Sure enough, coming to Naruto had been the right choice.
For Sai, who usually wandered alone in a fog of confusion, it felt like he had finally stumbled upon a glimmer of light. Naruto's reckless optimism and strange ideas often bordered on nonsensical, but sometimes, they had a way of cutting through the noise and making sense of things others couldn't explain.
Still, one question remained in Sai's mind—what should he do next?
Naruto leaned back in his chair, his trademark grin spreading across his face. "Sai, the next step is simple. You've got to put yourself into a really sad mood!"
"Sad?" Sai tilted his head, his pale eyes blinking with genuine confusion. His expression was as blank as ever, but inside, a whirl of questions formed. "Naruto, what do you mean? Tell me exactly what I should do."
Seeing Sai's uncharacteristic enthusiasm, Naruto felt energized. He straightened up and explained like a self-proclaimed expert in romance. "Listen carefully, Sai. Ino is a really kind-hearted girl. She's gentle, thoughtful, caring—"
Before he could finish, Naruto yelped. "Ow, ow, ow! Hinata, what are you doing?!"
Hinata, who had been sitting beside them, had her fingers clamped firmly on Naruto's ear, twisting it with surprising strength for someone usually so timid. Her lavender eyes flashed with mock anger. "It seems like you know Ino very well, Naruto-kun. You sure had a lot of nice words ready to describe her."
Naruto flailed in protest, tears nearly springing from his eyes. "Wait, wait, it's not like that! I'm just talking about her as a comrade! Honest! Please let go—this is for Sai's sake!"
Hinata held the grip a moment longer, then released with a huff, crossing her arms.
Naruto rubbed his ear, wincing. "Geez… gentle, huh? Hinata, you nearly tore my ear off! And you're supposed to be shy… but you're jealous like a little wife already."
Hinata's cheeks pinkened, but she looked away, refusing to answer.
Clearing his throat, Naruto quickly returned to Sai. "Anyway! As I was saying, Sai, go back home and stay alone. Really sink into the sadness. Drink a little if you can. And since you're great at painting, scatter your drawings of Ino all over the floor. That'll show how much you long for her."
Sai's eyes lit up, almost sparkling in rare emotion. "Naruto… how did you know? After Ino scolded me, I went home and kept drawing her portraits. Now the entire floor of my house is covered with them."
Naruto's jaw dropped. He gave a hearty thumbs-up. "See?! Perfect! You're already halfway there. No acting needed. Even if Ino uses her Mind Transfer Jutsu again, she'll see your sincerity. You're already living it!"
Sai, however, frowned slightly. "But Naruto, if I'm depressed at home, who will even see it? What's the point of being miserable if no one knows?"
Naruto clicked his tongue and leaned forward, eyes shining mischievously. "That's where I come in. You just focus on sulking properly. Leave the rest to me."
Sai's expression didn't change, but his tone carried curiosity. "How exactly will you help me?"
Naruto smirked. "It's simple. I'll go find Ino. I'll tell her you're sitting alone, unable to cope, surrounded by paintings of her. Do you know what she'll do when she hears that? She'll rush over to check on you. And when she sees you looking all gloomy, with her portraits scattered everywhere… she'll definitely be moved."
Sai's eyes widened, a spark of hope flickering. "Yes… yes, that makes sense. Why didn't I think of this before?"
Naruto puffed out his chest proudly. "Because you're not me. That's why."
Sai nodded, genuinely impressed. In his mind, this plan was flawless. After such a setup, Ino would surely feel his sincerity, and perhaps… perhaps she'd finally step closer to him. The thought alone brought heat to his cheeks, though his face remained as blank as ever.
Seeing Sai's growing excitement, Naruto narrowed his eyes. Something about that expressionless face paired with such thoughts made him uneasy. He wagged a finger. "But remember this, Sai. If Ino does come to comfort you, don't fake anything. Just let your true depression show. Don't act—it won't work. She can sense real emotions through her clan's jutsu. As long as you reveal what's truly in your heart, you'll be fine."
Sai nodded firmly, rising from his seat. "I understand. I'll go home and prepare immediately. Naruto, you can find Ino later."
"Hey, hold it!" Naruto raised his hand. "Not so fast. Give it at least a day. Ino's probably still sorting out her feelings after what happened. If I go to her right now, it'll seem too forced. You need to create the right atmosphere first. That way, when she visits, everything feels natural."
Sai paused, then nodded slowly. "Yes… that makes sense. I was too hasty. You're right again."
And so, Sai made an agreement with Naruto. Tomorrow afternoon, Naruto would find Ino. Meanwhile, Sai would stay at home, sinking into his sadness. He would drink, scatter his drawings, and let the house become chaotic—an authentic display of heartbreak. By the time Ino arrived, everything would look perfectly genuine.
Sai nodded repeatedly, determination set in his heart, and hurried off.
Once he left, silence lingered for a moment. Then Hinata crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at Naruto. "Naruto-kun… do you even realize how many 'schemes' you're coming up with lately? You've gotten awfully clever when it comes to helping Sai and Ino."
Naruto clicked his tongue, waving his hands. "Aw, come on, Hinata. Don't say it like that. I'm just being resourceful! I'm helping a friend, that's all."
Hinata's lips curved into a thin smile. Without warning, she grabbed his ear again. "Oh really? Then come inside with me. Let's see how much advice I can give you."
"Wait—Hinata! Ow, ow, ow! Not again!" Naruto whined as she dragged him by the ear.
"Don't complain. You deserve this." Hinata's tone was sweet but dangerous.
Naruto tried to protest, but Hinata didn't let go, pulling him straight into the house.
A moment later, the sound of rapid spinning echoed from inside.
"Kaiten!"
Hinata unleashed her clan's signature technique, spinning gracefully yet furiously. Naruto grit his teeth, bracing himself as if it were training. "Persistence is victory… persistence is—ow, ow, ow!"
Deep inside Naruto's subconscious, in the cage where the Nine-Tails rested, Kurama opened one eye lazily. A wave of dark irritation washed over him as he sensed Naruto's suffering.
"Tch. At it again, huh? These two fight every three days, and it never ends." The great fox muttered, curling his tails. "Humans are ridiculous."
Meanwhile, Sai walked through the village streets, his expression calm but his heart racing. He had a mission now.
He stopped in front of a liquor shop, staring at the rows of bottles through the window. It was his first time buying alcohol, and he felt strangely nervous.
He stepped inside. "Boss! Excuse me, boss!"
A cheerful shopkeeper appeared. "Welcome, welcome. What can I get for you?"
Sai pointed at the shelves awkwardly. "Which wine here is easier to drink? Something that can make you half-drunk, but not completely?"
Inside, Sai reasoned with himself. Naruto said I should drink. But if I get completely drunk, I won't be able to express myself when Ino arrives. I need something mild.
The shopkeeper gave him a knowing look. "Ahh… first time buying alcohol, huh?"
Sai stiffened, then admitted plainly, "Yes. This is my first time."
The shopkeeper chuckled warmly and took a bottle from the shelf. "In that case, I recommend this soju. Low alcohol content, smooth, brewed with pure grains. Sweet taste, goes down easy. But be careful—it has hidden strength. If you drink too much, it'll hit you later."
Sai examined the bottle carefully. "So as long as I don't drink too much, I'll be fine?"
"Exactly," the shopkeeper nodded. "One bottle won't do much. But three or four? You'll be flat on the floor."
Sai considered the size of the bottle, then nodded firmly. "Perfect. I'll take this."
He bought six bottles at once, along with some snacks and side dishes.
Back home, Sai set everything down on the table. He cracked open the first bottle, pouring himself a cup. The liquid shimmered faintly under the lantern light.
He took a cautious sip. Sweet. Smooth. Surprisingly pleasant.
Sip by sip, the cups emptied. A warmth spread across his chest. His cheeks, usually pale, grew faintly flushed. His hand moved automatically toward his brush again, sketching Ino's face between drinks.
Paintings and empty cups scattered across the floor.
Sai leaned back, feeling the haze of alcohol start to creep in. He muttered softly, "So this… is what it feels like to fall apart."
Tonight, he would let himself sink fully into the role Naruto had given him. By tomorrow, Ino would see everything.
And maybe then… she would finally understand his heart.
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