"Tenten's right," Sakura chimed in, still recovering from the gastronomic tie. "You never do anything directly, but you always end up being the one to blame."
"Hey!" Naruto protested with indignation. "I was just eating my ramen in peace!"
Tsunade watched the exchange with barely hidden amusement. She took another sip of sake while Shizune talked with Tenten about weapon storage techniques. The atmosphere at Ichiraku had reached a perfect balance between chaos and camaraderie.
Temari, from her spot at the other end of the counter, listened to the overlapping conversations with silent attention. She'd finished her second bowl of ramen minutes ago and was now dedicated to observing the group's dynamics. It was different from anything she'd experienced in Suna. Kankuro and Gaara never participated in celebrations like this.
Especially Gaara, she thought, and the image of her younger brother's unconscious face flashed through her mind.
"Guy-sensei!" Naruto's voice interrupted her thoughts. The blonde had turned in his seat to look at the Konoha jōnin. "Could you teach me some taijutsu?"
Might Guy, who until that moment had been explaining to Shizune the importance of maintaining a youthful spirit even during high-risk missions, turned toward Naruto with eyes shining with emotion.
"Naruto-kun!" he exclaimed, standing up from his seat with a dramatic movement that almost knocked over his empty bowl. "What wonderful words! The desire for self-improvement is the brightest flame of youth!"
"So... is that a yes?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"Of course! It would be an honor to share my knowledge with you!" Guy gave a thumbs-up in a victory pose, his white teeth glinting under the light of the Ichiraku lanterns. "We'll start tomorrow! Five hundred push-ups, five hundred squats, and five hundred laps around Konoha!"
"Wait, what?" Naruto blinked. "Weren't we going to practice punches and kicks?"
"True taijutsu begins with physical conditioning!" Guy declared. "Lee has reached incredible levels precisely because of his dedication to basic training!"
Temari leaned forward slightly without realizing it. Five hundred push-ups... The figure was absurd, but she'd seen the results with her own eyes. No genin had ever managed to push her brother that far.
"Although," Guy continued, his expression turning serious for a moment, "with the break Tsunade-sama gave us, I'll have to adjust the training regimen. Lee needs to recover completely before the finals."
"A month, right?" Tenten joined the conversation. "Enough time to polish our techniques."
"And to learn new ones," Naruto added with renewed enthusiasm. He turned toward Temari with a wide grin. "Hey, Temari! You should come train with us too!"
Temari blinked, completely caught off guard. "What?"
"Yeah!" Naruto continued, not noticing the confusion on the Suna kunoichi's face. "Guy-sensei is incredible. If we train together, we'll all get stronger. Isn't that great?"
"Naruto," Temari tried to interrupt, but he'd already turned back to Guy.
"It's fine, right, Guy-sensei? Temari can train with us too!"
"A magnificent attitude!" Guy clapped loudly. "The true power of youth flourishes when everyone strives together, no matter what village they come from!"
"Wait a minute," Temari finally managed to make herself heard, raising a hand. "I never said that..."
"Are you scared?"
Everyone at the counter turned to look at the pink-haired kunoichi. Sakura had regained some color in her face after the ramen marathon, and she was now looking at Temari with an expression that was hard to decipher.
"Excuse me?" Temari arched an eyebrow.
"I'm asking if you're scared," Sakura repeated. "After all, your brother lost to Guy-sensei's student. Maybe you'd rather not risk training under the same method."
SHANNARŌ! Inner Sakura roared in the kunoichi's mind. Who does this Suna girl think she is?! Naruto won't stop smiling at her and now he wants them to train together! No way! This sand girl is going to learn the power of a medical fist when we're done with training!
Temari narrowed her eyes. She recognized a challenge when she heard one.
"I'm not afraid of anything," she replied in a controlled voice. "And certainly not of physical training."
"Excellent!" Guy clapped again, completely oblivious to the tension that had just surfaced between the two kunoichis. "Then tomorrow at six in the morning at Training Ground Three! Naruto-kun, Sakura-chan, Temari-san, I expect you all there!"
"Yeah!" Naruto pumped his fist in the air with enthusiasm.
"Of course," Sakura said, not taking her eyes off Temari.
"I'll be there," Temari confirmed, returning the gaze with equal intensity.
Tenten sighed as she exchanged a knowing look with Shizune. Both recognized the signs of an emerging competition.
"This is going to be a disaster," Tenten whispered.
"Pretty much," Shizune agreed with a smile.
Tsunade watched the whole scene with a thoughtful expression. She took another sip of sake, savoring the liquid while her amber eyes moved between Naruto, Temari, and Sakura. The dynamics between the young ninjas reminded her of her own youth. The same tensions, the same silent competitions, the same need to prove one's worth.
Though in our time, we didn't have the luxury of a month's rest between the preliminaries and the finals, she thought with a touch of bitterness. War didn't wait.
"Granny Tsunade," Naruto's voice pulled her from her thoughts, "are you coming to watch us train too?"
Tsunade arched an eyebrow. "You want me to go watch Guy torture you at six in the morning?"
"It would be great!" Naruto gave her one of his widest smiles. "Plus, that way you could heal us if we get hurt during training!"
"I have more important things to do than serve as a nurse for your early morning adventures with Guy."
"But Tsunade-sama," Guy intervened seriously, "your presence would be invaluable to ensure that no accident affects the performance of these youths in the exam finals."
Tsunade stared at him for a moment, then sighed.
"I'll send Shizune for the first few days," she finally conceded. "If any of you end up with something broken, she can fix it."
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama!" Guy bowed deeply.
Naruto smiled victoriously, and Temari couldn't help but notice how he seemed genuinely excited about the prospect of the brutal training that awaited them. How can anyone be so enthusiastic about five hundred push-ups?
"Well," Teuchi announced from behind the counter, cleaning the last of the used bowls. "It's been a very lively night, kids. But it's getting late."
Naruto looked toward the Ichiraku window and was surprised to notice how dark it had become. Stars were shining in the Konoha night sky.
"You're right, Old Man Teuchi," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Time really flew by."
"That's what happens when the company is good," Ayame commented with a warm smile while picking up the last of the used napkins.
One by one, the diners began to get up from their seats. Ino was the first to say goodbye, still rubbing her stomach with a look of regret.
"Never again," she muttered as she walked away. "I'm never going to have an eating contest with Sakura again."
"I won!" Sakura shouted at her.
"It was a tie!" Ino shot back without turning around.
Guy said his goodbyes with multiple bows and reminders about the next day's training schedule. Tenten followed after saying a cordial goodbye to everyone, though not before warning Naruto to take the training seriously.
"Guy-sensei might seem eccentric," she told him, "but his methods work. Lee is the proof."
Temari watched as the group began to scatter. She felt strangely reluctant to leave. The warmth of the place, the ease with which everyone interacted... it was addictive in a way.
"Temari-san," Tenten's voice surprised her. The Konoha kunoichi had approached with a friendly smile. "See you tomorrow at training."
"Yeah," Temari nodded, feeling a small smile form on her lips. "See you."
"And don't let Sakura intimidate you," Tenten added in a low voice. "She can be intense, but she's a good person. She's just... protecting her territory."
Temari blinked at the bluntness of the statement, but Tenten had already walked away with a parting gesture.
Protecting her territory? Temari processed the words as she watched Sakura talking animatedly with Naruto. Ah.
"Temari!"
The Suna kunoichi turned to find Hinata looking at her with a smile.
"Hinata-san," Temari replied in a softer tone than she usually used.
"I'm glad you came," Hinata said. "It was... nice sharing a meal with you."
She's too sweet, she thought. So different from the Suna kunoichis.
"I'm glad too," Temari admitted, and she was surprised to find she meant it. "I hope you have success in the finals, Hinata-san. You proved you were strong today."
Hinata blushed slightly at the compliment, and Naruto chuckled.
"Hinata-chan is incredible!" he declared proudly. "She's going to crush it in the finals!"
"N-Naruto-kun, that's... e-exaggerated..." Hinata could barely get the words out.
Temari noticed the way Hinata looked at Naruto, the barely contained adoration in those pearly eyes. Ah, she thought again. So it's not just Sakura.
"Well," Temari took a step back, aware she was prolonging the goodbye more than necessary. "See you tomorrow."
"Yeah!" Naruto raised his fist with enthusiasm. "It's going to be great!"
Temari walked away through the night streets of Konoha with her hands in her pockets. As she disappeared into the shadows of the commercial district, she couldn't help but look back once.
Naruto Uzumaki, she thought. You're definitely not what I expected.
And in her mind, a small voice added: And maybe that's not a bad thing.
"Are you sure you can carry her all the way home?" Tsunade asked as Naruto helped Hinata onto his back again.
"Sure! Hinata-chan doesn't weigh anything," Naruto replied confidently, adjusting his grip to make sure she was comfortable.
"N-Naruto-kun, I can w-walk..." Hinata whispered weakly, her face completely red.
"No way," Naruto shook his head. "You said your back hurt after the fight. I'm going to make sure you get home okay."
Sakura watched them from a few steps back, her emotions in conflict. On one hand, she admired Naruto's consideration for Hinata. On the other...
Why has he never offered to carry me? she wondered, then shook her head violently. No! Wait! I don't need to be carried! I'm strong and independent!
But it would be nice, Inner Sakura whispered.
Tsunade and Shizune walked alongside Naruto as they headed toward the Hyūga compound. The streets of Konoha were quiet at this hour, with only a few ninjas patrolling the rooftops and the occasional civilian returning home.
Hinata rested her chin on Naruto's shoulder, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the warmth of the contact. Her mind, usually so busy, was surprisingly still.
He's so kind, she thought, feeling the steady thrum of Naruto's heart through his back. Always so kind.
But then, like a shadow crossing a ray of sunlight, another thought appeared: Sakura-san...
Hinata opened her eyes slightly to look at the pink-haired kunoichi walking several steps behind them. She'd noticed the looks, the small tensions, the subtle change in Sakura's behavior around Naruto over the last few weeks.
She feels something for Naruto-kun, Hinata realized. It's not like before, when she only had eyes for Sasuke-kun.
The thought should have made her sad, but instead, it created a deeper confusion.
What... what do I do? she wondered. Sakura-san is strong, she's confident, she's everything I'm not. If she wants to be with Naruto-kun, I shouldn't...
"Hinata-chan? Are you okay?" Naruto's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Hinata realized she had unconsciously tightened her hands on Naruto's shoulders.
"Y-yes," she replied quickly, loosening her grip. "Just... thinking."
"About the finals?" Naruto asked excitedly. "You're going to be incredible! Your Jūken is super cool now!"
"Th-thank you, Naruto-kun..."
But... is it wrong? she continued to question herself mentally. If I also... if I also feel something...
She left the thought unfinished, too scared to fully explore the implications. Instead, she allowed the warmth of the present moment to envelop her, deciding that some thoughts could wait for another day.
The Hyūga compound appeared before them. The guards at the entrance recognized Hinata immediately and opened the gates without question.
"Hinata-sama has returned," one of them announced formally.
Before they could fully enter the compound, a figure came running from the inner garden.
"Sister!"
Hanabi stopped in front of them, her eyes shining with barely contained excitement. The happiness on her face was undeniable.
"H-Hanabi-chan," Hinata smiled from Naruto's back.
"You made it to the finals!" Hanabi couldn't completely hold back her enthusiasm. "That's incredible!"
Naruto carefully lowered Hinata, making sure she could stand on her own before letting go completely. Hinata staggered slightly but managed to stabilize herself with her younger sister's help.
"Thank you, Hanabi-chan," Hinata murmured, moved by the evident pride in her sister's voice.
Hanabi then noticed Naruto's presence and her expression shifted to a more formal one, though the slight blush on her cheeks betrayed her discomfort.
"Naruto," she said in a carefully neutral voice. "Thank you for bringing my sister back safely."
Naruto blinked at the formality, then smiled broadly.
"No problem, Hanabi! Hinata is my friend, of course I'd make sure she got home okay!"
Hanabi pressed her lips together slightly. Memories of her past words, when she'd judged Naruto as a bad influence on her sister, made her uncomfortable now.
I was wrong, she admitted mentally, watching as Naruto gave Hinata a friendly pat on the shoulder while reminding her to rest and recover for training.
"You should rest," Naruto was telling her. "Tomorrow's going to be a tough day with Guy-sensei's training."
"I will, Naruto," Hinata nodded, then gave him a soft smile that lit up her face. "Th-thank you... for... for believing in me."
Naruto returned the smile with equal warmth.
"I'm always going to believe in you, Hinata! You're incredible!"
Hinata blushed deeply and nodded before turning to enter the compound with Hanabi. But before they could walk away completely, Hanabi stopped and turned slightly toward Naruto.
"Naruto," she called for his attention, her voice softer than before. "I... I also thank you. For taking care of my sister."
The young Hyūga gave a brief, respectful bow.
"And," she added, the words coming out with difficulty, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry for having judged you poorly before. Though I already apologized, I want to make it clear that my words were... inappropriate."
Naruto looked at her with surprise, then his expression softened.
"Don't worry about it, Hanabi," he replied sincerely. "I understand why you did it. You just wanted to protect your sister. That makes you a good younger sister."
Hanabi blinked, clearly not expecting such a sympathetic response. She nodded once more, then noticed Tsunade and Shizune's presence behind Naruto. Her eyes widened with immediate recognition and respect.
"Tsunade-sama," she gave a much deeper bow. "It is an honor."
Tsunade nodded in a greeting gesture.
"Hanabi. Your sister fought well today. Make sure she rests properly."
"I will, Tsunade-sama."
With one last look toward Naruto, Hanabi guided Hinata toward the interior of the compound. Naruto watched them go, feeling strangely satisfied.
"Well," he said, turning toward Tsunade and Shizune. "I guess it's time to go home too."
He started walking, but Tsunade didn't move.
"Naruto," she called him.
Naruto stopped and turned toward her with curiosity.
"Yeah, Granny Tsunade?"
"Walk with me. There's something I want to talk to you about."
Naruto exchanged a look with Shizune, who gave him an enigmatic smile but said nothing.
"Okay," Naruto replied, slightly confused. "Where are we going?"
Tsunade began to walk. Her steps led her toward the outskirts of the residential district, toward the northern area of the village. Toward the Hokage Monument.
Naruto followed her in silence, his confusion growing with every step. Shizune said goodbye discreetly at an intersection, leaving them alone. The streets became emptier as they ascended the steep path leading to the top of the cliff where the Hokage faces were carved.
Finally, they reached the top. Tsunade stopped in front of the carved face of the Sandaime Hokage. The night wind blew gently, swaying her blonde hair. Naruto stopped beside her, waiting for her to tell him the reason they were there.
"Granny Tsunade," he began after a moment of silence, "what did you want to tell me?"
Tsunade didn't respond immediately. Her amber eyes remained fixed on the stone faces, her expression inscrutable under the moonlight. Then, slowly, she turned to look at him directly.
"Naruto," she said in a serious voice. "I need you to give me the Falna."
******
Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry for the wait, but here's the new chapter. I know Naruto has been acting pretty childish since the start without much growth. Starting next chapter, he'll show a bit more maturity while keeping his usual charm. I actually liked writing him that way, but it's time for him to stop being just the comic relief and start getting stronger. Thanks for reading!