"Icha-Icha Paradise: House of Flying Panties! I've been waiting for the release of this special limited platinum edition for weeks!" Naruto said. Honoka shook her head at Naruto's infamous antics while Hana looked at the younger male incredulously as he took one of the books and headed over to the counter. When he got there, he found someone in front of him with a long buttoned up coat and hood over his head covering most of his face with dark sunglasses over his eyes. Naruto also noticed that the man in front of him was purchasing the same book but he didn't want his identity to be made known. Naruto already knew who this man was.
Ebisu; as big of a closet pervert as ever, Naruto snickered under his breath after the disguised Ebisu purchased the book and made a quick exit out of the store after seeing Hana and Kuromaru inside the store. He didn't want his scent to be identified by either of the two though he was unaware that Naruto already knew who he was. Naruto went over to the clerk and placed the book down for it to be scanned. The clerk looked at Naruto who was grinning brightly before he sighed and took the book and scanned it for the Genin. After seeing the price, Naruto took out some money and paid for the book and made his way over to where Hana and Honoka were.
"He let you buy that book without any problems despite your age?" Honoka asked in disbelief.
"Don't undermine me now Honoka-nee. Like you said earlier during the meeting at the Hokage Tower, by shinobi standards, being a ninja makes me a legal adult now thus my age is irrelevant. Therefore, I'm not bound to rules that minors like Konohamaru are restricted to," Naruto replied with a mischievous smile.
"He has a point, as much as I hate to admit it," Hana added as she watched Naruto open the book and start reading it while making his way out of the store without missing a step.
"I wonder if that was also a skill he acquired from Kakashi," Honoka remarked as she and Hana watched how Naruto was able to keep walking with his eyes glued to his new book without crashing into anyone or anything. The two females followed the now blushing and giggling Naruto out of the store to their next destination.
(At A Dango Shop)
Hinata, Kiba, and Shino were standing outside the shop waiting for Kurenai to show up. Hinata only arrived several minutes ago, though the other two boys were waiting for a bit longer before her arrival.
"I hope Kurenai-sensei gets here soon. Before I headed over here, I was told that my mother wants me back as soon as possible. I was informed that we're having Naruto and Honoka over and that everyone in the clan had to be there."
"That's sweet," Hinata replied. "Is this the first time Naruto-kun has been invited over?"
Kiba felt embarrassed by the question, but admitted, "It is. Up until now, Naruto never came by, nor was he ever invited."
"Likewise, I share your sentiments. There has been no occasion in which Naruto had been invited over to my clan's compound. Many in Konoha find my clan's nature and ability of housing an entire bug colony in our bodies to be disturbing, grotesque, and to others, gross. Quite honestly, I never attempted to learn what Naruto's point of view of me and my clan would be."
"I-If you were to take the time to get to know h-h-him better, I'm m-more than certain you'd be surprise h-h-how much he can understand your words and feelings," Hinata said. Shino looked at Hinata curiously as he thought about what she said, and wondered how Naruto could relate to him and his clan's feelings about things. Before he could think on the matter further, Kurenai appeared in a swirl of leaves via Shunshin. In her hands were three forms for her team.
"Hinata, Kiba, Shino," Kurenai greeted and continued, "I have here the forms I mentioned. I'm signing you three up for the Chuunin Exams which will commence in two days."
The three Genins each took a form given to them by their sensei.
"D-Do y-you really t-think we're r-ready for the…Chuunin Exams?" Hinata asked as meekly and nervously as possible. Kurenai always knew that Hinata had issues with self-confidence, and even while having her as her student she was still having some difficulties in her training. Recently though she heard how Hinata had started making improvements in her clan's Juuken to the point that her younger sister couldn't beat her as easily or as fast as before. Hiashi himself praised and complimented Hinata for her progress, and that in itself was an accomplishment Kurenai was happy to hear of.
"I wouldn't have allowed any of you to sign up for it if I didn't believe that you three could handle it. I won't lie to you. The Chuunin Exams won't be easy at all, and it will test your abilities as ninja in terms of your leadership and teamwork capabilities. But if any of you don't believe yourselves ready for it, then I won't force it upon you," Kurenai said.
"Back down!? Are you kidding? There's no way in hell I'm backing down after coming this far!" Kiba said while signing the form.
"I'm in," Shino simply replied.
"I'm in t-too," Hinata said. Kurenai nodded, happy to see her team's resolve to accept the challenge. All three Genin signed their forms and handed them back to Kurenai.
"Good. With these forms now signed, I'll submit them immediately and inform the Hokage that my team will also participate in the Chuunin Exams. Until then, you three are free to have the rest of today and tomorrow to yourselves," Kurenai said before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
"I don't know about you guys but I have to head back to my clan's compound to meet up with Naruto and everyone else there. I'm sure you'd like to come and be there alongside your personal boy toy, eh Hinata?" Kiba teased.
Hinata blushed crimson and replied, "Kiba! Don't t-tease m-me like that."
"But you know it's true," Kiba laughed, "But really, you can come along if you want."
"Thanks, but this is a special occasion, and Naruto-kun already came to introduce Honoka-san to my clan yesterday. I prefer to give him his space when he needs it," Hinata said.
"I can respect that. I guess that was why you used to hide behind objects from a distance just so you can see him!" Kiba teased and laughed.
Hinata blushed again, but this time she giggled in good humor and replied, "That was the past. I have no need to do that anymore."
"Because Naruto is all you need, huh?" Kiba added.
"You're too much," Hinata laughed lightly before turning and walking off, "There's someplace I have to go; something important I have to take care of before the Chuunin Exams begins. I'll see you both later."
Hinata darted off to her next destination. When she was out of sight, Kiba turned and started walking off himself.
"See you whenever, Shino," Kiba said. Shino merely nodded before he also started walking off. Kiba was making a good pace back home when both he and Akamaru caught sight of Hana and Kuromaru, and the two Uzumaki with them.
"Yo Naruto, Hana, Honoka!" Kiba called out grabbing the gang's attention. Naruto looked up from his book over to where the voice came from. Kiba hurried over and joined them.
"Are you guys heading over to meet up with Mom and the others?" Kiba asked.
"We are," Hana answered.
"Though she's your mother, not ours," Naruto remarked, referring to himself and Honoka.
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