Bonus Chapter! đ
The puppy was named Kuroneko. [bruh, the dog got a cats name]
The name had no special meaning, it was just catchy to call.
Kuroneko was born to Ookamimaru, a retired ninken of the Inuzuka clan. He was born with chakra in his body and intelligence not inferior to humans.
If one knew beast taming methods, he could easily be trained into a ninken.
However, Jokichi did not know beast taming methods.
He also never thought of training Kuroneko into a ninken; he just purely liked dogs.
Moreover, living alone in such a large courtyard, raising a dog could also add a bit of liveliness.
...
By the time he worked hard to clean up the courtyard, the time had already reached dusk.
Kuroneko happened to run back at this time, with Itachi's crow flying above his head.
When the two guys saw Jokichi, they lowered their heads with dejected expressions, like children who had done something wrong bowing their heads to admit their mistakes.
Jokichi patted their heads and revealed a kind smile, "It is fine, I do not blame you guys anymore."
Mhm, starting tomorrow, as long as we go out, I will put a leash on you, and nothing will happen in the future.
Kuroneko and the crow did not know mind reading, so they did not know Jokichi's inner thoughts.
Hearing him say this, they immediately cried out excitedly. One affectionately rubbed against Jokichi's trouser leg, and the other flapped its wings and flew around him in circles.
Jokichi played with the two little guys for a while, then went to the kitchen to cook and eat.
He made a portion for Kuroneko in passing.
After handling all the trivial matters, Jokichi sat cross-legged in the dojo.
He was organizing the things needed for his subsequent training.
Ninjutsu scrolls, items needed for training, food pills for timely physical energy replenishment...
When everything was prepared properly, he stored all the things separately into a single scroll, then washed up and went to sleep.
...
A night passed silently.
The next day, early morning.
Just as the sun peeked over the mountain peaks, Jokichi opened his eyes.
He glanced out the window; the branches of the plum tree were full of fresh green leaves, and a little sparrow was hopping around on a branch, chirping away, looking just like a picture scroll.
Suddenly, a crow flapped over.
The sparrow was frightened away.
The crow occupied the branch and smiled goofily at Jokichi through the window.
This guy, seems to have been infected by Kuroneko.
"..."
Jokichi fell into silence.
After a moment, he silently got up, put on his clothes, and then went out to wash up, make breakfast, eat, do morning exercises, and go to school.
Of course, he did not forget to put a leash on Kuroneko.
As for training...
He had just completed a phase of training, so he would temporarily rest for a few days to relax his mood.
After all, one has to strike a balance between work and rest.
...
Perhaps because it was still early, Jokichi did not bump into Ino on the way.
When he arrived at the classroom, there were only students in twos and threes inside, most of whom he did not know.
However, they appeared very enthusiastic.
They greeted him one by one, and some even came up to ask about the Shadow Clone.
Dazzling people will be sought after everywhere.
Although Jokichi was usually very low-key, his strength was the real deal, occupying the first place in the academy for three years straight.
Not to mention, his temper was very mild.
Although not very enthusiastic, he would not keep people at arm's length either.
Neither aloof and cold, nor lowering his status.
This kind of first place was even more popular.
Jokichi pushed his glasses frame, revealed a smile, and answered them one by one.
Although they were all words to brush people off, his attitude was good, so no one felt disgusted. Instead, it made these people realize their abruptness, and they embarrassedly took their leave.
Jokichi sat back in his seat and spaced out out of boredom. Gradually, the number of people in the classroom increased.
People successively greeted him, and afterwards, acquaintances and friends also arrived at the classroom one by one.
Ino even ran over to Jokichi's side with familiar ease, chased away Shikamaru next to him, hooked her arm around his left arm, and leaned her entire body against it. With her eyes closed, she revealed a look of enjoyment.
"Hey, you are leaning too close."
Jokichi tugged his arm but could not pull it out, so he could only remind her helplessly.
But, it had no effect at all.
Ino twisted her body and looked over. A trace of a blush appeared on her fair face, yet she said very boldly, "What does it matter, Jokichi-kun, please go out with me!"
The girls in this world are too bold!
Jokichi sighed in his heart, while simultaneously refusing, "No, I need to train, I do not have time to date."
"It will not delay your time, even if we do not go on dates it does not matter, as long as I can look at you and you like me too, that is enough."
"No, I will get distracted."
"Jokichi focused on one thing is also so handsome, although the answer makes me very sad, I will not give up."
"Class is about to start."
"What does that have to do with this?"
"Iruka-sensei is here."
"Eh!"
Ino sat up straight all at once. She saw Iruka standing at the podium, looking at her with a serious expression, and everyone else in the class also followed Iruka's gaze and looked over.
Being watched by so many people, even though Ino was usually very bold, her face instantly flushed red with embarrassment.
"Um, um..."
Ino wanted to explain a bit, but was interrupted by Iruka.
"Alright, everyone go back to your own seats, I have an official matter to announce."
"Yes."
Ino fled back to her seat as if escaping, and the others did the same.
"Iruka-sensei came a bit early today!" Choji said while eating, glancing at the few empty seats in the front.
Right now, it was not yet class time.
"He probably has something to announce!" Shikamaru glanced at Iruka's expression and said casually.
"Probably!" Jokichi nodded indifferently.
Iruka waited for a while. Students successively arrived at the classroom, until only Naruto and Sasuke were left absent.
He took a deep breath and said, "Today I want to announce something."
Iruka's expression was serious, and the students below all held their breath, waiting for the announcement.
It was their first time seeing Iruka this serious.
"Sasuke has already acquired the comprehensive qualities of a Genin, after obtaining the consent of him and his parents, the academy has let him graduate together with this year's graduates."
"Nani!"
Jokichi widened his eyes and suddenly stood up from his seat.
Everyone in the class looked over together, unable to help but feel curious about Jokichi's reaction.
Although they were also shocked by this matter and it briefly caused an uproar, their reaction was not this big.
Could it be that someone who trailed behind him became a ninja early, while he, the first place, failed to become a ninja, thus creating a psychological gap in his heart?
Some dark-minded people thought maliciously.
"Jokichi, is there a problem?" Iruka gave him a weird look and asked with concern.
"No, it is nothing." Jokichi sat back in his seat, "I was just surprised by this news, that is all."
"Actually you should have been able to guess it, after all, Mizuki-sensei also informed you that you could also graduate early."
Iruka's words once again caused an uproar in the class.
The classmates looked at Jokichi one by one, either curious, in disbelief, or excited.
"Not at all, I still have many lacking areas, becoming a ninja right now is a bit too early for me."
Jokichi answered modestly.
However, the future is truly becoming incomprehensible!