Making 100 Friends?

Since Gaara seemed to have gone through some weird enlightenment, Yuna decided not to bother him and Shukaku anymore.

The first goal was for those two to become somewhat friendly with each other, and Gaara also seemed to have that intention, so Yuna decided to let him do what he wants. The worst-case scenario was that Gaara gets tempted by Shukaku to remove the seal, but on the one hand, Shukaku wasn't exactly a subtle schemer. On the other hand, multiple fail-safes were built into the seal, so everything should be fine.

Yuna, Kurama, and Fuu were walking towards the place where Chomei was sealed, while Fuu had an annoyed pout on her face.

"That's so annoying; why didn't Shukaku agree to become my friend?"

Yuna could only chuckle when she heard Fuu's words.

"Well, constantly harassing someone until they become your friend isn't exactly the best method for making friends."

"Eh? But aren't you using the same method?"

"Well, not really. Although it may appear like that, my friendship with Kurama is actually built on our deep trust in each other and certain similarities we share."

Fuu pondered Yuna's words for a short moment and glanced at Kurama. So far, he always more or less denied being friends with Yuna, but now he actually kept quiet and didn't argue with Yuna.

'I see. Although they frequently argue with each other, they do trust in each other when it actually matters.'

After contemplating Yuna's words a bit more, Fuu realized something else.

"You said you are fine with becoming friends with me, but I don't think there is any reason for you to trust me like that, right?"

"Indeed. I heard that your goal is to make 100 friends, and although I find that rather weird, I am not dismissing it at all. What you should think about is what kind of friends you want those 100 people to be.

Do you want them to be your friends casually, like the two of us currently are? In that case, most of them would probably be willing to help you if you had some minor problem, but that is as far as they would be willing to go.

Or do you want it to be like it is with Kurama and me? Two people willing to fight together until they breathe their last breath?"

When Fuu heard Yuna's last question, her eyes widened in surprise, and she immediately looked at Kurama as if she wanted to ask him for confirmation.

However, Kurama only continued walking, like Yuna's words weren't even worth commenting on. Despite not saying anything, Fuu knew that Kurama agreed with what Yuna just claimed.

'I see, I never put much thought into it, but there really are a lot of different kinds of friends. There is a vast difference between becoming friends with someone and trusting a person unconditionally. If I had to answer Yuna's question about what kind I want my 100 friends to be, then it is obviously the second type, but I don't think that is possible. In fact, I don't think even making one friend like that is easy.'

While Fuu was sinking in deep contemplation, Yuna couldn't help but chuckle a little. Although it wasn't easy, she finally managed to make Fuu think a bit more deeply about her goal. After all, there really was no point in just asking a bunch of people to be Fuu's friend and have them halfheartedly agree to it.

Silence descended onto the trio. While Kurama and Yuna were simply enjoying the silence, Fuu was deeply thinking about Yuna's words, and a few minutes later, a determined glint appeared in her eyes.

"I will do it. I will make 100 friends, and every single one of them will share a deep trust with me. The bonds that casual friends share are not strong enough to prevent a war, so there is no real point. If I manage to gain strong bonds with people from every nation, it will be possible to prevent wars!"

When Yuna heard Fuu's words, she was dumbfounded at first, but she started laughing aloud moments later.

"HAHAHA, GOOD! VERY GOOD! It is a naïve goal, but I approve of it. Only by dreaming big can you reach greatness! I am looking forward to you achieving your dream!"

Fuu was momentarily stunned but Yuna's sudden switch in mood, but when she heard that Yuna liked her dream, a happy smile appeared on her face.

"Haha, that's right. It won't be easy, but I will definitely achieve it. My first goal is for the Nanabi and me to reach the same level of trust you and Kurama have! After that, you are my next goal, Yuna!"

[*Urgh* She really shouldn't say it like that.]

'Indeed, if Hinata heard those words, things might get dangerous for Fuu.'

Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Hinata abruptly lifted up her head and looked around with a frown on her face.

"I could have sworn that something just happened with Yuna, but the feeling vanished instantly. How weird."

A few minutes later, the trio entered the place where Chomei was sealed. Unlike Shukaku, there was no cage around Chomei, and instead, she was trapped within seven monoliths.

Before Yuna or Kurama could say anything, Fuu strode past them, and just like with Shukaku, she pointed her finger at Chomei.

"My name is Fuu, and you are sealed within me. Since we will spend a lot of time together, let's become friends."

Yuna could only facepalm when she heard Fuu's words. A short while ago, she said that simply pestering people with becoming friends won't work out, and now she is doing it again, anyway.

Yuna was just about to reprimand Fuu when Chomei started speaking.

[Hahaha, it seems like I am especially lucky to have a nice host. I am Lucky Seven Chomei, and I accept your friendship request. Let's get along from now on, Fuu!]

Yuna almost faceplanted when Chomei happily accepted Fuu's request. Kurama certainly told her that Chomei had a happy-go-lucky personality, but she didn't think it would be this bad.

When Fuu heard that Chomei accepted her friendship and even told her her name, a smug smile appeared on her face as she looked back at Yuna.

Yuna could only chuckle wryly when she saw Fuu's facial expression.

'Well, that was easier than I thought it would be. Considering what you told me about Chomei, I doubt she would do something like that, but I guess I should at least make sure that she isn't tricking Fuu.'

[That's true, I guess. Not that I would care about what happens to Fuu, though.]

'Sure, sure.'