Alex_Fabianoki
patreon
TSSITWON Chapter 72: Dinner Together
🕑 Added 2024-10-27 13:40:49 +0000 UTC"Is that why you want to improve your abilities?" Rin asked calmly, as if trying to understand the true meaning behind Aoki's departure.
Aoki nodded and looked at Rin with a confident smile. "Exactly, Rin. I want to see how far I can develop, and the only way to find that out is to leave here and face real challenges out there."
Obito snorted, looking dissatisfied. "So you're just leaving us like that? Just like that?" Although Obito's voice sounded harsh, there was a hint of disappointment in it.
"I'm not leaving you," Aoki gently corrected. "I'm just taking my own path to become stronger. We'll meet again. But for now, I have to go on this journey alone."
"Right, so tomorrow morning, right on your graduation day, I will leave the village," Aoki said while chewing on a piece of meat in his hand, his expression calm yet determined.
Obito, with his characteristic confidence, immediately exclaimed, "Just wait, Aoki! When you come back, the handsome, great, and future Hokage Obito Uchiha will be the strongest ninja in the entire Land of Fire!"
Aoki smiled slightly, not wanting to be outdone. "Oh, we'll see about that, Obito! When I return, I will be the strongest swordsman ever. You will definitely be surprised!" Aoki replied, meeting Obito's gaze with a challenging look.
Guy, not wanting to miss the moment, shouted enthusiastically, "Yeah! This is the fiery spirit of youth!" Guy exclaimed, raising his fist in the air, causing a few people to chuckle at his enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Kurenai, calm and attentive, turned to Aoki. "Aoki, you’ve told Shizune about this, right?" Kurenai asked gently, realizing how important this moment was for Shizune.
Aoki looked hesitant for a moment, then replied, "Actually, I planned to tell her tomorrow, as a formal farewell... but I ran into Shizune this afternoon. So, yes, I told her earlier," Aoki said with a small smile, though his face showed the complexity of his feelings.
Seeing Aoki look awkward, Anko didn't want to miss out. "Good! You should have told Shizune before leaving, because ha—mph!" Anko said, suddenly silenced by a sharp look from Kurenai, who urged her to stop talking.
"Oh? It seems like something is stuck in Anko's throat," Kurenai said, smirking as she directed her gaze at Anko.
"Gluk!" Anko could only swallow nervously, her face paling under Kurenai's intimidating smile.
"Heh, yeah, yeah... for some reason, I forgot what I wanted to say," Anko said with a bitter smile, trying to avoid Kurenai's anger.
Rin, noticing the atmosphere becoming a bit awkward, quickly handed a cup of water to Anko. "Here, Anko, drink this. It’ll help with digestion," Rin said softly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Thank you, Rin," Anko replied with a shy smile, her face still a bit pale, but she smiled at Rin with gratitude.
Some of Aoki's friends, like Kakashi, Asuma, and Rin, noticed the situation unfolding. They understood the small signs, subtle cues that might not be obvious, but were enough to piece together the complete picture of the impending farewell.
Others, like Obito and Guy, seemed not to fully grasp it, creating a mixed atmosphere between those who understood the silence and those who filled the night with laughter and cheerful chatter.
Of course, Aoki understood as well. Shizune had expressed her feelings before, and Aoki had grasped the meaning behind the interrupted sentence that Anko had tried to convey earlier.
Even so, Aoki didn't dwell too much on it. What mattered most to Aoki right now was enjoying the night with dinner together today, perhaps for the last time in a long while.
