Early the next morning, everyone set off for the Fire Capital.
The carriage traveled along the official road, and the number of pedestrians and merchant caravans along the roadside gradually increased.
They didn't encounter any bandits along the way. According to Asama Santayu, the Land of Fire has the fewest mountain bandits in the Ninja World.
Of course, the fundamental reason for all this was the Land of Fire's prosperous conditions.
The Land of Fire is located in the center of the Ninja World, possessing abundant resources and a superior environment. Additionally, most merchant caravans traveling north and south pass through here, so its economy is stronger than other great nations.
When people's living and economic conditions are not bad, the number of mountain bandits and robbers naturally decreases.
And the better the public order, the more merchant caravans naturally pass through the Land of Fire, forming a virtuous cycle.
Therefore, within the Land of Fire, apart from occasional bandits in remote rural areas or border regions, there is generally no danger in other places.
Even those small-time ruffians who can only cause trouble in remote areas, it's hard to say if they aren't being 'pig-farmed' by Konoha, after all, Ninja also need to do missions.
"We've arrived!"
In front of another inn, everyone got off the carriage.
After moving the luggage from the carriage, Asama Santayu settled the fare with the coachman. Naruto stood beside Asama Santayu, curiously observing the surroundings.
Compared to Konoha, the streets of the Fire Capital looked wider, and the buildings along the road seemed newer and more modern.
However, it was obvious that a capital city like this would definitely have a distinction between old and new towns, and the Daimyo couldn't possibly live in an apartment building.
"By the way... are we still staying in an inn?"
Naruto turned his head and asked Asama Santayu, who was struggling to carry luggage into the room.
"If you have money, you can stay in a big hotel too."
Before Asama Santayu could speak, Kazehana Koyuki snorted lightly with her arms crossed: "Besides, the inn is where I'm staying. In a couple of days, I'll be moving into a new house. What you're supposed to stay in is the employee dormitory!"
Naruto was startled: "Why?"
"Well... Naruto, this trip of ours is actually all at Yukie's expense. Yukie used to live in a seaside city and became an actress by chance when a director scouting locations took a liking to her. So, this time we're actually going back to help Yukie move."
Asama Santayu chuckled: "As for you, I'll negotiate with the company to arrange a dormitory with a good environment for you. For these two days, just stay with me for now."
Naruto blinked: "I see..."
"On a side note..."
Kazehana Koyuki smiled triumphantly: "My new house is a detached one, you know! If you beg me, it's not impossible to give you a room..."
"I'm begging you!"
"Hey!!!"
Seeing Naruto's sincere expression, Kazehana Koyuki was stunned!
"Do you have any backbone at all, you guy?!"
"No."
Naruto bowed sincerely: "In any case, I'll gladly accept your kindness. Arigato..."
The girl's small face flushed with anger: "I haven't agreed yet!"
"Ah, is that so? So, you were just bluffing earlier..."
"Ugh—"
Kazehana Koyuki's cheeks puffed out like small buns, her small fists clenched tightly, glaring at Naruto indignantly.
"I was not! And I didn't say I wouldn't agree! You're so annoying!"
Kazehana Koyuki stomped her foot in anger, then indignantly turned and entered the inn.
"Uh..."
Asama Santayu gave an awkward laugh: "How about you stay with me, Naruto? I still have a spare room there."
"Thank you, no."
"..."
Hearing the disdain in Naruto's tone, Asama Santayu looked hurt.
Both Princess Yukie and Naruto are like this. Indeed, I'm really not very popular with children...
"Come in quickly!"
In the inn's front lobby, Kazehana Koyuki frowned at Naruto: "What are you standing there foolishly for?"
"Oh, coming."
Naruto lifted his foot and followed her, leaving Asama Santayu standing foolishly with the suitcase in his arms.
"Wasn't it... a dormitory?"
No one paid him any attention. Kazehana Koyuki had already checked them in, one room for each of them.
Naruto entered the room and immediately flopped onto the tatami. Sitting in a carriage for a long time was truly torturous.
Even riding in a car for half a day is enough to be deadly, let alone a carriage with no shock absorption, where a dirt road could literally shake you to death.
He had just laid down and was comfortable for a moment when suddenly, the door was pushed open.
Naruto strained to lift his head and saw Kazehana Koyuki standing at the doorway with her hands on her hips, looking away somewhat awkwardly.
"I plan to go out and walk around, and also buy something to eat. That..."
"Then... could you bring me some dinner?"
"Who cares about you, you idiot! If you want to eat, get up!"
"Oh, coming."
Naruto slowly climbed to his feet and followed Kazehana Koyuki onto the street.
Although he didn't really want to move, he still had to eat.
Even though he could use Wood Release to grow some fruits and vegetables, he was unfortunately a carnivore.
The two walked side by side on the bustling street. Under the night sky, the Fire Capital was brightly lit, and the restaurants along the street were full of customers.
Kazehana Koyuki raised her chin, glancing at Naruto with an arrogant look.
"Do you have any dietary restrictions?"
"Vegetables."
"I'm telling you, you..."
The girl's mouth twitched: "Dietary restrictions and picky eating aren't the same thing, are they? Listen, dietary restrictions refer to things that cause adverse reactions when eaten, or things that cannot be eaten due to religious reasons."
"Exactly, adverse reactions."
Naruto nodded: "Eating vegetables makes me unhappy."
"That's not what I meant..."
The girl sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, but she wasn't angry, or perhaps she had already grown accustomed to it.
"Have you ever been to an izakaya?"
"No, but I want to go."
The two exchanged glances, both seeing the eagerness in each other's eyes.
Izakayas, places where adults would never let their children go casually, frequented mostly by office workers and laborers, and predominantly male.
"I want to try beer, but those adults probably won't sell it to me..."
Kazehana Koyuki was a bit conflicted. Naruto, however, wasn't interested in alcohol; he just wanted to try grilled chicken skewers.
"That's easy."
Naruto formed hand signs: "Transform!"
Bang!
Smoke burst open, and a handsome, tall, blond teenager, appearing to be eighteen or nineteen, appeared before the girl.
Overall, it was an enlarged version of Naruto; his facial features hadn't changed much, only his facial lines were more defined.
"This should work, right?"
Naruto smiled brightly, his smile sunny and radiant.
Gazing at his sunny and handsome face, Kazehana Koyuki was stunned, and a blush quickly spread across her small face.
She awkwardly looked left and right for a few seconds, and then the girl seemed to think of something, handing Naruto a wallet, and muttering softly with her head down.
"Since you've turned into an adult, you can pay. Otherwise, it'll be embarrassing..."
"So much money..."
Naruto weighed the wallet; the heavy wallet was filled with bills, and a strange sense of emotion welled up in his heart...
Is this what it feels like to be supported by a rich woman?