Chapter 73: The Konohamaru Corps
The story branches here; let us follow each in turn.
After leaving Naruto's house, the four of them talked it over and turned toward Ichiraku Ramen instead of the Yakiniku place.
They'd already had grilled meat for lunch after returning to the Village—Asuma had taken Kurenai home and Kakashi had gone to debrief, so only the new generation had hit the barbecue.
The evening sun stretched their shadows long, and the boys' and girls' laughter spilled down the street.
"Yo, Naruto!"
A cheerful greeting rang out ahead.
There was Asuma, a cigarette in his mouth and a paper bag of groceries in hand, walking toward them.
The moment he spotted Hanabi in the group, he plucked the half-smoked cigarette from his lips, dropped it, and carefully ground it out under his shoe.
"Heading out with friends?"
He chuckled, pulling his wallet from the inside pocket of his jacket, crow's-feet crinkling at his eyes.
"I did promise you barbecue, but Kurenai still needs looking after…"
He gave Naruto a meaningful look.
"Go with your friends—my treat."
Naruto waved away the bills Asuma held out.
"No need, Asuma-sensei."
Asuma shoved the wad of cash into Naruto's arms anyway. "Why not? I said I'd treat you to barbecue. And Ino and Hinata are my and Kurenai's students—they just pulled off a tough mission. They deserve to unwind.
Take them out and save me the trouble of making it up later. Two birds, one stone, right?"
He gave his two girl students an approving nod, then flashed Naruto an encouraging grin that said I'm rooting for you and clapped him on the arm.
"Show them a good time!" Asuma called as he left.
Heh, the kid's got skills.
But hey, a good-looking, easy-going guy who can cook and stay reliable when it counts is bound to be popular with girls.
Around the corner, three small heads popped from behind a wall like meerkats, eyes fixed on Asuma and Naruto.
"Boss, look!"
Udon whispered, nudging Konohamaru.
"Lord Asuma's being so polite to that Blond Guy! Wait—blond… could that be the Uzumaki Naruto we're looking for? If Lord Asuma's nice to him, he must be strong, right?"
Moegi, standing between them, shook her head, twin tails swaying. "That doesn't prove anything. Uncle Asuma's always generous!"
Remembering how Asuma always gave Konohamaru money for treats, Moegi dimpled.
Konohamaru folded his arms and nodded like a miniature adult.
But the memory of Grandpa's constant "If only you were half as easy as that Naruto kid" soured his mouth.
He's just a Genin a few years older than me!
By the time I'm his age, I'll be way stronger!
Watching Naruto pocket the cash, Udon's eyes sparkled. "So much money… how much candy could that buy…"
The comment snapped Konohamaru out of his daydream.
He straightened, small hand slicing the air. "Konohamaru Corps—move out!"
The other two snapped to attention. "Yes, sir!"
"Mission objective—"
Konohamaru lowered his voice; three heads huddled together.
"Observe Uzumaki Naruto's every move. I'll see if he's half as great as Grandpa says!"
Naruto, unaware of the Konohamaru Corps' stares, fretted over what came next.
Alone, he'd have bolted for the training field after dinner or gone straight home.
But tonight the Third Hokage was drinking with clan heads Hiashi and Inoichi at his place—no telling when they'd leave.
"Where should I take everyone after we eat…"
He snuck a glance at his companions, stumped.
Konoha was lively, yet hardly had hangouts for kids.
Playgrounds and amusement parks belonged to the Boruto era; the bright neon spots around town were either blush-inducing brothels or glittering casinos—no place for them.
Whatever—cross that bridge when we get to it.
At Ichiraku, Teuchi greeted the four warmly.
"Haven't seen you in a couple of days, Naruto. Ninja life keeping you busy?"
"Yeah, missions."
The topic ended there.
Ninja rules kept Naruto quiet, and Teuchi, after serving plenty of shinobi, knew better than to pry.
"What'll it be today?"
"Two tonkotsu with extra pork for me. Ino, Hinata, Hanabi—what about you?"
"Miso Ramen for me."
"Hanabi and I want tonkotsu."
Six large tonkotsu with pork, Narutomaki, and Menma; one small tonkotsu; one miso.
Teuchi set to work, used to their usual orders.
Steam curled up as the bowls arrived—and Naruto, Ino, and Hinata all froze.
They were sharp sensors, and the watchers were amateurs; all three noticed at once.
"Let's eat."
Ino pressed her palms together, forming seals under the guise of a polite clap.
Mind Transfer Jutsu.
Hinata ducked, stirring her broth; beneath her hair her Byakugan flared, seeing through the wall.
"You felt them too?" Ino's voice echoed in their mental link.
"Seven o'clock, alley mouth—someone's tailing us."
'Mm?'
Hinata sounded puzzled.
"Three kids… maybe six or seven years old."
While the girls stayed alert, Naruto's calm voice cut in: "Ignore them—Third Hokage's grandson Konohamaru and his two sidekicks."
At that, Hinata and Ino both exhaled.
Her Byakugan faded; the mind link dissolved.
Ino smiled and slipped a slice of Narutomaki into Naruto's bowl. "Try this—the broth tastes different."
"Big brother Naruto, try Hanabi's too!"
Seeing this, Hanabi hopped up, stretching her chopsticks toward him.
But she was small; even standing, her short arms couldn't reach past Ino and Hinata to Naruto's bowl, and the Narutomaki wobbled helplessly in the air.
Naruto quickly moved his bowl to meet her chopsticks. "Thanks, Hanabi!"
At the successful offering, the little girl's eyes sparkled, and Naruto thought,
'Little Hanabi—so cute!'
Hinata lifted a Narutomaki, hesitating.
Her mind drifted back three, maybe four years.
Back then, egged on by her sister, she'd clutched a small Sunflower, mustered every shred of courage, and approached Naruto. Head down, heart hammering, she'd practically shoved the flowers at him. "N-Naruto-kun… th-this is… for you…"
Naruto blinked at the bright yellow blossoms.
He brushed a petal with his finger, then flashed that sunny grin. "Sunflowers? Thanks—I love them!"
Sunlight caught his blond hair, dazzling her.
His earnest "Thanks—I love them" and the way he'd touched the petals stayed etched in her memory.
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