BBQ Q. Today, Tenten is treating.
"Congratulations on successfully graduating and becoming true Ninja!" Tenten said with a smile, putting meat on Natsuki and Shino's plates.
"Then I won't be polite."
Shino was already very familiar with this young couple, so he naturally didn't hold back, silently enjoying the grilled meat on his plate. However, he was clearly not in high spirits and seemed to have something on his mind.
Tenten noticed and looked questioningly at her boyfriend.
Natsuki advised, "Shino, don't worry. Naruto's matter is not something we can handle. The Third Hokage probably has his own plans."
Tenten became more curious, "What happened to Naruto? Did he not pass the exam?"
Shino nodded, "Yeah, Naruto suddenly couldn't control his Chakra properly for some reason. Today's exam was the Transformation Technique. In the past, Naruto could perform it very smoothly, but today's Transformation Technique was very poor. I don't know what went wrong. Iruka-sensei went to see Lord Hokage, and Lord Hokage's meaning is to resolve it as soon as possible, but Naruto will probably have to take the exam again next year."
Speaking of this, Shino's mood became a little more downcast.
Although his relationship with Naruto wasn't as close as with Natsuki, he was someone who kept his friends in his heart.
"Then Naruto must be crying his eyes out? He kept shouting about becoming Hokage, but now he can't even become a Ninja..."
Tenten was also very surprised and didn't expect such a situation.
Natsuki didn't know what to say either. He couldn't possibly say that he suspected this was the old Third Hokage's scheme or something else, and he wasn't sure if things would continue according to the plot, as the plot had already changed long ago.
However, seeing his good friend so worried wasn't good. He needed to distract him.
So, Natsuki gave his future wife a look.
Tenten immediately changed the subject, "Speaking of which, how will you be assigned to teams? Is there any news?"
Natsuki spread his hands, "I hope to be in the same team as Shino. After all, Shino is very strong and reassuring."
Shino's thoughts were also brought back by the topic, "If I can be in the same team as Natsuki, that would indeed be the best. Also, Shikamaru and Choji are not bad. Although one is lazy and the other is a glutton, they are quite reliable at crucial moments."
"Shikamaru and Choji are probably impossible."
Tenten naturally knew a little. "Ino-Shika-Cho don't separate. Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino will definitely be in the same team."
Natsuki heard this and secretly pouted.
Not only do Ino-Shika-Cho not separate, but they also lean towards the Hokage. The team of Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino will be led by Sarutobi Asuma, Sarutobi Hiruzen's son.
In addition, the team of Shino, Inuzuka Kiba, and Hinata Hyuga will be led by Kurenai Yuhi, Sarutobi Asuma's girlfriend.
This way, the three Ino-Shika-Cho families, the Aburame Clan, the Inuzuka Clan, the Hyuga Clan, and other major clans in the Village all lean towards the Hokage's lineage. Look at how well Sarutobi Hiruzen calculated.
As for the other two rookie teams, Kakashi is from the orthodox Hokage lineage, and Kai is very loyal to the Village.
Almost all the promising talents are leaning towards the Hokage, and the future seems to be firmly held in Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands. It's no wonder Danzo Shimura couldn't compete with his old comrade. Without Orochimaru's Konoha Crush, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have likely controlled the Village until he died of old age.
"I just don't know how they will arrange me."
Natsuki was also worried about this.
He chose to reveal some strength the year before graduation, and he learned Kai's Eight Gates and asked Kakashi for the Hatake Swordmanship. These definitely couldn't be hidden from Sarutobi Hiruzen, and he didn't deliberately hide them.
So, how would Sarutobi Hiruzen arrange him, this genius?
Could it be that he deliberately prevented Naruto from passing the exam and then arranged himself into Team Seven?
It doesn't seem very likely. It's just that Konoha doesn't seem to have any other powerful Jonin. Who would Sarutobi Hiruzen arrange to be his, Natsuki's, teacher?
Natsuki quickly shook off these messy thoughts.
He didn't need to overthink now. Anyway, he would know the result tomorrow. Wouldn't he know when he went to school tomorrow?
After finishing the meal, Natsuki and Tenten said goodbye to Shino and returned to the Ninjutsu Shop together. The Ninjutsu Shop Owner just nodded when he saw his future son-in-law and didn't mean to congratulate him.
It wasn't until he saw his daughter constantly staring at him that he silently said, "Congratulations on becoming a formal Ninja."
Natsuki grinned, "Thank you, Father-in-law."
Over the years, Natsuki had gotten used to calling him Father-in-law, and the Ninjutsu Shop Owner had also gotten used to hearing it. Tenten went from being shy at first to taking it for granted later. Everyone defaulted that they were a family with Natsuki and were just waiting for Natsuki and Tenten to become adults to discuss marriage...
Tenten pulled Natsuki to a pile of Ninja Tools, "I see you don't use Ninja Tools much usually, but as a Ninja, you should carry more. Take fifty Kunai and Shuriken each for now, and I'll put them all in summoning scrolls for you. Oh, since you learned Hatake Swordmanship, it's best to bring a short sword. Demon Blade Thousand Blades is good, but it's too long and probably not suitable. How about bringing three short swords? If you only bring one and accidentally break it, wouldn't that be bad..."
Natsuki let Tenten pack Ninja Tools for him, his eyes fixed on Tenten the whole time.
Tenten seemed a bit talkative today, but she was clearly enjoying it, as if she couldn't wait to pack the entire Ninjutsu Shop into summoning scrolls for Natsuki to take with him.
The Ninjutsu Shop Owner was smiling at first, but slowly his face started to darken.
His obedient daughter had become a spendthrift daughter. She actually gave Natsuki three expensive Chakra short swords directly. Why didn't she just take his old life?
Seeing this, Natsuki quickly pulled Tenten, "Ahem! Tenten, that's enough, or Dad will cry."
Tenten looked back at her father and just said, "Dad, it's about your daughter's happiness, so don't feel bad. If something happens to Natsuki outside, how will you hold your grandson in the future?"
"Alright, alright! Pack the entire Ninjutsu Shop for him!"
The Ninjutsu Shop Owner stomped his feet in anger, but he was just saying it in frustration. In reality, the entire Ninjutsu Shop would belong to Tenten in the future, and Tenten could do whatever she wanted. He just felt a little heartache seeing his hard-earned foundation being so decisively given to another man by his obedient daughter.
Natsuki couldn't help but laugh looking at this scene of a loving father and filial daughter.
"Stop laughing, come and help pick. You'll be going out on missions soon. You need to prepare everything you need for camping outdoors in advance so you don't get flustered when the time comes."
"Yes, yes, my wife is right."
"Who's your... Ahem! Okay, then listen to your wife's command now!"
Tenten put her hands on her hips, smiling as she directed Natsuki to work. She had long been used to Natsuki calling her wife from time to time. Not only did she not blush, but she would occasionally tease him.
After all, they had been dating for so many years, they might as well enter the state of an old couple in advance.
The only regret was that they were still young and couldn't do some things.