Naruto stepped out of the Hokage Tower into the warm afternoon sun. He adjusted the collar of his new black robe, savoring how the dark fabric absorbed the light instead of screaming for attention like his old orange jumpsuit. *A predator doesn't announce himself with bright colors.*
He had barely taken ten steps when three familiar figures appeared ahead, walking in lazy formation.
Shikamaru—now wearing a chūnin vest that looked almost comically oversized on his still-slouching frame—spotted him first. His perpetually bored eyes widened a fraction.
"Naruto?" A rare, small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "When did you get back?"
Ino and Chōji turned at the same time.
"Naruto!" Ino's voice carried genuine surprise, quickly melting into an appreciative once-over. "Long time no see. Wow…" Ino froze when he saw his different look.
Chōji simply grinned, already reaching into his pouch. "Nice to see you again, Naruto." He tossed a bag of potato chips Naruto's way without warning.
Naruto caught it one-handed, the crinkle of plastic loud in the quiet moment. "Thanks, Chōji." He offered a small, polite smile—nothing like the old toothy grin the village remembered.
Shikamaru scratched the back of his neck. "We're heading to the yakiniku place. Asuma-sensei's treating the team since we just finished a C-rank escort mission. You in?"
Before Naruto could answer, a puff of cigarette smoke drifted over his shoulder.
"Haha, don't see why not." Asuma appeared behind them as if he'd been there the whole time, exhaling slowly. "More the merrier. Right, Naruto?"
Naruto looked at him, thinking, Hmm, Asuma Sarutobi is going to die by Hidan's hands. I don't need to do anything
"Long time no see, Asuma-sensei I'd like that." Naruto smiled
The group started walking.
Halfway down the street, Naruto felt it—a prickling awareness at the base of his skull, the sensation of being watched. He didn't react outwardly. Instead, he let his steps slow just enough to fall slightly behind the others.
Then, with the faintest flicker of chakra, he vanished.
*Shunshin.*
He reappeared silently behind a thick oak at the edge of the training field, arms crossed.
"Hinata. It's been a while."
A small, startled squeak. Hinata spun around so fast she nearly tripped over her own feet. Her face ignited into the familiar furious crimson.
"N-N-Naruto-kun?!"
Her Byakugan wasn't even active, yet she looked like she might faint purely from shock and embarrassment. Her pale eyes went wide, fingers twisting together in that nervous way he remembered all too well.
Naruto studied her for a long moment.
*Pathetic.* The thought came unbidden, cold and automatic. *All that gentle love… Is disgusting. She's soft. Boring. Even if I made her cry, it wouldn't feel satisfying. Not like Sakura's disgust. That fire in her eyes when she hates me make me excited…*
He forced his expression back to something neutral. Almost gentle.
"You okay? You look like you're about to pass out again."
"I-I'm f-fine!" Hinata squeaked, taking a shaky step backward—directly into the tree.
Naruto sighed theatrically and raised his voice just enough to carry. "Ino! Hinata just… uh… tripped or something. Can you give her a hand?"
Ino glanced over, rolled her eyes, and jogged back. "Seriously, Naruto? You're still this dense?" She muttered under her breath as she hooked an arm around Hinata's shoulders. "Come on, Hinata i will help you come with us Asuma sensei is treating us"
Hinata could only stammer incoherently as she was half-dragged, half-carried back toward the group.
Naruto watched them go, lips curling into the faintest smirk. *Love is disgusting. Hatred, though… Hatred has flavor.*
A few minutes later, another familiar figure stormed around the corner—pink hair bouncing with every furious step.
Sakura froze when she saw him.
Her expression twisted instantly: annoyance and embarrassment.
"Shannaro…" she hissed under her breath. "I'm definitely going to beat that smug look off your face."
Naruto's smirk widened. "Yo, Sakura-chan. We meet again."
"Hmph." She turned sharply on her heel, clearly intending to leave.
Ino, however, was faster.
"Hey, forehead!" she called sweetly. "Why don't you join us? We're going to yakiniku—Asuma-sensei's paying. The more, the merrier, right Sensei?"
Asuma exhaled smoke in a long plume. "Haha, sure. Don't worry about the bill, Sakura. Everything is on me."
Sakura's shoulders tensed. She glared daggers at Ino, then at Naruto, then back at Ino.
"Fine," she bit out. "But only because Asuma-sensei is being generous. Not because of *you*, Ino-pig."
Ino stuck out her tongue. "Whatever you say, billboard-brow."
The group finally reached the restaurant. They claimed a large corner table that could seat eight comfortably. Smoke from the tabletop grill already curled lazily upward.
Hinata—now recovered enough to sit upright—kept stealing glances at Naruto, cheeks permanently flushed. Naruto deliberately chose the seat directly beside Sakura, ignoring Hinata completely.
Sakura immediately scooted her chair an inch away. "What do you think you're doing, idiot? I haven't forgiven you for earlier."
Naruto leaned back casually, one arm draped over the back of her chair. "Relax, Sakura-chan. I just want to make sure you eat enough. You've been training hard, haven't you?"
She flushed darker—half anger, half something she refused to name. *Why does he keep looking at me like that? Like… like he's imagining something awful.*
Ino watched the exchange with open amusement, chin propped on her hand. "Naruto, you've *really* changed. The black robe, the longer hair, that whole vibe… Did you finally get a girlfriend during your trip? Is that why you're suddenly so… smooth?"
Hinata's fork froze halfway to her mouth.
Naruto turned slowly toward Sakura. His voice dropped, low and deliberate. "Not yet, Ino-chan."
He reached out and gently—almost tenderly—tucked a strand of pink hair behind Sakura's ear.
"I won't betray you, Sakura-chan. Don't worry."
Sakura slapped his hand away so hard the sound cracked across the table.
"Why the hell should I worry?! I don't care what you do, you moron!"
Naruto only smiled wider. Inside, his blood sang.
*That spark of hatred… that flash of revulsion in her eyes…*
He could almost taste it.
Hinata stared down at her plate, knuckles white around her chopsticks.
Shikamaru watched the entire exchange with half-lidded eyes. "Troublesome…" he muttered under his breath.
Asuma chuckled, turning meat on the grill.
Ino giggled behind her hand.
Naruto calmly placed several perfectly grilled pieces of beef onto Sakura's plate.
"Eat up, Sakura-chan. You'll need your strength… for later."
Sakura glared murderously at the food, then at him.
The meal continued in a strange, tense harmony—laughter from Ino and Chōji, lazy commentary from Shikamaru.
Naruto ate quietly, observing.
When the meal finally ended and everyone began to say their goodbyes, Naruto stood up first.
"Thanks for the meal, Asuma-sensei." He gave a small, polite bow—nothing like his old over-the-top gestures.
Asuma waved lazily. "Anytime."
Naruto walked away without looking back.
Behind him, Sakura muttered, "That guy… seriously, what's wrong with him now?"
Ino smirked. "Maybe he finally grew up. Or maybe he just got *more* dangerous."
Naruto disappeared around the corner, smile slowly stretching across his face.
He whispered to himself—to the system listening inside his mind:
"Ten was just the beginning."
"Konoha is full of people who deserve to bleed."
"Let's raise the count."
Somewhere deep inside, the Nine-Tails stirred uneasily in its cage.
For the first time in years… it felt something almost like *caution* toward its own jinchūriki.