Right now, the situation was completely different.
Shinomiya Uzumaki had completely ignored the two old men and, naturally, he wouldn't treat himself poorly either.
The first day of obtaining Wood Style: I want to protect Konoha!
The day after obtaining Wood Style: I want to protect my Konoha!
At this moment, he could do whatever he wanted.
"This... doesn't feel appropriate," Naruto mumbled.
"They all call me a fox monster..."
Even though he was excited, there was still hesitation in his heart. It was fine to visit once in a while, but if he always went to Shinomiya's house, what would happen if someone saw them together?
Would they start excluding Shinomiya too?
He didn't want his only friend to be criticized like he was.
However, Shinomiya Uzumaki waved off his concerns.
"There are only two kinds of people in this world," he said with a casual smile. "Do you know which ones they are?"
Naruto tilted his head curiously. "Which two?"
Ino, who had been listening quietly, perked up as well. She had never heard Shinomiya talk like this before.
Shinomiya smirked. "One is an insignificant ant. The other is a friend."
"Do you think I care about what the ants think?"
His words left Naruto and Ino stunned.
"Ahhhhh! Chōji is dead! Who taught you this corny line?!" Ino shrieked in mock horror, goosebumps rising all over her skin.
Naruto twitched, the corners of his mouth lifting uncontrollably.
"Not bad, huh?"
"When Uchiha Madara said something like this, I thought it was pretty cool. Why does it sound so cringey coming from me?" Shinomiya thought to himself, feeling helpless.
Naruto and Ino, however, still looked somewhat embarrassed.
"Alright, alright, enough of that. Let's go eat," Shinomiya said quickly, changing the subject before running ahead.
Ino sighed. Shinomiya had officially become the group clown.
Naruto covered his mouth and snickered behind him.
A Meal for Two... Or Not?
Ten minutes later, the three of them stopped in front of a well-known restaurant.
The sign above read: "Biyi Bird."
What stood out about the place was that most of the customers came in pairs. Very few people dined alone.
The reason? The restaurant offered a 20% discount for couples.
"This is it!" Shinomiya declared confidently.
"I haven't tried the food yet, but with a discount like that? It's already a great choice."
As he stepped forward, he completely missed the subtle expressions on Ino and Naruto's faces.
Ino folded her arms, her lips curling in amusement.
"They offer discounts for couples, huh?" she said teasingly. "Do you have a partner? Singles don't get that benefit, you know."
"The lonely Mr. Shinomiya Uzumaki."
Shinomiya turned around suddenly, giving her a look that was difficult to describe.
"How do you know I don't?"
Ino blinked. That look made her uncomfortable.
"W-What? What are you trying to do? You better not be thinking of pulling anything weird!" she huffed, looking away.
Shinomiya chuckled.
"Alright, alright, you stay here and keep acting tough. Naruto and I will go in first."
"Eh?" Naruto blinked.
"Let's go, Naruto, don't just stand there."
"W-Wait, we're going in together?"
"Of course."
Before Naruto could protest further, Shinomiya had already dragged him inside.
Ino's eyes widened. "You… You guys are serious?!"
Inside, the two boys sat down as a waiter placed menus on the table.
"What would you like to order?" the waiter asked with a polite smile.
Shinomiya didn't hesitate. "We'll take two of the 'One Heart, One Soul' set meals, please."
The waiter hesitated.
"Uh… That's a special couple's set meal," he said hesitantly, eyeing the two boys.
Shinomiya, unfazed, casually wrapped an arm around Naruto.
"Obviously, we are."
The waiter blinked. Then, without a word, turned and left.
A few minutes later, the restaurant owner came out personally.
"Alright, kids, don't cause trouble here."
"Wuhu! Take off!"
Before they knew it, both Shinomiya and Naruto were unceremoniously tossed out of the restaurant.
The two of them landed in front of Ino's feet in a perfect arc.
Shinomiya lifted his head, forcing an awkward but polite smile.
"Hi, Ino."
A large vein bulged on Ino's forehead.
She grabbed Shinomiya's collar. "This is humiliating!"
Naruto, meanwhile, was curled up, laughing uncontrollably.
Even while being shaken by Ino, Shinomiya still had the nerve to strategize.
"I have a new idea. This time, it'll definitely work."
"Naruto, don't you know a Transformation Jutsu? Just use that, and we'll have no problem!"
Naruto turned bright red. "Uh… I don't think that's a good idea…"
Ino groaned, her patience running out.
"What ridiculous plan are you thinking of now?!"
"How can you call it ridiculous?" Shinomiya argued. "Naruto's Transformation Jutsu is so good that even the Third Hokage acknowledged it!"
"Get lost!"
Ino sighed, massaging her temples.
"I really can't deal with you. Fine! I'll go in with you! Happy now?"
To prevent Shinomiya from coming up with another insane plan, she had no choice but to go along with it.
Shinomiya's eyes lit up. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Ino gritted her teeth and kicked him in frustration.
Shinomiya patted his pants, stood up, dusted himself off, and… walked in the opposite direction.
"Shinomiya, that's the wrong way," Naruto pointed out.
"No, it's not," Shinomiya said with a smirk.
"I've settled my own meal issue. Now it's time to solve your problem."
Naruto and Ino looked at each other in confusion.
They had no idea what Shinomiya was planning, but they followed anyway.
The three of them arrived at the entrance of a prestigious compound—the residence of the Hyuga Clan.
Operation: Ignite the Flames
A Hyuga guard sat lazily at the entrance, looking bored.
Shinomiya stepped forward, flashing a friendly smile.
"Hello, we're here to see Hinata."
"…Hinata?"
Ino frowned slightly, just now realizing what Shinomiya was up to.
Naruto's face burned as realization struck him.
Wait. This guy isn't seriously trying to bring Hinata to pretend to be my girlfriend for dinner… right?
Sure, he and Hinata had shared a few moments when they were younger. But they weren't that close… were they?
Before Naruto could figure out how to respond, a cold, disdainful voice interrupted him.
"Tch. Get lost, kid. Lady Hinata isn't someone you can just see whenever you want."
"Scram."
The Hyuga guard waved his hand dismissively, signaling them to leave.
Shinomiya's polite smile froze.
A moment of silence passed.
Then, he cracked his knuckles.
"I promised myself I wouldn't hit a smiling person…" he muttered.
"But why is it… that when I come here…"
His fingers twitched.
"I suddenly feel like reaching out… and beating the smiling man violently?"
Before the Hyuga guard could process the words, Shinomiya Uzumaki took a step forward.
Naruto and Ino could already tell.
This man was about to cause trouble.
And it was going to be spectacular.
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