Naruto the Novel: Whisper of the Moon

Chapter 3: Bonds Formed

Seven years had passed since the transformative infusion of Kaguya's blood. Naruto and Ryoko had blossomed into healthy and strong pre-teen shinobi within the tightly-knit community of Tsukigakure. Bonds of love and friendship had deepened, as they rejoiced in being part of the Otsutsuki clan through their mother's blood.

Kaguya also married Daichi and he took Kaguya's last name becoming part of the family which delighted Naruto and Ryoko, Kaguya even gave birth to a daughter with Daichi and they named her Sora, and throughout her seven years she even looked up to her older siblings Naruto and Ryoko as they teach her with some basic ninja training but she is annoyed that Sora still have five years left in the academy and wanted to be a shinobi already.

The morning sun rose and shone through Sora's window waking her up, with a small moan and grunts she sat rub and rubbed her eye, suddenly her eyes widened and she has a big smile on her face, she rushed through her brother's room and start jumping on him with her butt "Get up Naruto, it's time for yours and Ryoko's team placement." she said and Naruto grunts and puff out air "Alright alright Sora." he said chuckling then petting her head "I'm up now, so go get Ryoko." he said which made Sora grow a big smile on her face and rushed off.

Hearing her little sister coming Ryoko hid behind her bedroom door, once Sora looked at her sister's bed and thought she was in it Sora slowly went up to the bed to surprise her but she was the one that got surprised, Ryoko quickly sneaked up behind Sora and hugged her "Got ya baby sis." he said and giggling even Sora giggling along with her sister "Ryoko...No fair I was supposed to wake you." she said as she turned to face her sister and they embrace in a hug.

"Well too bad Sora, I heard you coming," she said then she boop Sora's nose making her pout "I will wake you next time." she said then her pouting went back to smiling "Let's get food okay." she said rubbing the top of Sora's head, "Sure sis let's go." as Sora grabbed Ryoko's hand and ran toward the living room where everyone else is waiting.

Kaguya who is now carrying Daichi's second child and is six months pregnant is slowly coming through with everyone's breakfast but she is stopped by her children "Mommy, you shouldn't be doing this while you're pregnant." Sora said pouting while helping Naruto and Ryoko with placing the breakfast, Daichi couldn't help but laugh a little but he stopped the moment Kaguya glared at him "She gets that from you, ya know." she said while Daichi blushed a little and showing a sheepish smile "I'm sure she gets it from you not me." he said lighting the mood around everyone.

Once everyone had their breakfast Ryoko looked at the time "Oh Kami..." She said grabbing Naruto by his arm "We need to go Naruto, we're late.!" she said and Naruto could hardly run but could only hop since he was being dragged, "Hey wait for me." Sora said but just as she ran past her father Daichi he grabbed her arm stopping her "Now we have plenty of time Sora." he said then he continued "We just have to wait until it's time for the placement." he said then Kaguya chimed in "Your father is right Sora, please be patient." she said and Sora did as she told and sat down pouting "Waiting is too long." she said but her family only laughed with her.

On this momentous day, Naruto and Ryoko excitedly prepared for their last day at the academy, a culmination of years of dedication and training. Alongside them, their childhood and best friend, Haru Tachibana, eagerly awaited their final test as well. The Tachibana clan, known for their incredible combat skills, stood as the second most renowned family within the village, with Haru being the destined heir of his clan's legacy.

As the trio gathered in anticipation, Naruto, Ryoko, and Haru exchanged playful banter and encouraging words, reflecting upon the challenging journey they had undertaken together. Their shared experiences had forged a bond that ran deep, grounded in mutual admiration and unwavering support for one another.

The time had come for the final test results to be announced. Naruto, Ryoko, and Haru listened with bated breath as the academy instructor called out the names of the newly formed teams. Their hearts raced in unison, hoping for the chance to continue their journey side by side.

Standing in the viewing room every student's family is watching to see who gets to be put on who's team, being careful that she is Sora is being held in her mother's arms and Daichi is standing next to them with his arms crossed and a smile on his and Kaguya's face knowing that their kids passed with flying colors, they listened carefully to the first three teams then it was time to hear about Team 4.

With each passing name, their anticipation grew. And then, finally, it happened. The instructor exclaimed, "Team 4: Naruto Otsutsuki, Ryoko Otsutsuki, and Haru Tachibana!" In a flurry of excitement, the three friends exchanged jubilant glances, their smiles reflecting their shared elation.

As members of Team 4, their journey as a cohesive unit would begin. Together, they would train, grow, and face the challenges that awaited them. Their unique skills and camaraderie would be put to the test, molding them into exceptional shinobi that Tsukigakure could rely upon.

Once the group left their classes one of their dreams came true that's to be on the same team, as they were just leaving their academy Naruto got tackled by Sora who was happy to see them all as a team but happy that her brother and sister passed, "Congrats Naruto and Ryoko, I knew you both would make it." she said with a big smile on her face.

Haru pouted "Hey what about me?." he said then Sora looked at him and a bit of sweat came down her forehead "Sorry Haru, congrats to you too." she said then she went back to hugging her brother, Naruto got up from the ground and picked up her sister and placed her on his shoulders "how's that Sora?." he said, he then heard her giggled "I'm so tall." she smiled and giggled at making her family and Haru laugh with her.

Team 4 went about their day with Naruto and Ryoko taking turns by having Sora on their shoulders making sure she had a lot of fun before they went on their first training test with their sensei, Kaguya and Daichi went back home but they went shopping first, at the newly built park Naruto, Ryoko, Haru, and Sora came across Team's 2 and 6.

In Team 2 there's Aka Sone - a shy but kind-hearted shinobi who looks out for others and looks up to Naruto like a brother figure, Asahi Tanaka - another kind-hearted shinobi who wants to be a master of being a Dragon Summoner, and the final member of Team 2 is Haruto Yamada - a hot-headed shinobi but listens to reason and wants to be the best weapons collector.

In Team 6 there's Suki Mizuki - her clan is the first clan that lived in Tsukigakure and helped the first residents to build the village and she is the sole heir of her clan, Fuji Hirano - a shinobi who likes being with nature and being friendly with wild animals and he's hoping to be next in line to be the future Tsukikage and the final member of Team 6 is Kaito Mori - a young shinobi with a kind heart and always never far away from his pet raccoon named Suterusu who's always on Kaito's head and only gets off when it comes to combo attacks.

With their hearts brimming with determination, Team 2, Team 4, and Team 6 embarked on their mission to protect their village and those they held dear. Bound by friendship, the trio embraced the future with unwavering resolve, ready to tread where adventure led, and to face whatever dangers lurked in the shadows.

Guided by the wisdom of their mentors, they would learn, not only from their successes but also from their failures. They would stumble, but they would always rise again, supporting one another every step of the way.

In the alternative universe of Naruto, Naruto, Ryoko, and Haru's destinies intertwine as they face trials and tribulations together. Their shared resolve, bolstered by their bonds of friendship and their strengths, would shape not only their own lives but also the future of their beloved village.

And so, as the sun set on the last day at the academy, Team 4 set their sights on the horizon, their hearts filled with determination and dreams. The trio knew that together they would overcome any obstacle, for they were not merely teammates but a close-knit family, unified by love and an unbreakable bond.