Naruto, holding his bento box, walked to the back of the classroom with a sincere smile and stopped in front of Shikamaru and Choji.
"You're Shikamaru and Choji, right? I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Want to have lunch together?"
Shikamaru lifted an eyelid and slowly looked Naruto over. "Mhm, I know you. The guy who was really strong in taijutsu class yesterday."
His gaze went past Naruto's shoulder and glanced at Satsuki, who was sitting alone at her desk. "Aren't you eating with Satsuki?"
The atmosphere in the classroom changed subtly. The eyes of many of the little boys unconsciously drifted to the empty seat beside Satsuki, but no one dared to approach. The power Satsuki had displayed in taijutsu class yesterday had earned her the awe of her peers.
Naruto looked back at Satsuki. "It's fine," he said, turning back with a smile. "I'll join her later. How should I put it..."
He scratched his cheek. "I just get the feeling you two are good guys, and I wanted to get to know you."
Choji, who had been unwrapping his bento, suddenly stopped. An incredulous expression appeared on his face. Because of his size, he had been teased by other children since he was little. Only Shikamaru had never looked down on him. To have someone proactively say, "You seem like a good guy," was an unprecedented experience for him.
Choji's voice held a cautious probing. "Really?... Um, don't you think my figure is... a bit full?"
Naruto flashed a bright smile. "Full? For you, this figure is the most suitable, isn't it?"
"I know, you're from the Akimichi clan, right?" Naruto said, opening his own bento box. "For you, your figure is your 'power reserve.' Without a reserve, you can't send your enemies flying."
Shikamaru was somewhat relieved to hear this. Choji finally made a friend. He must be really happy. As expected, Choji was looking at Naruto with a touched expression.
"And... I'm actually a bit envious of you in that regard. The more you eat, the stronger you get. That's the best constitution in the world."
A moist sheen appeared in Choji's eyes. His voice was a bit choked. "Really... Thank you, Naruto. I'm so happy!"
To have his weight, which he had been teased about for years, be affirmed so positively for the first time, the joy made his heart pound.
"Mhm!" Naruto nodded happily and pushed his bento box towards the two. "Right, I made my own lunch. Want to try some? I'd be really happy if my new friends praised my cooking."
"Can I? Great! Then I won't be polite!"
Choji clasped his hands together and gave Naruto a solemn bow, his face full of gratitude.
Naruto used his chopsticks to pick up a piece of golden-fried food and gently placed it in Choji's bento box. "Try it?"
"Is this... some kind of fried food?" Choji carefully picked up the piece. He took a small bite—crunch.
A crisp sound echoed in his mouth, followed by the explosion of juicy chicken between his teeth. But what was even more surprising was the unique crispy texture of the outer layer—it had the distinct aroma of potatoes.
"This outer layer is... potato chips?!" Choji's eyes widened as he looked at the half-eaten piece of fried chicken in his hand in disbelief. The crushed potato chips perfectly coated the tender, juicy chicken.
Naruto nodded. This dish was tailored specifically for him. Fried chicken coated in crushed potato chips was a high-calorie American dish. It was a bit rich for Naruto, but it was perfect for the Akimichi clan.
"This is delicious! Who would have thought of coating fried chicken in potato chips! Are you a genius, Naruto?"
"You think so? If you like it, you can have all of this." Naruto smiled and pushed the remaining pieces of potato chip fried chicken from his bento to Choji's side. "I accidentally made too much when I was trying it out yesterday, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to finish it."
Choji was so moved he almost cried. He carefully accepted the offering with his chopsticks.
The sun gradually set, and the laughter in the classroom faded. The lunch break for Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji ended in pleasant conversation. Naruto packed his bento box, a lingering smile on his face.
"Right," Naruto suddenly suggested. "Want to go for ramen together tomorrow for lunch? My treat! Ichiraku's ramen is the best in Konoha!"
Choji's eyes widened at the words, his face filled with emotion. He excitedly patted his thick chest. "Since Naruto is treating us to ramen tomorrow, then I'll treat you guys to barbecue tonight!"
Shikamaru looked at his two enthusiastic friends with a lazy expression and sighed helplessly. "Ah~ what a drag... but since you guys are so insistent..."
After saying goodbye to the two, Naruto walked back to his seat, feeling particularly pleased. Just then, the long-awaited notification sound rang in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host: You have established a bond (Level 2) with the original character "Choji Akimichi"!]
[Points Awarded: 200!]
[Congratulations, Host: You have established an initial bond with the original character "Shikamaru Nara"!]
[Points Awarded: 100!]
A smile unconsciously spread across Naruto's lips, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Success!
He cheered inwardly. These two, who had formed the "ditching class squad" with him and Kiba in the original story, had now successfully become his friends.
Although their bond level wasn't high yet, with time, this friendship would surely deepen.
He looked back at Shikamaru and Choji, who were still chatting at the back of the classroom. Now, I just need to let this friendship grow naturally...
-------
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