Chapter 41:
"Sensei feels much more at ease now. From today onward, I'll be handing over your monthly living expenses to you two to manage yourselves. But you absolutely cannot waste it…"
Iruka ate the onigiri in his hand, still feeling a bit worried about letting the two boys handle the money themselves.
But children had to grow up eventually. At least they had made a good start.
Naruto had grown taller and gained a little weight on his face. He was still very thin, but he was clearly heading in a better direction.
"I'll manage the money."
After putting away his own share, Sasuke turned and stared at Naruto.
Only after Naruto reluctantly handed over his money with a pitiful look did Sasuke give him a satisfied glance.
Money was safer when kept together.
"You two go back to class now. Lessons are about to start."
Iruka watched Naruto's pitiful but obedient expression and laughed again. He no longer had to worry about Naruto not having friends.
However, the mission the Third Hokage had given him still needed more thought.
Naruto needed new friends — this had to be arranged carefully.
Who in the class could become friends with Naruto…
......
"Nara Shikamaru! Akimichi Choji! Inuzuka Kiba! And Uzumaki Naruto! You four, go stand outside the door!"
Only half a day into class, the four boys who had been sleeping on their desks were called out and walked to the hallway with helpless expressions.
"I wasn't even sleeping that much… this is only the first time today…"
Naruto stood at the door with a wronged face, looking at Iruka. But under Iruka's fierce glare, he still obediently stood against the wall outside the classroom.
"So unlucky… Akamaru got sick last night and I stayed up all night taking care of him. I didn't sleep at all. Sensei never cared when I slept before…"
Inuzuka Kiba hugged the small Akamaru in his arms, looking worried and protective.
"It really is strange…"
Akimichi Choji took out a bag of potato chips from his pocket and started crunching away.
Nara Shikamaru didn't say much. He simply leaned against the wall, tilted his head back to look at the ceiling, and quietly pondered the teacher's intentions.
"But I still think Naruto is the unluckiest. He sleeps almost every day, but today Iruka-sensei is in a bad mood, so he got dragged out too…"
Inuzuka Kiba suddenly turned to look at the silent Naruto.
"Actually, I suspect Iruka-sensei went on a blind date during the break and it failed…"
Naruto looked at the three boys and roughly understood Iruka's goal.
But he couldn't say it out loud, and…
Since the higher-ups wanted to arrange it this way, there was no need for him to refuse.
Having a few more people to talk to wasn't bad. They could skip class together and wander around…
After all, he couldn't do that kind of thing with Sasuke — Sasuke's image wasn't suited for it.
"It's possible. I heard Iruka-sensei's dream is to marry a gentle wife…"
Once the gossip started, Inuzuka Kiba's eyes lit up.
Standing in punishment was boring. Now that they had a topic, they might as well chat to pass the time.
"I thought Iruka-sensei's dream was to eat all kinds of delicious food…"
Akimichi Choji munched on his chips and joined the conversation.
Only Nara Shikamaru leaned against the wall, closing and then opening his eyes again. When he looked at Naruto, there was a hint of deep thought in his gaze.
"You guys should be careful. If Iruka-sensei hears you, he might call your parents. That would be troublesome…"
Seeing the three of them talking loudly (their voices could probably be heard inside the classroom), Nara Shikamaru decided to at least try to stop them a little.
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