Naruto rubbed his stomach, let out a satisfied burp, and sighed.
"If I eat any more, I might explode! Pervy Sage, your cooking's gotten even better. That fish we had earlier—man, it doesn't even smell fishy anymore!"
Jiraiya leaned back, picking his teeth with a wooden toothpick. "Idiot! Back then, we were cooking giant river fish over a campfire with Fire Release. No spices, no salt, nothing but flame. Of course it was going to smell fishy. Be grateful I can actually cook now."
Listening to Jiraiya, Tsunade's lips curled into a faint smile as she recalled the old days — the three Sannin camping together in the wilderness, eating fish roasted over makeshift fires. They'd eaten so much fish on those missions that she could probably still debone one blindfolded.
After all, it was always convenient — wherever there was water, there was dinner.
When they finished eating, Ino and Sakura immediately stood to clean the dishes. Jiraiya had tried to help, but the two girls pushed him out of the kitchen, laughing.
"Go on, sensei. Keep Tsunade company!" Sakura teased as she shut the door behind him.
Naruto and Sai sat together near the table, chatting casually. Their conversation turned, as it often did, toward relationships.
"So," Naruto grinned, elbowing Sai. "How's it going with Ino? When are you two tying the knot?"
Sai glanced toward the kitchen where Ino stood beside Sakura, sleeves rolled up, drying plates. His usually calm expression softened. "I plan to visit Ino's house soon," he admitted. "But… I'm worried. What if her parents don't like me?"
Naruto laughed, patting Sai's shoulder. "Be confident, man! You've got nothing to worry about. Between the two of us, you're the only one who can even compete with my looks!"
Sai blinked, genuinely curious. "Really? How do I compare to Sasuke?"
Naruto froze. His smile twitched, the color draining slightly from his face. Why does it always come back to Sasuke?
"Compared to Sasuke?" Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, grimacing. "Well… you're, uh… you're definitely more handsome than him!"
Sai's face brightened, completely taking Naruto's words at face value. "Really? That makes me happy, Naruto. If you think so, then it must be true!"
Naruto couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. Sai's innocence was disarming, but there was something else there — a genuine warmth.
Sai treasured Naruto's approval more deeply than he ever showed.
When Sai had first been assigned to Team 7 under Danzo's orders, his mission was simple — monitor Naruto Uzumaki, the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. Nothing more. But as the missions piled up and the bonds grew stronger, Sai began to change.
Naruto's determination, his compassion, his unshakable loyalty to his friends — especially his obsession with saving Sasuke — had left a mark on Sai. For the first time in his life, Sai understood what it meant to have companions.
Sasuke was Naruto's rival, but also his brother in every sense. Naruto's desperation to bring Sasuke back wasn't about duty — it was about love and loyalty.
Sai had watched that passion and thought to himself: Can I ever be that important to someone? Can I ever be to Naruto what Sasuke was?
It was that thought that changed him.
Sai began to defy Danzo in small ways. He stopped sending full reports, leaving out details that could endanger Naruto or his friends. He had found something more valuable than Root's mission — something human.
And Ino saw all of it. After reading his heart with her Mind Body Switch technique during one of their joint missions, she finally understood just how much Sai cared — not only for her, but for Naruto too.
To Sai, Naruto wasn't just a comrade. He was the reason Sai had learned what it meant to live.
Naruto looked out the window. The sun had vanished, replaced by the glow of Konoha's streetlights flickering to life.
"Alright, Sai. I've gotta get going. If I don't move now, Kakashi-sensei will clock out for the night!"
Sai gave a small smile, glancing back toward the kitchen where Ino and Sakura were finishing up. "Yeah, go on ahead, Naruto."
Naruto nodded, grabbed the document folder on the table — the plan they'd discussed earlier — and waved goodbye to everyone.
"Thanks for dinner, everyone! Pervy Sage, Granny Tsunade, I'll see you tomorrow!"
He shot out of the house in a blur, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. The Konoha Security Force didn't even flinch when they sensed his chakra signature — they all knew the Seventh Hokage's son when they felt him rush by.
Naruto didn't bother concealing his chakra. He moved freely, savoring the night wind against his face.
In just a few minutes, he landed on the ledge outside the Hokage's office.
Inside, Kakashi Hatake sat at his desk, reading through a thick stack of reports. The faint sound of paper shuffling filled the quiet office. Then, sensing something, Kakashi turned around — only to find Naruto crouched outside the window, waving cheerfully.
Kakashi sighed. "Naruto… how many times do I have to tell you to use the door?"
He stood, unlocked the window, and let Naruto step inside. The hidden ANBU stationed around the Hokage's Tower didn't even bother reacting — they knew that chakra signature all too well.
"It's late," Kakashi said, eyeing the folder in Naruto's hands. "What brings you here?"
Naruto straightened, smiling. "I came to give you this, Kakashi-sensei. It's the plan for Pervy Sage and Granny Tsunade's wedding!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow and took the folder. "Ah, so it's finally here. Looks like I'll be pulling an all-nighter again," he said with a dry chuckle, settling back into his chair to read.
Watching him, Naruto couldn't help but remember the years he'd spent as Hokage — those endless nights buried under paperwork. He'd spent so many hours in this very office that Boruto used to complain he never came home.
Naruto walked closer and grinned. "Teacher Kakashi, you've got a mountain of files here. Shouldn't you delegate some of this to your assistant?"
Kakashi exhaled deeply, putting down the wedding plan and rubbing his temples.
Naruto frowned. "What's wrong? Did something happen with Shizune?"
Kakashi sighed again. "You could say that. Tsunade's been pushing for us to work more closely together. It's… awkward. We can't even talk normally without it feeling weird now."
He gestured to the stack of paperwork in front of him. "These are supposed to be her responsibilities, but somehow I'm the one finishing them."
Naruto burst out laughing, slapping the table. "Kakashi-sensei, you're killing me! You sound like some newlywed in denial!"
Kakashi gave him a weary look. "Stop laughing and give me some advice, will you?"
Naruto smirked, crossing his arms. "Fine, fine. Tell me honestly, how do you feel about Shizune?"
Kakashi paused, frowning slightly. "I don't know. We're just friends… colleagues, really. I haven't thought about it like that."
Naruto nodded. "Alright, but do you hate her?"
Kakashi blinked. "No, of course not."
"Then that's your answer," Naruto said with a grin. "If you don't hate her, then maybe you like her. Don't overthink it. The more you worry about it, the more obvious it becomes. Maybe you already care more than you realize."
Kakashi tilted his head, thoughtful now. "That… actually makes sense."
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