Chapter 32: Ino Wants to Stay
This matter could be big or small.
While escalating it with a grand public display could certainly solve everything, it would also allow the perpetrator, Shimura Taiji, to slander them for "making a mountain out of a molehill" and deliberately smearing the Shimura clan's name. He could even get his relatives and friends to make trouble for the owner, and at that point, the shop really would be forced to close.
Having lived two lives and experienced three simulations, Akiyama Makoto knew well that many people were shameless, fearless, and utterly without scruples. This was especially true for scions of certain clans who used their family name to do evil; it was very difficult for ordinary people to fight back.
Konoha had a Military Police Force, but Konoha—and indeed the entire ninja world—was not a society governed by the rule of law. Ordinary people had no opportunity to hire representatives and face a ninja in a court of law. Even if the Hokage's Office occasionally upheld justice out of consideration for public opinion, most of the time, they were the representatives of the various clans' interests.
This had nothing to do with character or morality; it was simply how the ninja world operated. In his third simulation, Makoto had risen to the position of the Kazekage's advisor and understood this reality deeply.
Therefore, to solve the current trouble, one had to return to the logic of clan politics.
With that, Makoto beckoned to the two girls.
When they leaned in close, he whispered a few sentences in their ears. Looks of surprise appeared on their faces, but they immediately nodded in agreement and then turned to leave to handle their respective tasks.
Makoto, meanwhile, went to his usual stationery shop, purchased some long scrolls used for displaying calligraphy, and finally returned home.
Tenten was already waiting for him, the restaurant's account book in her hand. A short while later, Ino also returned, carrying an old-fashioned camera.
The moment she entered, she shouted excitedly, "I found my two friends! You guys should get to know them too!"
With that, Shikamaru and Chōji were dragged inside. The two of them had dark expressions, clearly not wanting to be there, but with Ino forcefully pulling them, they couldn't refuse. When they heard they were coming to Makoto's house, their hearts pounded. They had thought their scheme had been exposed and Ino was going to make them face him.
"I'm Nara Shikamaru. This guy eating chips over here is Akimichi Chōji." Shikamaru spoke lazily. "We've heard about your situation, so there's probably no need to explain the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, right?"
Seeing Makoto nod, Shikamaru continued, "So, what do you need the three of us for?"
Shikamaru's expression was relatively normal, but no matter how Makoto looked at Chōji, he seemed to have a guilty conscience. What had he done?
Tenten followed his gaze and her eyes met Chōji's. Startled, Chōji cried out, "Alright, I'll apologize, okay?! Ino, I'll do whatever you say!"
"Wait, Chōji, shut up..."
It was too late for Shikamaru to stop him. Ino, who had been feigning indifference, now had alarm bells ringing in her head. She grabbed Chōji's ear and said coldly, "Then it depends on how you've wronged me."
"Confess honestly, and I might forgive you for half of it!"
As if granted a pardon, Chōji blurted out the entire story of how he and Shikamaru had tricked her.
Shikamaru's face was grim. Tenten was still a bit confused about the situation. Makoto, however, looked at the three of them with an amused expression. So that's how Ino ended up at his house.
Ino, on the other hand, was filled with regret. The moment Chōji revealed the mission, she knew she had failed. As a ninja, how could she reveal the details of a mission to the target? Makoto had trusted her so much, willing to let her chakra enter his body—a level of trust usually only seen among the inseparable team members of the Ino-Shika-Chō clans. And she had deceived him. It seemed he was going to hate her now...
At this thought, Ino felt a pang in her heart and even had the urge to cry.
Suddenly, a hand was placed on her shoulder. Startled, Ino quickly turned around. She was met with Makoto's slightly mischievous smile. He even gave her a wink.
A warm current flowed through Ino's heart. Was there still a chance to salvage their relationship? Makoto was talented, easy on the eyes, had a compatible personality, and his background was very suitable. There was no way Ino was going to give up on someone she could potentially have a deep relationship with just like that.
"Ahem."
Makoto cleared his throat twice, drawing the attention of the three of them. "What just happened," he said, "I can pretend I didn't hear it."
"And as for your mission, I will also help you complete it smoothly. After all, I want to train my chakra too."
"All I need is for the three of you to do me a small favor. Can you?"
Shikamaru and Chōji exchanged a look. In the end, it was Shikamaru who spoke. "Let's hear it."
Half an hour later, Shikamaru and Chōji left with their arms slung over each other's shoulders, looking to be in a very good mood. And they were. The crisis of the mission being leaked was perfectly resolved, and Makoto had promised to help Ino complete it. Chōji and Shikamaru even received a permanent 20% discount card for the barbecue restaurant. Although the Akimichi clan had their own barbecue place, even Chōji needed a change of pace sometimes.
In return for all this, all Shikamaru and Chōji had to do was pose for a photo with Ino, holding up a sign. Makoto had even promised not to involve their parents or clans. Shikamaru had initially been a bit skeptical of Makoto's character, but with Ino vouching for him, he had no choice but to go along with it. It couldn't be helped. Chōji didn't dare to provoke Ino, and the men of the Nara clan never argued with women.
"I'll get this photo developed and enlarged later. It should be ready for you by tomorrow."
Ino carefully put the camera away, then wanted to apologize to Makoto, but was hesitant.
Makoto beat her to it. "You two haven't eaten yet, right? Why don't I cook?"
"Huh? You can cook?" Tenten asked in surprise. She had never eaten his food before.
Seeing this, Ino quickly said, "I had the honor of tasting Makoto-kun's cooking yesterday. It was delicious! You can't miss this opportunity, Tenten!"
Ino had a faint feeling there were some things Makoto didn't want to say in front of Tenten, so she shifted her focus to getting on good terms with her.
An hour later, the three of them had eaten their fill. Tenten licked her lips, still wanting more. "If I had known your cooking was this good, why would we have gone out for a big meal?"
"If you like it, you can come eat here every time after we train."
Makoto extended the invitation. Tenten immediately said yes, but then noticed Ino's playful gaze and quickly looked away.
By the time the three of them had cleaned up the dishes, some of the elders had already started to arrive in the courtyard.
Seeing this, Tenten said, "Well, I'll be going then. I still have some things to discuss with my family."
"What about you, Ino? Are you leaving too?"
To Tenten's surprise, Ino shook her head. "I'm going to stay."
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