But now, the situation was entirely different.
Yuyue didn't care about those two old men anymore. With power in his hands, he naturally wouldn't let himself be treated poorly again.
First day after obtaining Wood Style:"I want to protect Konoha!"
Second day:"I want to protect my Konoha!"
He could do whatever he wanted now—no more holding back.
"This... might not be a good idea," Naruto mumbled, a bit hesitant despite his excitement.
"They all call me a fox monster..."
Going to Yuyue's house once in a while was okay, but constantly showing up?
What if someone saw them together and started targeting Yuyue too?
Naruto couldn't bear the thought of his only real friend being treated the same way he was.
But Shinomiya Yuyue just shrugged.
"To me, there are only two types of people in this world. You know which?"
Naruto blinked. "Which ones?"
Even Ino leaned in curiously—this was the first time she'd heard Yuyue say something like that.
Yuyue grinned.
"People I consider friends... and ants."
"And you think I care what ants think?"
Ino and Naruto were frozen on the spot.
"Ahhh! That was so cheesy!" Ino screamed, goosebumps rising on her arms.
"You've been reading too many manga, haven't you?!"
Naruto couldn't stop himself from smiling, his mouth twitching.
"Not bad, actually. Reminds me of Madara. Only, when he said it, it was cool... Why do you sound like a middle schooler?"
Yuyue sighed inside. So much for sounding epic...
Seeing them both staring at him awkwardly, he waved it off.
"Okay, okay, enough dramatics. Let's go eat already."
He quickly walked ahead, escaping the awkwardness.
Ino sighed. Yuyue's become a real clown these days...
Behind her, Naruto stifled a laugh with his hand.
Ten minutes later, the trio arrived in front of a popular restaurant named "Biyi Bird."
It was bustling with couples—because this place offered a 20% discount to pairs.
"Here we are!" Yuyue said cheerfully.
"Can't say much about the taste, but hey, discounts are always great."
He didn't notice the subtle change in expression on Ino and Naruto's faces.
Ino crossed her arms, smirking.
"They say it's a discount for couples. Got yourself a girlfriend, Mr. Shinomiya Yuyue?"
She raised a brow teasingly.
"Single people don't get the discount."
Yuyue turned around with a strange look in his eyes.
"Who said I didn't?"
That stare made Ino instantly wary.
"What? Don't even think about using me!" she huffed, turning away dramatically.
Yuyue chuckled. "Alright, alright. You stay here then. Naruto and I are going in."
"Huh?" Naruto blinked.
"Come on, don't just stand there." Yuyue nudged him.
"Uh… okay, I guess we're eating?"
Yuyue dragged the confused Naruto into the restaurant.
Ino's eyes widened. Wait... they're actually serious?!
Inside the restaurant, the two boys sat at a table. A waiter approached with a polite smile.
"Welcome! What would you like to try?"
Yuyue answered with a grin:
"Two sets of the 'One Heart, One Mind' couple's meal, please."
The waiter hesitated.
"Um… sir, that set is for couples only."
Yuyue smoothly wrapped an arm around Naruto's shoulder.
"Obviously, we are."
The waiter's smile twitched—and then he left in silence.
Moments later, the restaurant owner came out and, without ceremony, kicked them out.
"Don't cause trouble here, kids."
"Wahoo! Take-off!"
Yuyue and Naruto soared in a perfect arc through the air and landed squarely in front of Ino.
Yuyue looked up and forced an awkward smile.
"Hey, Ino."
A big vein popped on Ino's forehead. She grabbed Yuyue by the collar.
"This is SO embarrassing!"
Naruto crouched nearby, laughing his guts out.
Despite the situation, Yuyue was already cooking up another plan.
"I've got a new idea. This one's foolproof!"
Naruto paled. "Oh no..."
"Ino, Naruto's got a transformation jutsu, right? He can just transform—problem solved!"
Naruto scratched his head, flustered.
"Eh… I don't know about that."
Ino's eyes narrowed into slits.
"What terrible idea are you cooking up now?!"
"This isn't terrible!" Yuyue protested.
"Even the Third Hokage praises Naruto's transformation skills!"
"Get lost!" Ino facepalmed.
"You're going to give me a headache!"
After a moment's hesitation, she sighed.
"Fine. I'll go with you two. That way you won't come up with anything even more ridiculous."
Yuyue's eyes lit up.
"That's the spirit!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself!" Ino snapped, kicking him hard.
Yuyue stood up, dusted himself off, and started walking.
Naruto tilted his head.
"Uh, Yuyue? That's the wrong way."
"Nope," Yuyue said, smirking.
"We're done here. Now it's time to solve your problem."
At the end of the path he walked confidently toward was none other than the Hyuga clan compound—home to the famous white-eyed clan and a certain shy girl with a crush on Naruto.
Naruto didn't understand what was happening.
Why are we going to the Hyuga compound?
Wait… don't tell me he's dragging Hinata into this?!
They arrived at the front gate.
A Hyuga guard sat lazily in his chair, clearly bored.
Yuyue walked up with a smile.
"Hello, we're here to see Hinata."
Hinata?! Ino blinked in confusion.
Naruto, on the other hand, turned pale.
Don't tell me he's seriously trying to bring Hinata to pose as my date?!
Sure, they'd helped each other as kids, but their relationship wasn't that close…
As Naruto debated whether to run or explain everything, a cold voice interrupted them.
"Go on, scram. What makes you think you can just see Miss Hinata whenever you want?"
The Hyuga guard waved them off like annoying flies.
Yuyue's smile froze.
Didn't they say not to hit people who smile at you?
So why is it that when I smile… they slap me first?