Of course.
Now wasn't the time for that. Naruto knew very well that the Anbu had been silently watching him. Even though one team had been moved away, another still hadn't given up their surveillance.
To lower the Anbu's guard, Naruto wouldn't do anything out of line. That was one of the reasons why the Anbu presence had been reduced from two teams to one.
"Naruto, is the grilled fish ready?"
Hinata's clear voice rang out again, as pleasing as a nightingale's song.
Naruto smiled at this, knowing that Hinata was truly craving it. He picked up a grilled fish and handed it to her.
"Here, try it."
"Thank you, Naruto."
Hinata smiled sweetly at Naruto, her little hands quickly taking the grilled fish. She blinked her big eyes, looking at the golden-brown fish.
As a true foodie, she'd actually been unable to resist for a while. Now that the delicious food was in front of her, she naturally started to taste it without hesitation.
"So fragrant, so delicious."
Hinata took a bite, her big eyes slightly lighting up. Then, she looked at Naruto with an admiring gaze.
This unique grilled fish was the first time she'd ever tasted it. That feeling of the aroma lingering in her mouth was simply too tempting.
This made her look at Naruto with even greater admiration, feeling that he was a very reserved person.
[Experience Points +1]
Naruto heard the sound of the experience points and smiled, "If you like it, then eat more. There are five fish, enough for both of us."
"Mmm, Naruto, you eat too, it's really delicious." Hinata said, unable to resist another taste of the grilled fish.
"Okay."
Naruto picked up a grilled fish and slowly began to eat it as well.
The two of them, under the warm sunlight, beside the clear river, in the gentle breeze, shared their lunch amidst laughter and chatter.
After a long while.
Having eaten two grilled fish, Naruto nodded in satisfaction, then looked ahead. He saw that Hinata, who had also finished two grilled fish, was staring blankly at the last one, still wanting more.
Naruto naturally understood this state. He picked up the last grilled fish and handed it over, "Here, eat it."
"I… I won't eat it. You eat it, Naruto." Hinata said shyly, her big eyes secretly sizing up the grilled fish.
"Don't worry, I'm full. You eat, it'll get cold soon."
Naruto said without a care, also recalling Hinata's little eating habits.
"Then... I'll eat."
"Eat up."
"Okay, thank you Naruto."
Watching Hinata eat happily, Naruto felt happy too. Having Hinata's company in this tragic childhood added a touch of brightness to his dark world.
[Experience +1]
"There's still a glimmer of hope." Naruto murmured, listening to the experience notification.
"Naruto, what did you say?"
Hinata looked up, her expression puzzled when she heard Naruto's voice. A tiny bit of fish clung to the corner of her mouth, making her look quite adorable.
"Nothing much. I just wished I had an orange right now," Naruto changed the subject.
"Orange? Oh, right."
Hinata seemed to remember something. She quickly pulled two oranges out of her pocket and handed them to Naruto.
"Here, Naruto, this is for you."
"Oranges?"
Seeing the two oranges in Hinata's small hands, Naruto was very surprised. He hadn't expected Hinata to have any, and he also recalled the scene of him buying oranges earlier.
No need to guess.
This silly Hinata must have seen that he couldn't buy any oranges. She secretly bought two, intending to give them to him. The reason she's offering them now is definitely related to her shy personality.
"You're so adorably foolish. Thank you, Hinata."
Naruto smiled in gratitude, reaching out to take only the oranges Hinata offered.
The moment he took them, he clearly felt the softness of Hinata's small hand. It was tender and smooth, a bit like the most precious silk.
[Experience +1]
Across from him.
Hinata also felt something, and her small hand recoiled as if shocked. Embarrassed, she lowered her little head.
The atmosphere seemed to shift at that moment, even the sky appearing a deeper blue.
"Hinata, have some oranges," Naruto said, breaking the strange silence. He peeled an orange and offered Hinata a segment.
"Mm."
Hinata ate it slowly, her head bowed, unable to meet Naruto's gaze.
Naruto didn't say anything else, instead inhaling the lingering scent of fish, gazing silently at the horizon.
Far away.
On top of a certain large tree.
Four Anbu stood silently on the tree trunk, watching Naruto, with some occasionally taking deep breaths.
"Captain, this is why I requested a transfer from the surveillance position. Living like this, smelling such a rich aroma but not being able to eat, is simply unbearable," said the Anbu wearing a fox mask.
"Yeah, we've endured it for a long time. Ever since this little brat started cooking outside, the aroma has become more and more delicious, making our appetites grow, but we can't eat it. We can only watch."
Another Anbu spoke up, expressing his frustration, and the Anbu next to him nodded in agreement.
"You can't handle just a little bit of aroma? You are the elite of the Anbu."
The Anbu captain rebuked them angrily, but as he spoke, he also swallowed his saliva.
"Captain, the key isn't just this one type of food. This little brat is exceptionally good at cooking; everything he makes is especially fragrant, but we can't eat it. That feeling of discomfort can drive a person crazy."
The fox-masked Anbu explained again, clearly having had enough.
"Hmph, what's a little smell? You're ninjas."
The Anbu captain scolded again, but halfway through his sentence, his stomach rumbled loudly, instantly making the atmosphere awkward.
"Ahem."
The Anbu captain's face flushed red, though thankfully, his mask hid it. He changed the subject, "Have you checked the fishing tools?"
"We've checked them. It's a very good idea. This matter has been reported to the Hokage, but the Hokage didn't take it seriously," the fox Anbu replied.
"Well, these things are just clever tricks. It's natural the Hokage wouldn't care. After all, strength is the foundation. This Naruto has some cleverness, but I don't know if he can be cultivated into a strong person," the Anbu captain said.
"Captain, is the village going to cultivate Naruto? Wasn't the previous order to delay his training? Even the extraction of Chakra was taught very late," an Anbu asked with a confused expression.
"That was before. I received news that the higher-ups are going to officially cultivate Naruto in a few days, training him to become an important force for protecting Konoha, thereby better increasing Konoha's strength," the Anbu captain said softly.
"Isn't it a little late? He's just a few days away from graduation, and although this Naruto is really good at catching fish, he hasn't eaten well since he was a child. His nutrition is very unbalanced, even worse than the average family."
"Yeah, look at how short Naruto is. It's obvious he's malnourished. He eats very few fruits and vegetables. It's probably going to be very difficult to nurture him."
The Anbu ninjas discussed among themselves, not optimistic about cultivating Naruto.
"Don't worry, the higher-ups have already made a decision. There's nothing to worry about."
The Anbu captain replied and continued to monitor Naruto. However, he definitely took note of Naruto's grilled fish, and decided he must eat it sometime.
Beside the small river.
After lunch, Naruto and Hinata walked home together. After dropping Hinata off, Naruto started heading back, while also checking his own status, because just now, a mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Experience points reached 100, Infinite Anime System activated.]
Looking at this message, Naruto's mood was excited, but he didn't show it, instead silently checking the system.
This check made him even more excited because he knew the chance to change his fate had arrived.
(End of Chapter)