"What do you want to eat?"
"A-anything… I'm starving~"
Anko said weakly.
Naruto looked at her with a half-smile.
After a moment, Anko's face flushed and she sprang up.
"Damn brat!"
"Again!!"
"Not hungry anymore?" Naruto gave her a lofty glance.
"Hungry! I'm still starving!" Anko blustered.
"Then wait nicely." Naruto stopped teasing, turned and walked out.
Once he'd left, Anko stayed on guard; only after a long while did she believe he'd really gone shopping.
She finally exhaled.
Hand pressed to her lower belly, cheeks crimson. "I let my guard down…"
"The kid's taking a while… Kurenai and Yūgao are both out…"
Right now, any thought of keeping him to herself had vanished.
She half wanted to bolt—hunger was real, and so was her fear.
But the moment she stood, her calves trembled.
…
The next day.
Team Guy returned.
"Yo~"
"Kakashi, my eternal rival, were you waiting for me?"
Might Guy brimmed with energy as always.
Kakashi folded his arms and gave him a sideways look.
Then smiled faintly: "I've been waiting a long time."
"The secret manual you've always wanted—here."
He casually tossed the little imperial uncle, the so-called manual, to Might Guy.
Guy caught it on reflex, stunned.
"The secret manual I've always wanted… the Youth Training Manual?"
Just as he opened it, Kakashi spoke again.
"Guy—let's have a match."
"What?" Guy's whole body shook; he slowly lifted his head, eyes wide in disbelief.
This… this was that close friend Kakashi?!
He's actually challenging me to a contest of youth?!
"First one to the Hokage Rock wins."
The words had barely left his mouth.
Before Guy could react, Kakashi vanished with a puff.
"Head start." On a nearby rooftop, Kakashi glanced back; his trademark dead-fish eyes didn't even linger.
Whoosh—
In a blink, Kakashi was gone.
Seeing that, Guy's breath turned ragged,
so excited he almost danced.
"Haha, Kakashi, finally moved by my youth—wait, crap!"
Suddenly Guy realized Kakashi had tricked him.
Run!
"Honestly…" Tenten rubbed her temples.
She looked at Lee, eyes sparkling, hesitated, then turned to silent Neji.
"I'm off to find the blond kid—what about you two?"
"I've got things to do; heading home first," Neji said, hands in pockets.
"I'm coming too! It's been almost a month… I want Naruto's curry—super, super, super spicy!" Lee spun back, deadly serious.
Gurgle—
The moment he finished, Neji froze.
His stomach protested loudly.
"Let's go." Tenten's lips curved; she waved and ran toward Naruto's place.
"Wonder if Naruto's back yet," she said.
"Relax—what mission could stop Naruto-kun?"
"True… Neji, weren't you going home?"
"Lady Hinata's likely there; reporting to her works just as well," Neji said, looking away.
So transparent.
Tenten snorted and picked up speed.
Soon the three reached Naruto's door.
They raised their hands to knock—
"You're back~"
Creak—
The gate opened.
"No dango, no entry!"
Anko poked her head out.
Eight eyes met.
A moment of silence—then she slammed the door.
Three seconds later, she reopened it casually. "Mission finished?"
"Uh… yeah." Tenten's eye twitched, hostility written on her face.
Her gaze lingered on Anko, then dropped.
She could see her own toes.
Still lost… no matter! I've time to grow! I'm the big sister here—late bloomer!
Temari: "Pfft~"
Temari: "Thanks for the laugh."
Tenten: "What're you smug about?!"
Tenten: "I'll catch up and surpass you!"
Temari: "Oh?"
Temari: "Fine. I'll be watching. Loser…"
Tenten: "…calls the winner Big Sis!"
Temari: "Deal!"
Elsewhere—
"Knew I'd find Naruto-kun here!"
"Woof~!"
Kiba scratched his nose; Akamaru barked atop his head.
Without turning, Naruto handed back the groceries he was carrying.
Kiba caught them on reflex.
"Nice timing."
"Team Guy's back too."
"Huh?" Kiba blinked. "That coincidental?"
"No—you guys only just returned, right?"
"Yeah." Naruto nodded.
"Thought you'd be fast—our first C-rank took us just three days," Kiba boasted.
"Our mission was special, perfect for our team."
Buzz—
A insect landed on Shino's hand.
His face remained stoic.
"Na-Naruto-kun~" Hinata murmured, joy shining on her cheeks.
Naruto looked back.
He smiled at her first—this girl… he had something to ask her later.
Then he glanced past her to Kurenai.
The woman looked even more the seasoned beauty.
Hinata was still easy: a few compliments and she glowed like candy, sweetly smiling.
Plenty of people around;
Kurenai naturally didn't show her other side.
But when her eyes reached Naruto's neck, her smile vanished.
Who?!
No… he's been back days… it has to be that girl Anko!
Hmph!
In that case… today's future would be decided by her!
After handing in her report, Kurenai rushed straight to Naruto's house; a month apart had left her craving.
On the way she paused, then gave a wry laugh.
"What am I doing?"
"I'm a Jōnin Instructor!"
Yet the moment she spotted that figure flashing past the window—
No doubt: Red Bean again!
Modesty could wait;
otherwise tonight's future wouldn't be hers alone.
But… could she really?
That damnable little…
At the same time—
Inside the Sealing Space,
the Great Fox glanced at Minato Namikaze, whom it had tossed into the corner.
He'd kept his eyes closed for a long while;
his heart meridian was badly damaged.
Of course, for the fox that was an easy fix.
Next it looked at Kushina.
Her heart meridian was even worse.
But… even simpler.
To a genius like This Fox, a single sentence would do.
Through Naruto's eyes, the fox eyed the impatient woman.
Barely back, right in the kitchen, and already so forward—daring to tease Naruto?
"Heh~!"
A cold chuckle, meaning unclear.
"Kushina, wake up~"
"Or tonight Naruto will be gobbled up by those bad women…?!"
Before it finished—
the once-sleeping beauty snapped her eyes open.
Great Fox: "…"