"Go to the battlefield? What nonsense is this?" Naruto stood downstairs, about to pull the wind chime again, when he suddenly heard Ino's voice from above.
While he was still dazed, the shop door in front of him was pulled open as if by the wind. A familiar scent rushed into his arms, and before he could speak, he was swiftly dragged away.
"Hey."
"Don't talk!" Ino clattered a few steps, pulling Naruto into the dim alley next door. She pressed him against the wall and said fiercely, "Are you stupid?"
"What?" Naruto was still confused, "Wrong way to knock?"
"Wrong! Very wrong!" Ino made an 'X' with her hands, excitedly saying, "Didn't I tell you to come when you have time? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Don't I have time now?"
"That's not what I mean! Ugh, you should understand!" Ino gave him a light shove, "Are you stupid? The war has already started. Wait a few days, and you won't have to get scolded."
"Getting scolded isn't a big deal anyway," Naruto said with a look of indifference, "I'd actually be happy if your father scolded me. Wait until he becomes a grandfather, and let's see how awkward he gets."
"You're really..." Ino laughed, knowing he was joking.
The two had a tacit understanding. The closer the war was, the more likely the Yamanaka couple would agree. But similarly, the pressure would be greater these few days. Whoever went against the wind would have a hard time.
Ino wanted Naruto to come later, but she didn't expect him to show up suddenly as if he hadn't understood. If they sat at the same table now, Naruto would definitely be the one drawing fire.
"What's the situation in Konoha anyway?" Naruto changed the subject, "I went out to buy gifts today. When I came back, the village was in a panic."
"I don't know." Ino really didn't know, as she hadn't even left the house.
"It's normal to have war. I wouldn't even be surprised if someone fought all the way to the Valley of the End. But what's strange is why Kakashi couldn't lock down the news?" He muttered.
Suddenly, Ino also realized the key point and turned sharply to look at Naruto.
"You mean... there's a spy in the village?"
"Most likely. Kakashi has probably already ordered the Anbu to investigate." Naruto said, "Anyway, the village isn't very safe either. I won't leave the village until the situation is completely stable."
"You don't need to worry too much. My father will be staying in the village for a while."
"The Intelligence Division is quite far from the flower shop, right? There will be times when he can't keep an eye on things." He said tactfully, "And with the war tense, the Intelligence Division will have to go to the frontline too."
Actually, he could handle it if he put his mind to it, but why bother? If the village only had some White Zetsu, then he had a reason to stay with Ino.
At least for these ten days to half a month, he needed to be present. Later... later, everything would naturally be resolved. He couldn't leave the village and give anyone an opportunity.
"Then let's talk about the wedding later. With the war imminent, there's no suitable time now." Ino said, arms crossed, standing just two hand-widths away from him, her expression serious.
"That's not for us to decide. We need to ask your parents." He waved his hand with unquestionable tone, "Let's ask your father first. See how he wants to beat me up."
"Pfft! My father would never hit anyone!" Ino was amused, perhaps picturing Inoichi resorting to violence, or perhaps using this moment alone with him to release some pressure.
War meeting marriage often brought more worry. Naruto knew some of what would happen in the future. Even if it wasn't entirely accurate, he at least had some idea.
But for Ino, this was her first time facing war directly. And as luck would have it, she was pregnant at this time. She had reservations, and many things couldn't be done.
The emotions of becoming a mother were complex. It was as if her life as a girl had been abruptly completely stripped away. Even if she tried not to think about it, various emotions kept surfacing.
Thankfully, Shinobi's constitutions were very good. For most Kunoichi, childbirth was easier than for ordinary people. Recovery was also faster, and the probability of sequelae was small.
But it was still pregnancy, not a movie where a few cutscenes later, spring turns to winter, and the child is born. It was a very long time… so long that a single night could be divided into seven or eight segments.
Shaking the thoughts from her head, Ino looked at Naruto, and Naruto looked back at her.
"Do you want to listen to the baby's heartbeat?" She asked.
"Yes." Naruto agreed. He crouched down and listened for a while but heard nothing.
Looking up, he saw Ino covering her mouth, laughing, a triumphant smile on her face. Just like the girl who had the upper hand in the alley six years ago, she tapped his forehead.
"It hasn't even been three months. Where would the heartbeat come from? Silly!"
It seemed that after stepping into the role of mother, Ino had become more open-minded about many things and more tolerant. Especially against the backdrop of war, this was even more true.
Under the flickering lights, Naruto still carried the gifts upstairs and honestly endured a scolding. He kept his head down and played the obedient kid the entire time, thinking, 'I'll just get even with your grandson or granddaughter later.'
'Anyway, favor the grandchild, not the child. I'll be a strict father and openly beat your grandson or granddaughter when they grow up.'
Finally, Inoichi tired of scolding. He took a sip of tea, his face still livid.
"What do you plan to do?"
"Get married."
"Nonsense!"
"Father-in-law is right."
"What do you mean I'm right?! And don't call me father-in-law! Who's your father-in-law?!" Inoichi was furious, wishing he could slap this shameless guy to death.
Unfortunately, the other party was too shameless and the matter was already settled.
"Yes, yes, Father-in-law." Naruto said, still letting it go in one ear and out the other, but his attitude was good.
Ino kicked him under the table, telling him to tone it down. Only then did he get up to refill Inoichi's tea, while Rino was still preparing snacks.