It's Not Really A Date, but is sort of kinda (Boruto x Sarada)

Part 6

[19:37]

Snikt! Snikt! Snikt!

"Hah! Three-in-a-Row! Check it out!!"

"Amazing Iwabee-kun! You really are incredibly good when it comes to precision attacks. You must've been getting extra practice in since our bout with the Funato Clan, haven't you?" Denki Kaminarimon stood in awe of his teammate while a few spectators nearby clapped politely.

Iwabee Yuino had just demonstrated his impeccable accuracy skills on the 5th Long-Range Games Stall that night in the Village Square. The '5 Great Nations Cross-Cultural Festival' having provided ample opportunity for Shinobi old and new to show off their skills. And this particular Shuriekan 'Hit-3-Targets-in-a-Row' Stall in which he'd scored three Bullseyes further inflating the Older Teen's already swollen ego. Iwabee soaked in his Team Captain's praise, rubbing his nose with a smug grin. "Yeah well, you know. A keen eye and Master-Level reflexes runs in the family. And sure, that whole business with the Funato did get me heated up to push harder. What can I say, I settle for nothing but the best!!"

"A most excellent life goal Iwabee-kun!!" his other teammate of Team 5 Metal Lee agreed whole-heartedly. "And considering how long you were held back at the Academy, you must have years worth of experience upon which to focus and hone your skills. NEVER LET MANY REPEATED FAILURES OVER THE YEARS QUELL YOUR FIERY SPIRIT OR YOUR BURNING AMBITION TO BE THE BEST!!!!!"

Iwabee's smug grin quickly became a dour scowl at his teammate and friend's unintentional insult. "Great. You're calling me a repeated failure AND Old. Thanks a bunch Metal.", "YOU ARE WELCOME FRIEND IWABEE-KUN!!!" Metal responded passionately, missing the sarcasm. "Hey, he can't help it if you are old Iwabee." Team 10's Captain Shikadai Nara jibed in his own observation, to which his own teammate Inojin Yamanaka snickered behind a caramel apple. And barely held back a chuckle when Shikadai followed up "You know maybe it's time you talked to Shino-Sensei about your pension."

"Remind me who invited you two to tag along with our team tonight Nara?" Iwabee answered back with a thoroughly irritable scowl. "Sorry, somebody's gotta be here to torment you if Chocho's too busy with the girls doin' their own thing and Kawaki's too busy being a Mood to come out." Shikadai continued to jibe. Iwabee turned aside with an annoyed "Tch". Shikadai maintaining his smug grin while Inojin fought to control his giggles, and Denki looked sympathetically to his older teammate whilst Metal remained oblivious. All of which Mitsuki quietly considered thoughtfully.

Since Boruto was out tonight with his father the 7th Hokage and their family, and Sarada he knew was out training alone, the child of Lord Orochimaru had decided to accept the invitation to join the other boys of his close network of friends at the Festival. All strictly for his observations of his teammates' interactions with one another as part of his ongoing journey of discovery in his own interests of course.

Since his creation in one of Lord Orochimaru's many prestigious laboratories, the artificial human given the name 'Mitsuki' had often wondered about the purpose of his creation and continued existence. A wondering which his parent seemed content to let him explore for himself. Ultimately, Mitsuki had decided a fundamental part of his purpose must be continuing to observe, interact with and connect with other people. Whether that is truly his own choice or part of Lord Orochimaru's pre-programming he could not say? But then in a way, perhaps there is already some of that in a 'normal' parent-child relationship?

In any case, watching how people connected with one another had often fascinated him. Just as his own connections with the people he called his 'friends' fascinated him, particularly the pleasurable sensation he believed was called 'happiness' that is often shared when people connect in such a way. Even if some people, such as Kawaki, seemed more interested in NOT connecting with others.