Soon, a good half-day passed.
The carriage stopped in a town. Asama Santayu looked at the sky and decided to stay overnight in the town.
Naruto-kun got out of the carriage, curiously observing everything around him.
There were pedestrians and merchant caravans coming and going, taverns and restaurants by the roadside, and in the distance, he could see clusters of flickering neon signs.
Seeing the eager eyes of the two coachmen, it wasn't hard to guess what kind of place that was...
Asama Santayu booked several rooms at the town's hot spring inn. The three of them each had a room, and the two coachmen shared one room.
"I haven't asked yet, where are we going?"
"Fire Capital!"
During dinner, in the hot spring room, Naruto-kun was enjoying the inn's luxurious seafood feast while chatting with Asama Santayu.
Kazehana Koyuki sat beside Asama Santayu, eating silently.
"Have you heard of the recently popular movie, Princess Gale?"
Asama Santayu smiled proudly, "Yukie is the leading actress! Because the first part received a very good response, the investors decided to strike while the iron is hot and start filming the second part."
"Hmm, it sounds very tough..."
Naruto-kun wasn't very interested in movies, mainly because they were troublesome.
Unlike singing, filming a movie takes at least several months, and during that time, various unexpected events might occur. Even a small problem could delay the entire crew. In short, it's very troublesome.
"Want to give it a try?"
Asama Santayu looked at Naruto-kun with anticipation: "Naruto-kun, I have high hopes for you! With your conditions, you can completely balance both the identities of an actor and a singer!"
"You really don't have to think so highly of me..."
Naruto-kun chuckled and waved his hand. He was fine with singing.
But acting? That would truly be so awkward he could dig out an Uchiha clan land...
His personality was the type that used all sorts of wild words online, but in reality, he was somewhat quiet.
He was unrestrained and playful in front of friends, but as soon as a stranger was around, he'd become like a stone face...
If he had to say, the camera itself wasn't scary, but the various gazes behind the camera were terrifying.
Not to mention his own discomfort, if he were to film a passionate scene and ended up getting aroused in front of so many people, Naruto-kun felt he could truly discuss the possibility of Infinite Tsukuyomi with Black Zetsu...
Perhaps due to Naruto-kun's inclusion, Asama Santayu was in a very good mood.
He drank two cups of sake during dinner and enthusiastically pulled Naruto-kun to soak in the hot spring afterward.
When sleeping at night, Naruto-kun could still faintly hear snoring from next door.
Gekko streamed through the window onto Naruto-kun's face. Looking up at the star-filled night sky and feeling the strong beat of his heart in his chest, Naruto-kun felt a strange sense of comfort.
Getting up and opening the window, Naruto-kun lightly leaped high, easily grabbing onto the eaves.
Just as he was about to flip over, he suddenly felt eyes on him. Having been monitored for several years, he wouldn't misperceive it.
So he followed that feeling and lowered his head, his gaze meeting a pair of beautiful icy blue eyes.
It was Kazehana Koyuki.
The girl's brows held an unresolvable hint of sorrow. Her black hair was loose, and she rested her arms on the windowsill, looking at Naruto-kun in surprise.
"Are you a Ninja?"
"I'm not."
Naruto-kun shook his head, let go of his hands, and his feet landed steadily on the wall: "Aren't you sleeping?"
"Can't sleep."
Kazehana Koyuki shook her head, looking at Naruto-kun's feet steadily on the wall: "But you clearly can use Chakra."
Naruto-kun argued confidently: "As long as I don't endure, I'm not a Ninja. And I haven't registered as a Ninja, so I can only be considered a civilian."
"I see..."
Kazehana Koyuki propped up her chin, looking at Naruto-kun with some curiosity: "So... where are you going?"
"To the rooftop to watch the stars. Want to come along?"
"Okay."
Children always have a special fondness for things like climbing onto roofs. Kazehana Koyuki was less than ten years old at the moment, so she agreed almost without hesitation.
The next second, she was pulled out of the window by Naruto-kun. Before she could even gasp, she found herself on the rooftop in a dizzying whirl.
Still a bit shaken, she patted her chest and looked at Naruto-kun, only to find him already lying down with his arm as a pillow.
"Rude brat!"
"Urusai, don't waste time complaining..."
Naruto-kun had his legs crossed, his posture relaxed and comfortable. His golden hair swayed gently in the night breeze, the light of the stars reflected in his azure eyes, and a gentle smile played on his handsome young face.
Seeing this, the girl's gaze was a little dazed. It took her two seconds to react, shake her head, gently pat her slightly flushed cheeks, and then sit down beside him.
"You... don't like Konoha?"
"Mm."
"I heard Konoha is the most prosperous Ninja village in the Ninja World."
"But I don't like it."
"I see..."
Kazehana Koyuki propped up her chin, lost in thought.
"Then you're not planning to go back?"
"Depends on my mood."
Naruto-kun glanced at Kazehana Koyuki: "You seem to be... seeking a sense of identity?"
"I'm not!"
The girl snapped softly, her face subtly flushing.
"It's okay if you are. Escaping is shameful, but it is indeed useful."
Naruto-kun's tone was casual. Beside him, Kazehana Koyuki's face grew redder. She hated perceptive guys!
With a soft huff, the girl turned her head away, pouting, wondering what she was thinking.
After a long while, as if she couldn't stand the quiet atmosphere, she turned back, looking at Naruto-kun with hope.
"Is it really useful?"
"Not necessarily, it depends on the situation."
Naruto-kun spread his hands helplessly: "Those big troubles that plague people for a lifetime often come knocking on their own. You can escape for a while, but not forever."
Kazehana Koyuki's face turned slightly pale at his words.
She seemed to have thought of something that terrified her, and she hugged her legs, curling up into a pitiful little ball, her soft, fair little feet also tightly curled.
"Then if one day Konoha wants to take you back, what will you do?"
"They want to take me back now."
"???"
Kazehana Koyuki was stunned: "Are you a rogue Ninja? No, you're not a Ninja, so why would they want to take you back?"
Naruto-kun carefully considered and thought deeply, finally realizing that he really didn't know how to explain it to the girl in front of him.
"Because I'm very strong."
"Braggart!"
Kazehana Koyuki rolled her Byakugan. She felt that Naruto-kun must have just snuck out.
"What about you? You've asked so many questions, it's time for you to talk about yourself, right?"
"Nothing to say."
The girl huffed softly, stood up, and said haughtily, "I'm going down. Take me down!"
"Such a hassle, we just got up here..."
Naruto-kun sat up, slowly came in front of Kazehana Koyuki, and scooped her up in a princess carry.
Then, his figure flickered, and he was back outside her room's window.
Jumping into the room through the window, Kazehana Koyuki's cheeks were flushed. She turned to look at Naruto-kun, then called out to him as he was turning away.
"I hate snow!"
"Got it."
Naruto-kun didn't look back.
In the room, Kazehana Koyuki stomped her foot, gritting her teeth.
Annoying guy!