Chapter 47: Revelry & Rivalry
"This… why is this happening?"
Naruto had no choice but to explain the heavy mental and physical burden of the shadow clone training method. After listening, Sasuke's expression fell into deep gloom. "So that's it. All this time I've been so resentful of your progress… and it was all built on this kind of strain. Compared to you, I…"
She didn't know why, but ever since Naruto had performed the sealing ritual for her, the burning resentment she'd felt toward him had dulled. Lying in his arms just now had even felt… warm and secure. A treacherous part of her had wanted to stay there.
But another, louder voice in her heart screamed that she had to get stronger. She had to kill that man. That's why she'd swallowed her pride and come to train with Naruto today, hoping to glean some insight into his rapid growth. His pace had utterly convinced her.
Now, his explanation shattered that hope. Even if she copied his method, she couldn't follow his path.
Seeing her crestfallen face, Naruto felt a tug at his heart. He offered an encouraging smile. "It's alright, Sasuke. My method isn't for everyone. You'll find your own way to get stronger. I'll be happy to see it."
After a few moments, Sasuke's dizziness subsided. She blushed faintly and pushed herself out of his embrace, standing on slightly unsteady feet. "I'll… go back and think on my own, then. I'll leave you to your training." Her voice was stiff, formal.
"Yeah," Naruto nodded, his smile genuine. She can be polite too, huh?
He trained until dusk, then began the slow walk home.
As he passed near the village gates, however, a voice called out to him.
"Naruto!"
He turned to see Sakura waving at him, as if she'd been waiting.
"Sakura? What's up?"
Sakura jogged over, a bright smile on her face. "Naruto! We're all having a celebration dinner tonight! For everyone who made it to the finals next month! You're the only one missing! You are coming, right?"
Naruto blinked. "A celebration? Is… everyone going?"
"Of course! I even invited Sasuke earlier, and she said yes! Don't tell me you're going to bail?" She pouted, putting on an exaggeratedly hurt expression.
"Oh. Well, if everyone's going, I guess I will too." He saw the eager hope in her eyes and couldn't refuse. Besides, a gathering with his peers… it might not be so bad. It was, after all, a celebration of their success.
Scene Fourteen: The Barbecue
The location was Konoha's popular barbecue restaurant. That evening, Naruto arrived alone.
Even from outside, he could hear the lively chatter and laughter.
The moment he stepped inside, Sakura was on him, looping her arm through his and pulling him toward the large, noisy table. "Naruto! You're the last one! See, even Sasuke got here before you!"
Naruto's gaze swept the table. Sasuke was sitting slightly apart, quietly eating a piece of grilled meat. When she saw Sakura clinging to Naruto's arm, she shot him a sharp glare, then pointedly looked away, focusing on her food.
"Looks like everyone's having fun," Naruto said, moving to take a seat.
But Ino suddenly perked up, waving him over enthusiastically. "Naruto! Sit by me! Over here!"
Sakura's smile tightened. She shot Ino a warning look, tightened her grip on Naruto's arm, and pulled him down into the seat between herself and Sasuke. "Naruto's sitting with his team, Ino. Why are you so eager to have him by you, anyway?"
"I just want him to! Is that a crime, Sakura?" Ino retorted, her chin lifting.
Sakura studied her rival-turned-friend with narrowed eyes. "You… you don't like Naruto, do you?"
A chorus of knowing whistles and chuckles erupted from Shikamaru, Kiba, and the others. Ino's face flushed scarlet, but she didn't back down. She jutted her chin out further. "So what if I do? Ever since he saved my life, I've liked him! So, as my best friend, Sakura, you know what to do, right?"
Naruto felt a bead of sweat trail down his temple. She's really saying it out loud, in front of everyone…
Sakura's expression turned complex, seeing Ino's genuine declaration. A storm of internal conflict brewed behind her eyes. Ino likes him too… What do I do? As her friend… should I step back? No. I can give her anything else. But not this.
She met Ino's challenge head-on. "No way! Naruto is sitting with us today!"
"Hey! Why are you being so selfish?!" Ino shot to her feet, looking ready for a hair-pulling match right there in the restaurant.
Sasuke, silently watching this drama unfold over her skewer, felt a sour, twisting sensation in her gut. The barbecue suddenly tasted like ash. Naruto. Stupid, oblivious Naruto. This is all your fault.
Thankfully, the tension was broken by a new, languid voice from the entrance.
"Yo. Didn't expect to find all you kids here. Getting along so well, I see." Kakashi leaned against the doorway, his lone eye crinkling.
"Kakashi-sensei! You came!" Sakura exclaimed, momentarily distracted.
"Free barbecue? Wouldn't miss it," Kakashi chuckled. He wasn't alone.
"Can't have a student gathering without the teachers! A teacher's presence makes the atmosphere more lively, you know! Yah!" Might Guy struck a pose behind him.
"Heh. Kakashi, your student is quite the popular one," Asuma commented, smirking, before turning to Kurenai beside him. "Right, Kurenai?"
Kurenai simply offered a faint, enigmatic smile, though her eyes lingered on Naruto with an unreadable, almost assessing glint.
Seizing the distraction, Naruto quickly slid into the empty seat next to Sasuke.
Though disappointed, Ino's eyes soon glittered with a new plan. She hopped up, grabbed several perfectly grilled skewers, and brought them over to Naruto. "Here, Naruto! Try these, they're my favorite!"
Naruto gave an awkward but polite smile, accepting the offering. He couldn't really refuse.
Ino beamed, watching him take a bite as if it were a personal victory.
The arrival of the Jonin instructors injected more energy into the party. The food and drink flowed, and for a while, the celebration was in full swing. The only hiccup was when Choji, true to form, overdid it spectacularly and ended up clutching his stomach in agony, forcing a sighing Asuma to haul him home early.
Notably absent from the celebration were Lee and Hinata, both still hospitalized from their severe injuries. The group decided to visit Lee together after the meal. Visiting Hinata at the strictly regulated Hyuga compound was deemed less feasible.
After the barbecue, the boisterous group made their way to Konoha Hospital to see Lee.
Once the visit was over, the celebration finally disbanded, the genin scattering into the night, their bonds subtly strengthened and rivalries quietly intensified.