"Why did Teacher Hagoromo go out again?"
On the training field, Naruto lay on the ground, listlessly shouting.
Beside him, Shikamaru's eyes flashed with a strange light, and he said vaguely:
"There's no way around it; after all, Ms. Hagoromo is the class monitor of the teacher training program, and sometimes she also has to go on missions."
"That must have been really tough."
Lying on the ground, Naruto murmured that his teacher seemed to be very busy.
They not only have to teach classes, but also tutor them after school.
Even on weekends when they have time off, they still have to go out to the village to carry out tasks.
Choji, who was standing to the side, opened his mouth, as if to say something.
Upon seeing this, Ino immediately covered Choji's mouth and pulled him aside.
He looked at Choji with a dangerous gaze and raised a finger to signal him to shut up.
Choji nodded to indicate that he understood.
"Strange, why didn't Hinata come today?"
Upon hearing this, Ino quickly replied, "Hinata said she has something to do at home today, so she won't be coming."
"Really?" Naruto looked at the group with a puzzled expression and a hint of suspicion.
He felt that everyone was acting strangely today, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
"Alright, Naruto, let's train now. We need to get home early later."
Shikamaru noticed Naruto's gaze, stood up, dusted himself off, and spoke.
Something's wrong. Something's very wrong.
Seeing Shikamaru's behavior, Naruto became even more suspicious.
You should know that Shikamaru is usually slow and procrastinating when it comes to training, and even if he changes later, he will never be as proactive as he is today.
Naruto kept his eyes fixed on Shikamaru, trying to figure something out.
Shikamaru, somewhat distressed by his miscalculation, subtly gave Sasuke a meaningful look.
Sasuke, standing to the side, nodded in agreement and scoffed:
"Dead Last, is it not going to work out today? I'm almost done, and you're still sitting there?"
"You're no good! Arrogant Sasuke!"
Naruto, who was not to be outdone by these words, retorted immediately.
Sasuke shrugged and ignored him.
Shikamaru, standing to the side, secretly gave him a thumbs up in his heart.
As expected, when it comes to attracting Naruto's attention, it has to be Sasuke.
--
"Teacher, is it really okay for us to keep this from Naruto?"
At Naruto, Hinata asked with a conflicted expression.
Hearing this from the kitchen, Hagoromo leaned out and replied, "It's alright, Hinata."
"These kinds of things are meant to be surprises, otherwise they wouldn't be fun."
"By the way, Hinata, you can get those things done when Shikamaru arrives."
As she spoke, Hagoromo pointed to a pile of things next to Hinata.
"No need, teacher, I can do it." Hinata shook her head and began decorating Naruto's room with even more effort.
Naruto-kun, I'll be responsible for most of your surprise!
Seeing Hagoromo could only shrink back, stirring the soup in the pot with the ladle in her hand.
"I don't know if the seasoning packet the shop Teuchi gave me was correct, it just doesn't taste right?"
Bang--
The door opened and then immediately closed again. Shadow Clone of Hagoromo entered, saying:
"Main body, you've retrieved everything you requested."
As he spoke, he put down a bag from a clothing and accessories store in Konoha.
Without turning her head, Hagoromo, who was in the kitchen, said, "Okay."
Seeing this, the Shadow Clone didn't say anything and immediately dispelled the Shadow Clone Technique.
Hinata, sitting in the living room, looked puzzled. Why did her teacher's Shadow Clones seem different from the others?
--
Around 8 p. m., Naruto, covered in dust and looking exhausted, walked home.
"Everyone's acting really strange today."
Halfway through the training, Shikamaru said he had to leave.
Next were Ino and Choji, but only Sasuke stayed by his side until the training ended.
When he invited Sasuke to eat at Ichiraku Ramen, Sasuke declined.
He said his family was waiting for him to come home.
Naruto lost his appetite and could only walk home alone under the moonlight.
Naruto slowly climbed the stairs and took out his keys from his pocket.
Click--
The sound of the key turning was especially crisp at that moment.
Naruto entered the entryway dejectedly and bent down to take off his shoes.
The room was pitch black and unusually quiet.
This is also why Naruto never liked going home; there was no one there.
Naruto couldn't wait to get up early every day, either to go to school or to the training ground.
As long as you're not alone at home, it's fine.
"Um?"
Naruto had just taken off his shoes, twitched his nose and muttered to himself:
"This flavor is... miso chashu ramen?"
Snap--
The lights in the room were suddenly turned on.
Just as Naruto straightened up to see what Naruto was blinded by a light that was suddenly turned on.
"Who!"
Naruto shouted loudly as he reached for his ninja tool pouch behind him.
Happy birthday, Naruto!
A familiar voice interrupted Naruto's actions, and when he looked up, he was completely dumbfounded.
Teacher Hagoromo, who was supposed to be leaving the village on a mission, was standing at the entrance with a warm smile on her face.
Hinata, who had said she had something to do at home, was standing to the side holding a cake, her face flushed, and she spoke shyly.
Happy birthday, Naruto-kun!
"Happy birthday, Naruto!" Shikamaru and Choji quickly came to Naruto's side, saying as they helped Naruto up and carried him into the room.
Sasuke, standing beside Hagoromo with his arms crossed and leaning against the wall, casually remarked, "Dead Last, wipe your snot, and happy birthday."
"Ah... Teacher! And everyone!" Naruto finally couldn't control his emotions, and tears streamed down his face.
Naruto and Choji, who had been supporting Shikamaru with happy expressions, were completely stunned, and even Sasuke was at a loss.
Who would have thought that Naruto would suddenly burst into tears!
"Alright, Naruto, today is your birthday, and didn't you promise I wouldn't cry?"
Hagoromo slowly stepped forward, squatted down, patted Naruto's head, and spoke gently.
"Thank you, teacher... and everyone!" Naruto, who had been forcibly holding back his tears, said to everyone after hearing what Hagoromo said.
"Okay, blow out the candles first, or they'll melt."
Shikamaru then pointed to the cake in Hinata's hand and said...
"Naruto-kun, please."
Hinata raised her arm again and spoke to Naruto.
"Remember to make a wish," Hagoromo Yi reminded her from the side.
Yes, teacher!
Naruto nodded in response, then closed his eyes and blew out the candles on the cake.
Happy birthday, Naruto!
Shikamaru and the others shouted again.
Thank you everyone!
Hagoromo chuckled and shook her head, then walked to the kitchen, brought out a bowl of ramen, and called out:
"Come and eat!"