It's over!
Bankruptcy Warning!
The scene on the black-framed large screen
made everyone gasp.
They could already picture Kurenai after going broke.
The Appetites of the Naruto Gang, plus the price of Ingredients… only the great clans of Konoha could afford it.
Anko Mitarashi: "Well, well—"
Anko Mitarashi: "Kurenai, you'll probably have to dig into the Inheritance your father left you."
"True, you just became a Jonin; there are plenty of places to spend money."
"You're probably strapped for cash right now." Yūgao Uzuki nodded slightly, agreeing with Anko.
Kurotsuchi: "Tough luck~"
Kurotsuchi: "I'd dare to treat anyone in the Naruto Gang to dinner, but I'd never say that to Hinata."
Mei Terumī: "Hmm… I can barely manage."
Hinata: "…"
Why are we talking about my Appetite again?!
"I'm so jealous of you~"
"Hinata, your Byakugan must be amazing to let you eat so much…"
"I really want it~"
"A body that never gets fat no matter how much you eat—so enviable~"
Black mist just started swirling in Hinata's eyes.
Ino instantly hugged her and rubbed her cheeks.
Sakura watched, equally green with envy.
"Yeah, Hinata, that body… drives girls crazy~!"
"Big Sis is the best~!"
"Big Sis can eat and never gain weight~"
Hinata: "…"
Something feels off.
The black-framed large screen continued:
["Of course." Naruto naturally accepted Kurenai's offer.]
[Still, looking at Kurenai's Frame, Naruto shook his head.]
[She'll probably be camping downstairs at his place for a long while.]
[Nothing else—just mooching meals off Yūgao Uzuki.]
[Only… the three of them together can barely cook anything edible.]
[In the end Yūgao would still come upstairs to find him…]
[Might as well set out a few more bowls and chopsticks.]
[Wait!]
[Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly.]
[Too wasteful.]
[Also, it's time to start laying out the pieces.]
[Reviving the Uzumaki, reviving the Uchiha, rebuilding the Land of Whirlpools—those weren't empty slogans.]
[Naruto took a deep breath.]
[Then he sized Kurenai up.]
[Great figure!]
[Naruto nodded inwardly.]
[Definitely good for bearing sons.]
[Similar to that Anko Mitarashi.]
[Yūgao… most likely a girl.]
Kurenai: "???"
Anko Mitarashi: "???"
Yūgao Uzuki: "???"
So they're really going to be besties for life—and for one quilt?!
Kushina Uzumaki: "Hahaha~"
Kushina Uzumaki: "My little Naruto's finally realized he's growing up!"
Kushina Uzumaki: "Go for it!"
Kushina Uzumaki: "Once Mom resurrects, I'll go earn the Betrothal Gifts… no, wait, there's still a lot of property hidden in the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools. As long as they didn't Dig Three Feet Deep, plenty is left—and I know exactly where it's stashed!"
Minato Namikaze: Make money!
Tobirama Senju: "Hey hey hey, enough from your family."
Kushina Uzumaki: "Right, the Senju!"
Kushina Uzumaki: "Big Sis Tsunade… cough, Tsunade should still have plenty of Savings; yours is Naruto's, and Naruto's is yours—no conflict."
Tsunade: "???"
Tsunade: "Kushina, are you asking for a spanking?"
Kushina zipped her lips at once.
But inside the Pure Land World she was grinning from ear to ear.
In the Arena, Naruto pondered.
Admire the self inside the black frame world.
Learn from the self inside the black frame world.
Become the self inside the black frame world.
Surpass the self inside the black frame world!
["Ahem."]
["Kurenai-sensei."]
["Sister Yūgao drops by occasionally…"]
["Hah!" Kurenai swept her hand grandly, full of bravado.]
[Naruto glanced at the Ninja Pouch at her slender Waist.]
[He treated it as her Wallet.]
[Hmm… even if she emptied it all, it probably wouldn't be enough.]
['Still, this gives more chances to meet.']
['Whether it works out, we'll see—no rush right now.']
[Inside the Sealing Space, the Great Fox rolled its eyes.]
['This brat really plans to do it?']
['No, focus—gotta perfect that Secret Technique first!']
['Otherwise, once this kid loses even this weakness, what then?']
['Right now he's only evolved to the level of that Ino—just flapping his lips, may not have the nerve!']
Ino Yamanaka: "???"
Ino Yamanaka: "Great Fox, what are you saying?"
Kurama (Yang): "Noisy."
Izuna Uchiha: "Hmm?"
Kurama (Yang): "Isn't it the truth?"
Izuna Uchiha: "Ino, prove it to him!"
Ino Yamanaka: "Fine! Once I can enter the black frame world!"
["All right, let's invite Anko along too."]
["Hinata, what's wrong?"]
[Kurenai noticed Hinata seemed a bit bashful.]
["I… I…"]
[Kurenai shook her head, reached out and patted Hinata's little head again.]
[As she did, she also wanted to ruffle Naruto's hair.]
[But the moment she moved, Naruto stepped back.]
["Don't worry, silly girl, I'm a Jonin after all."]
["Even if I 'Bleed Money' today, it's only a Drop in the Bucket compared to years of Savings."]
["Eat to your heart's content!"]
[Hinata's cheeks flushed as she gave a soft "Mm."]
["I'm kind of curious how much you can eat too," Kurenai said with a chuckle.]
[Hinata's face grew even hotter.]
[She was about to turn into a steam engine.]
[Naruto stepped forward.]
[Kurenai's eyes lit up.]
[So that's how it is~]
[Then Kurenai naturally placed her hand on Naruto's head.]
[Just as expected!]
[Kurenai felt all her thoughts click into place.]
[Truly, nothing can't be solved by throwing money at it.]
[Still, this child…]
[Sigh, this Konoha really has become unfamiliar… or maybe I've only just noticed.]
[No matter, it's just one more mouth to feed—I can afford it!]
["Then we'll head back and get ready."]
[Naruto took Hinata's hand and left.]
["Mm, off you go."]
["I'll go call Anko."]
["Okay."]
[Naruto led the rookie 9 away.]
[Kurenai stretched languidly.]
[A few scares along the way, but the outcome was pretty good.]
['A United Front, huh?']
['Interesting.']
['But this kid really is something else—no wonder Yūgao turned into a Mother Hen.']
['Yūgao, oh Yūgao, I can't wait to see your face later~']
['Off I go—gotta drag Anko along~!']
[Kurenai was in a beautiful mood.]
[Yet—]
[the moment she stepped out of the training ground, the smile vanished from her pretty face.]
["Kurenai~"]
[Seeing Asuma Sarutobi—Big Beard, cigarette, Greasy Uncle image.]
[Kurenai's delicate brows knitted.]
[A flurry of thoughts flashed through her mind, and without thinking she spoke her mind aloud.]
["Maybe my way of speaking has been too gentle."]
["Asuma, we're not suited for each other—don't come looking for me again."]
["Also, I'd like you to call me by my full name."]
[The underlying meaning—]
['Don't be so familiar; we're not that close.']
['And stop clinging to me; all that Gossip is annoying.']