Chapter 10: Encountering a Deer at Lushan
While Tsuruma Nobuyuki was speaking with Nara Shikamaru, a chubby figure sitting behind them curiously sized him up—Akimichi Choji.
Choji, like most members of his clan, required a large intake of food to store fat, a necessary condition for using the Akimichi clan's Yang Release secret techniques.
Because of his large size and clumsy movements, he was often the target of ridicule, which made him somewhat self-conscious and sensitive.
Despite his physical presence, he tended to fade into the background in class, his existence overlooked by many.
However, Nobuyuki knew that Choji was a late bloomer—one of the few heirs to a rare Yang Release technique.
He was destined to become a formidable shinobi in the future.
So when he noticed Choji staring at him, Nobuyuki simply extended an invitation.
"Choji, do you want to come with us on Sunday?"
Choji's eyes widened in surprise.
"M-Me?" He pointed at himself, stammering. "Can I really go too?"
"Won't I… slow you guys down?"
Nobuyuki immediately understood what he meant.
Choji wasn't confident about his physical abilities, especially in field operations like navigating forests.
But Nobuyuki didn't care about that.
"It's not a big deal," he said casually. "We're just looking for mushrooms—it's not like we're going on a dangerous mission. Even if we move slowly, we'll be done in a day."
Then he added, "Besides, you and Shikamaru are always together. If I take him away, won't you be lonely?"
Choji's expression relaxed slightly.
Still, he didn't agree right away—instead, he glanced at Shikamaru, as if seeking permission.
Shikamaru, lying lazily on his desk, sighed.
"If you want to come, just come," he muttered, rolling over onto his side.
That was all the confirmation Choji needed.
Nobuyuki didn't push further.
He was about to return to his seat when he suddenly had a strange feeling.
It was as if someone was watching him.
He turned his head, scanning the classroom.
Nothing.
But after a while, he felt it again.
This time, the sensation lasted longer, like an unseen presence lingering in the air.
"Am I imagining things?"
Then, a suspicious thought crossed his mind.
"Could it be… that old pervert, the Third Hokage, is spying with his Telescope Jutsu?"
His forehead twitched.
In the 21st century, Nobuyuki had long grown used to surveillance cameras tracking people's movements.
But the idea of a wrinkled, old man using jutsu to peep on villagers felt extremely disturbing.
Still, he couldn't do anything about it.
For now, he could only shake off the thought and move on.
---
A Journey to the Nara Forest
When the weekend arrived, Nobuyuki woke up early—out of habit.
Even though he wasn't meeting Iruka for training today, he still went through his morning exercise routine, stretching and strengthening his legs and hips.
After finishing, he headed toward the meeting point near the academy's soccer field.
As he jogged through the village, he gradually increased his speed, focusing on precise footwork and leaping onto rooftops.
As soon as his feet touched the tiled surface, the world seemed to expand before him.
A fresh breeze rushed against his skin, and for a moment, he felt free.
"This world is a mess, but some things about it aren't bad," he thought.
His Level 2 Taijutsu was now good enough to run along walls and hop between buildings with ease.
This level of agility would have made him superhuman in his previous life, but here in Konoha, it was merely entry-level.
---
When Nobuyuki arrived at the soccer field, he was surprised to see Shikamaru and Choji already there.
Shikamaru was lying in the shade of a tree, lazily chewing on a thin branch.
Choji, on the other hand, was standing up, looking around impatiently.
"You guys are early," Nobuyuki remarked.
Shikamaru sighed and gestured toward Choji.
"This guy woke up too early," he muttered. "We've been waiting for half an hour."
Nobuyuki glanced at Choji.
Sure enough, the chubby boy had a small bag slung over his shoulder.
It was stuffed full of snacks, making him look like a little kid heading out for a school picnic.
Then again… they were only six years old.
That thought made Nobuyuki chuckle.
"Alright, let's get going. Shikamaru, lead the way."
Shikamaru let out a long sigh, stretched lazily, and dragged himself forward.
The trio headed west, toward the Nara family's private forest reserve.
---
The Way of an Akimichi
As they walked, Choji acted like a human snack dispenser.
Every few minutes, he would pull out a different treat and offer it to the group.
He was especially generous, always making sure Nobuyuki and Shikamaru had a share.
But despite his kindness, he had one strange habit—he always saved the last bite for himself.
And every time he finished that final morsel, he looked deeply satisfied.
But his miscalculation was apparent—he ran out of food before they even reached the forest.
Then came the real challenge—trudging through the rugged, vine-covered terrain of Lushan, the Nara family's deer sanctuary.
Choji struggled.
His round body wasn't built for long treks through the wild.
Sweat dripped down his face, and his breathing grew heavy.
But despite his exhaustion, he never once asked to stop.
Instead, it was Nobuyuki who suggested multiple breaks, worried that Choji might collapse.
"This is strange…" Nobuyuki thought.
In his memory, Choji had always been soft—not particularly stubborn as a child.
Shikamaru, noticing Nobuyuki's confusion, muttered,
"You probably don't understand what it means to be the top student of your family."
Nobuyuki frowned slightly.
But before he could ask, Shikamaru looked away, whistling to himself—as if he didn't want to explain further.
Nobuyuki could only ponder the meaning on his own.
---
A Deer's Arrival
Just as they were deep in thought, a sudden rustling came from the trees ahead.
The group froze.
A massive stag—nearly the size of a small elephant—burst through the foliage, its large antlers scraping against the branches.
It was running from something.
But the moment it turned its head, it saw three small figures in its path.
Its muscles tensed, eyes flashing with alarm.
It tried to stop—but at such close range, it was impossible.
The deer let out a panicked cry, its hooves skidding against the dirt.
High above, a middle-aged Nara clansman stood on a tree branch, watching the scene unfold.
Seeing the incoming danger, he prepared a shadow jutsu.
But before he could act, Nobuyuki moved first.
His hands formed a seal.
The Nara man's eyes widened.
"That hand seal…!"
Nobuyuki spoke calmly.
"One-Thread Light Formation."
A black, fan-shaped sealing array spread out from beneath him, glowing ominously.
The charging stag froze in place—as if an invisible force had locked it mid-motion.
The Nara man, astonished, murmured,
"That's… a sealing technique?"
His voice carried through the quiet forest.
Nobuyuki, Shikamaru, and Choji all looked up at him.
Choji, still sitting on the ground, looked embarrassed.
Shikamaru, hands in his pockets, simply muttered,
"...Dad?"