You're So Kind

During the midday hours, the five of them divided the tasks and finished all the preparations—except for catching fish.

Naruto patted Shikamaru on the shoulder from behind, causing the latter to turn and look at him in confusion.

"Let me take over."

Hearing this, Shikamaru sighed and reluctantly stood up, muttering, "Fishing is harder than it looks. No wonder I rarely saw my dad do it."

"It really is tough," Naruto agreed. Yet, within five minutes, he caught five fish, leaving Shikamaru staring in disbelief.

"No way! I saw you didn't even bait the hook once!"

"I've got a good relationship with the fish," Naruto replied with a grin.

"That's nonsense! That's not how it works!" Shikamaru exclaimed, clutching his head in frustration.

"There's no point explaining; you wouldn't believe me anyway," Naruto shrugged. He kept fishing until he had caught seven or eight fish, then stopped.

As Naruto began packing up his fishing rod to head back, Shikamaru came over to help. Naruto handed the rod to him, leaving Shikamaru to clean up while he stood by idly.

The cool mountain breeze swept over them, making them feel refreshed.

Hearing the laughter of Sakura and Ino not far away, Naruto nudged Shikamaru with his shoulder and said with a sigh, "Doesn't this feel like what summer is really supposed to be?"

"Summer vibes?" Shikamaru looked in the same direction as Naruto. Sakura and Ino were chatting while grilling fish, with Choji nearby snacking on chips. Behind them was the lush mountain forest, with the breeze weaving through.

"Who do you like more, Ino or Sakura?" Shikamaru asked lazily, his face as uninterested as ever.

"I just like the summer atmosphere," Naruto replied. "Though, I guess I do prefer girls who wear skirts."

"What difference does that make?" Shikamaru sighed, his expression mirroring his dad's. "Women are so troublesome."

"There's a big difference. Youth is inseparable from... well, certain things," Naruto said casually as he gazed around. "By the way, being a ninja is kind of lame. When I grow up, I'm definitely switching careers."

"Switch to what?" Shikamaru asked, unable to decide where to start with his criticisms.

"Something that lets me travel the world, just wandering around."

"Don't mean to burst your bubble, but you're still the village's Jinchuriki, right?" Shikamaru pulled Naruto closer and whispered, "Keep that kind of talk to yourself. Don't go around telling others."

"Got it," Naruto nodded, a bit exasperated. "But spending my whole life stuck in this village? That just doesn't sit right with me."

"There'll be missions, and you'll get chances to go outside," Shikamaru scratched his head. "But thinking about it, we'll probably end up like our parents, living our whole lives in this village."

"I don't feel dissatisfied, really. My dream is just to live a normal life—marry an ordinary wife, and do ordinary things every day."

"Tch," Naruto brushed off Shikamaru's arm. "People who say that are usually the ones who secretly like super pretty girls."

"Hey, Naruto! Shikamaru! What are you two dawdling for?" Ino shouted from a distance, hands on her hips, laughing. "The fish is ready, and we even brought barbecue ingredients. Come and eat!"

"Coming!" the two replied in unison, jogging over.

---

As night fell, the group dispersed.

Naruto had barely walked far when he heard hurried footsteps behind him. Konoha's streets were brightly lit, with shops glowing like streams of light weaving through the village.

"Wait!" Ino called out, slightly out of breath as she caught up, resting her hands on her waist.

"What's up?" Naruto asked, still preoccupied with Shikamaru's words from earlier, his mood somewhat subdued.

"I heard from Shikamaru that you're thinking about leaving the village?" Ino asked nervously.

"He told you that?" Naruto looked surprised.

"I... I made him tell me," Ino admitted, wringing her hands. "So, is it true?"

"Yeah," Naruto replied honestly.

"Why?"

Naruto didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, examining Ino carefully, his gaze almost as if he were appraising a piece of art.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ino stepped back, slightly flustered.

Her thoughts raced with regret—why had she acted so impulsively? Just because of a fleeting thought, she chased after him and asked outright. How embarrassing!

"Ino, you're so kind," Naruto said sincerely.

"Huh? Why... why are you suddenly saying that?" Ino's face flushed red. Her hands twisted together, and her words came out stammering.

Naruto's compliment was entirely genuine. Ino was one of the few ninjas he'd met who was both emotionally intelligent and truly sincere. She had run so far, against the flow, just to catch up to him out of concern for a friend.

Naruto was heading toward the Hokage Rock, not home.

"To be honest, I'm not sure myself," Naruto said seriously. "So I can't give you a definite answer. At least for the next few years, I don't plan to leave the village. Maybe someday, but that's a matter for the future."

Hearing this, Ino seemed reassured. She nodded, her cheeks still red. "I mean, if... if you liked someone someday, would you stay for her?"

"I think I like freedom more," Naruto said, hoping to set realistic expectations. Overpromising would only lead to complications.

"I understand."

"Mm." Naruto nodded, glancing toward the Hokage Rock. He suggested, "Since we're already here, want to go up for a walk?"

Ino didn't object, silently following Naruto up the mountain path. She said nothing, unusually quiet, and Naruto assumed the matter was settled.

Perhaps due to Naruto's recent diet of meat and milk, he was now as tall as Ino. Their figures walked one behind the other along the mountain trail.

The Hokage Rock(face wall/mountain) was brightly lit, with colorful lights adorning the path walls.

Looking at the familiar sight of the Hokage Rock(face wall), Naruto suddenly thought of Tayuya. He wondered if she had been eating well since they parted. Before, those four had been hopeless at anything other than fighting.

"Want some red bean dumplings?" Ino quickened her pace, handing him a bag of them.

"Sure," Naruto nodded eagerly. The sweet dumplings were a rare treat he wouldn't pass up.

Seeing Naruto's delight, Ino smiled and handed him a few skewers. "Here. I noticed last time you seemed to really like them."

"Thanks, Ino," Naruto said as he bit into one, speaking with his mouth full. "I'd never had them before."

By "before," Naruto referred to his life before coming to this world. He had never tried them and never had the chance after waking up here.

But to Ino, "before" meant Naruto's childhood. Her hand holding the skewer trembled slightly as she pressed her lips together silently.

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