Chapter 33: Chapter 33 - Graduation
Months and months flew by after Sakumo returned. Seasons changed one after another, and before anyone knew it, two years have passed.
Konoha, Year 58.
Gathered in the fields of the Konoha Ninja Academy grounds are a small group of children, numbered less than a dozen. Today was a day for celebration, as this group of children was now graduating to become fully fledged Genin.
"You all have passed the test. From this day onward, you may call yourself a Shinobi! Now, come and get your headbands."
Tooru Onizuka stood on the field in front of his class that he's been teaching for three years now with a proud look on his face. One by one, the graduates came and got their headbands, with the last one being Mikumo.
After Mikumo got her headband, she wrapped it around her left arm tightly and got back in line.
Tooru took one last look over his group of graduating children and held back a tear.
"You guys, be careful out there alright? I have all of your dreams written down in my locked box from when you first joined the academy. Don't die before you accomplish them, you hear me!?"
Even though Tooru tried his best, he couldn't hold back being teary-eyed saying his last sentence.
Mikumo and the rest of the kids all looked at Tooru warmly. Obito choked back his tears as well as he suddenly stepped forward.
"Sensei, I swear I'll become Hokage! Just you wait! What're you crying for? You're the teacher of the future Hokage!"
Tooru wiped his eyes and then chuckled.
"Right, alright, you're all officially dismissed, come back here tomorrow for your assignments to your squads."
Before Tooru could walk away, Mikumo also stepped forward, pausing his steps. Tooru had a confused expression as he wondered if she had any questions.
Mikumo looked left and right towards her graduating class and everyone nodded at each other, and with one synchronized motion, they all bowed.
"Thank you for everything, Onizuka-sensei!"
Tooru was flabbergasted by the display and couldn't hold back his tears anymore.
"Aw shucks, come here you little rascals!"
Tooru brought everyone in for a big group hug.
"Be careful on your missions, got it? The fighting at the border is growing by the day. Rely on each other, watch each other's back, and come home safely."
"We will, sensei!"
After a somewhat tearful graduation, the group of Genin then left the academy with proud looks on their faces and half of them headed to their respective homes.
The remaining children were Mikumo's gang, who were all heading to Ichiraku Ramen together to celebrate.
Mikumo stood at the front, next to her was Kurenai. Trailing just behind the pair was Kakashi, followed by Asuma and Shizune, and Obito and Rin.
Kurenai had a semi-worried look on her face as she walked next to Mikumo. Noticing this, Mikumo asked her what was wrong.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
Hearing Mikumo's prompt, Kurenai turned around the scanned the group before sighing a little.
"Tomorrow is the day we get broken off into Genin squads, but there's seven of us here. I know we've been preparing for a long time, but I would feel bad if only one of us got left out."
Mikumo chuckled a little bit and then patted Kurenai on the head hearing her concerns.
"Oh, that? Don't worry, it was meant to be a surprise but I guess I can tell you now. Right, Shizune-chan?"
Mikumo called Shizune's name and looked back at her, prompting everyone else to do the same. Shizune shyly laughed and nodded.
"I got accepted as Tsunade-sama's student, so I'm going to be joining the Hospital as a medical ninja under her. I won't be sorted into a three-man squad."
"Whaaat!?"
Everyone was surprised, except for Mikumo, and also Asuma, who Shizune had already told. Rin was especially excited.
"You're going to be Tsunade-sama's student? One of the legendary three Sannin and strongest Kunoichi in the village? Wow! That's amazing, Shizune-chan!"
Shizune nodded shyly.
"Ahaha, well, it kind of feels like I didn't earn it though..."
Mikumo chuckled and waved her hand back and forth.
"Nonsense, you have a very good aptitude for medical ninjutsu, Shizune. Don't sell yourself short. Rin-chan, I know you've been working part-time at the hospital for a while now. If you want, I'll see what I can do for you as well."
Rin's eyes lit up hearing the meaning behind Mikumo's words.
"Really!? That would be amazing, thank you so much, Mikumo!"
"Hehe, no problem. Better watch yourself Obito, if you don't worry hard, you'll be the weakest one in the group again."
Obito's previous ecstatic smile for Rin curved upon hearing Mikumo's teasing.
"Uhh..."
Obito felt really awkward about what to say, as he didn't want to rain on Rin's happiness. Rin chuckled and tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"It's okay, Obito, even if I do get stronger, I know you'll still protect me, right?"
"Of course! You can count on it!"
"Ugh, these two."
Asuma sighed and turned back to face the front, not interested in the couple anymore. Mikumo sneered mischievously at Asuma seeing his reaction.
"Hmmm? What's wrong Asuma? I'd thought you'd be used to flowery situations by now, seeing how often you hang out with Shizune."
"H-huh? W-what?"
"..."
Hearing herself caught by incidental fire, Shizune became very embarrassed. While Asuma on the other hand lit up like a tomato and looked away.
Satisfied with her work, Mikumo smugly turned around while Kakashi sighed.
Kurenai chuckled at Mikumo's smugness.
"Why do you always look so proud when you do that?"
"Because I was born to cause mischief~, Ehe."
Mikumo gave Kurenai a cutesy wink and then locked her fingers with Kurenai's, holding hands.
Kurenai blushed in surprise by the sudden gesture, but a small smile formed on her face anyway.
Kakashi sighed once more, wondering where he went wrong to be forced to deal with three times the PDA. His gaze however lingered on Mikumo and Kurenai's happy expressions as they held hands.
Mikumo was conscious of Kakashi's gaze and slightly slowed her step, matching pace with Kakashi behind her, and then tried to grab him around the neck. However, as Kakashi has now grown to be almost the same height as Kakashi, she only managed to grab him around the shoulder.
Kakashi could have reacted in time to dodge it, but he didn't. Mikumo smiled happily, now in the state of her girlfriend in her right hand and her little brother in the other.
As the merry group of Genin made their way through town, they drew a lot of gazes before reaching their destination, Ichiraku Ramen.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone