12 Rolling Up

Inochi's boastful display instilled a sense of urgency in Shikaku.

He wasn't one to play tricks or say one thing and do another. After a moment of thought, he said, "Originally, I wanted Shikamaru to take a few more days off. But since Ino is working so hard, it seems I need to encourage my own son to train diligently. You're busy; I'll head to the academy!"

With that, he left the Hokage building and headed to the Ninja Academy.

Inochi felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction from the inside out. Wonderful!

Shikaku was gone, but there was still one more old friend from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio: Chōji's father, the 15th generation "Cho," Chōza Akimichi.

Since the death of the 14th generation "Cho," Chōza Akimichi's father, the Akimichi clan has lost its upward trajectory. Their current mindset was essentially one of complacency.

Inochi didn't care whether they were truly complacent or just pretending. He waited in front of the Hokage building, and soon the 1.8-meter-tall, 120-kg Akimichi Chōza emerged. Inochi made some small talk, then repeated his words about his daughter's "low talent and weak willpower."

Chōza wasn't as smart as Shikaku. It took Inochi boasting a couple more times before he vaguely understood the implication.

After offering congratulations with an honest smile, the big man left the Hokage building, heading towards the Ninja Academy as well.

Inochi continued to wait in front of the Hokage building, watching as one Jōnin after another walked out.

As he waited, the head of the Hyuga family, Hinata's father, Hyuga Hiashi, walked out.

Inochi immediately approached him. He is the one.

In less than half a day, the story of Ino and Hinata competing in taijutsu at the academy, followed by their determination to improve, spread among the Jōnin circles.

The incident had all the necessary elements: time, place, characters, cause, process, and result. There were numerous witnesses, so no one could find fault with it.

Most of the Jōnin were generally supportive of Ino's efforts. Hard work is a commendable quality in any profession, and ninjas are no exception.

Many of the Jōnin have been married and settled into family life for many years. Comparing their children's progress is common. Using Ino as a topic, they reminisced about how hard they had worked in their youth and lamented how kids today take things for granted, unaware of their blessings. The fervor of their discussion even caught the attention of the Third Hokage.

After hearing about the incident, the Third Hokage personally wrote a reminder to "Guard against arrogance and impatience" and had his ANBU deliver it to Hinata, hoping she wouldn't become proud and would continue to work hard.

On the other hand, Danzō Shimura, for reasons unknown, also wrote a calligraphy piece saying "Strive to Catch Up" and had his Root agents deliver it to Ino. 

While the Jōnin were idly chatting, Shikaku was the first to arrive at the Ninja Academy.

Upon inquiry, he found out that Ino hadn't come to school that day; it was Rin Yamanaka who had asked for her leave, with the reason being to prepare for the graduation exams with special training at home.

Shikaku found his son Shikamaru on the school's rooftop, along with Chōji Akimichi, who was inseparable from his son.

Chōji was still eating snacks, while Shikamaru was lying back with his hands behind his head, lost in thought.

Shikaku cleared his throat. To be honest, there was a bit of a communication problem between him and his son. Both father and son were too intelligent and often didn't know what to say to each other.

After thinking for a moment, he decided to speak directly: "Since you're just skipping classes at school anyway, come home with me to train in our clan's secret techniques."

There was little room for negotiation in his tone; it was almost an order.

Shikamaru looked a bit surprised and glanced at his father. "I remember we agreed I'd learn the secret techniques after graduating from the Ninja Academy."

"That was the original plan, but now that girl from the Yamanaka family has already started practicing their clan's secret technique. According to Inochi, her learning progress is very fast. You're a smart kid; you should be able to guess what I'm thinking, right?"

Shikamaru remained silent for a few seconds, gazing straight at the white clouds in the sky. "Women are really troublesome. I just wanted to spend this last half-year in peace. Why is it so difficult? Sigh."

As a top-tier intellect, he knew very well that while the Ino-Shika-Cho trio could fight side-by-side, there was also a bit of competition within the alliance. If he fell behind, it could trigger a series of unpredictable consequences.

The allied clans supported each other but also propelled each other forward.

Inochi's boastful display today carried that implication—it was a reminder to the Nara clan.

"Let's go home, Dad." Shikamaru lazily stood up, with his hands in his pockets. He whispered to Chōji, "If nothing unexpected happens, I won't be able to come to the Academy tomorrow. Your good times, heh, are also over. Let's meet again in a few days. Women really are troublesome!"

"Okay, see you later," Chōji responded blankly, holding his snack bag.

Shikaku nodded slightly at him, then took Shikamaru to request a leave from Iruka.

Only Chōji was left on the rooftop.

Though usually simple-minded, Chōji wasn't foolish. With Ino and Shikamaru leaving one after the other, he roughly understood the reasons behind it. Could he really stay out of this?

He finished his snacks, his mind a blur, as he decided to walk home alone.

As he stepped out of the school gate, he bumped into his father, Chōza Akimichi.

Chōji was still quite confused. Lacking Shikamaru's intellect and being younger in age, many things were only vaguely understood by him. He turned to his father and asked, "Is the village going to war again? Shikamaru is such a lazy person; why does he have to force himself to do things he doesn't like?"

Chōza Akimichi patted his son's head gently and said in a mild tone, "No, it's not time for you guys to go to the battlefield yet, child. Remember my words, you are a ninja, and you must make sacrifices. Ino and Shikamaru have made their choices, and you must follow suit. It's your inherent duty."

Chōza took his son back to the Academy, fabricated an excuse for taking leave, and then returned home to train in the clan's secret techniques.