Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel

began. . "I just don't get why they hate me so much," Naruto muttered under his breath as he pushed himself back and forth on the wooden swing that was attached to the tree in front of the Academy. "Why does everyone hate me?" "Not everyone hates you—I just find you rather annoying." Naruto's head snapped up towards the newcomer, confused expression in place, which quickly turned into annoyance. It was none other than Nara Shikamaru, the Academy instructors' new rising star and unclaimed prodigy of their class. The kid was a freaking genius, both on paper and in a fight… As well as the only kid who ever stood up for him. "I know," Naruto chirped, grinning at the young Nara to hide his discomfort. Shikamaru grimaced. "You should stop smiling when you don't mean it. Everybody's just going to keep calling you stupid for that, and then I'd have to keep getting you out of those fights, which is just plain troublesome." Immediately, Naruto's expression turned downcast. "Thanks for sticking up for me today." Shikamaru shrugged as he sat down, leaning against the tree trunk and shaking leaves from the branches. Next to Shikamaru, Naruto got a leaf in his mouth, and he spluttered, disgusted at the taste of the leaf. "You're annoying, but that doesn't mean that others can treat you like that even if you are wrong…a lot of the time." "So says you, Mr. Know-It-All," Naruto snorted. "And don't you forget it," Shikamaru chimed back. "…." Naruto stayed quiet. Shikamaru appreciated the…