章節 48: Chapter 63
I had finished my shaved ice treat and was leaning back in my seat, waiting for everyone else to finish. I rested my head contentedly against the padded backing of the booth seat and Haku's arm. If nothing else, he made a tolerable pillow.
I asked the beautiful blonde woman sitting across from me, "So, Temari, do you want to see a movie with me? There's a new one starring Yukie Fujikaze. It might be interesting. What do you say?"
Temari lowered her spoon. After swallowing a mouthful of blue-colored ice, she answered, "I already told you, you're not my type. Quit bothering me."
I closed my eyes, only a little heartbroken. "It's because I'm short, isn't it?"
Kankuro chuckled. "Just give it up. Trust me, she isn't worth the trouble." That earned him a glared from his sister.
I opened my eyes and stared out the window. "I also wanted to ask, since you're from Sunagakure, how is the Kazekage? Notice anything weird about him lately? Like he's not been himself? Any strange behaviors or orders?"
Temari's expression hardened. "What are you implying?"
I could feel Gaara's attention on me. It was heavy and choking but I was long practiced at maintaining my composure in front of someone stronger than myself. "It's probably nothing. I just wouldn't trust Otogakure if I were you."
I probably could have handled that inquiry better. As it was, I had no idea whether Orochimaru was still planning on attacking Konoha. He might still be with Akatsuki even, since Itachi wasn't around. In any case, either I would seem like a nutjob or I would sow doubt in their hearts about the invasion. There were benefits to both.
While they were puzzling out my vague warning, I spoke cheerfully to the disgruntled jinchuriki, "So how about you, Gaara? Do you want to see a movie with me? Maybe your brother would like to come too?"
Gaara answered, "How do you know that we are siblings?" Suspicion and bloodlust emanated not only from the redheaded boy but his brother and sister too, judging from the sudden killing intent. Even Haku was looking at me strangely.
"Shit. I fucked up." The only option I had was to go all-in. "Is it wrong that I wanted to show some hospitality to the Sunagakure jinchuriki?" "Not to mention his hot older sister..." Noticing the sand beginning to swirl under the table, I leaped out of the booth seat, cradling Haku in my arms, to land on the headrest of the next booth seat over. "Like I said, we can kill each other during the exam, Gaara. So let's be friends for now! You wouldn't want to get sent home early for causing trouble, do you?"
Gaara averted his intense gaze and growled, "We're leaving now."
As they were leaving, I shouted, "I think you're really cute, Temari! Tell me if you want to see that movie later!" But I was ignored by the girl completely. I put Haku down and sighed.
"I have to admit, Haru-sama, that accompanying you never ceases to be interesting."
I glared at the smiling Haku. "That's one way to put it..."
"Hey, Naruto, am I a good friend?"
Naruto took a moment from his second bowl of ramen to answer, "Sure! Why are you asking now?"
I stared at my own single bowl of ramen. Ichiraku's was a tradition for the two of us. I had escaped Haku just to be alone with Naruto for a while. "Naruto, I have something to tell you, something I've been afraid to say for as long as I've known you."
"What's going on, Haru?" he asked worriedly.
I took a moment to gather my courage before stating clearly, "I want to get udon next time."
"What? But ramen is the best!" Naruto declared, shocked and hurt.
"Yeah, but we get it all the time! I need some variety sometimes, unlike you."
"Oh...I'm sorry, Haru. We can totally go somewhere else next time. I just assumed..."
"Nah, you didn't do anything wrong. I didn't say anything until now. I just...Hey, Naruto, do me a favor and never change, okay? You gotta become the best Hokage this village has ever seen, no matter what."
Naruto's grin was the biggest I've ever seen. "Definitely! Between everything you and the Old Man taught me, you can bet I'll become an awesome Hokage!"
"Naruto, can you tell me again why you want to become Hokage?" I always thought it was weird how his dream persisted in this world despite having been absent from Konoha's harsh uncaringness for most of his childhood.
Naruto rubbed his chin with his finger. "Well, the Old Man told me about how my...my dad was this great ninja and I figured that...you know...I could become an even better Hokage than him." Naruto scratched the back of his neck. "And when I was traveling, I saw a lot of people who were in trouble and needed help. But some of time...I...I wasn't strong enough to help them. The Old Man was though. He's really strong. So I thought that if I could become strong enough to become Hokage, then I'd be strong enough to help everyone. Does that make sense, Haru?"
"Yeah. It makes perfect sense, Naruto." I slurped down some of that deliciously salty Ramen Ichiraku broth. "I'm sure you're going to be an amazing ninja, Naruto." Honestly, by all accounts he already was.
每周推薦票狀態
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榜單 
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