Konoha's Ice Dragon continuation

Chapter 12

It was a time for celebration. Naruto and his friends had finally graduated and were on their way to 'Yakiniku Q', Konoha's finest barbeque restaurant. The 9 rookie Genins were chatting amongst each other as they walked, happy and excited for their future as Konoha Shinobis.

But the blonde Senju was still troubled. Why was Mizuki desperately trying to sabotage his exams? And why was his emotions so incredibly hostile towards him? Naruto had felt many negative emotions among the villagers that were still prejudice against him, but they were never as dark and full of malice as the white haired Chunin's.

He was also wondering about the blonde girl that ran pass him earlier. And why was Mizuki's chakra-signature following hers. Something wasn't right, he just knows it.

"Naruto-kun? Are you okay?" Ino asked her deep thinking boyfriend.

"Y-Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking." Naruto answered honestly.

"About what, dobe?" Sasuke asked his Senju best-friend, despite the nickname.

"Well...do any of you guys know the girl that ran passed us earlier?" Naruto asked all his friends.

"Girl? What does she look like?" Choji asked.

"Well, she has light blonde hair that is tied in a loose ponytail, with some strands sticking out. She was also wearing swirl-tinted glasses. And I think she's from our class. Ring any bells?" Naruto asked, as he tries recall all the little details he knows about the girl.

"Hmmm I think the girl you are describing is Shiho, Naruto-kun" Sakura answered her blonde crush.

"Shiho?" Naruto asked his pink haired friend.

"Yeah. She's a very quiet girl in class, but she is actually super smart. Especially when it comes to codebreaking." Sakura added in, trying to recall all she knows about Naruto's mystery girl.

"Why are you asking about her all the sudden, Naruto-kun?" Ino asked, with a slight jealous tone.

"When she ran pass us earlier, I think she was crying. I don't think she passed the exam." Naruto answered sadly.

"Oh man that sucks." Kiba added in with a sad tone.

"Yeah. And I guess it bothers me so much, that it is hard for me to have a celebrating mood right now. Especially when I know someone else is having a hard time." Naruto says truthfully.

"You are a very kind person, Naruto-san. You have always been kind to those in need. What do you propose we do?" Shino ask his first friend.

"W-Well maybe we can invite her to come with us? It could cheer her up if we show her our support." Hinata made her suggestion, with a gentle tone.

"I don't mind! The more girls the merrier!" Kiba says happily, liking the idea of another girl joining their small group.

"Don't make Hinata's kind gesture weird, Kiba." Sasuke says with a deadpan look.

"Well I don't mind either. This group could use another female member." Ino said with a confident smile.

"Than its settled. But who's going to look for her?" Shikamaru asked the group, hoping it's not him.

"Well, since I was the one who brought it up, I should go find her. And thankfully it's still early, so we'll meet up later at Yakiniku Q at 7 pm." Naruto suggested.

"I'll go with you" Ino insisted.

Ino then activated her Mind Transmission with Naruto, so they can speak in private for a moment.

'Don't trust me with another girl, do you?' Naruto asked with a smile in his mind.

'No...I just don't trust the other girl with you. There's a difference.' Ino said in her mind. She really hates herself for being the jealous type, but when her boyfriend looks like 'Naruto Senju', she can't help but feel worried and insecure sometimes.