Chapter 85

In the second grocer, Mr. Mitsuwa took over the tender from one of their cashiers and proceeded to charge Ino-in-Naruto's guise, four hundred and eighty ryo for a single candy bar when the price tag clearly says ten ryo. At the first word of outrage, Ino got Naruto banned from the grocery store for life.

Both Kurenai and Ino were shocked and regretful for getting Naruto banned. "Let's try not to ban him from the weapons shops," Kurenai says as they walk the crowded markets.

"Well, that asshole overcharged me by over four thousand percent for a stupid candy bar!" Ino yells, feeling an absolute need to defend herself. She hadn't even done anything wrong. More than that, Ino had done so much to avoid the blond blue-eyed boy, and now she's literally disguised as him. Ino was stressed enough. "I could buy premium steak for that amount!"

They walk the market toward their next destination. No longer disguised as Naruto, Kurenai explains to Ino as they walk, "it's critical shinobi fuel their body for maximum performance. I had wondered why instant ramen—a meal lacking many essential vitamins and minerals—seemed to be the only thing he eats. Now we know."

"I still don't see why this matters," Ino shamelessly admits. Sure she wasn't expecting to be treated like that but Naruto must've deserved it somehow. "For all we know, he probably pulled a prank on Mr. Mitsuwa," Ino reasons.

"That's a possibility," Kurenai agrees. "We're investigating because I want to know how much Uzumaki-kun is accountable for. Imagine what happened to you at Mitsuwa's happening to him all the time for no reason."

"That doesn't make any sense," Ino comments. "No one can be that mean for no reason. I'm certain Naruto's done something."

"Well let's see what we learn," Kurenai states.

Kurenai enters the familiar shinobi weapons shop, 'Ten Out of Ten,' a few minutes before Ino, henge'd as Naruto, strolls in as she imagines he does. Kurenai is greeted warmly by the man in Chinese garb. The shop's owner, Dānyī-san, is enthusiastically helping Kurenai, while Ino waits. Like Ino in her clan's flower shop, Dānyī-san's daughter also works in the weapons shop but the bun-haired girl refuses to help Ino-Naruto. Ino even calls to the girl, who only replies she's busy stocking.

Dānyī-san excuses himself from Kurenai, saying, "I'll only be but a moment, Yūhi-dono. I must deal with such a rude customer." The older man didn't have to walk far to tell Ino-Naruto, "I have nothing for you this month, so leave, boy!"

Unsure what the arrangement might be, Ino keeps it moving for Kurenai's reconnaissance, replying, "but I need to buy a field pack."

"Boy," the old Chinese man warns, heightening himself to tower over Ino-Naruto. "You should consider yourself lucky I'm even letting you buy our secondhand inventory. Without me, you'd be fishing through the recycling center for the broken and useless."

"B-But I'm a shinobi," Ino-Naruto returns. She's never heard of a shinobi weapons dealer refusing to sell to a shinobi. "I have ryo, I can buy your best!"

"These weapons are for true shinobi, not some demon Dead Last!" the man profanes. "Now get out of here before I ban you like all the other shops!"

Sure enough, every other weapons shop had violently reminded Ino-Naruto that he was banned. Throughout the day, they learned that it was not just the weapons shops but the wears, accessory, and armory shops as well. Restaurants were worse and even furniture stores were hostile. Ino couldn't believe it, yelling out in sheer frustration, "what the hell!" As they walk into Naruto's building, Ino also has to yell, "And why are we here?"

Kurenai was deep in thought, compiling a report of the day in her head as she passively answers, "the only other person he could ask to take care of Tori-chan is in the hospital, so he asked if I would feed her."

"Tori-chan?"

"A beautiful royal purple Sterling," Kurenai answers, thinking of the best feature inside his apartment, excluding the boy himself. As they ascend to the top floor, they both wonder why the hallway lights aren't on. Entering Naruto's apartment, they quickly learn the electricity is out, then eventually discover the water and power to the entire building is gone.

Even in the dark room, the Sterling wouldn't leave as Ino irately comments, "you know, it wouldn't surprise me if the landlord's charging him as much as a clan home to live in this dump."

"I'll figure out what's going on later," Kurenai conveys, hoping it's not what her brain is suggesting it is. "In the meantime, I think we gathered enough intel to move onto the second leg of the mission."

"Gathered enough aggravation you mean," Ino totes. "Kami, I was ready to kill someone! How could anyone who has the honor of selling clothes ever treat another human being like that? Fashion is beautiful and that idiot needs it more than anyone!"

"At least we're more aware of why he has so many jumpers," Kurenai adds. "The only place that would sell him an outfit has boxes of unsaleable merchandise."

"That orange garbage shouldn't exist in this world and he's selling it one at a time for as much as premium shinobi linen! How does Naruto not murder someone? And did everyone get together and just agree to call him a demon? 'Demon this,' and, 'Demon that…' It's… urgh!"

"Keep in mind this is more difficult for you because you're accustomed to a significantly different mode of address," Kurenai reminds the platinum-blond. "You're the heiress of the Yamanaka Clan and he's just an orphan no one likes. Obviously, they would treat you with more respect. Remember, he's accustomed to this… even if he shouldn't be."

"…I guess, but still," Ino argues. "That doesn't explain everything."

"Well, hopefully Iruka-sensei can help fill in some of the gaps," Kurenai tells the girl as they begin to leave.

"Iruka-sensei," Ino repeats. "Why him?"

"Aside from this 'Ji-chan' of his, Iruka-sensei is the only other person that seems to know him," Kurenai affirms. "I'll meet you at the hospital next Sunday, visiting hours."

Ino remains silent, taking it all in, and simply nods.

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