"I believe that with your ability, there will be no problem," he winked at her, "of course, provided that you are not too tired."
"You guy..." She shook her head helplessly, but she couldn't hide the smile on her lips.
After boarding the carriage, Shikamaru gently held her hand: "Don't worry, I won't let
you work too hard this time." "
"It's best if that's the case," she pretended to warn, "or I'll be the first to clean you up
when I get back to Konoha." "
"Listen to me," he leaned close to her ear, "as long as it can make my princess happy,
whatever it takes." "
The carriage slowly drove out of Sand Hidden Village and headed in the direction of Konoha.
The afternoon sun shines on the streets of Konoha Village, and the aroma of freshly grilled meat wafts through the air.
Choji stood outside the Hokage's office and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
The village, which had just finished the Fourth Ninja War, was still a little tired after the war, but the smiles of hope had regained on people's faces.
"I really didn't expect to be appointed as the new greeting officer so soon." Choji tidied up his messy clothes and showed his trademark honest smile.
As the newly succeeded Akimichi patriarch, this task was both a trust and a challenge
for him.
Footsteps came from the distance, and a team of Kumogakure ninjas appeared in the field of vision.
The leader was the burly Fourth Raikage-sama, and next to him was a slender woman
- Karui.
Her long dark reddish-brown hair fluttered gently in the wind, and her dark body paired with the Kumogakure ninja suit set off her elegant temperament.
Karui's eyes inadvertently swept over Choji, and he raised his eyebrows slightly after seeing his appearance clearly.
Although Choji is always ridiculed for being a little overweight, his gentle and friendly
expression is inexplicably reassuring.
What is even more attractive is the calm demeanor on his body, which is by no means
the temperament that ordinary ninjas can have.
"I'm Karui from Kumogakure, please take care of me." She smiled and took a step forward, looking at the new Autumn Road Patriarch thoughtfully.
Choji hurriedly bowed and saluted: "I am Choji Akimichi, and I welcome you on behalf of Konoha."
He habitually touched the snack bag on his waist, only to find that it had been
taken away by Shikamaru at some point.
This made his face turn slightly red.
Karui noticed this detail, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
During the war, she had heard about the powerful secret techniques of the Akimichi clan and their unique obsession with food, but at this moment, seeing Choji's reaction, she felt particularly real and cute.
"It seems that this diplomatic visit will be very interesting." She thought to herself, her
eyes falling on Ding Ci's broad shoulders again.
This easy-going patriarch may or may be more interesting than it seems.
On the way to the meeting room, Choji led Kumogakure and his party through the lively commercial street of Konoha. The villagers along the way stopped and looked curiously at these guests from other ninja villages.
"Konoha is such a vibrant place." Karui walked in the middle of the line, his eyes draw
n to the golden cake in the window of a roadside dessert shop.
She couldn't help but slow down and turned to look at Choji who was leading the way
ahead, "That... Where do you usually like to eat? "
When Ding Ji heard the inquiry, he immediately became interested: "When it comes to
eating, I know many good places!" There is a ramen shop in the alley over there, and there
is a two-way street away..." As he said, he suddenly realized that he was too excited, quickly restrained himself, and said slightly embarrassedly, "Of course, the main thing today is to
complete official duties first." "
Raikage looked at the interaction between the two young people and let out a hearty
laugh: "Hey, Karui, I think you're quite interested in food." After getting down to business,
why don't you let Ding Ci take you for a good stroll?" This guy is an authentic 'food expert'. "
"Patriarch..." Choji's face turned a little red, but under the expectant gaze cast by Karui, he nodded, "If Miss Karui wants, I will be happy to introduce some of Konoha's specialty shops." "
After passing through several bustling streets, the group finally arrived at the Hokage Building.
In the elevator, the small space made the two get closer.
Karui secretly looked at Choji's side face and found that this seemingly rough man actually had unexpectedly delicate facial features, especially those warm amber eyes.
With a "ding", the elevator reached the top floor.
At the end of the corridor was the Hokage's office.
At the moment when they were about to part, Karui suddenly turned to face Choji and
said seriously: "The moonlight should be good tonight, I don't know if you are free... I would like to invite you to taste the specialties brought by us in Kumogakure. "
This sudden invitation stunned Ding Ci, he opened his mouth but couldn't speak.
In the end, it was Raikage who pushed him forward to break the embarrassment.
On the way to the office, Choji's heartbeat inexplicably quickened a little.