«5» BATTLE OF THE STUDENTS

[Edited]

—

"SUMMONING JUTSU!"

That was the only thing the Yamanaka heard from afar, before dust covered her surroundings as she looked to the sky.

She was clearly not bothered by the dirt as she covered her face with her book, smelling the scent of each pages.

Well—It is somehow addicting.

As the dust was cleared off the area, there they saw a giant toad, Konohamaru standing right on top of its head.

They were all amused at his performance while Inomi sighed at their amazed faces. She got flustered at the sight of the Sarutobi flashing a smile towards her.

Inomi did in fact— had a tiny crush on Konohamaru.

"Idiot.. You're all grown up Inomi, stop yourself." Inomi told herself. She waved at him.

"Just leave it to Konohamaru Sarutobi to perform such a magnificent Summoning Jutsu. The reason's because he's the Third Hokage's grandson, a genius ninja who was the pride of the Hidden Leaf." Shino Aburame proudly explained, clapping his hands while turning back to his students.

"I'll go anywhere for you, Konohamaru-san!" The toad spoke with enthusiasm, referring to the man standing on top of him.

"As always, Thank you, Gamagoro!" Konohamaru responded before the toad disappeared in sight.

Poof.

As Konohamaru landed on the ground, as everyone clapped.

Shino opened his mouth to speak up. "This is a good opportunity to ask questions, line up—"

A group of female students rushed towards the Sarutobi with smiles and grins on their faces. Konohamaru's cheeks turned pink as he received compliments and squeals from them.

"Don't let all of this flattery go through your head, Konohamaru-nii chan!" Boruto teased with a smug look on his face, resting his hands on the back of his neck.

"Hey, Don't disrespect Konohamaru-Senpai like that. He's your sensei, Boruto." The Yamanaka spoke while crossing her arms on her chest. Boruto scratched the nape of his neck.

"Ah— Inomi-sensei..!" Boruto chuckled. "Didn't expect to see you here?..." He awkwardly stated, forming a bead of sweat as he saw the girl scowl at him.

Jeez, for a girl who's my age? She's scary. Boruto thought as he shivered.

"She's right, Don't make fun of grown-ups! Also, Don't call me Nii-chan, when we're here, call me Sensei!" The brunette lectured the boy, placing his hands on his hips.

The Uzumaki huffed, hearing his voice. He decides to tease him further. "It's not even convincing when you say it with such a goofy looking face." Boruto continued, with a sly smirk on his face.

His smirk faded away as he saw the girls hovering over the Sarutobi. Inomi continuously glared at him, he silently gulped while he tugged on Inojin's sleeve.

He arched an eyebrow to the Uzumaki, dangling over his arm. He slightly pushed him away, and sighing. "What do you need?"

"What's— why is she staring at me like that?!" Boruto silently asked him, slowly turning away from her direction. Inojin sighed at his oblivious reaction, shaking Boruto's shoulder.

"Hmm.. maybe an Idiot like you— insulted her crush?" Inojin wondered. Boruto got flustered at his statement, as if he almost wanted to tease Konohamaru more, but Inojin interrupted him . "She's done a lot of things to Naruto-sama when she knew he was teasing Konohamaru-Sensei sometimes.."

"She.... likes him?!? How?!?"

"And what did she do to him?! (referring to Naruto)" He shook his head, almost fainting at his last statement.

"It's a long time ago, I'm sure she's over it.." The Yamanaka twin shrugged, walking away from Boruto's terrified state.

Boruto sweatdropped, as he saw the girls swarming him all over with tiny arguments and chatters, it really was hard to defend himself.

"It's so embarrassing when men have an inferiority complex." ChoCho muttered, walking up to the Boruto and the other boys.

"Like I said, you've got this all wrong!" Boruto disagreed, defending himself and the other boys.

"Anyway, you lose hands down when it comes to substance and looks. I don't blame you for being jealous." The Akimichi added, ignoring Boruto's reply.

Inomi rubbed the bridge of her nose, listening to their little conversation about boys and girls. Can't you just leave yourselves alone?..

"Boruto!"

"Summoning... Jutsu!"

...

...

...

Nothing happened.

"Pfft.." Inomi chuckled. "Boruto, that's not how it works." She murmured before retrieving back Konohamaru's scroll, leaving Boruto land on his butt.

Thump.

"This jutsu won't activate unless you first sign your name in the scroll, and enter into a contract with an animal." Shino informed, not just Boruto, but all of the students around him.

"You're an idiot.." Sarada sighed, shaking her head.

~

"YOU CAN'T USE THE SUMMONING JUTSU without a contract with a summoning animal, signed in with blood." Konohamaru explained with a smile on his face. "But once the contract is made, you can summon an animal anytime, anywhere in this world!" He finished off with a bigger and better smile.

Each row of students had a small scroll on their hands, a scroll that would help them summon an animal or even inventory as a beginner.

"Do you understand now, Boruto Uzumaki?" Shino asked the troublesome student directly, which he received a nod from him.

"So if I write my name there, can I summon a frog too?" Boruto asked, with a small smile on his face.

"Still trying to do it?" Inojin asked, concern lacing his voice. He stared at the fellow blonde beside him.

"A contract can't be made right away by anyone. The hard part is making the Summoning Animal listen to you." Shino answered his questions properly, leaving him confused yet again.

"The importance in having a Summoning animal is mutual understanding. Accept who they are and they'll trust you! It depends on your choice of animal though.." Inomi mumbled the last part, recalling the day when he trained her.....

—To summon Butterflies.

They were hard to communicate with unless you give them the right amount of pollen. That's what he taught her when she got a butterfly summon.

Butterflies for her were a charm in-hand, but the beauty of the creature only stays outside. Her butterflies are known to spread toxicity or poison inside an opponent's body.

That's how Inomi's summons are powerful.

Inomi opened her eyes, seeing Shino summon a weapon from the small scroll.

"So we're starting from there.." Boruto stated, resting his hand on his hip.

"A little goes a long way, Uzumaki." Inomi added.

He doesn't look satisfied, doesn't he? Toneri asked his hostage, inside of her head. Inomi nodded her head as she started to reading her book.

"Hey Namida, good thing we didn't start from summoning frogs.." A woman named Wasabi mentioned, smiling at her friend.

"Yeah, I can't touch them.." Namida awkwardly replied back, agreeing to her statement.

"Aren't Summoning Animals usually Slimy and Seriously Creepy?" ChoCho questioned, cringing at the sight of Toads, Frogs, Slugs, and more creepy looking animals.

"Reptiles aren't the only things that can be Summoned. Lord Third summoned a Monkey, and Lord Sixth summoned a dog!" Konohamaru proudly stated.

The Yamanaka turned pink. "He looks proud because of his grandfather.." She muttered to herself, her lips curving up into a smile.

"Oh yeah, I think my mom used to summon a weasel.." Shikadai blurted out, thinking about it a while ago. Inojin brightened up, clicking his tongue before stating a realization. "My sister summons Butterflies, if I remembered that well.."

"I wouldn't mind a dog."

"A cat would be nice too!"

"A cute animal would be better, yeah?" Namida giggled, bringing her arms near her chest with excitement.

"YOU GUYS! Summoning animals isn't just a pet, it doesn't matter what it looks like!" Iwabe dramatically butted in, resting his weapon near his shoulder. "It can be ugly, as long as it's strong." Inojin agreed to Iwabe's statement.

"Then how about a snake? It's cool and it seems strong!" Boruto thought out loud. Smiling at his own suggestion, while holding his scroll up to his face.

Inomi rolled her eyes, while chuckling at the loud chatters from her students. It made her proud that all of them are interested in such a hard task.

Kids..

Aren't you a kid too? The Otsutsuki smirked, seeing that the Yamanaka grew an irk mark on her forehead.

One more of these remarks, I won't hesitate to put a kunai on my throat. She threatened her host, who she heard him sighed. Fine.

"Damn it. Snakes and Bugs?" Wasabi had a weird look on her face, thinking of those disgusting little creatures.

"Boys are so childish.." ChoCho pointed out, sighing at their small conversation. Inomi sweatdropped at her statement, she knew they were going to argue about it.

"It's no use summoning an animal that seems weak." Boruto looked over to the girls. He raised his eyebrow towards them. ChoCho scoffed looking at the Uzumaki. "We're in an age where cool looking counts."

"Hey, Let's stop this right now stude—" Inomi got interrupted by the boys yet again, she had a slight headache as she caressed her forehead. I'm starting to hate this vessel mechanism we're in, Toneri..

Reminder that you can always look through time, it would help you reduce your headaches, but my life would pay the price. Besides, He brought us to this situation first. He sadly muttered. I cannot blame you for the choices you made. Remember what he told you.

"You guys! Get Started with Ninja Tool Summoning!" Shino called out, bringing Inomi back to reality, yet stopped the argument from getting out of hand.

"Are you fine, Inomi-kun?" Konohamaru placed his hand on top of her shoulder. She turned around with her face turning pink, waving her hands like nothing happened. "No no, It's nothing! I was just.. recalling some memories?" Inomi awkwardly answered, still admiring the Brunette's features.

Convinced, he nodded with a determined smile on his face, leaving the Yamanaka speechless.

"Hey hey, next time, let's all summon a giant animal together!" Boruto suggested, changing the mood earlier.

The small group agreed to his statement.

"Don't try to do anything stupid. Whenever you do stupid stuff, we get lumped into you." Sarada said, interrupting their little conversation.

The Uchiha at it's finest.

"We never do anything stupid, ya know?!" Boruto yelled, defending the boys from Sarada's complaint.

"You sure do! You cause trouble every single time. That's why the other classes call us the Class Full of Problem Kids." Sarada argued back, making the Uzumaki lost at thought.

Inojin looked over to his genius friend. "Did you know that?"

"Well, I've heard some rumors.." Shikadai admitted. "We have a kid that destroyed the Hokage Stone Face on the First day, then that incident in the Training hall... Our class really stands out.." The Nara finished his statement, looking up to the sky.

"Hey boys, you broke one of the target shurikens, didn't you?!" A girl started, pointing towards them.

"During clean-up your always playing, so we end up doing more!" Another girl pointed out.

"You're always causing trouble for us!"

"Well I think you girls aren't innocent either. You're always gossiping and wasting your life on silly things." Inojin started with a neutral tone, defending the boys.

"Our girl talk is completely different from the vulgar things you boys talked about." ChoCho retorted with a smirk, as the others nodded their heads in agreement.

"If we say one thing, you say another. Women really are such a drag." Shikadai muttered, which caused a lot of irk marks appearing in the girls' foreheads.

As for that, Boruto and Sarada yet again, started an argument about childish things. It made Inomi speak up.

"Isn't this kind of a... sexist argument?"

"Huh?" The others turned around to see her with a serious face.

"Either way, you are all childish, from the way you are starting an argument..." She walked near the middle, changing her expression with a smile.

"Anyways, I don't want this thing happening again, and go back to practicing. It's an order." Her voice was laced together with the Otsutsuki's voice, sending shivers down their spines.

The blonde and the Uchiha turned their heads to an opposite direction, letting out hmphs.

Konohamaru patted Inomi's shoulder to loosen her up. Women sure are scary..

~

"CHOCHO AKIMICHI, ISN'T IT?" Inomi walked up to the Chubby girl right in front of her. They were at the canteen ordering snacks. The place was crowded like the past weeks.

"Mhm mhm, I am!" She nodded, confirming her identity which she sighed in relief. "Hey, aren't you the Yamanaka that Sarada was talking about?"

Inomi scratched her nape, seeing ChoCho's eyes sparkling. "Yes, we've been friends for long.."

ChoCho raised a brow, curiously looking at the Yamanaka's features. She found a sudden realization. "How come you're a Jonin, and... How come I haven't seen you with Sarada-chan?"

Inomi pressed her lips into a thin line, she was expecting those questions coming out from ChoCho's mouth.

"Well, for your first question, I actually started to be a shinobi at the age of 5.. as for your second question.." Inomi went near ChoCho's ear as she whispered her own reply.

"I've been out of this village for 3 years, that's why we lost connections.." The Akimichi awed at her answer, nodding in response. ChoCho wrap her arm around Inomi's shoulder, with a smirk placed on her face.

"Well, This Year.. I'm sure you will be friends again! She's still the Sarada that you know!" She grinned at the Yamanaka. Inomi felt her face becoming warm at her offer. "Thanks.. Akimichi-san.."

"Ooh! Yakisoba buns, Here I come!" The Auburn-haired girl cheered as she went near the counter. She drooled over the various selections of snacks and delicacies, which left the half-and-half haired girl giggling at her excitement.

"9 Yakisoba Buns please Auntie!" ChoCho pointed out as she was ready to pay. The Lady smiled and started to give her exactly 9 yakisoba buns. Her Amber eyes sparkled at the amount. Yummy!

"That would cost 270 yen, dearie!"

Inomi placed her money, pointing at the yakisoba buns. "Add one more auntie, I'll pay.."

"Hm? A sensei helping a student out, How thoughtful!" The lady near the counter giggled as she took and gave the yakisoba bun to the Yamanaka.

"Heh?! Are you serious Inomi-san!?" ChoCho gasped, almost dropping one of her snacks. She nodded in approval before bowing to the cashier.

"Thank you!"

~

The two started a conversation together as they ate their delicious food. Completely unbothered by Uzumaki-Uchiha rivalry. Inomi smiled at ChoCho beside her, happily talking about flavors of chips.

She thought of it. Why didn't she enjoy her childhood like this?

...that would be a secret until... (No spoilers for new readers.)

A pit of jealousy rose inside of her. She shook her head, keeping a fake smile towards the Akimichi.

"A chubby customer bought a lot earlier.. and your Sensei bought one of the last ones too!" The Lady explained to the students right in front of the counter. They turned around to see ChoCho and Inomi eating their yakisoba buns at ease. "Chubby? You mean.."

ChoCho raised her head, looking towards the others with an innocent smile. "Sarada.."

"What! Did you buy them all up, ChoCho?!" Boruto yelled in frustation. On the other hand he pointed towards his Sensei. "And you allowed this to Happen?!"

"Ehe.." Inomi simply replied, which made the Blonde even more pissed.

"Then let's have her share with us?" Inojin offered with a curt smile. Referring to ChoCho, who shook her head in denial. "I have to eat this much after class, or I'm not myself.." She explained, eating another yakisoba bun.

"Talk about bad fuel economy.."

"When you live passionately, you expend a lot of calories.." ChoCho said in confidence.

While..

Sarada bought the last yakisoba bun.

"Hey wait a Minute!" Boruto tried to stop the girl, who simply stopped with a cocky face. "The early bird gets the worm." She held the bun gently in her arms, as she started to take a bite of it.

"Then I have right to that too!" Boruto protested with completely freaked out eyes.

"Normally, if you're a real man.. you'd defer a lady."

"Sure, if you were a normal girl.."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!"

"WHAT?!"

Inomi leaned to Inojin's shoulder, slowly feeding him the yakisoba bun. "They sure can be a pain in the head.."

"Mhm.." Inojin agreed while ruffling his sister's hair. She sighed as the boys and girls went to each other's sides, causing another scene in the canteen.

"Stop right there!"

The Aburame suddenly appeared right in the middle of Sarada and Boruto, completely stopping the argument once again..

"Sensei!.." Sarada gasped out, loosening up her stance.

"Finally!..." The Yamanaka sighed as she teleported to near Shino's side, completely lost at thought. She slightly listened at the last statement that Shino explained.

"After class, I'll prepare a battleground for you. Fight with all your passion, and settle this once and for all!"

First to capture flag route again?...

this should be fun.

~

She sat on the grass, lazily listening to the class. Shino was explaining the rules or rather a rule, to the kids. Inomi was slightly tired after helping the Aburame set the Battleground around the Academy.

.

.

.

.

As the Sensei raised his arm, the students had begun running towards the Academy. The Yamanaka grunted, jumping on a roof to get a better view. She saw Iwabe stabbing his rod to the ground, creating a massive mud wall.

Iwabe Yuino.... A senior student, yet a problem student. His attitude changed after many scenarios.. A great improvement.

Inomi smiled at him, writing down her notes on a clipboard.

Her eyes widened as she saw a giant fist, crashing down the Mud wall Iwabe just created. "Aw man.. I used up unnecessary energy.."

ChoCho Akimichi... An enthusiastic yet sassy student, she uses her food logic as self-motivation, let's see how this goes..

She smirked, eyeing the girl running with chips on her arms.

"Shadow Paralysis Jutsu!" Another voice yelled, stopping the girls from moving forward. She expected that would happen after all..

Shikadai Nara... Truly the son of Shikamaru-san... He already mastered the tactics of Shadow Jutsus....

Her head turned around as she felt an explosive device about to explode near the students. I forgot about the traps... She shrugged. They could cope.

BOOM.

"What was that?" Boruto questioned, looking at the distance. Shikadai turned to see dust near the distance, which caused him to release his jutsu. Shino smirked at the distraction. "Oh, I forgot to mention... A few traps have been laid throughout the school grounds..."

"WHAT?!"

"This reason is to make you feel as much tension as possible.."

"In time, you will be working into teams, this training will come in handy—"

The Students were gone.

Inomi jumped down with an arched brow, tugging on the Aburame's sleeve. "You're sure that it won't destroy the Academy..?"

"I'm sure... it's just harmful explosives.." Shino nodded his head, with a bead of sweat dripping down his head. The Yamanaka sighed with a smug look, putting her hands on the back of her neck. "I won't help with the mess either.. heh."

~

The Yamanaka spectated near the students' area. Where she saw a few of the boys and girls right in front of eachother. She got impressed at Metal Lee, catching the incoming shurikens towards the boys.

Metal Lee... One of my favorite students, excels in accuracy... though...

.

.

.

She deadpanned seeing him stutter out words.

his mentality isn't the thing I was expecting.. She sighed. Kudos for him trying though! I'd say he's improved with his confidence... A little.

Her teal eyes drifted down to the Uchiha, perfectly throwing the shurikens — it was sharp and fast.

Sarada Uchiha.... Top of the class, A prodigy of the Uchiha Clan. She pressed her lips into a thin line. Oh Sensei... What would I do if she got her Sharingan?

After that, she ran off, completely unnoticed.

~

She yawned softly, carefully hanging her legs on a rooftop. As she continued to read her book, she heard screaming near the 2nd floor.

The high pitches convinced her that it was the girls screaming, assuming that the boys made a move. Inomi snickered at the thought of Inojin creating bugs and slimes to distract the girls.

Which she probably did predicted...

Boruto escaped through the window with a smirk on his face. Inomi stood up, running near the target area. The Uzumaki bit his thumb, before slamming his palm to his scroll. Purple light reflected him.

"SUMMONING JUTSU!"

A giant worm-like creature appeared on the rooftop. Inomi widened her eyes as she felt her body weakening.

"W-What's that?!..." Inomi stumbled near the edge, clenching her chest. She saw the Akimichi fall down the roof, her vision was getting blurry.

"CHOCHO!"

Fortunately, Inojin, Shikadai, and Boruto helped each other to lift ChoCho up. They struggled as they tried to pull her all at once.

Inomi gritted her teeth, while she tried to get up.

You can do this!

She shook her head as she immediately jumped towards ChoCho. Inomi forced herself to push The Akimichi with the boys. "Thanks!"

Toneri... I don't think I'm gonna..! Inomi winced in pain.

Inomi! You're gonna lose your consciousness!!

Too late.

The sudden struck of pain went straight through Inomi's chest, which caused her to close her eyes. Fainting in the process.

"INOMI!" Boruto and Inojin yelled as they saw her helpless body, almost crashing to the ground.

"I'll save her!" Inojin turned to them.

"No you can't Inojin! We're about to get eaten!" Shikadai interrupted the distressed Yamanaka. They heard the creature screech out loud, ready to eat all of the students.

Konohamaru appeared in the air, with a blue chakra ball on his hand. "RASENGAN!" He hit his wind chakra ball on the summoning animal, who screeched once again as it disappears.

The students cheered in victory.

"We're saved!" Boruto exclaimed with a grin on his face.

"I'm tired.."

"I'm hungry.."

"Wait.. Where's my sister?!" Inojin looked at the bottom, seeing Inomi who was carried in Konohamaru's arms. He looked at the students with a grin on his face.

She's safe..

Inomi tried to open her eyes as she saw the brunette's blurry face. She tilted her head, seeing a certain student carrying the red flag. She smiled weakly at Sumire, who was completely shaking while holding the pole.

The Yamanaka tried to get up, but she whimpered when The Sarutobi slightly tightened his grip.

"Inomi-san, rest. You're body is weak." Konohamaru stated while carrying her. The Yamanaka wanted to protest but he interrupted her immediately. "I know your situation, don't doubt about it.."

"Thank you..." She muttered, as she buried her face on his chest. "I wish I could turn back time and end this vessel.."

"Wish I could too.." Konohamaru agreed while sighing.

Don't you think about getting rid of me.

Oh no, I didn't Toneri.. I just wished you could be with me without enduring the pain.

With that, she slept in his arms with a warm smile.

~

[A/N] This chapter sucked when I read it again...

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!