"You don't even know when the exam is? Looks like you haven't prepared at all!"
"Hahaha! That actually makes me feel a little better!"
Naruto grinned smugly, while Shigure rolled his eyes in response.
If this were the old Shigure, he might have been worried.
But the current Shigure? He was no longer the same.
Prepare? For a simple test on the Three Basic Jutsu?
There was no need.
He no longer needed to worry about chakra reserves.
While he couldn't claim to be the strongest in the shinobi world, his chakra pool was more than seven times that of Naruto's.
What more did he need?
"Even without preparation, I'm confident I'll pass. What about you, Naruto?"
Naruto's smile twitched, faltering.
Shigure's calm, unwavering tone wasn't for show—he truly believed what he said. That kind of confidence could only come from strength.
Did that mean... I'm the only one not ready?
Naruto's face darkened.
Shikamaru, watching from the side, had his head resting on the desk. He sighed.
"Have they really forgotten this is the guy who single-handedly beat down a few hundred ninja?"
If Shigure had denied it, maybe they'd believe him. But since he hadn't...
They're too naïve.
"Shigure-kun! As long as you're confident, then we can graduate and go on missions together!"
Ino looked at him with a bright, hopeful expression.
Missions together? That was fine.
But ending up on the same team?
Shigure didn't think that was likely. He couldn't imagine the trio of Konoha's Suzaku Butterfly—Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji—getting split up.
As for being paired with other characters from the original timeline? Unlikely.
The Moonlight Clan was a small, unremarkable family.
There just wasn't much chance of that happening.
After school, Shigure was a bit puzzled about why the graduation exam had been moved up. But he didn't think too much of it.
Graduation was trivial.
He was planning to head home and continue training.
Oddly, Naruto came running up to him right after class.
Usually, the two of them went separate ways after school—Naruto's apartment was to the north, and Shigure's family home was in the south.
After all, Shigure had a family. Unlike Naruto, he didn't live alone in a cramped apartment meant for orphaned genin.
"Shigure!"
Naruto looked serious.
"I need your help!"
"...Huh?"
Shigure raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
"Help you? Help you with what?"
Naruto grabbed Shigure's arm and started walking.
"Talk while we walk!"
Shigure glanced helplessly toward the road leading to his house.
"But my place is over there..."
"I know! I'll treat you to dinner!"
Dinner?
That surprised Shigure. Naruto's financial situation was notoriously bad.
You're actually treating me to a meal?
Ichiraku Ramen
Shigure looked at the steaming bowl in front of him. It looked like it had extra toppings too.
"Thanks, Boss."
Teuchi nodded kindly. "Eat up. Naruto's friends are always welcome here."
So he's even helping Naruto entertain guests...
Uncle Ichiraku really is kind to him.
Across the counter, Naruto was already grinning excitedly at his oversized bowl.
"I'm digging in!"
It does look good, Shigure thought, picking up his chopsticks.
In the world of ninjas, there's an unspoken truth:
Ninjas who don't eat ramen aren't strong.
Only those who've eaten at Ichiraku Ramen can truly call themselves powerful.
Ramen of the Strong.
Shigure smiled faintly and began to eat.
Still, a question lingered in his mind—what was Naruto up to today?
Is he trying to get closer to me all of a sudden?
Their relationship wasn't bad—friendly, but not exactly best friends.
"Just say it already, Naruto. If I can help, I will."
Shigure's tone was calm and sincere.
Behind the counter, Teuchi and Ayame pretended to be busy, but their ears were clearly tuned in.
Naruto stopped slurping his noodles and looked at Shigure with appreciation.
"Thanks, Shigure. The truth is... I'm nervous about tomorrow's graduation exam."
"You said earlier you were confident, and I could tell. You've changed. You've become... stronger."
By now, Shigure had already guessed what Naruto wanted.
"We used to be on the same level, but now you've pulled ahead... and I..."
Naruto clenched his fists. "I want to know how you did it. How did you grow so strong, so fast? I want to get stronger too!"
So that's what it is.
Shigure looked at him and said,
"Getting stronger... That's not easy to explain. But if you're worried about tomorrow's exam, I can help with that."
Naruto's shoulders slumped at first—he'd hoped for a secret training method or revelation.
But Shigure's next words lit up his face again.
"Really...? You mean it?"
Shigure raised his ramen bowl and smiled.
"Sure. Consider it a thank-you for dinner."
"Boss! Give him another bowl—with extra toppings!"
Teuchi nodded, but Shigure quickly waved him off.
"No, no, one bowl's enough for me. I don't eat that much!"
Even so, a spoon full of extra toppings was handed to him. Teuchi grinned, showing perfect teeth.
"Then just take the toppings! No noodles. A gift for your first time here."
A gift?
Feels more like it's because Naruto's with me...
Shigure glanced sideways at Naruto. Is this the protagonist's halo at work?
Even a ramen shop owner would go out of his way for him.
Still, Naruto's childhood really had been lonely...
"Alright, let's eat up."
Shigure's voice was calm, but firm.
"The graduation exam's tomorrow. If you want to pass, we'll need to work hard tonight."
At the mention of the exam, Naruto immediately focused—his extra-large ramen vanished in seconds.
Later that night, the two stood by the quiet lake in the park.
Naruto turned to Shigure, eyes filled with determination.
"Shigure! What should I do?"
Shigure gave him a sidelong glance.
"The graduation exam just tests one of the Three Basic Jutsu."
"...The Three Body Techniques?"
"Mm-hm."
"That's not good... I'm fine with Transformation and Substitution, but my Clone Technique is awful..."
Naruto's expression darkened.
Shigure smiled.
"Then tonight, I'll help you get your Clone Technique not just to the level needed to pass—but beyond it."
"Beyond the level...?"
Naruto stared, wide-eyed.
"You think that's possible?"
Shigure nodded.
"You just need to learn one jutsu."
"One jutsu?"
That sounded almost too simple.
"The technique I'm going to teach you is... the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
...
TN:
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