"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"To life!"
"To freedom!"
Karin trembled as she huddled to one side, taking small bites of grilled meat while her eyes remained filled with worry.
She couldn't understand how things had developed to this point.
Just dozens of minutes ago, Naruto and this busty woman from the neighboring table who called herself "Tsunade" had looked like they were about to engage in a heated argument.
But somehow, as the two debated, they seemed to reach some kind of understanding, and the atmosphere suddenly became harmonious.
The pair began toasting each other, one cup after another, sometimes to tomorrow, sometimes to peace. In short, all beautiful things seemed to become excuses for them to drink together.
The previous argument about "gambling" seemed to have been completely set aside.
Karin didn't understand, which was perfectly normal.
After all, they were both adults who had experienced much in life. They couldn't possibly come to blows over a few different opinions.
At least Tsunade, maintaining her dignity as one of the Sannin, wouldn't attack Naruto, this "ordinary person" who wore no ninja markings.
And Naruto? He wasn't particularly concerned about conflicts of opinion to begin with.
After all, as a former crew member of the Pirate King, he had even clinked glasses with Navy Admiral Aokiji.
Nothing else to say. It was all in the alcohol.
The two drank while complaining, hitting it off wonderfully.
Especially when Tsunade cursed certain ninjas, Naruto kept refilling her cup with obvious approval.
Just as these two seemed to be getting along better and better, a group of ruffians dressed as ronin suddenly burst into the establishment.
The other ordinary patrons in the restaurant naturally fell silent as cicadas in winter.
Therefore, those two who continued toasting and eating meat as if nothing had happened stood out quite conspicuously.
"There she is!"
"How dare she run after owing us money!"
"Catch her!"
The lead thug pointed his short sword at Tsunade and shouted aggressively.
"Are they looking for you?"
Naruto didn't seem surprised by so many people suddenly barging in, as if he had sensed their approach beforehand.
"They're looking for me."
Hearing this, Tsunade somewhat embarrassedly scratched her cheek with one finger, then came half-comprehensible words like "losing money can't be called owing..." and "underworld money... can that really be called owing?"
Of course, aside from Naruto, no one else present would feel any cheerful atmosphere in this situation.
Seeing those thugs about to pounce forward, Tsunade hesitated no longer. She directly vaulted over the partition, then ran out the door in a few swift steps.
That group of ruffians didn't even bother to spare Naruto's table a glance, all rushing out in pursuit.
This saved Naruto considerable trouble.
After witnessing what had just transpired, Karin stood there somewhat dumbfounded.
It wasn't until Naruto gently tapped her head that she snapped back to attention.
"Eat quickly, the meat is almost burnt."
With that, he picked up several grilled meat slices with his chopsticks and placed them in Karin's bowl.
Seeing this kindness, the little girl simply continued eating with her head down.
She had never eaten anything this delicious in Kusagakure. Those captors would at most give her and her mother some rotten vegetable leaves boiled into porridge-like mush. She couldn't remember when she had last tasted meat.
Seeing Karin already somewhat full but still trying to force more food down, Naruto couldn't help but sigh deeply.
Then he said gently:
"It's alright, Karin, eat slowly. It's fine if you can't finish everything."
"It's all in the past..."
Naruto didn't continue saying much, and Karin didn't reply either, just silently lowering her head.
For a long while, even after Naruto and Karin had finished eating, Tsunade showed no signs of returning.
Naruto simply decided not to continue waiting in this restaurant.
But speaking of which, the First Hokage's granddaughter had been staying in a place this close to Konoha Village all along?
Naruto had naturally recognized that Tsunade was his mission target for this trip.
But so what? He had no intention of completing the mission anyway.
Although he had resigned from the Hokage position, the Third Hokage was still alive and well.
With him holding down the fort, Konoha couldn't fall into chaos anytime soon.
In Naruto's view, it probably wouldn't be a big problem if this mission remained incomplete for eight or ten years.
When Naruto took Karin to pay the bill and saw the combined charges for both tables on the receipt, he couldn't help but laugh.
He, Naruto Uzumaki, had always been the one eating others' food. When had someone ever stuck him with their bill?
But since he still had plenty of money, treating someone to a meal was fine. He didn't mind much.
Walking out of the restaurant, the two went to purchase some supplies, maps, and even several changes of clothes.
Earlier in the barbecue restaurant, Naruto and Tsunade had been drinking for quite a while. By the time he finished shopping, darkness was already settling over Tanzaku Quarter.
Looking at the little girl beside him, Naruto decided to find an inn here to stay the night and leave tomorrow.
But they hadn't walked far when a familiar figure climbed over the wall beside them.
After landing gracefully, the three faced each other.
"Ah! It's you!"
"We meet again. Did you shake off those people from before?"
Naruto immediately recognized the newcomer, while Karin beside him looked at the person in complete disbelief.
The person who had dropped down was naturally Tsunade, but she had already removed that coat with the "Gamble" character.
What shocked Karin most was that Tsunade had now transformed into what appeared to be an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl.
She was momentarily speechless, stammering without knowing what to say.
"Yeah. Ha, you don't look surprised at all."
Since she hadn't given her name, Tsunade's way of addressing Naruto had been "you, you, you" all along.
Regarding Naruto's calm attitude after seeing her youthful appearance, Tsunade showed an interested expression on her face but secretly raised her guard in her heart.
Obviously, this young man in front of her wasn't an ordinary person either.
To this observation, Naruto didn't give a direct answer.
"A woman's age... that's a secret that can't be asked about. I do have that much common sense."
With that, he nodded to her and was about to leave with Karin, looking like he had no intention of continuing to chat with Tsunade.
This reaction made Tsunade's wariness relax slightly.
At this moment, several unfamiliar figures suddenly appeared at the alley entrance, blocking their path.
Judging by their dress and appearance, they were completely different from the thugs who had chased Tsunade earlier.
Tight-fitting clothes for easy movement, strangely-shaped weapons, and ninja markings inadvertently exposed in certain places.
Without doubt, they were professionals, completely different from those amateur ruffians.
"Naruto Uzumaki, bounty: one hundred million ryo... we'll be taking your head then!"
After the lead ninja declared this, the others instantly vanished from their original positions along with him, then attacks flew toward Naruto from all directions.
"Looks like this time they're looking for me."
Naruto looked completely unconcerned, even gently pushing Karin beside him toward Tsunade.
"Help me look after her. I'll deal with these guys and be right back."