the rookie 9 are finally complete.
With Kurenai and the other two girls arriving, the once-quiet apartment felt a lot livelier.
Plenty of food had been prepared today.
Compared to Anko's sparkling eyes…
and Yūgao's wary gaze…
Kurenai simply fell silent.
She didn't say a word.
Naruto found it amusing and pulled her over to sit in the seat he'd just vacated.
The Seat of Honor.
"Hahaha—"
"Great! Now we can train a few more times!"
"Woof!"
Kiba and Akamaru were both pumped.
Everyone else was smiling too.
The way they looked at Kurenai had changed.
As expected of a Jonin.
One move and she had them all in awe!
A sugar-mama—an absolute sugar-mama!
Tenten: "Hmph!"
Mei Terumī: "Hmph!"
In Amegakure, Konan gazed at the endless stretch of water before her.
She merely smiled faintly; some things she simply couldn't be bothered to fight over.
Kurotsuchi: "Count me in—hmph!"
Tenten: "Princess of Sunagakure, what about you?"
Temari: "…"
Human beings are born copy-cats.
If no one speaks up, everything stays normal; once something is said, seen, or heard, people follow like sheep. Only those with strong self-awareness rarely fall into the trap.
Whatever others say, keep your own goal crystal-clear.
Kurenai's heart was bleeding.
But seeing the boys and girls laughing, she could only force a smile.
Spotting Naruto stifling his laughter, Kurenai shot him an exasperated glare.
Wait—had Naruto been about to say she didn't need to treat them?
Hmm?!
Immediately…
Kurenai realized something.
She glanced at Kiba, who was cheering.
This brat!
Still, Kurenai shook her head helplessly the next second.
The words were already out of her mouth.
Even if Naruto had spoken up, she wouldn't have taken them back.
Mere worldly possessions!
Worst case she'd eat dirt for a while…
No, that wouldn't work—how would she feed the extra mouth?
Maybe… just forget it?
No way!
If you back down, and he backs down, and everyone backs down, no wonder things end up like this!
Otherwise the kid couldn't have grown up in that kind of environment.
Hoo—
Kurenai took a deep breath.
Clenching her teeth—she'd risk it!
If she had to dip into the inheritance her late father left, so be it!
Of course…
Kurenai glanced at her best friend who was wolfing everything down.
The splurge didn't include her!
Yūgao blinked.
Kurenai… has some tricks!
In one move she'd won all these kids' hearts.
Yūgao frowned; her own funds… were running low.
She'd just commissioned a special Ninja blade the other day.
It was meant as a gift for Naruto when he made Genin.
That sword had cost nearly as much as Kurenai's bleeding today.
And so the two women lapsed into silence, then tacitly started drinking.
Normally Yūgao barely touched alcohol; if she did, only a sip or two.
Today she genuinely felt threatened.
Naruto was too outstanding—too many girls had their eyes on him.
Still, as one of the earliest to stand on his side, she should have a big advantage.
After eating and drinking without a care, Anko also had her own little schemes.
Thus the three women, each with her own thoughts, drank together.
Sasuke sat in a corner, watching the scene both familiar and foreign.
He quietly closed his eyes. "Hmph."
Neji rolled his eyes at him.
This guy—does he ever speak?
He felt even worse than himself.
Everyone was relaxed.
They all knew that after today they would officially be Ninja and would start taking missions.
Even if the first missions wouldn't be hard, once the transition period passed, chances to gather like this would be rare.
Besides, Naruto put a lot of pressure on them.
Especially once they learned Naruto had long been planning something big.
The pressure exploded!
Moreover, Naruto had lifted the restrictions he'd placed on them; though they couldn't train recklessly, it was far better than constantly holding back.
It was time to live up to their talents.
Otherwise, in the future, they wouldn't even be able to walk beside Naruto, let alone help him.
Of course, as heirs of their Ninja Clans, they still qualified.
But among the rookie 9, which of them lacked pride?
Happy times always fly by.
Night fell.
the rookie 9 helped tidy up, then said their good-byes.
Tomorrow they would receive their first mission; they needed proper rest.
Team Guy also had to recharge.
The break was over—missions began tomorrow.
Most likely they'd be leaving the Village again.
When leaving, Tenten lingered, finally getting the head-pat she wanted and Naruto's promise that he'd miss his "big sis," before contentedly walking off.
"Naruto-kun… will everything be all right?"
Hinata glanced worriedly toward the room.
"It's fine—Kurenai-sensei will be here tomorrow."
Naruto rubbed Hinata's head. "Hurry home, or Hanabi will say I've stolen her sister."
At that, Hinata lowered her head, her pretty face warming.
In the end, Ino and Sakura left together with her.
Only after everyone left did Sasuke walk up to Naruto.
"When do we start?"
"Tomorrow—depends on whether Kakashi-sensei can secure it for us."
"Still, we've got a long stretch of training ahead."
"Go get some rest."
Sasuke frowned but said nothing more, nodding before disappearing into the night.
Watching Sasuke's back, the Uchiha Clan crest melted into the darkness.
"Deep obsession… let him stay that way for now."
"Since that's the case, I'll pile on more pressure later."
Inside the Sealing Space, the Great Fox said, "That brat doesn't even know he's awakened the Sharingan."
"Find a chance to give him a jolt and it'll open."
"He hasn't realized it himself."
Naruto nodded, then turned back to his room.
The sight inside made his head ache—but they were his sugar-mamas.
No, only two sugar-mamas.
The other one…
Naruto glanced at the bed he and Izumi usually shared—now occupied.
Seriously, that sleeping posture… was an eye-opener.
The moment he stepped into the bedroom…
Anko slid in like an eel.
There was no stopping her.
Clothes were strewn everywhere.
He looked up…
——————
Everyone: "???"
Picture? Audio?
After two and a half minutes, the black-framed large screen finally flickered back to life.
Black-Framed Naruto's face now carried a helpless look.
Several red dots dotted his cheeks.
'This woman… whatever, she's tied to Orochimaru—might use her to track him down later.'
'But what's with the curse mark on her neck?'
'Feels like some ominous power inside it.'
'I'll find a chance to ask.'
Wiping the drool off his face, he rubbed the sweet scent from the tip of his nose.
"Lousy alcohol tolerance."
After a moment, once the flush on his face faded, he headed for the kitchen.
Two more troublemakers waited there.
"Naruto~"
"Come sit and chat with us~"
"Anko is so lame~"
Yūgao's pretty face was flushed; she sat trying to keep her composure, only to sway unsteadily.
Kurenai rested her cheek on one hand, a subtle blush coloring her face as well.
Clearly, Kurenai was in better shape.
Her expressive eyes still fixed on Naruto, her body nowhere near as unsteady as Yūgao's.
After a moment Kurenai parted her lips.
"Naruto, when do you plan to start the rebellion?"
Naruto: "…"