International Ninja Day • 5 December
The place was quiet after training.
Dust was still hanging in the air.
No one talked at first—just the soft sound of leaves moving.
Kakashi finally spoke, not turning around.
Kakashi:
“…Don’t let your awareness dull. A ninja stays sharp even when it’s calm.”
Shikamaru let out a small sigh.
Shikamaru:
“What a drag… but yeah. Staying calm keeps you alive.”
Sakura adjusted her stance, still catching her breath.
Sakura:
“One moment of distraction… that’s all it takes.”
Sasuke kept his eyes forward.
Sasuke:
“If your resolve shakes, you break.”
Hinata looked down briefly, then lifted her gaze.
Hinata:
“A ninja… grows by standing back up.”
Gaara stepped a little closer, his voice steady and quiet.
Gaara:
“Pain teaches us what we choose to protect.”
Everyone fell silent again.
Naruto had been listening.
When he finally spoke, his tone was softer than usual—no yelling, no jokes.
Naruto:
“…You’re all right. But here’s what I learned.”
A short pause.
“A ninja keeps going—for the people counting on him.”
Another pause.
“No matter how dark it gets… he doesn’t quit on others.”
He clenched his fist.
“That’s my ninja way.”
No one argued.
The wind moved through the trees, and for a moment, the world felt still.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ
