"Yo, it's you guys."
Naruto stopped, looking at them with a hint of surprise.
The last time he saw Konohamaru, the boy had wanted to beat him up. How did his attitude change so quickly?
Konohamaru, panting heavily, ran up to Naruto with Moegi and Ise Udon, looking up with a small face. His tone was accusatory and sought support: "Big Brother Naruto! We ran into bad guys yesterday!
There were two weirdly dressed people from another village who bullied us! They even tried to attack us!"
Naruto was stunned. Outsiders? Bullying children?
Moegi nodded vigorously beside him, adding, "Yes, yes! It was scary! That guy carrying a roll of cloth even tried to tie up Ise Udon with strange strings!"
Ise Udon sniffled, whispering with lingering fear, "Th-thank goodness Big Brother Shikamaru and the others happened to pass by..."
As the three children described the events one after another, Naruto gradually understood.
It turned out that just yesterday, while he and Sakura were temporarily called away to the Medical Unit to help transport an emergency batch of medicine, the prelude to the Chunin Exams had quietly begun in the streets and alleys of Konoha.
The three individuals from the Hidden Sand Village—Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara—had gotten into a conflict with Konohamaru and his friends.
Kankuro had wanted to punish Konohamaru for accidentally bumping into him, but the timely appearance of the Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Ino Yamanaka trio prevented the situation from escalating.
And Ino... seemed to have gotten into a verbal conflict with that blonde girl from Sunagakure, eventually resulting in a physical confrontation. After a brief exchange, they were separated and taken away by Asuma and Baki of Sunagakure, respectively.
"So much happened..."
Naruto muttered, his brow slightly furrowed.
Ino got into a fight?
Given Ino's personality and strength, she probably didn't suffer a loss, but... "Big Brother Naruto, you absolutely must give them a good beating during the Chunin Exams!"
Konohamaru waved his fists, pleading with Naruto to help teach the three Hidden Sand Village Ninja a lesson.
"I will."
Naruto nodded.
"Oh, right, I also ran into a red-haired older sister from the Kusagakure before.
When I said I was looking for Big Brother Uzumaki Naruto, that older sister happened to be passing by, and she seemed very excited when she heard your name. Do you know her, Big Brother?"
A female Ninja from the Kusagakure?
Karin?
Naruto nodded, silently making a mental note of the incident.
After leaving the excited Konohamaru trio, Naruto leaped onto a rooftop.
In just a few bounds, the Yamanaka clan's residence, with its courtyard and floral fragrance, appeared before him.
Naruto landed lightly from the rooftop, patted non-existent dust off his clothes, adjusted his forehead protector, and then walked to the door and knocked.
Soon, the door slid open.
A faint, warm scent, a mixture of morning dew and floral fragrance, wafted over him. The person who appeared behind the door was Ino's mother, Yamanaka Rino.
She was wearing a plain, everyday kimono with an apron tied around her waist, apparently busy making breakfast, and wore her usual gentle smile.
"Oh, it's Naruto!"
Yamanaka Rino's eyes lit up, and her tone was warm.
"Quickly, come in! Ino and the others are still eating. Have you eaten yet? Why don't you join us? We made miso soup and grilled fish today."
Faced with Aunt Rino's enthusiastic and sincere invitation, Naruto had no intention of being polite or declining.
Having meals at the three Ino–Shika–Chō families, especially the Yamanaka household, was already commonplace for him and one of the important ways he felt the warmth of a family.
A wide smile immediately blossomed on his face, and he nodded cheerfully: "Great! I haven't eaten yet, Aunt Rino! Then I won't stand on ceremony!"
Saying this, he bent down, ready to take off his shoes with practiced ease.
Da Huang, perched on his shoulder, also let out a timely "Woof," seemingly greeting them too.
Rino then noticed the fluffy little creature on Naruto's shoulder. After a moment of surprise, her smile deepened: "Did you bring a little guest? How cute, come on in together."
Leading Da Huang into the warm interior, the atmosphere of breakfast in the living room immediately enveloped them. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the three figures by the dining table.
Ino, Hinata, and Hanabi, who were eating, heard the noise almost simultaneously and turned their heads toward the entryway.
"Naruto, you're here."
Ino put down her chopsticks and spoke first.
Today she was wearing a refreshing high ponytail, looked quite spirited, and showed no signs of injury or fatigue on her face.
Seeing Ino completely unharmed, the worry that had been hanging over Naruto quietly dissipated. It seemed yesterday's conflict hadn't caused any substantial damage.
"Mhm."
Naruto walked forward, his gaze carefully sweeping over Ino, before asking, "I heard Konohamaru and the others say you got into a conflict with someone from the Hidden Sand Village yesterday, and even fought? How was it? You weren't hurt, were you?"
His tone was filled with unconcealed concern.
Ino waved her hand, a look mixing annoyance and confidence appearing on her face: "Hmph, that arrogant girl carrying the giant fan? She's far too early if she thinks she can hurt me!
We just tested each other a few times before Asuma Sensei arrived. I didn't even get a scratch, don't worry."
As she spoke, she unconsciously puffed out her chest, clearly not believing she had been at a disadvantage in yesterday's exchange.
Then she suddenly realized she was in front of Naruto and said with a hint of embarrassment.
"I'm not hurt."
Just then.
"Wow! A little doggy!"
Hyuga Hanabi, sitting next to Hinata, instantly brightened, staring intently at the fluffy golden mass on Naruto's shoulder as if she had found a treasure.
She didn't even care about the food in her mouth, leaning forward, her small hands already eager to reach out.
Hinata also followed her sister's gaze. When she saw Da Huang, her pale face flushed slightly, and she whispered gently, "R-really, what a cute puppy."
Naruto's attention was drawn by Hanabi's gasp. Seeing the little girl's face full of affection, he smiled and explained, "Yes, this is a Ninken that Big Sister Inuzuka Hana gave me. I named him Da Huang."
Saying this, he carefully took Da Huang down from his shoulder.
The little fellow seemed to sense the friendly aura emanating from the girls in front of him. He wasn't shy at all, his round, dark eyes turning curiously.
Naruto gently placed Da Huang into Hanabi's outstretched hands.
Hanabi immediately took hold of him carefully and happily, rubbing her cheek against Da Huang's fluffy head.
Da Huang responded affectionately, sticking out his small pink tongue to lick Hanabi's cheek, making comfortable purring sounds in his throat.
"Hehehe... That tickles! So cute!"
Hanabi laughed out loud, her silver-bell-like laughter filling the entire living room.
She hugged Da Huang, gently stroking his back fur, completely enamored.
Hinata also couldn't help but lean closer, extending a slender finger to carefully touch Da Huang's ear. Seeing the puppy obediently tilt its head, a gentle and joyful smile appeared on her face.
Even Ino, who had just been discussing yesterday's conflict, couldn't help but curve her lips upwards at this heartwarming scene, temporarily forgetting about the Hidden Sand Village incident.
Yamanaka Rino walked over, holding the bowl and chopsticks she had prepared for Naruto. Seeing how happy the girls were, she also offered a relieved smile: "Naruto, sit down and eat quickly, the soup is getting cold. This little fellow seems quite endearing too."