The graduation exams concluded, leaving some students happy and others disappointed.
The commotion caused by Yukigetsu spread quickly among the students, and even the parents who came to pick up their children heard about it. They glanced at him with amusement and discussed the Hatake and Haruno families.
However, the main person involved didn’t feel so amused. Yukigetsu walked through the streets, frowning as countless eyes followed him. He hadn’t wanted this kind of attention, but he knew it was necessary. By causing such a scene, the engagement between him and Sakura would be too embarrassing for either family to bring up again.
Although Kakashi had suggested he could simply end the engagement, Yukigetsu didn’t want to carry the stigma of being the one who broke it off. After all, it was arranged when he was a child, and it would be easier to brush it off as childish ignorance.
Thinking about it, his steps became lighter. Truly, a carefree single life was a blessing.
Yukigetsu’s mouth curled into a smile as he quickened his pace, soon stepping out of the Ninja Academy’s gate.
Suddenly, he sensed an unusual atmosphere.
In the warm evening sunlight, the area outside the gate was split into two: on one side, Yukigetsu and several parents and students stood in the light; on the other, a boy with goggles and an orange outfit sat alone on a swing in the shadow, looking desolate and lonely.
The parents’ gazes were filled with disdain, and the students, influenced by their parents, clearly avoided him.
So, it’s Naruto Uzumaki…
The fragmented memories included a vague image of a boy associated with a demonic fox, an overwhelming shadow that once loomed over Konoha.
Yukigetsu sighed softly, feeling a slight tug at his heart. He considered comforting Naruto when Choji’s voice called out from behind, “Yukigetsu, why didn’t you wait for us?”
Turning, he saw Choji, Shikamaru, and Ino approaching together. In a moment, Ino had grabbed his arm, leaning close with a soft touch.
Yukigetsu began to sweat, thinking, “Ino, where’s your usual confident demeanor? This shy act doesn’t suit you. Also, I’m really not into younger girls…”
Shikamaru, with his head resting lazily on his hands, glanced at the stiff Yukigetsu and smiled. He understood Yukigetsu’s intentions during the graduation exam but knew Ino, who was caught up in love and might not see it that way. This was getting interesting.
Meanwhile, Choji, munching on snacks, paid no attention to Yukigetsu’s subtle discomfort.
Yukigetsu sighed quietly, resigning himself to the situation. Maybe things would get better once Ino grew out of her teenage years.
He soon forgot about Naruto as the four of them walked down the street, laughing and chatting, their shadows lengthening behind them.
On the swing, Naruto glanced enviously at them. Yukigetsu had friends, family, and even a girl who liked him. On the other hand, Naruto is ignored by the girl he likes, despised by Sasuke, and has no one to care about him.
Standing at the school gate, Iruka watched Yukigetsu and his friends leave. This kid was always hard to figure out, never showing typical youthful arrogance but hiding a sharp edge beneath his gentle demeanor. No wonder the Third Hokage paid special attention to him. Now, free from the limitation of chakra and under Kakashi’s guidance, his future seemed boundless.
Iruka sighed, looking forward to the graduation exam in a few days. Sasuke had prepared well, but who would come out on top?
Noticing Naruto, Iruka felt a pang of sympathy. Over the years, he had watched Naruto, who reminded him of his parents’ killer, the Nine-Tails. But he saw light in Naruto, not darkness.
Iruka gave Naruto a lingering look but didn’t approach him. He believed in Naruto’s resilience and that his efforts would eventually earn recognition.
…
At the intersection, Yukigetsu and his friends parted ways. He quickly waved goodbye, ignoring Ino’s reluctant gaze, and hurried off. The idea of Ino clinging to him every day made him shiver.
Imagining Ino hanging onto him constantly, Yukigetsu sped up, almost running.
Soon, he found himself on a pink street.
It was cherry blossom season, and the trees lining the street were in full bloom. Pink petals carpeted the ground, filling the air with their fragrance.
Yukigetsu took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and felt at ease.
He had walked this street every day for years, always enjoying the cherry blossoms. Beautiful things were hard to forget.
But would he reencounter the same scene today?
Just as he wondered, a timid girl’s voice reached his ears: “You can’t do this. If you come any closer, I’ll fight back.”
Yukigetsu looked up at the sky and sighed deeply, feeling helpless. He had stumbled upon it again. If he didn’t know how pure-hearted this girl was, he might have suspected she was staging this on purpose…
Slowly, he strolled forward, not in a hurry. As expected, under the cherry trees, he found familiar figures dressed in the Hyuga clan’s attire. Three boys surrounded a frail girl, laughing menacingly while she curled up on the ground, shielding her chest with her hands.
Perfect scene for a hero’s rescue.
But Yukigetsu wasn’t in a rush. Even the best script, repeated a thousand times, could get boring…
He walked over leisurely, saying, “Hey, I’m here. You guys can leave now.”
The three boys recognized his voice and immediately stopped their act, silently walking away as if rehearsed countless times.
Yukigetsu shook his head, counting to ten silently. When he opened his eyes, the girl had indeed disappeared, as usual. She always ran away, blushing at this point, vanishing within ten seconds.
He smirked; this was his daily post-class entertainment, albeit strange. Just as he was about to leave, something unexpected happened…
“Y-Yuki…yukigetsu…kun…”
A soft, stammering voice called out, making Yukigetsu widen his eyes in surprise. Looking down, he saw the girl with bangs nervously twiddling her fingers. Her face flushed red, almost touching her chest.
Yukigetsu’s mouth twitched. Hey, this isn’t how the script goes…
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