Mizuki slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the clock that read 7:00 AM. He groaned, wishing he could sleep just a little longer. That hope vanished when a familiar voice called from the other side of his door.
Anko:"Mizuki! Open the door! I swear I won't dump ice water on you this time!"
With a resigned sigh, Mizuki dragged himself out of bed and slid the door open. There she was—Anko Mitarashi, arms crossed, violet hair falling over her face, her mischievous grin already daring him to react.
Before Mizuki could even speak, she pushed her way inside as if it were her own place.
Anko:"So… what's for breakfast?"
Mizuki:"Instant noodles. Or, if you're feeling brave, food pills mixed with toxins."
Anko wrinkled her nose dramatically.
Anko:"Ugh. Hopeless. Good thing I came prepared."
With a grin, she dropped a bag of fresh ingredients onto his table. Mizuki blinked.
Mizuki:"…You actually bought groceries?"
Anko:"Of course! Since you're useless in the kitchen, I'll take over. Think of it as my treat."
Before he could argue, she waved him off like an annoying fly. Mizuki sighed but complied, slipping away to shower and change. When he returned, the apartment was filled with the warm, savory scent of freshly made dumplings.
They sat together at the table.
Both:"Itadakimasu!"
The dumplings were surprisingly good—better than anything Mizuki had expected. He leaned back, impressed, while Anko smirked knowingly.
Anko:"So… do you know what day it is today, Mizuki?"
Mizuki:"…Did I forget something?"
Anko groaned loudly, throwing her head back as if the world were ending.
Anko:"Unbelievable. You actually forgot graduation day!"
Mizuki chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Mizuki:"Right, right. My bad. Guess we'd better not be late, then."
In an instant, they vanished with a teleportation technique, reappearing at the academy gates.
The atmosphere inside hadn't changed: the same dull teacher, the same monotonous lectures. Mizuki breezed through the written test—it was laughably easy. He even managed a quick nap before the practical exam.
Instructor:"Mizuki, please demonstrate the Clone Jutsu."
Mizuki stepped forward, hands forming the signs—Ram → Snake → Tiger. Four identical clones appeared beside him with a puff of smoke. The instructor gave a curt nod, and Mizuki claimed a standard forehead protector on his way out.
The Next Day
The classroom was quieter than usual. Mizuki leaned back in his seat, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and melancholy. His carefree academy days were officially over.
The instructor entered with a scroll and began reading aloud the new team assignments:
Obito (9), Rin (9), Kakashi (9)
Guy (9), Ebisu (11), Genma (11)
Asuma (10), Kurenai (10), Raido (13)
Mizuki (10), Anko (7), Yamuto (10)
Mizuki's brows furrowed slightly. Yamuto…? He remembered the boy—quiet, serious. In the future, he'd become a shadowy figure tied to Orochimaru, a name that carried danger.
Mizuki (to himself):"So Yamuto's on our team, huh? Guess I'll have to keep an eye on him. Maybe… when the time comes, he'll be the key to saving Anko from Orochimaru's curse."
Before he could think further, Anko nearly jumped out of her seat, her grin stretching ear to ear.
Anko:"Mizuki! We're on the same team! This is going to be fun!"
Mizuki allowed himself a small smile. Being with Anko felt natural, and Yamuto's presence added a sense of weight to their future.