章 44: Chapter 44 Flying Thunder God and Ino

[Option 1: Perform one-handed handstand push-ups in front of Ino and say the words 'My Youth is burning', and get her praise. Reward: Flying Thunder God Technique (Incomplete)]

[Option 2: Confess to Ino right now and obtain her consent. Reward: Eight Gates Technique (Immortal Version)]

The moment the panel popped up, Naruto's breathing became heavier.

With a sudden motion, Naruto grabbed Ino's hand tightly.

"Naruto what are you doing?"

"Ino!"

"What?"

Ino was a little confused by Naruto's move and her mind went blank, but the hand that Naruto grabbed seemed to be captured by a powerful clamp and she couldn't move at all.

"Don't go!"

Naruto was panicking, fearing that Ino would walk away. At this moment, what lay before Naruto was no longer some worthless trivial rewards.

'Damn, it's the damage-free version of the Eight Gates Technique!'

'If I get this, wouldn't I be able to walk through the Shinobi World unchallenged in the future? I'll live a life of punching Uchiha Madara and kicking Otsutsuki as I please!!!'

Naruto suddenly realized he had to marry Ino for this bright future.

"Naruto, you're hurtingme!" Ino said angrily, trying to shake off Naruto's hand.

"Sorry, Ino."

Ino's words were like a splash of cold water, instantly clearing Naruto's mind.

'What was I thinking? Why did I suddenly become confused?'

'That was Ino, how could she possibly accept my confession?'

'Not to mention that our relationship was clearly just that of acquaintances. Even if she didn't dislike me, she definitely didn't have any special feelings for me.'

'So embarrassing… I was instantly bewitched and lost his mind by the rewards.'

'I'm like a cat lured by a small fish, completely ignoring the height between myself and the cabinet. If my eyes were only on the fish, trying to grab it would only lead to the cabinet toppling over!'

Ino rubbed her red hand in annoyance, then recalled Naruto's heavy breathing and the momentary intense look in his eyes, and a strange feeling suddenly flashed through her heart.

'Naruto?'

'Did he really want to see me?'

Shaking her head, Ino quickly dismissed this absurd notion, 'How could that be possible? Naruto is just an arrogant guy who likes to play tricks on people.'

'By the way, why did I go out?'

'My training was over, my mom was tending the shop, my dad was summoned by Hokage-sama again, and I was left alone at home with nothing to do.'

'Suddenly having some free time, I felt empty inside, so I went out for a walk. I just happened to run into Naruto running around the village, so I sat in the dango shop and waited.'

'Why would I wait?'

Ino's heart was beating wildly, and she forgot the purpose of coming here. She looked at Naruto lying on the ground in front of her with a painful expression, and her expression was a little dazed.

"How are you?" Ino asked.

"I'm fine." Naruto struggled to stand up, spit out the foam in his mouth, looked at Ino and smiled, and then said, "I'm training with Might Guy-sensei."

"I can see that." Ino glanced at Naruto's green tights and mocked him openly, "It's so hideous!"

'Damn it.' Naruto thought to himself, 'It was a good thing that I didn't impulsively choose the second option, otherwise, wouldn't I be mocked for the rest of my life?'

'One shouldn't be driven solely by desire, it's better keep our feet on the ground.'

"Ino, why are you here?"

"Training is over." Ino answered casually, and actually felt her heart calm down a little bit.

"I happened to see you three running around and got curious."

"That scene must have been hilarious, right?" Naruto asked somewhat awkwardly. He could imagine himself cringing inside his apartment later.

"Not really." Ino's expression suddenly became serious, thinking for a moment before continuing, "Everyone has their own path as a Shinobi. Anyone who works hard towards their life's direction should not be laughed at."

Hearing this, Naruto was also stunned.

He suddenly realized something. Perhaps because they hadn't interacted much, he had never truly looked at Ino properly.

It should be said that Ino's emotional intelligence is far beyond that of her peers. She is a gentle yet strong person.

When she said, 'Anyone who works hard towards their life's direction', it didn't seem out of place.

With this thought in mind, Naruto immediately relaxed and stopped thinking about that option, then said with a smile, "Thank you, Ino."

"Naruto, are you possessed? Why are you suddenly talking like this? It's... a bit unsettling." Ino turned her head away inexplicably, avoiding Naruto's gaze.

"Sometimes I can be sincere too, you know?" Naruto said speechlessly.

"Are you stupid?"

"Stop pointing out the obvious. I've heard that at least ten times today." Naruto said, pulling at his green tights.

"Want some dango?" Ino suddenly suggested.

"I don't like dango." Naruto blurted out without thinking.

"Then forget it."

Ino pretended to put on a stern face for a moment. It was just a bit of playful banter between friends, and Naruto knew she wasn't really angry.

"No, that's because I've never tried them, and if you treat me, I'd like to try it," Naruto said.

"You are obviously very rich, right? Why do you want me to treat you?" Ino frowned and looked at Naruto, questioning, "Last time I saw you, you're eating barbecue with a little girl."

In fact, it was not she who saw it, but Choji who saw it when he passed by the barbecue restaurant. She only learned this fact from Choji, but by the time it reached her mouth, it naturally became something she had witnessed.

"Uh…" Naruto laughed awkwardly, scratched his head and said, "Then I'll treat you."

"Hmph."

That 'hmph' was filled with spirit, and Naruto was momentarily at a loss for words, 'Should I... just complete the task?'

"Cough." Naruto coughed and said to Ino with a playful grin, "Ino, let me show you a new move I've learned."

"What?" Ino looked at Naruto.

Naruto did a one-handed handstand push-up, his exhausted body trembling. Despite this, he gritted his teeth and shouted, "My Youth is burning!"

"How... how is it? Ino?"

The voice squeezed out through clenched teeth left Ino stunned. Seeing Naruto's extremely forced and expectant smile, she thought Naruto was trying to make me laugh, but her nose felt sore and she almost cried.

"Are you stupid?"

With a thud, Naruto collapsed to the ground, covered in dust.

He was almost at his limit just now, and was only focused on hearing what Ino said, so he didn't even notice her suddenly thickened nasal tone.

Naruto's eyes turned back to their usual lifeless look as he lay on the ground, staring at the sky, mumbling, "It's over, not a praise."

[Ding! Flying Thunder God Technique (Incomplete) successfully granted.]