A new beginning

"Chihane, why don't you tell us your dream first?"

Kurenai Yuhi looked at Chihane expectantly, clearly very interested in his dream.

The other classmates also watched Chihane quietly. Even the usually restless Obito Uchiha waited silently nearby for him to speak.

Clearly, Chihane had established his place in this little circle that would determine Konoha's future.

"Me? My dream is to become the strongest in the Shinobi World, the World's Greatest Swordsman, to end this chaotic era and bring lasting peace to the Shinobi World."

Chihane looked around in bewilderment and found everyone's eyes fixed on him. A spark slowly kindled in his eyes, and he raised a fist before his chest, pumping it as he spoke.

"Awesome!"

"So that's Chihane's dream?"

"The strongest in the Shinobi World!"

"Ending the chaos and bringing peace!"

"That's Chihane for you."

The classmates gathered around the table were clearly astonished by Chihane's dream. They began chiming in with praise.

Beside him, Kurenai Yuhi watched the radiant Chihane, cupping her cheeks as she smiled dreamily.

"Don't just listen to me, everyone. What are your dreams? Say them out loud!"

Chihane realized everyone's attention was focused on him. They had almost forgotten that they were discussing everyone's dreams, not watching his personal show. He hurriedly stopped them and encouraged everyone to voice their own dreams.

"My dream is to become Hokage and have everyone acknowledge me." Especially you, Rin.

As expected, the brave Obito Uchiha was the first to speak. He couldn't help tilting his head slightly to glance at Rin Nohara, who was sitting with Kakashi.

"Obito, you idiot! There's no way you'll become Hokage!"

"You're dreaming, Obito! That Hokage seat belongs to yours truly!"

Upon hearing Obito Uchiha's dream, his classmates immediately began clamoring in protest. But how could they know the tenderness he truly held inside?

"I'm sure your dream will come true, Obito. What do you think, Kakashi?"

Rin Nohara, who was sitting with Kakashi, looked at Obito Uchiha ahead of her as she asked Kakashi beside her.

Obito Uchiha keenly picked out Rin Nohara's voice. But when he looked up, he saw that she was speaking softly to Kakashi. He couldn't help lowering his head.

"That's enough! How can you mock someone like that? At least Obito had the courage to say his dream out loud. How do you know it won't come true someday? Don't dismiss others so easily..."

Hearing that voice, Obito raised the head he had just lowered. He took a closer look. Wow, what a cute girl! He couldn't hear anything else she said after that. The girl was Hyuga Namikaze's younger sister, Hyuga Sonoko, who was a year below them.

Hyuga Namikaze, sitting nearby, clearly hadn't expected his sister to speak up at that moment either.

He had run into Hyuga Sonoko on his way there that day.

As soon as Hyuga Sonoko heard about such a lively gathering, her playful nature took over, and she insisted on coming along. Unable to turn her down, Hyuga Namikaze had explained the situation to Chihane and brought her after receiving his permission.

Meanwhile, Obito stared at Hyuga Sonoko as she spoke up for him, momentarily dumbstruck. Only when Might Guy patted him did he snap out of it. Blushing, he scratched his head and hastily sat down.

Watching the scene, Chihane couldn't help feeling wistful. Ah! I'd been wondering how much having Kakashi accept Rin would affect Obito, and whether he'd turn dark early. Yet barely any time has passed, and he's already finding his own way forward. Good. Now I won't have to worry about him anymore.

After that little incident, everyone clearly relaxed. They all began passionately shouting out their dreams.

"I want to become the strongest Taijutsu ninja and protect everyone. And I want everyone to know that even if you're not a genius, you can become strong through hard work."

That was Might Guy's dream. But at that moment, only Chihane knew that he would achieve it in the future.

"I want to become a powerful Genjutsu ninja. When danger comes, I won't hide behind Chihane. I'll fight by his side."

That was Kurenai Yuhi's dream.

"I want to become an excellent medical ninja, so I can treat everyone's wounds when they get hurt."

That was Rin Nohara's dream.

"To safeguard my loved ones, protect the Main Family, and protect Konoha."

That was Hyuga Namikaze's dream.

"To protect everyone around me who gets bullied."

That was Hyuga Sonoko's dream.

"What a boring ritual! I'm not taking part."

Now it was Kakashi's turn. Clearly unprepared, he turned his head away and spoke with a haughty air.

But just then, Rin Nohara suddenly took Kakashi's hand and looked at him expectantly, clearly eager to know his dream.

Everyone else watched Kakashi in silence too. They all wanted to know what dream this young genius held.

"Fine! I really don't know what to do with you all. ┐(─__─)┌"

"My dream is to inherit the title of Konoha White Fang, become the new White Fang, and shoulder the Glory of the Hatake Clan once again."

Faced with everyone's expectant gazes, Kakashi scratched his head slightly, then loudly declared his dream. At the same time, he glanced at Chihane out of the corner of his eye. Clearly, he still found it hard to forget what had happened to his father.

The White Fang, huh? You can do it, Kakashi.

Chihane thought this as he watched Kakashi sit down, his face flushed after revealing his dream.

Soon, the remaining classmates shared their dreams as well.

Then Chihane stood, raised his drink, and planted one foot on a corner of the table.

"To the future World's Greatest Swordsman, the future Hokage, the strongest Taijutsu ninja, the strongest female Genjutsu ninja, the excellent medical ninja, Konoha's new White Fang... Cheers, everyone!"

??

Seeing Chihane's gesture, everyone couldn't help planting one foot on the table too, shouting out their dreams and clinking their glasses.

??

Together, they drained the juice in their glasses. Then they looked at one another and burst into happy laughter.

The night lasted a long time, as though time itself was willing to linger a little longer for these youngsters.

Everyone let loose, forgetting tomorrow and everything else. All they remembered was one another in that moment.

Morning.

At the Konoha Gate.

Chihane arrived early. Everyone had stayed up playing late into the night, and when he left, they had been sprawled every which way across the courtyard.

Parting was the hardest thing. Chihane didn't want to be sent off amid tears that day, so leaving without saying goodbye had seemed the best choice.

"Let's go, Chihane! Take one last look at the village. It might be years before you return."

Orochimaru walked up to Chihane and spoke softly.

Chihane turned his head slightly, only to see a group of figures rushing toward him from the edge of his vision beyond the gate.

"Damn you, Chihane! Don't think you can sneak off on your own!"

"You bastard, you'd better come back alive!"

"Chihane, you have to become the World's Greatest Swordsman!"

The ones who had hurried to the village gate were none other than the friends he had spent yesterday with!

"Everyone!!!"

As Chihane looked at the youngsters before him, tears of emotion spilled from his eyes.

"It's time to go, Chihane! You've got a good group of friends!"

Although Orochimaru was also surprised by the scene before him, he still urged Chihane on. After all, it was time to set out.

Chihane took a long, lingering look at everyone. Only at this moment did he truly become part of this world. Here, he had so many people who cared about him.

Now it was his turn to fight to protect them.

Then he turned and caught up with the group, which had already gone far ahead, his eyes fixed firmly on the path before him.

Shinobi World, here I come!!!

End of volume.