Chapter 62 – watching the show
The instant Naruto finished eating, Ino stood without hesitation, her fair hand closing naturally around his wrist. With just enough pressure to make her intention unmistakable, she pulled him toward the door.
Inside, no one batted an eye; the scene had long since become routine.
Shikamaru didn't even lift his lids, lazily sipping the last of the fish broth in his bowl.
Sasuke, meal done, remained expressionless as ever, absorbed in polishing a kunai, deaf to the commotion around him.
Over the years they had watched this play out countless times; it no longer stirred the slightest ripple in their hearts.
Only Hinata, hands clenched tightly in her lap, fingertips whitening from the pressure, betrayed any reaction.
Head bowed, she screamed inside: When will I have the courage to walk straight up to Naruto-kun and take his hand, just like Ino?
Outside, the morning breeze carried the faint salt and moisture of the nearby sea as it drifted past.
Ino towed Naruto to the shade of a tree before finally letting go.
She tilted her face up, emerald eyes sparkling with open admiration and delight.
Only once they stood beneath the tree did she release him, eyes still shining:
"Naruto, that was so cool just now!"
Her voice rang clear, heartfelt praise in every syllable.
Golden ponytail dancing in the breeze, she looked like a bundle of sunlight come alive.
"That brat needed a good lesson!"
"Let's see if he dares throw tantrums again."
Naruto leaned back against the rough bark, a wry, tolerant smile tugging at his lips.
"The kid… his grandfather raised him crooked."
He spoke calmly, explaining.
"So young and already copying the old man—bullying the weak, scared of the strong, venting on innocent people."
Then his tone shifted, certain. "But he's still small; change his environment and the boy can still turn around."
After all, Xunzi said: 'When Peng grass grows among hemp it straightens without support; white sand placed in ink turns black.'
Mencius had the story of Mother Meng's Three Moves.
Environment shapes a person, deeply.
Ino pouted, toe scuffing absently at a pebble.
"Anyway, what've you been up to?" she switched topics, half-complaining. "You haven't come by forever; feels like ages since we talked."
Naruto gave a helpless chuckle, hands sliding into his pockets out of habit.
"Lately it's either training or missions—every slot's packed."
He gazed through the mist toward the vague line of the sea.
"And we're not on the same team; our breaks never line up, always miss each other."
Looking back at her, blue eyes sincere, he added, "I was stuck on the key to a new Ninjutsu till dawn yesterday, then headed straight here to help in the Land of Waves."
"Being able to stand here chatting is already a rare break."
Ino gave a soft hum, the last of her grievance melting like early-spring snow.
"Next time… next time you're free, promise you'll call me."
Naruto nodded solemnly.
Suddenly remembering something amusing, his eyes lit up. "By the way, how's business at the Yamanaka flower shop?"
"Last time I passed by you'd gotten in some new hydrangeas—blooming like great clouds of dreamy blue-purple mist."
Hand-bred hydrangeas can blossom from April to July, sometimes even a second flush between September and November.
Ino's eyes sparkled; flowers were her favorite subject.
The whole family loved them.
Instantly animated, she bubbled, "Ah, those hydrangeas! I hand-picked the premium batch—perfect weather, peak bloom!"
"Besides them we've got rare new orchids, and…"
Words tumbled out, quick and light, as she updated him on shop stock and market prices.
Naruto listened quietly, smile gentle, attention fully on her.
Now and then he slipped in a question or a word of praise, keeping the stream of conversation flowing.
"Youth really is wonderful."
Kakashi lounged on the wooden step, chin propped in one hand, his visible right eye curving in amused crescents as he watched the pair under the cherry tree.
"Yeah."
Asuma arrived hand in hand with Kurenai Yuhi and sat beside Kakashi.
Though still pale from blood loss, Kurenai looked far better today—strong enough to walk on her own.
Leaning against Asuma, she regarded Naruto and Ino with tender warmth.
"Seeing them so full of life reminds me of us back then—just as bright."
"Of our generation only Guy's still running on pure youth."
Kakashi sighed.
At the word youth he could almost see that green-suited, bowl-cut teammate flashing a blinding grin and shouting the word.
Right—Kiba's was a flashing fang too.
They were only twenty-six, twenty-seven, yet already nostalgic for someone else's younger days.
The others weren't as indifferent as they pretended.
Kiba and Akamaru, two heads stacked together, peered curiously over the windowsill.
Shino hid behind the swaying curtain, only his observant eyes visible.
Shikamaru and Choji lounged nearby, pretending to enjoy the shade while their ears strained.
Sakura and Hinata peeked through the half-open door.
When Naruto, chat with Ino finished, glanced back, he found the eaves packed with comrades.
Each cradled snacks Choji had generously supplied, munching contentedly while they stared—an audience waiting for the next act.
"You Guys…"
Naruto was caught between laughter and despair at the shameless spectators.
Ino's cheeks flamed scarlet; she stamped her foot and snapped, "What are you looking at! There's nothing to see!"
Kakashi, still lounging, lazily turned a page of the innocuously jacketed Romantic Ninjutsu Tales of Shimura side-story and replied without looking up, "Carry on. Don't mind us; we're just passing by and resting our feet."
Asuma, fighting a grin, added solemnly, "Absolutely. We've just finished lunch and came out for air—enjoying the morning breeze of the Land of Waves."
He even performed an exaggerated deep breath to prove it.
Even Kurenai, still recovering, couldn't hold back a soft laugh, pale face tinged with rare color at their teasing.
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