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After Inoiki left the Hokage's office, Tsunade leaned back in her chair and sighed. "He's a good kid," she said, her tone thoughtful. "Strong-willed and completely independent. He's not the type who can be controlled."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "You're right, Lady Hokage. And the main reason for that is his strength. He carries himself with pride—not arrogance, but the confidence of someone who knows he doesn't need to rely on anyone's favor to move forward. He has no need for backing because his power speaks for itself."
Tsunade considered that for a moment before nodding. She had seen plenty of skilled shinobi in her time, but few had Inoiki's sheer self-assurance at such a young age.
Asuma, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "By the way, I heard something interesting. The Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Nara Clans were using their connections to acquire chakra weapons. But now, all of a sudden, they've stopped searching for them."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly. "That is interesting..."
Kakashi crossed his arms, thinking aloud. "Hmm... it must be for Inoiki. Ordinary kunai and shuriken can't withstand the sheer force of his chakra. It makes sense that he'd need chakra-enhanced weapons. You saw it yourself during Orochimaru's attack—most of the weapons he used were completely destroyed."
Tsunade nodded in understanding before turning to Asuma. "Do you know why they stopped searching for chakra weapons?"
Asuma exhaled. "They weren't satisfied with the quantity. They wanted more, but when they couldn't get what they needed, they scrapped the deal entirely."
Tsunade sighed. "I see."
Leaning back in her chair, she stretched her arms and groaned. "Alright, enough talk for today. You're all dismissed. I've got a mountain of paperwork to get through." She glanced at the towering stack on her desk and muttered, "I swear, I regret becoming Hokage every time I look at this mess. When will I ever finish all this?"
Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai exchanged amused glances before offering a polite bow and making their way toward the door.
As they left, Kakashi chuckled under his breath. "You'd think she'd have considered the paperwork before taking the job."
Asuma smirked. "Guess even the strongest, Hokage, can't win against paperwork."
With that, the three of them stepped out, leaving Tsunade to battle the true enemy of leadership—endless paperwork.
At Ichiraku Ramen, Inoiki, Izumo, and Kotetsu gathered for their farewell party. The atmosphere was light, but beneath it lingered the unspoken understanding that this could be their last time together as a team.
Inoiki grinned as he picked up his chopsticks. "How about we make this more interesting? A ramen-eating contest—whoever eats the most bowls wins."
Izumo smirked. "No complaints from me. Let's do it."
Kotetsu cracked his knuckles. "Oh, I'm definitely winning this."
Inoiki chuckled. "I like the confidence. Let's see if you can back it up."
Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku, chuckled as he wiped his hands on his apron. "Well then, I'll be your judge."
The three nodded in agreement, and soon, steaming bowls of ramen were placed in front of them. Without hesitation, they dug in, slurping down noodles at an impressive pace.
The contest was fierce, but in the end, Inoiki emerged victorious, finishing eight
"Haha! I win!" Inoiki declared, laughing as he patted his stomach in satisfaction.
Kotetsu scowled. "Damn it! How did I lose? You're not even as big as me—you're only thirteen!"
Inoiki smirked. "Don't take it too hard. I have a high metabolism. Being physically stronger means I need more food, so it's only natural I can eat more."
Kotetsu rolled his eyes. "Tsk. That doesn't sound like consolation at all."
Izumo burst into laughter at Kotetsu's frustration, and soon, all three of them were grinning. Despite the looming changes ahead, this moment was theirs to enjoy.
As they finished their meal, an unspoken understanding passed between them—this could be their last time sitting together as a team. The future was uncertain, and the paths ahead of them were different. But today, none of that mattered.
With full stomachs and lighter hearts, they stepped out of the ramen shop, leaving behind one final memory as teammates.
By the time Inoiki arrived home, the sky was painted in hues of orange and crimson—the sun just beginning to set. He stepped inside, expecting the usual quiet evening, but as soon as he entered the hall, he was met with a surprise.
Not only were his parents and sister waiting for him, but also Shikamaru and Choji, along with their families. The room was filled with familiar faces, all smiling warmly.
The moment he stepped in, they all spoke in unison, "Congratulations on becoming a Jonin!" followed by a round of applause.
Inoiki blinked in surprise before a grin slowly spread across his face. "You guys..." He shook his head, but the warmth in their expressions made it impossible not to smile back.
A cushion had been placed for him at the centre of the room, and he made his way over, sitting down as everyone gathered around.
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