Chapter 173: Gekkou guy's true name

After being released by Iruka-sensei, Homura encounters fellow students who have passed, some waiting outside while others haven't left yet.

Most familiar faces are still outside, with some in a state of panic and others proudly donning their leaf ninja forehead protector.

Toshio (teasing) Hey, Homura! You failed?!

Teased Toshio while proudly showing his leaf forehead ninja protector that was this loosely around his waist.

Making Homura wonder if it wasn't more of a hindrance than a fashion statement, not that he would say it out loud.

HOMURA (smiling) In your dreams!

Homura takes out the ninja protector from his pocket to show them.

CHOJI (disappointed) Damn! I was hoping you would, somehow. It would be pretty funny. What a shame.

Shikamaru (agrees) Eh, so true.

Feeling frustrated, Homura looks around but doesn't spot Naruto.

HOMURA (asking)...Sure. Where is Naruto?

SHIKAMARU (answers) He was called to wait inside along with five other students.

HOMURA (accepting) I see, thanks a bunch. (Better wait for a more opportune time.)

(Homura decides it's perhaps better this way, leaving Naruto for a time when there would be fewer witnesses.)

Homura starts walking away from the group, heading towards the building.

TOSHIO (curious) Where are you going?

HOMURA (looking cool) I am going back inside; there's a book I always wanted to read before it's too late.

KIBA (teasing) Who knew morons could also be nerds!

SHIKAMARU (appreciative) True. You'd easily forget because of his personality, but he and Haruno seem to compete on all written subjects. I guess his head is not as empty as he may appear.

GEKKOU (sighs) And very good at fighting... Homura!

HOMURA (Confused) Y-yes!

Homura flinched as he heard his name being called with such intensity and Gekkou drawing his blade towards himself.

GEKKOU That I couldn't avenge my father before was one thing, but I've lost to you, time and time again... Now as shinobi, I challenge you! I will restore the honor of the Gekkou style kenjutsu.

HOMURA (confused) Eh?!

Everyone looks at Gekkou-guy, feeling confused that he's still fixated on this after so many years.

SHIKAMARU (suggesting) Again with that? Hey, Homura. How about you go apologize to his father at the Gekkou clan and be done once and for all?

HOMURA (defensive) What!? I think we're past that if he is challenging me for a whole different thing, besides I have nothing to apologize for! He challenged me! Time and time again! And I'm sure his father doesn't even remember me! (Why do I have to deal with crazy people like him?… Wait I won't anymore…unless we're on the same team…) Urgh!

CHOJI (agreeing) Yeah, that's true. I remembered Homura was being challenged and they would bet swords each time.

KIBA If I remember correctly it was a ploy Homura came up for Hattori to stop challenging him all the time, though I bet it was all a ploy so that he could get a free sword.

SHIKAMARU (intervening) *sigh* This is so stupid… Then, Hattori, how about you let Homura go this once? I'm sure it was all just a misunderstanding.

(Homura thinks: Wait!? That's his name? So cool! I mean isn't Hattori Hanzo an enemy of Konohagakure? No, he should be dead by now... but why would anyone from this village name someone after Hanzo? Regardless, it is wasted on Gekkou, he is a bit stupid…and insane)

HATTORI (conflicted) ...but I... have been at it for so long... and I wanted to challenge Homura with our family's prized sword since I just finished my training with my father. He said this sword has been bathed in the blood of our enemies for generations; so it will give me luck.

(Homura wonders: What the!? The fck is with this guy!? He's not going to come to my home and stab me at night if I don't agree to fight him or take his sword away, right?!)

Everyone is speechless by Gekkou-guy's resilience or psychosis.

TOSHIO (suggesting) ...maybe having a casual match in a year sounds good. I don't think Homura was prepared to have such an important match just after graduation. Isn't that right, Homura?

HOMURA (reluctant) Eh?! (Why is he dragging me into this sht!?... but better agree to something; crazy people cannot be underestimated...that's how they get you.) A year is too short...2...2! Two years should be good. I will be waiting for you, Gekk- I mean Hattori! I want to fight you after I finally finish my training with my jonin sensei.

KIBA…Coward.

HOMURA Sh*t up!

HATTORI (calculating) A jonin sensei…hm? Two... two years... from this day, huh....

Hattori takes out a notebook and starts writing something.

He's clearly noting the date and expecting to challenge Homura.

HOMURA (confused) D-don't tell me…

HATTORI (determined) ...Homura, in two years, on this day, this time, and this location, I will challenge you to a match!

(Homura thinks: What?)

HOMURA (sarcastic) ...Hattori, we're no longer students at the academy after today... I doubt they would let you in without a good reason... and that reason will probably not be good enough anyway.

HATTORI (disheartened) R-really!?

HOMURA (teasing) Y-yeah... I don't think having a fight as shinobi inside the academy will fly any way you try to slice it, better just push it further to be safe if you want it (Was Gekkou-guy always this crazy? And an airhead? Good thing I kept my distance.)

KIBA (suggesting) Oh, I got a better idea! You guys can meet in front of the 6th training ground at the same time; it's close by anyway,

HOMURA…(Kiba…)

HATTORI (thinking) Hmm....agreed.

Hattori takes out his small notebook and starts writing on it again.

HOMURA (announcing) tch! I don't care anymore... I am going in, okay?

CHOJI (nodding) Wait, Homura! Some of us are going to the yakiniku restaurant to celebrate our graduation at 5. You should join us?

(Homura thinks: This could work for me... better take them up on their offer.)

However since it is Choji who said, it was safe to say that the probability of it being just a ploy to get as many people in order to divide the check even further was very high.

It was no wonder they kept him busy, they were just warming others to the idea.

HOMURA (smirking) Sure, no problem. (Though I may really need an alibi if I can somewhat get the scroll for myself I've already shaken hands with Iruka and Mizuki before I left the test…all I need is Naruto.)#

While Homura was making plans on how to find the location of the forbidden scroll, his friends had other plans and didn't suspect that one of their classmates was already planning to commit something close to treason.

CHOJI (reminder) Ah! But bring some cash since we've all got to pitch in.

Thus as he walks away he simply gives a thumbs up, in order to reassure his former classmates, without turning back.

HOMURA (*sighs* I hope I don't end up in a team with any of those idiots).

chapter end