Asuma wore a dejected look, while Ino beside him covered her mouth and chuckled. Lu Yu-kun really was as lazy as ever.
Asuma hadn't expected the Ninja Academy's Top Student of all people to be so "impressive." His dream was to watch the clouds? Could he be any lazier?
Seeing that Lu Yu had no intention of saying anything more, Asuma turned his attention to the other three.
"What about you?"
Ino gave Asuma a polite nod, then introduced herself:
"My name is Yamanaka Ino. I'm good at my clan's secret techniques, and I like lots of things, like growing flowers and arranging them. There's nothing I dislike. My dream is... is... to marry the person I love."
She hesitated for a long time over that last sentence, as if struggling to voice her true feelings. In the end, she still expressed herself somewhat tactfully.
After she finished, Ino's pretty face turned red. She glanced shyly at Lu Yu, only to find that the rascal had already started dozing off...
"Marry the person you love?"
Asuma keenly noticed Ino's unconscious glance at Lu Yu, and his heart sank.
That look, that dream... It seemed like there were signs of young love...
Then he turned to Shikamaru, who was yawning.
"My name is Nara Shikamaru. I'm good at my family's secret techniques. I like living a leisurely life and hate troublesome things. My dream is the same as my big brother's."
"Mm."
Asuma nodded helplessly, thinking sadly, Another lazybones, just as I expected.
When Choji noticed Asuma looking his way, he spoke up without waiting to be asked:
"My name is Akimichi Choji. I'm good at my clan's secret techniques. I like eating, and I hate it when people take the first or last bite of my snacks. Also, I won't tolerate anyone calling me a fat pig. My dream is to become as handsome as Lu Yu."
"Good."
After getting to know the three of them a little, Asuma nodded and said:
"Now that we've made our initial introductions, everyone can rest here while we wait for a few people."
Wait for people?
After Choji's introduction, Lu Yu had been ready to slip away. Now he eyed Asuma suspiciously.
This wasn't how the script was supposed to go. Weren't they meant to say a few words, send everyone home to prepare, and then have them try to take the bells tomorrow?
Asuma didn't explain further. Just then, a commotion came from far away.
"We don't have to train anymore! This is great! Kakashi-sensei, where are you taking us?"
"Just a little farther, Naruto. Be patient."
"Dead-last, can you keep it down? You're so annoying."
"Shut up, Sasuke! You're enjoying this too. Stop pretending."
Hearing those familiar voices, the four exchanged glances. Their eyes were filled with confusion.
Even Lu Yu was a little dumbfounded. What was going on? Were the two teams going to have a joint lesson?
Soon, Kakashi appeared in Lu Yu's field of vision with Team 7. He scratched his head sheepishly as he walked up to Asuma.
"Sorry, Asuma. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Heh. Kakashi, if you ever showed up on time, I'd be more surprised."
Naruto and Sasuke had been looking around with interest, but the moment they saw Lu Yu waving at them, they froze on the spot.
No way. Were they dreaming? Was that really their boss over there?
The teams had already been assigned. Was their boss still going to put them through special training?
The instant they saw Lu Yu, their hearts sank. All the hardships they'd suffered over the years flashed through their minds. They swallowed hard and stared at him, uncertain.
Looking at the two frozen boys, Kakashi said with a smile:
"Come over here, Sasuke, Naruto. We're holding the first lesson tomorrow together with Asuma's class."
Sasuke and Naruto looked at Lu Yu with complicated expressions, then walked over in a daze and sat beside him. Naruto eyed Lu Yu suspiciously.
"Boss, you didn't arrange this, did you? Are we in for an even more intense training session tomorrow?"
Looking at the two he'd nearly traumatized with training, Lu Yu grinned.
"No. Don't overthink it. I figure the teachers looked into us and found out we spend a lot of time together, so they want to see how strong we really are."
Lu Yu hadn't lowered his voice, and when Asuma and Kakashi heard him, a flash of shock crossed their eyes. They couldn't help but marvel.
As expected of the Nara Clan. Their minds really were exceptionally sharp.
Asuma cleared his throat and addressed the six of them:
"We've only gotten to know each other a little today. Tomorrow, Kakashi and I will need to learn more about you. We want to see the true level of you truants. So meet here at nine tomorrow morning for a practical exercise. Understood?"
At Asuma's words, all seven of them looked excited.
"Yes, sensei!"
Seeing the excitement on everyone's faces except Lu Yu's, Kakashi and Asuma nodded in satisfaction, then quickly left.
It was still fairly early. Haruno Sakura saw Ino, and the two of them immediately started chatting animatedly.
The boys instinctively gathered around Lu Yu, waiting for him to decide what to do.
Sensing their expectant gazes, Lu Yu smiled.
"Now that you've graduated, you need to learn to handle some things on your own. Unless things get desperate tomorrow, I won't step in. It'll be up to you guys. Got it?"
Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Choji exchanged glances and nodded firmly.
"All right, discuss your strategy. Show them what we can do."
With that, Lu Yu turned and left. The others knew without even thinking that he was off to enjoy himself again.
But when they thought back to what Lu Yu had just said, their fighting spirit surged.
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and looked at Naruto, Sasuke, and Choji.
"I have a plan for tomorrow's practical exercise..."
Before you continue