It was October, already mid-autumn.
The weather was gradually turning cold, and falling maple leaves covered the road in an orange carpet.
"All right, that's it for today's lesson."
Looking at the impatient little rascals, Iruka helplessly pressed a hand to his forehead, glanced at the clock nearing the end of class, and announced that he was letting them out early.
"Wow!!!"
"Iruka-sensei is the best!"
"Awesome!"
"Have a great time together with Shizuko-sensei, Iruka-sensei!"
Yes, that last line came from Ino.
"Ahahaha."
Iruka rubbed his hair, then casually glanced at the blond.
Naruto was packing his schoolbag. It was his sixty-third day practicing the Wood Human, and he was learning how to equip it with a Wood Dragon that bared its fangs and brandished its claws as a weapon.
In Naruto's vision, the Wood Dragon needed to be long and huge, the kind he could pick up and lash people with like a whip.
Wood Dragon: No, listen to me. I can bite him. I really can bite him! Stop swinging me around!!!
However, limited by his chakra reserves, he was still borrowing his teacher's and Kurama's chakra for his experiments.
"Naruto-kun, can I come over to your house today?"
Hinata patted Naruto's back and asked softly.
"Ah. Of course you can."
Naruto was a little surprised. He had always been the one inviting Hinata over before; he had not expected her to take the initiative today.
"Then could you come home with me first so I can tell my father?"
๑Ő௰Ő๑)
Uh, being stared at by a bunch of Byakugan might be a little uncomfortable, but this was Hinata-chan's request!
"All right, no problem, believe it!"
Naruto nodded, then turned to Sasuke and Karin.
"Okay, we'll head back first, then. Take your time, big brother~"
Karin exchanged a