Chapter 44: Flying Thunder God and Ino
[Option One: Perform one-handed handstand push-ups in front of Ino and say "My youth is burning," gaining her praise. Reward: Flying Thunder God Technique (Incomplete).]
[Option Two: Confess to Ino face-to-face and gain her acceptance. Reward: Eight Gates Release Formation (Immortal Version).]
The moment the panel popped up, Naruto's breathing grew heavier.
With a snap, Naruto gripped Ino's hand tightly.
"Naruto, you… what are you doing?"
"Ino!"
"What?"
Ino was thrown into disarray by Naruto's sudden move, her mind going blank. Yet her hand, caught in his, felt as though it were clamped down by a hydraulic press, unable to move.
"Don't go!"
Naruto spoke in a panic, terrified that Ino might leave. At this moment, what lay before him was no longer some useless little reward.
Damn, it was the immortal version of the Eight Gates!
If he got that, wouldn't he be able to run rampant in the future ninja world? Living a life where he could punch Uchiha Madara and kick an Ōtsutsuki?
Truly, the future would be bright—for both of them. Well, whether others' futures were bright didn't matter, but right now Naruto knew one thing for sure: he had to marry Ino.
"Naruto, you're hurting me!" Ino said angrily, trying to shake his hand off.
"Sorry, Ino."
Her words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, instantly waking him up. What was he doing? How could he suddenly lose his mind like that?
This was Ino—how could she possibly accept his confession?
Their relationship was at best ordinary friends. She didn't hate him, but she definitely didn't have any feelings for him either.
Too embarrassing—he'd been blinded by the temptation of the reward.
Like a cat greedy for fish, ignoring the height of the cabinet. If all he saw was the fish and he forced himself to reach for it, all he'd do was topple the whole cabinet down on himself.
Ino rubbed her reddened hand in annoyance, recalling Naruto's heavy breathing and that fleeting, intense look in his eyes just now. A strange feeling flickered through her heart.
Naruto…
Was he really that eager to see me?
Shaking her head quickly, Ino pushed the ridiculous thought away. Impossible. Naruto was just a cocky prankster.
Right—why had she come out today?
Training was over, her mother was minding the shop, her father had once again been summoned by Lord Hokage. Left alone at home, she suddenly felt empty inside, so she went out for a walk. By coincidence, she ran into Naruto running laps around the village, so she sat down at the dango shop to wait for him.
Why wait?
Her heart pounded as she forgot her original reason. Looking at Naruto lying on the ground, grimacing in pain, she grew dazed.
"Are… are you okay?" Ino asked.
"I'm fine." Naruto struggled to stand, spat out the foam in his mouth, then smiled at Ino and said,
"I'm doing special training with Guy-sensei."
"I can tell." Ino gave him a sideways glance, taking in the green jumpsuit, and mocked mercilessly, "It looks awful."
"Damn it." Naruto thought, grateful that he hadn't lost his head and chosen the second option earlier—otherwise he'd definitely be laughed at for life.
A person shouldn't be controlled only by desire. One should keep their feet firmly on the ground.
"Ino, by the way, why are you here?"
"Training's over." Ino answered casually, and surprisingly, her heart felt a little calmer.
"I just happened to see you three running laps and got curious."
"That must've looked pretty funny, huh?" Naruto asked awkwardly. He could already imagine the kind of secondhand embarrassment it gave off.
"Not exactly." Ino's expression suddenly turned serious. After a brief thought, she said,
"Everyone has their own ninja way. As long as someone is working hard toward their path in life, they shouldn't be mocked."
Naruto froze.
He suddenly realized something. Maybe because they hadn't interacted much, he had never really looked at Ino carefully.
To be honest, Ino's emotional intelligence far surpassed their peers. She was gentle yet strong.
Hearing those words from her didn't feel out of place at all.
Thinking this, Naruto relaxed. Forget the options. Smiling, he said,
"Thanks, Ino."
"Naruto, are you possessed? Why are you suddenly talking like that? I… I'm not used to it." Ino turned her head abruptly, avoiding his gaze.
"I can be sincere sometimes too, you know?" Naruto replied, exasperated.
"…You're an idiot, aren't you?"
"Stop emphasizing the obvious. I've already heard that ten times today." Naruto tugged at his green jumpsuit.
"Want to go get some red bean dumplings?" Ino suggested.
"I don't like red bean dumplings." Naruto blurted.
"Then forget it."
Ino instantly pretended to put on a stern face. Just a little teasing between friends. Naruto knew she wasn't really mad.
"No, it's just that I've never tried them before. If it's you treating, I'd like to." Naruto said.
"You've got money, don't you? Why do I have to treat you?" Ino frowned and asked, "I even saw you eating yakiniku with a little girl last time."
Actually, it wasn't her who saw it—it was Chōji, who passed by the barbecue place and told her later. But somehow, when it came out of her mouth, it became something she herself had witnessed.
"Well…" Naruto laughed awkwardly, scratching his head. "Then let me treat you instead."
"Hmph."
That little "hmph" was full of expression. Naruto froze again, unsure how to continue the conversation. Should he… just finish one of the tasks?
"Ahem." Naruto coughed, then grinned at her. "Ino, let me show you a new move I just learned."
"What is it?" Ino turned to look at him.
Naruto got into a one-handed handstand, forcing out push-ups. His exhausted body trembled all over, yet he grit his teeth and shouted,
"My… youth… is… burning!"
"How… is it… Ino?"
The words squeezed out through clenched teeth, his forced yet hopeful smile freezing Ino on the spot.
Thinking Naruto was just trying to make her laugh, her nose stung and she almost burst into tears.
"You're an idiot, aren't you?"
With a thud, Naruto collapsed onto the ground, covered in dust.
He was nearly spent already, only focused on hearing Ino's words, completely missing the sudden thickness in her voice.
His eyes dulled into dead-fish mode again as he lay on the ground, staring at the sky and muttering,
"It's over… not praise."
[Ding! Flying Thunder God Technique (Incomplete) has been successfully granted.]
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