In the end, Naruto had to write a formal letter of guarantee promising to respect Nine-Tails' dignity. Only then did the fox stop sulking and trot off happily to cook dinner.
On the other side of the village, after separating from Naruto, Shikamaru caught up with Choji.
Something was definitely wrong. Shikamaru had known Choji since they were toddlers, and he understood one fundamental truth: if Choji stopped eating, something serious had happened.
"Choji, wait up!" Shikamaru called out.
Choji didn't respond. He walked like a man in a trance, completely oblivious to the world around him. Shikamaru had no choice but to sprint ahead and block his path with outstretched arms.
"Choji, what's wrong?" Concern leaked into Shikamaru's voice.
Choji was his best friend. Seeing him like this made Shikamaru genuinely anxious.
"I..." Choji's face crumpled. His lower lip trembled.
"Come on. Let's go watch the clouds." Without waiting for an answer, Shikamaru grabbed Choji's arm and pulled him along.
They made their way to their usual spot on the hillside.
Shikamaru had always loved cloud watching. There was something soothing about the way they drifted across the sky, constantly shifting into new shapes. No matter how gloomy his mood, the clouds always made things better.
The two boys sat on the grassy slope, looking up at the deep blue sky streaked with white.
After several minutes of comfortable silence, Shikamaru spoke. "What happened, Choji? I'm worried. Naruto's worried too."
Choji lay back on the hillside, resting his head on his hands. His eyes stared at nothing in particular. Finally, after a long pause, he began to speak.
"Yesterday, after we finished eating lamb at Naruto's place, I went home..."
The Day Before
After enjoying Naruto's excellent cooking, a very happy Choji had returned home.
His father, Choza, immediately noticed his son's unusually cheerful mood. "Choji, what's got you so happy today? Tell your old man."
Choji looked at his father fondly. Choza had always been good to him, loving and supportive. Even his friendship with Shikamaru had come through his father's connection with Shikaku. So Choji replied enthusiastically, "Dad, I made a new friend!"
Hearing this, Choza smiled. "Oh? My Choji has a new friend? Tell me, what's your friend's name?"
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Uzumaki Naruto?" Choza rolled the name around in his mind. He couldn't place whose child that was. The only person with the Uzumaki surname he could recall had disappeared after the Nine-Tails attack.
Still, if his son was happy, he was happy.
"Dad, let me tell you—Naruto's cooking is incredible! Shikamaru and I just had lamb skewers at his place. They were amazing!" Just thinking about it made Choji hungry again. He pulled out a bag of chips.
"Oh really?" Choza looked at his son with exaggerated expectation. "So tell me, who's the better cook? Me or Naruto?"
Choji thought about it seriously. "About the same as you, Dad."
"Hmm. That's pretty impressive..." It wasn't quite the answer he'd hoped for, but it was acceptable. Choza nodded approvingly.
"Oh, Dad! I just remembered—Naruto told me about his big dream!"
"What dream?" Choza was curious what kind of grand ambitions a child might have. Would it be childish nonsense, or something genuinely thoughtful?
"Um, let me think..." Choji stopped eating for a moment. Then his eyes lit up. "I remember now! Naruto's dream is to have lots and lots of friends. He wants everyone in Konoha to be his friend. Eventually, the whole world!"
"Well, that's certainly ambitious. Not easy to accomplish, though." Choza sighed thoughtfully.
"Dad, would you like to be Naruto's friend? I can introduce you! I already introduced Shikamaru."
Choji looked at his father with hopeful eyes.
"You want me to become friends with Naruto too? Ha ha..." Choza was amused by his son's innocent enthusiasm. Making friends with a child wasn't exactly conventional for an adult, but there was no harm in it. "Alright, son. Tell me exactly how you became Naruto's friend. And how you introduced Shikamaru."
Choji launched into the full story. How Naruto had stopped him after school and asked to be friends. How he'd gone through Naruto's "friendship process." How he'd then introduced Shikamaru, who also went through the process.
As Choji talked, Choza's expression became increasingly complicated.
When the story finished, Choza let out a long, deep breath. "Son... you really want to introduce me as Naruto's friend?"
"Of course, Dad!" Choji confirmed loudly.
"Then... I'd have to go through the process too?" Choza looked at his son, secretly clenching his fists. My own son. Trying to get me beaten up.
The moment Choji nodded, he saw his normally loving father deliver a fist the size of a pot lid directly to his head.
After thoroughly beating some sense into his son, Choza felt much better. The little brat had actually tried to volunteer him for a beating. Unforgivable.
When Choji's mother heard the screaming and came running, Choza grabbed her hand and pulled her toward their bedroom. "Come on, dear. Let's go practice making a replacement son."
Present
"And that's it?" Shikamaru stared at Choji in disbelief.
"That's it!" Choji insisted. Even now, he didn't understand why his father had been so upset. He'd just wanted to introduce a friend!
Looking at Choji's genuinely hurt expression, Shikamaru internally cheered. Serves you right for setting me up! You tried to do it to your own father too! You got what you deserved!
Out loud, he said solemnly, "Choji, you really are a devoted son."
"Right?" Choji nodded, completely missing the sarcasm.
"Anyway, this is no big deal. Come on, let's go to Naruto's. He's probably worried sick. Might even have dinner ready and waiting for you." Shikamaru stood and pulled Choji to his feet.
"Dinner?" Choji perked up immediately. Unburdening himself to his best friend had already lifted his spirits somewhat, but the mention of food swept away the last lingering clouds from his face.
They arrived at Naruto's farm to find him soaked in sweat, just finishing a training session.
Nine-Tails had naturally prepared the meal already.
Seeing the table laden with dishes, Choji's mouth began to water. Without hesitation, he plopped down and started eating.
Naruto walked over to Shikamaru. "So what was wrong with Choji?"
Shikamaru repeated everything Choji had told him.
After listening, Naruto stood silent for a long moment. Finally, he turned to look at Choji, who was happily stuffing his face. A long sigh escaped him.
"What a loving father and devoted son."