Naruto held his lunchbox and, with a sincere smile, walked to the back of the classroom, stopping in front of Shikamaru and Choji.
"You two are Shikamaru and Choji, right? I'm Uzumaki Naruto. Want to eat lunch together?"
Shikamaru lifted his eyelids and slowly scrutinized Naruto. "Hmm, I know you. The strong one from taijutsu class yesterday."
His gaze went over Naruto's shoulder, glancing at Satsuki who was sitting alone in her seat. "Aren't you eating with Satsuki?"
The atmosphere in the classroom subtly shifted. Many little boys' eyes unconsciously drifted towards the empty seat next to Satsuki, but no one dared to approach rashly. Satsuki's powerful display in taijutsu class yesterday had instilled awe in her peers.
Naruto looked back at Satsuki. "It's fine," he said, turning back with a smile. "I'll eat with her later. How should I put it..."
He scratched his cheek. "I feel like you two are really good people, and I want to get to know you."
Choji's hands, which were unwrapping his lunch, suddenly stopped. An expression of disbelief appeared on his face. Because of his physique, he had been ridiculed by other children since he was young. Only Shikamaru never looked down on him. Being actively told, "You seem like a good person," was an unprecedented experience for him.
Choji's voice held a cautious hint of inquiry. "Really? ...Um, don't you think my figure... is a bit full?"
Naruto gave a brilliant smile: "Full? For you, this physique is the most suitable, isn't it?"
"I know, you're from the Akimichi clan, right?" Naruto said as he opened his own lunchbox. "For you, your physique is 'power reserves,' you know. If you don't have reserves, you can't send enemies flying."
Shikamaru listened to this statement with some relief. Choji finally made a friend; he must be very happy. Indeed, Choji looked at Naruto with a touched expression.
"And... I'm really envious of you in this regard. The more you eat, the stronger you get. This is simply the best physique in the world."
Choji's eyes glistened with moisture. His voice was a little choked. "Really? ...Thank you, Naruto, I'm so happy!"
For the first time, his weight, which had been mocked for years, was affirmed so positively. This joy made his heart pound.
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded happily, pushing his lunchbox towards the middle of the two of them. "Oh, right, I made my own lunch. Want to try some? I'd be very happy if my new friends approved of my cooking."
"Can we? Great! Then I won't be shy."
Choji put his hands together and bowed solemnly to Naruto, his face full of gratitude.
Naruto picked up a golden-fried piece with his chopsticks and gently placed it in Choji's lunchbox. "Try it?"
"Is this... some kind of fried food?" Choji cautiously picked up the fried piece. He took a small bite—crunch.
A crisp cracking sound echoed in his mouth, followed by juicy chicken bursting between his teeth. Even more surprising was the unique crispy texture of the outer layer—with the distinct aroma of potatoes.
"The outer layer is... potato chips?!" Choji's eyes widened, looking incredulously at the half-eaten fried chicken piece in his hand. The crushed potato chips perfectly coated the tender and juicy chicken.
Naruto nodded. This dish could be said to be a targeted remedy. Fried chicken pieces with crushed potato chips as a coating—this American-style dish was high in calories, and Naruto found it a bit greasy, but for the Akimichi clan, it was just right.
"It's delicious! To think of coating fried chicken with potato chips! Are you a genius, Naruto?"
"Really? If you like them, they're all yours." Naruto smiled, moving the remaining few potato chip fried chicken pieces from his lunchbox to Choji's side. "I accidentally made too many when I was trying it out yesterday, and I was worried I couldn't finish them."
Choji was so touched he almost cried, carefully accepting this gesture with his chopsticks.
The sun gradually began to set, and the laughter in the classroom slowly faded. Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji's lunch hour concluded with pleasant conversation. Naruto tidied his lunchbox, a lingering smile still on his face.
"Oh, right," Naruto suddenly suggested, "How about we go eat ramen together tomorrow for lunch? My treat! Ichiraku Ramen's taste is the best in Konoha!"
Choji's eyes immediately widened at the words, his face full of emotion. He excitedly patted his sturdy chest. "Since Naruto is treating us to ramen tomorrow, then tonight I'll treat everyone to yakiniku!"
Shikamaru lazily watched his two enthusiastic friends, sighing helplessly. "Ah~ how troublesome... But since you both said so..."
After bidding farewell to the two, Naruto walked down the corridor back to his seat, feeling exceptionally joyful. Just then, the long-awaited notification sound rang in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host: You have established a Level 2 bond with the original character "Akimichi Choji"!]
[Points awarded: 200 points!]
[Congratulations, Host: You have established an initial bond with the original character "Nara Shikamaru"!]
[Points awarded: 100 points!]
Naruto's lips unconsciously curved upwards, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He succeeded!
He cheered in his heart. These two partners, who in the original work formed the "truancy squad" with him and Kiba, had now successfully established a friendship.
Although the bond level was not high yet, with time, this friendship would surely deepen.
He looked back at Shikamaru and Choji, who were still chatting at the back of the classroom. Next, he just needed to naturally deepen this friendship... --- (Don't do that! Dear readers, don't just keep the book... I hope you can keep reading until the end! Even if you don't make it to the end... at least try to keep up with updates for 1000 chapters... )