Later that day, Naruto stretched his arms above his head, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted the hidden training weights strapped beneath his clothes.
Even after all these years, he still wasn't used to how heavy they made each step feel—but Gai-sensei insisted this version was "perfectly manageable for a youthful prodigy like you!!" So, whatever.
The metal plates pressed against his skin as he swung on his jacket. They were nearly identical to the weights he used as a kid—just slimmer, better concealed. If he didn't move too suddenly, nobody would suspect anything.
He stepped out of his apartment, locked the door with a soft click, and took a deep breath. The air was warm, carrying the distant smell of fresh bread and wood smoke.
He didn't know Sakura's exact address—never really needed to—but he trusted his instincts, letting his feet lead him through familiar streets. Somehow, he found himself in front of a well-kept two-story house with a tidy stone path and trimmed shrubs.
'Right… her parents aren't broke,' he thought, taking in the neat little details. 'If she wanted, she could've been something else entirely… doctor, merchant… literally anything. But she chose being a ninja. Guess we're all idiots in our own ways.'
He lifted his hand to knock—but the door swung open before he could.
Sakura stepped out, closing the door behind her as she descended the small stoop. She wore different clothes than he was used to—something casual, softer, a light cardigan with a tank underneath, her hair tied loosely. Not the combat-ready medic-nin he usually saw.
"Naruto! You actually came to get me?" she asked, genuine surprise flickering across her face.
"Yeah," he said, shrugging. "I felt like walking, so… here I am. What do you wanna do?"
She looked around as they started strolling down the path. "Not sure. Why don't we get something to eat? We can go to Ichiraku if you want."
"Nah," Naruto replied immediately. "Let's try something else for once."
"Oh—uh, okay." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well… there's this small place on the other side of town. I found it during a cat mission."
"A cat mission?" Naruto blinked. "Please don't tell me it's the same cat from our first D-rank."
"Yep," Sakura said, laughing. "It's still escaping every week. But now the genin chase it—Konohamaru and his gang. You're technically supposed to take the mission too, but I know you'd rather die than do another boring assignment."
Naruto barked out a laugh. "Yeah, definitely. I wonder how Konohamaru's doing, anyway."
"He's fine. Still using that ridiculous jutsu of yours. Honestly, what was wrong with you back then?"
"I was just a dumb kid," Naruto said quickly. "Let's… just forget about all that and talk about something else."
They wandered through the village, watching the sun dip lower behind the rooftops. The sky warmed into soft oranges and pinks, lanterns beginning to flicker awake along the streets. People called out to each other, the evening bustle settling in.
Eventually they reached the little spot Sakura mentioned—a narrow place squeezed between a stationery store and a tailor's workshop. Warm light glowed inside, and the smell of sizzling meat drifted out.
They stepped in, grabbed a small table by the window, and a moment later a waitress dropped off two trays with thick, stacked burgers.
Naruto stared at the meal like it was a foreign object.
'I didn't even think they existed here…' he thought, picking it up with slow suspicion. 'Then again, in Boruto they're always eating at that one burger place. Should've known the show would be straight buns from that alone.'
He took a bite—and his eyes widened just a little.
"…Okay, this is actually pretty good."
Sakura smirked. "See? Told you."
He swallowed, leaning back as the evening breeze brushed through the open window. Spending time like this—no missions, no chaos—felt… odd. Nice, but odd.
They ate in comfortable silence for a moment, listening to the soft hum of the shop around them.
A couple chunin chatted at the counter. A civilian family sat in the back, trying to calm a toddler banging his spoon on the table. It felt… normal.
Naruto rested his elbows on the table as he chewed, eyes drifting to the window. The soft orange glow of the sunset reflected faintly off the glass.
"So," Sakura said, wiping her mouth with a napkin, "how's training been lately? You've been… different."
Naruto glanced at her. "Different how?"
She shrugged, poking at her fries. "I dunno. Just feels like you've been pushing yourself more. Even for you. Sometimes you disappear for hours. And when you come back, you look… tired. Not your usual tired—just… heavy."
He almost choked on his food.
'Heavy? Yeah, because I'm literally carrying 150 kilos under my clothes.'
"I'm fine," he said quickly. "Just… trying out something new."
She watched him for a few seconds—too perceptive for his liking. Sakura was dense about her own feelings, sure, but she wasn't dumb. She noticed things.
"You're not doing anything stupid, right?" she asked softly.
Naruto smiled, small and lopsided. "Define stupid."
"See?" she said, deadpan. "That's exactly why I asked."
Naruto laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. The warmth between them felt familiar, even comforting. They weren't quite kids anymore, but they weren't fully grown either—just two young shinobi trying to catch their breath.
Sakura leaned back, relaxing in her chair. "It's kind of nice, you know? Just… walking around. Eating something that isn't ramen or field rations."
"Hey! Ramen is elite," Naruto protested.
"It is, but you don't need to live off it," she countered.
Naruto shrugged. "Fair enough."
For a moment, Sakura watched him—really watched him—eyes a little softer than he expected.
"You've changed," she said quietly.
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
"I mean… the way you talk, the way you carry yourself. Even the way you look at people now." She folded her hands on the table. "It's subtle, but it's there."
He felt his chest tighten. Not in a bad way—more like something old and buried shifted.
"…Is that a good thing?" he asked.
She smiled faintly. "Yeah. I think so."
Naruto looked down at his burger, trying to hide the warmth spreading across his face. Sakura wasn't usually this sincere unless someone nearly died two minutes ago.
She took another bite, then asked casually, "So what made you agree to hang out today?"
Naruto paused. "What, I need a reason to hang out with you?"
She snorted. "When it comes to you? Yes. Definitely."
He thought for a moment, eyes drifting out the window again. The village was calm. Peaceful. For once, he didn't feel like he was running toward or away from something.
"…I just wanted to," he said simply.
Sakura slowed her chewing. Something unspoken hung in the air for a heartbeat—not romantic, not tense… just real.
She nodded. "Okay. That's enough then."
Naruto smiled to himself.
They finished their food, and Sakura stretched her arms above her head with a small groan. "Ahhh… I'm stuffed. We should walk a bit to digest."
Naruto stood, pushing his chair in. "Lead the way."
They stepped out into the cooling evening. The lanterns along the street had fully come alive now, painting the road in warm gold. The sounds of the village shifted—quieter, gentler.
Sakura tucked her hands behind her back as they walked. "You know… when you're not causing chaos, you're actually pretty good company."
Naruto smirked. "Careful. That almost sounded like a compliment."
"Don't get used to it."
They walked side by side, the kind of simple, peaceful moment neither of them got often. Naruto glanced at her—noticing the way her hair caught the lantern light, the relaxed curve of her smile.
' She's lowkey pretty. Just annoying as shit' he thought.
TO BE CONTINUED