Ti, like the belly of a wallet, thinned away at frightening speed.
Unknowingly, almost two years had passed.
Tenten was now seventeen, Natsuki sixteen, and their relationship had only grown deeper.
After all, there are so things that beco increasingly pleasant as the body matures — things that can make one completely intoxicated. Content originally cos from NoveI-Fire.ɴet
By now, Tenten had long since moved into Natsuki's ho, openly living together. Marriage was the only step left — and if one day they suddenly had a child, no one would be surprised.
Mm. Now that the most important matter is said, we can move on to less important ones.
For example — the grandson of that old man, the Third Hokage Sarutobi, had graduated. Konohamaru was now a fresh Genin, leading his Konohamaru Team under Ebisu's guidance, doing D-rank missions.
It was then that a certain blond returned to the village.
Standing atop an electric pole, the blond shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Konoha! Ore wa Uzumaki Naruto, I'm back, dattebayo!"
"Ah! Naruto-nii! Naruto-nii's back!"
The Konohamaru Trio, clutching the cat they'd just caught, bead with delight.
Naruto hopped down to greet them. "Yo! It's you three! Didn't expect you'd already graduated — and you've all grown taller."
Konohamaru grinned. "Naruto-nii, you're the one who's grown too much — I almost didn't recognize you!"
Naruto chatted with them for a bit, even discussing Oiroke no Jutsu (Sexy Technique), shalessly transforming into unclothed beauties in the middle of the street.
"NARUTO! What the hell are you doing!"
Sakura's fist ca down hard, flattening him on the spot.
Not long after, all fifteen of the Konoha Twelve had gathered — except there were seventeen now, because Sai and Yakumo had also been called over.
Sai, perhaps after special "guidance" from Tsunade, was much more well-behaved these days, at least no longer tailing Sasuke.
Yakumo had integrated well into Aoba's team, becoming close friends with gumi and proving herself a strong combatant — so strong, in fact, that even Rinya had to stand behind her in fights, leaving their sensei feeling imnse pressure.
Naruto looked around at all the familiar faces and broke into a wide smile.
"Everyone! I'm back, dattebayo!"
That verbal tic was still so familiar.
But Naruto himself had changed a lot — not just taller, but more mature, without the noisy, restless energy he used to have.
Kiba was first to laugh. "Naruto, you do rember how to co back! You've changed so much I almost didn't recognize you!"
Naruto scratched his head. "Kiba, you've barely changed… hmm? That's Akamaru next to you, right? Damn, he's grown! You used to carry him on your head, now he could carry you twice over!"
Looking around, Naruto noticed other changes.
Hinata and Ino, for example — both had grown their hair longer, and their figures had matured to the point of drawing envy from many. Ino now wore a midriff-baring top, looking quite sexy — almost like a couple's outfit with Sai.
Hinata's personality hadn't changed much; she still blushed when looking at Naruto and spoke in that tiny voice, like she'd never eaten her fill.
…Well, maybe she really hadn't.
Still, his return clearly made her happy.
"Sas'ke! Sakura!"
Naruto finally fixed his gaze on the two fated people. "I'm back — did you miss ?"
Sakura denied it instantly. "No. Any later and I'd have started wondering if you even existed."
Naruto slumped. "Sakura, that's too cruel… no matter what, you can't just forget ! I've been thinking about you this whole ti!"
Of course, she was probably joking to liven the mood.
Sasuke, however, said flatly: "Naruto, you probably don't know — Tsunade-sama had Sai take your place. He's been doing fine in Team 7, better than you, dobe."
"Nani!? Soone took my spot?!"
Naruto's eyes swept the group, locking onto the midriff-bearing Sai. "So you're Sai? Listen, I'm the man who's going to be Hokage — I'm not giving you my position in Team 7!"
Sai's squint turned into a puzzled look — what did being Hokage have to do with team positions?
Although this was Naruto's grand return, it sohow felt more like a cody act.
Natsuki, anwhile, was thoroughly enjoying the show, cracking sunflower seeds he'd rembered to bring this ti. One hand eating, one hand spectating — perfect.
Tenten, at first, hadn't been used to it… but over ti, she'd grown a little addicted too.
Shino quietly took a small handful from Natsuki — to feed his bugs.
Neji muttered, "Natsuki, Tenten… why are you two eating sunflower seeds again? Aren't those for hamsters and squirrels?"
Natsuki chuckled. "You don't get it, Neji. Hamsters and squirrels are picky — the nuts they like are usually delicious. These sunflower seeds are tasty even plain, but you can also roast them with salt or five-spice. Eating them while watching a show makes it way more enjoyable."
"…Is that so?"
Neji took a few, cracked them open experintally. At first, the taste felt strange, but just as Natsuki said — eating them while watching a scene play out really did have a certain charm.
And then, when Naruto turned back after the commotion, he was greeted by the sight of three "hamsters" munching away.
After two years apart, there was no awkwardness; even Sai and Yakumo had t Naruto smoothly.
As for Team 7's arrangents — that was Tsunade's business, not Naruto's concern right now.
But he hadn't returned just to see everyone — he wanted to show them how far he'd co.
He locked eyes on Sasuke, brimming with confidence.
"Sasuke, I've been training hard under Ero-sennin these past two years. I'm not weak anymore. Today, I'll challenge you — and beat you!"
"Oh?" Sasuke smirked. "Bold words. Let see your growth, then."
Everyone quickly cleared space for them.
Naruto and Sasuke stood facing each other, the tension thickening — until Natsuki suddenly called out, "Start!"
Naruto, startled, lunged forward instinctively.
Everyone nearly fell over. Why are you ddling in their fight?!
Natsuki shrugged innocently. "They'd been staring at each other for ages without moving. I was just helping them get on with it."
Staring passionately, he said. How did a fight turn into that in your mind?!
Still, since Naruto had charged in, the fight was on. Sasuke moved as well, the two clashing in a taijutsu exchange.
Naruto had clearly improved — his movents were far cleaner than the chaotic style of before. Still, while his taijutsu was now watchable, he was no match for Sasuke, quickly falling into a disadvantage.
(End of Chapter)
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