---
**Chapter 03: Dinner Celebration**
The night sky was a serene canvas of stars, their light shimmering above the quiet forest where the Shinobi Clan's wooden estate stood. The air was cool and fragrant, laced with the soft murmur of wind rustling through leaves. Beneath the glow of starlight, the grand, rustic building blended into the surrounding trees, its worn wood weathered by time and rain, but sturdy as ever—a testament to the legacy it held within its walls.
Inside, the warmth of a large hall spilled over from dim lanterns, casting a soft glow over the bustling gathering. Gabimaru sat amidst his fellow shinobi at a long, robust table filled with a feast of roasted chicken, crispy golden potatoes, bowls of vibrant vegetables, and an array of drinks, from water and soda to stronger ales for the older shinobi. Platters overflowed with freshly made food, and the aroma of spices and herbs mingled pleasantly in the warm air. Glasses clinked, laughter echoed, and an unmistakable cheer filled the room. Gabimaru's acceptance into UA High was the reason for this celebration, and everyone around him radiated pride and excitement.
Despite the joy around him, Gabimaru's face remained unreadable, his golden eyes betraying a hint of discomfort. He shifted slightly, looking as though he were out of place amid their merriment.
One of the shinobi clapped a hand on Gabimaru's shoulder, grinning widely. "Why the sour face, Gabimaru? Tonight's about you! Our very own Gabimaru, accepted into Japan's top hero academy. That's a big deal!"
Another shinobi leaned in, his eyes twinkling. "This is incredible! You're on your way to becoming a real hero. That's something to celebrate, my friend!"
Gabimaru glanced around at their eager faces and sighed. "Why are you all making such a fuss? I haven't even completed my mission yet," he murmured, his voice calm but edged with confusion. He genuinely didn't understand the purpose of their celebration.
A chorus of laughter met his statement, and one shinobi threw an arm around him. "Oh, come on, Gabimaru. Are you serious right now? You've been accepted into the best academy in Japan! That's huge!"
Another shinobi chimed in, eyes shining with admiration. "You're going to be a famous hero one day, Gabimaru. You've already impressed the academy; this is just the beginning for you."
But Gabimaru merely gave a bland look. "We shinobi can never truly be heroes. I'll leave UA as soon as my mission is complete," he said, a hint of finality in his tone.
The room fell into a brief silence, and a few shinobi exchanged glances, frowning. One of them shook his head, rolling his eyes. "You're no fun, Gabimaru," he muttered with a smirk.
Gabimaru shrugged. "What?"
They leaned in closer, their faces full of anticipation and energy, as one shinobi slapped a folded newspaper onto the table. "Listen, this is the world you're about to enter, Gabimaru," he said, gesturing at the headline. "Look, they've already written about you in the papers! You broke the record for the entrance exam!"
Gabimaru's eyes widened slightly as he picked up the newspaper, staring at the article in stunned silence. "The press has scary sources," he murmured, shaking his head. "I thought the exam results were supposed to be confidential."
One of his friends chuckled. "Nothing is a secret when it comes to UA High. Besides, you're about to be the face of our clan in the sports festival! Don't let those spoiled kids beat you. As a shinobi, you've got a reputation to uphold!"
They closed in, their eager faces just inches from his own, hoping he'd say something, anything, that would show a spark of enthusiasm. But before Gabimaru could reply, a deep, gravelly laugh erupted from a shadowed corner of the room.
Seated alone at a small table, a veteran shinobi named Marco—a tall, scarred figure with a single, fierce eye—watched the scene with a derisive smirk. His left eye bore an old scar, rendering it blind, but his good eye gleamed with amusement.
"Are you all idiots?" Marco's voice rumbled through the hall, cutting through the chatter. "You want Gabimaru the Hollow to become a hero and stay at that ridiculous academy? He's nothing but a weapon, a perfect tool for our leader's will. This so-called 'hero' won't hesitate to kill his target the first day he sets foot in UA, and he'll be right back here before you know it." Marco took a long drink from his glass, chuckling darkly. "That's the Gabimaru I know."
The atmosphere grew tense as several shinobi turned to glare at Marco, anger flaring in their eyes. "You'd better take that back, Marco," one of them snapped. "Gabimaru… he's our friend!"
"Friend?" Marco laughed, his voice a harsh, mocking bark that echoed through the hall. "Friend? This is the kid who beat us all senseless in training, turned every 'routine exercise' into a bloodbath. How many injuries did he leave you with in those 'friendly' spars when you were kids? You're really calling him a friend?"
Gabimaru's golden eyes narrowed, a flash of annoyance breaking through his usual composure. He stood slowly, his silence commanding the room's attention. The hall fell into a hush, the lively atmosphere frozen. Even Marco's mocking smile faltered, though he managed to mask his unease with a wry grin.
"What's wrong, Gabimaru?" Marco taunted, trying to keep his voice steady. "Planning to take my other eye too?"
Gabimaru's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he lowered his head. "You're right, Marco. I probably don't deserve this celebration." He paused, his voice quieter but firm. "But… maybe this is my chance to leave this place behind. I'm… sorry for everything."
A stunned silence fell over the room. Marco stared at him, genuinely taken aback. Gabimaru—the same boy he'd mocked and belittled—had responded with something unexpected, something almost like sincerity. Marco scoffed in disbelief, rising from his chair with a sneer. "Are you out of your mind, kid? Don't even try to play at being noble. If you think you're going soft on us, I'll knock some sense back into you."
Gabimaru's friends watched him for a few seconds, processing his unexpected words. Then, just as quickly as the tension had formed, it shattered as Gabimaru, with a slight smile, sprang up in a blur of movement. He vaulted toward the ceiling, smashing straight through the wooden planks with a swift, powerful leap, disappearing into the night sky.
A collective groan filled the hall as his friends watched the newly formed hole in the ceiling. One of them sighed, shaking his head with a resigned smile. "There he goes again. So… who's going to fix the ceiling this time, guys?"
.
.