclusion was, "It's too much trouble, let's talk about it later."
Pushing open the door to the Nara family mansion, the air was filled with a faint scent of herbs and ink.
His father, Nara Shikaku, was sitting cross-legged on the veranda, with a shogi endgame in front of him and a shogi piece in his hand, seemingly deep in thought.
Hearing the door open, Shikaku didn't even look up and casually asked, "You're late today, Shikamaru. Did you have fun with your new classmates at school?"
Shikamaru walked to the seat opposite his father, slumped down without any regard for appearances, and let out a long, weary sigh: "Ha—I'm exhausted. There's no such thing as being happy or unhappy, just a mountain of troubles."
He ruffled his messy, high-piled braid.
"Oh?" Shikaku finally looked up at his son, a knowing smile in his eyes. "For example? That energetic Naruto Uzumaki, or that genius kid from the Uchiha clan?"
"Pfft." Shikamaru pouted, looking annoyed.
"Those two are simply natural enemies. Naruto gets all worked up whenever he sees Sasuke, and Sasuke is like a powder keg. They can start arguing in less than three sentences and are always threatening to fight. Iruka-sensei is practically their personal bodyguard. It's so noisy."
He perfectly imitated Naruto's jumping up and down and Sasuke's cold face.
"Hahaha!" Upon hearing this, Shikaku couldn't help but burst into laughter, his laughter hearty and cheerful.
"Young people are energetic, that's a good thing. Naruto, that kid—well, he's quite interesting. Shikamaru, you need to get along well with them." His tone carried a kind of elder's tolerance and a hint of subtle deeper meaning.
Shikamaru keenly noticed the unusual tone in his father's voice.
He dropped his languid expression, sat up a little straighter, and looked at his father with his dark eyes: "Dad, that Naruto—is there something special about him? I always feel like some people in the village are looking at him strangely."
Shikamaru's observation skills are always meticulous, and he was not unaware of Naruto's "rejected loneliness" and the subtle look of disgust in the eyes of some villagers.
Even when parents came to pick up their children after school, Shikamaru could hear comments like, "Why is it that guy?", "Did the Third Hokage actually allow that guy to go to school?", and "That's too dangerous—"
The malice and rumors were undisguised, such as "What if the children get hurt?"
Naruto, however, seemed to have gotten used to all of this. Although he was occasionally disappointed, he was mostly cheerful.
Shikamaru found it hard to imagine how Naruto, an orphan, lived in the face of such undisguised malice from the villagers before he enrolled in the academy.
Shikaku's smile faded slightly, and he pondered for a moment.
He put down the chess piece in his hand, his gaze becoming somewhat complicated as he looked towards the deer park in the courtyard, which appeared deep and secluded in the twilight. Several deer kept by the Nara family were strolling leisurely inside.
"Naruto's background—" He paused, his voice lowering slightly, "is rather complicated. There are some things you shouldn't know right now. You'll understand later."
It was that kind of vague answer again.
Shikamaru muttered to himself, but seeing his father's expression, he knew he wouldn't get any more information from him.
He then mentioned another person who was somewhat on his mind: "That—there's another guy in the class named Menma, who often hangs out with Naruto."
They always acted together. He was a man of few words and didn't pay much attention in class, but he always seemed to get good grades on tests.
Shikamaru frowned, seemingly struggling to find the right words: "I always feel like he's a little different. But I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe—too quiet? Or too easygoing? Sometimes I even think he's more of a nuisance than I am, completely unlike someone our age."
Shikamaru's intuition told him that Menma possessed a calmness beyond his years, even a sense of detachment. "Menma?" Upon hearing this name, Shikaku's fingers, which were holding the Go stones, paused almost imperceptibly.
He raised his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping across his son's confused face, and the scattered reports submitted by the intelligence unit two years ago flashed through his mind.
This war orphan, adopted by Gato, a wealthy merchant from the Land of Fire, seems to have a simple and clean background. However, Gato is a businessman who travels to various countries and seems to have adopted orphans in every country. He tends to be indifferent to these orphans and spends most of his time traveling for business, only returning to Konoha a few times a year.
A thoughtful look flashed across Shikaku's eyes.
However, he quickly suppressed this strange feeling, his face returning to its usual lazy and casual expression. He shook his head and said in a nonchalant tone, "Oh, him? Just an ordinary war orphan, adopted by a merchant. He's lucky. He's probably been through some things, so it's normal for him to be a bit introverted. Don't overthink it, Shikamaru. Focus on your own things."
He refocused his attention on the chessboard, as if the previous topic was just trivial chatter.
Shikamaru watched as his father refocused on the game. Although his doubts hadn't been completely dispelled, he knew he couldn't ask any more questions.
He shrugged and decided to put this "troublesome" thought aside for the time being.
After all, thinking too much is really taxing on the brain.
The next afternoon, a rare weekend.
Warm sunlight streamed onto the bustling commercial streets of Konoha, and the air was filled with the aroma of various snacks.
Nara Shikamaru was "held hostage" by Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Choji, who were taking him for a stroll.
As the successors of the new generation of the "Ino-Shika-Cho" triad, they have played together since childhood, cultivating feelings and tacit understanding. Shikamaru just finds it troublesome and wants to refuse, but he can't help it.
She could only go shopping with the two of them, watching Ino browse the flower shop with great interest, and watching Choji cast longing glances at every shop on the street that emitted the aroma of food.
"Hey, hey, let's find somewhere to sit down, shall we? What's the point of walking around like this?" Shikamaru complained for the hundred and first time, dragging his feet.
"Hey Shikamaru, don't be such a spoilsport! Look over there!" Ino suddenly pointed to a newly opened shop not far ahead, her eyes lighting up.
"Wow, there's such a long line! Is it a newly opened dessert shop? Let's go check it out!"
Shikamaru lazily looked up in the direction Namino pointed.
In front of a shop with a rather novel decoration style, there was indeed a fairly long queue, mostly young ninjas and villagers with children.
The shop's signboard is simple yet elegant, with the words "Wanxiang Sweet Drinks" carved in dark brown wood.
Below the sign, a string of small, uniquely shaped wind chimes hangs, the pendants of which seem to be star-shaped patterns he has never seen before.
And standing next to the queue at the store entrance were three familiar figures.
Naruto Uzumaki was standing on tiptoe, craning his neck to peer into the shop, his face filled with impatience, constantly muttering, "Red bean paste! Matcha! Strawberry daifuku! Which one is the best? Menma-kun, which one do you recommend?"
He was dressed in bright orange, and his blond hair was still striking.
The surrounding villagers even silently made way for him upon his arrival.
Menma, standing next to Naruto, calmly watched the villagers.
He was dressed in simple red and black clothes, with an upright posture, and his gaze calmly swept over the shop's signboard and menu, as if he was assessing something.
"I'd like a red bean milk tea," he occasionally replied to Naruto, his voice not loud.
"Young Master Mianma! Please wait a moment!" The manager of Wanxiang Dessert bowed to Mianma and personally began preparing to make the dessert.
On the other side of Menma, Hinata Hyuga lowered her head slightly, her fair face glowing with a faint pink in the sunlight.
She was dressed in simple light purple casual clothes, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, while her eyes kept glancing quickly at Mianma beside her.
When Naruto loudly asked what he wanted to eat, she softly chimed in, "I...I also think red bean paste should be good."
Bei's voice was so soft it sounded like a mosquito humming.
Shikamaru looked at the trio, especially Menma, who stood out as particularly calm in the crowd. Then, recalling his father's casual remark yesterday, "Just ordinary war orphans," a subtle sense of unease rose in his heart once again.
He looked at the new shop called "Wanxiang Sweet Drinks," its signboard reflecting the sunlight, and the small star-shaped wind chime pendant making a barely audible tinkling sound in the breeze.