"Yeah, they're three years older than Hinata, and there are three of them. That's just shameless."
"Uh, Ino, just to correct you—they're at most boys, not men."
"Oh, whatever. It's all the same. They're utterly detestable."
Yamanaka Ino gritted her teeth.
Yamanaka Inoichi's face darkened.
My dear young lady… that is not "about the same." That's a huge difference.
"Do you really want to start training?"
"Yes."
"It's going to be very boring, you know."
Yamanaka Ino fell silent for a moment.
But when she thought of Hinata—someone so gentle—she absolutely couldn't let her keep being bullied.
"I still want to train."
"Alright. Wait here."
"Wait?"
Yamanaka Inoichi left home.
He went straight to Nara Shikaku.
Are you kidding? All his training plans were personally customized by Shikaku.
Of course he knew the basics of training himself.
But how could that compare to the Nara clan's tailored service?
He had calculated this very clearly.
Besides, Ino was just a little girl.
There was no way she could train the same way as a grown man.
...
In front of the Nara residence.
"Chōza, what are you doing here too?"
As soon as Yamanaka Inoichi arrived, he noticed Akimichi Chōza coming from the opposite direction.
"My boy Chōji wants to train, but I'm not sure how to train him for the best results, so I came to ask Shikaku."
"What? Your kid wants to train too?"
"Your daughter as well?"
"Mm-hmm."
Both Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza fell into the same confusion.
What was going on?
Why did it feel like all the children suddenly grew up overnight?
Forget it. Let Shikaku think about it.
They walked in together and found Nara Shikaku in the study, constantly yawning.
"You're here."
"Shikaku, you already knew we were coming?"
"Not exactly. It's just that my boy suddenly became diligent recently, and I felt something was off. After investigating, I found out that Hiashi's daughter was bullied. I heard that Hiashi's outburst that time was because of this incident."
(Hyūga Hiashi: W-wah… finally someone connects me with my daughter. Shikaku, you're truly thoughtful.)
"But what does that have to do with our kids?"
"Their generation gets along well. Probably they couldn't stand seeing their friends bullied, so they decided to become stronger."
"Really?"
"They're only three years old. Could they really have that level of awareness?"
(Nara Shikamaru: If I say it was actually to avoid Naruto's investigation, would Dad beat me to death?)
(Akimichi Chōji: I heard that after hard training, you can eat a lot of delicious food. I wonder if that's true.)
Even Shikaku wasn't entirely sure.
Without enough information, even the smartest brain couldn't uncover every truth.
But did that matter?
Not at all.
What mattered was this.
Shikaku suddenly spoke in a mysterious tone:
"Two of you… you haven't forgotten what it was like when we were young, have you?"
Hearing that, Yamanaka Inoichi remembered being sent by his father to work in the Intelligence Division.
Akimichi Chōza remembered being thrown into the barbecue shop to help out.
"You mean…"
"Could it be…?"
"Cough. I think we're not young anymore. It's time to give the next generation their place. What do you think?"
"I agree."
"I agree too."
(Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Chōji: We don't agree at all!)
"Hahahaha!"
A hearty burst of laughter echoed through the Nara residence.
It reached Nara Shikaku, who was researching transformation techniques.
"That old man is plotting something again. But I've worked so hard—he can't possibly be trying to harm me."
...
In the Inuzuka household.
"You want to learn ninjutsu? To deal with Nami?"
Inuzuka Kiba's mother, Inuzuka Tsume, stared in disbelief.
She lifted three-year-old Kiba and examined him closely.
Is this really my son?
He's daring enough to challenge the young lady?
"That's right, Mom. Let him train. He'll probably just lose interest in three minutes anyway."
Said Inuzuka Hana, who was about to graduate.
"Sis, that's too much! I'm being serious!"
Kiba waved his arms wildly.
Are you really my mother and sister?
Why are you so shocked when I say I want to train?
(Inuzuka Tsume and Hana: Because we know your personality.)
"Kiba, do you really want to train?"
"Yes! I really do!"
"Alright. Hana, take him to the clan head."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Wait—why? If I go to the clan head's house, won't Nami see me training? I wanted to train secretly and surprise everyone at the perfect moment!"
"Enough nonsense. Didn't you know that all Inuzuka members who want to learn ninjutsu must receive training from the clan head? Your sister is already training there—she'll take you along."
"Exactly. And the clan head's training methods are very thorough. After finishing, you'll even receive a ninken personally raised by the clan head."
Hana already started imagining what her future partner would look like.
...
At the Inuzuka clan estate.
"Run!"
More than ten Inuzuka children sprinted at full speed in a 100-meter dash.
"Good. The slowest was thirteen seconds—not bad. Keep training and aim to break ten seconds."
"Yes, Clan Head!"
Afterward, everyone looked toward Inuzuka Ryo.
"Alright, go eat breakfast. Eight-tenths full. If you eat too much, you'll suffer this morning."
"Yes, Clan Head!"
"Breakfast time!"
They all rushed into the dining hall.
There, Inuzuka Shizune was temporarily serving as the cafeteria staff, handing out meals.
What kind of feeling is this—like being back in high school?
Am I training athletic students as a PE teacher?
Inuzuka Ryo shook his head.
"Clan Head, sorry I'm late."
Inuzuka Hana stood in front of him, blushing.
It was all because of that troublemaker Kiba, wasting so much time this morning.
"And this one is?"
"Clan Head, this is my younger brother, Inuzuka Kiba. He wants to join the training. Please allow him to try. If it doesn't work out, we'll send him back."
"There's no need for that. Wanting to train is a good thing."
Perfect. Nami was still missing a training partner. This was like someone delivering one right to the door.
As for whether feelings might develop over time—
Others might be qualified to say that.
But not him, Inuzuka Ryo.
After all, he already had a girlfriend at five years old.
Children have their own blessings.
Let them handle their own matters.