Evening.
Jiraiya stood at the entrance of the barbecue restaurant, gazing mournfully at his wallet.
For Naruto's so-called 'scheme,' Jiraiya had emptied this month's manuscript fees to treat everyone except Ino and Sakura to barbecue.
Initially, the act of not inviting just two people was too obvious, but Naruto 'cleverly' told Shikamaru and Chōji that he 'didn't want to disturb their precious training time.'
Through the two of them, Ino, who was in the Medical Department, was informed of the news by Chōji and Shikamaru, who were on their way to the barbecue restaurant. She didn't feel much about it.
Barbecue? As the young lady of the Yamanaka Clan, she wasn't short of one meal.
Their usual squad leader, Asuma, also frequently treated them to barbecue.
Ino didn't think there was any problem and continued to practice Medical Ninjutsu on raw fish in the Medical Department.
—It's impossible to let them practice on injured people from the start; if something goes wrong, it could be a matter of life and death.
Just like Yagura's descendant, Kagura Karatachi, who was stabbed with a sword during the Boruto era.
Logically, such an injury is nothing in the world of Naruto.
Even the Flying Thunder God Slash, aimed at a vital point, didn't instantly kill Izuna, and even made Senju Tobirama ask, 'How is Izuna?' to confirm the battle results.
Sarada tried to save Kagura with Medical Ninjutsu, but failed, and Kagura, who was already designated as the next Mizukage, just died.
This wasn't a problem originally.
But when Sakura taught Sarada Medical Ninjutsu, using fish as props, Sarada treated the fish for a long time and ended up cooking it.
Now it's clear.
Medical Ninjutsu talent might be overridden by the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release talent.
"Something's not right."
Sakura stopped her Medical Ninjutsu and looked at Ino with a suspicious expression, "What they just said was very wrong."
"What's wrong?"
Ino took out her bento from the cabinet, ready to eat a few bites before continuing her hard work.
"How could that Naruto guy treat everyone to a meal and not invite me?"
"...Sakura, you seem to have a bit of a narcissistic tendency, but what you said actually makes some sense."
Ino nodded after eating a bite of her bento.
"If he didn't invite you, he must be worried that you've been training with Lady Tsunade and me recently, afraid you'd tell me."
Sakura stroked her chin, beginning to deduce.
"Tell what?"
Ino asked casually, continuing to eat her meal.
"I don't know either, but it must be some kind of shady trick he's pulled many times before... Ino, please go investigate for me!"
Sakura said this, clasping her hands together, begging Ino.
"Alright, I'm a little curious too."
Ino handed the half-eaten bento to Sakura, stood up, patted her legs, and leaped out the window.
Inside the barbecue restaurant.
After everyone had eaten for a while, Naruto finally stated his purpose.
"What?! Naruto, you idiot, what do you want us to do? Defect? I didn't mishear, did I?"
Kiba was the first to jump up, slamming the table in disbelief.
"Naruto, if you think one barbecue meal is enough for us to risk our lives for you, that's far too cheap."
Shino pushed up his glasses, speaking calmly.
"It's over, 'eating someone's food makes you soft, taking someone's hand makes you short.' I should've known not to come; I don't even need this meal~"
Tenten wailed, covering her head.
She had originally thought it was a rare opportunity for everyone to have a team-building event and strengthen their friendship.
But it turned out to be a trap.
"'Eating someone's food makes you soft'... Shikamaru, can I still eat?"
Chōji, who was devouring barbecue, suddenly stopped with a piece of meat still in his mouth, asking Shikamaru beside him.
"Keep eating."
Shikamaru replied to Chōji helplessly, then looked at Naruto, "Naruto, first tell us what you want to do. Why do you want us to defect?"
"Oh, okay."
So Naruto explained his plan, which he had come up with through his amazing wisdom.
Simply put, Naruto hoped that one of them would pretend to defect, and then Naruto, as that person's beloved friend and brother, would pursue him with deep sorrow.
This would provide a legitimate reason to leave the Village, and Jiraiya, to protect Naruto, would also be 'forced' to follow.
Then Naruto and Jiraiya could wander... train outside.
As for the person pretending to defect, there was no need to worry; they would explain everything later, and with everyone's pleas, it would all blow over.
"Um, Naruto, are you sure you know what level of crime defection is?"
Shikamaru asked tentatively.
"I don't know, how does it compare to stealing the Scroll of Seals?"
Naruto scratched his head.
"The same level."
"Then it's fine."
?
Shikamaru was speechless at Naruto's remark.
Do you even hear what you're saying?
But Shikamaru thought again.
Oh right, Naruto actually did that.
Then it's fine.
Shikamaru had originally wondered if someone had tricked Naruto into this plan, but now he realized it was very much in line with Naruto's character.
"I'm not doing it anyway. If I dared to defect, even if you guys pleaded for my release without charge, I'd still get a mixed double beating from my mom, my older sister, and their Ninja Dogs."
Kiba immediately refused.
Hearing Kiba say that, Naruto felt a bit envious.
If he could, he'd also want to be beaten by his mom and dad.
"Um, actually, only one person is needed."
Naruto quickly added after regaining his composure.
After Naruto said this, everyone had different thoughts.
Some considered whether to use this opportunity to leave Konoha and break the Caged Bird Seal, but ultimately gave up, thinking they'd consider it when their training hit a bottleneck.
Others wondered whether to help Naruto by using the excuse of looking for their sister.
"To stick by a friend through thick and thin is an inescapable duty. Since that's the case, I will..."
"I'll take care of this."
Shino stood up, muttering to himself, but was interrupted mid-sentence. Everyone's gaze turned to the other person who had stood up.
"Sa-Sasuke, you?"
Naruto looked at the standing Sasuke in surprise, not expecting him to help him.
"Don't misunderstand, Naruto, I'm doing this for myself too."
Sasuke snorted coldly and looked away.
During this time, Sasuke had been feeling very frustrated.
Naruto was training with Jiraiya, one of the Sannin. Sakura was training with Tsunade, also one of the Sannin.
Only he was with Kakashi, and after learning Chidori, he didn't know what else he could learn. Summoning pugs?
He felt that if this continued, his seniority would be two generations lower than Naruto's.
Even if that place had that man's presence, Sasuke believed that it wasn't impenetrable; otherwise, that person wouldn't have told him how to evolve the Sharingan.
Sasuke's idea of leaving had existed before, but he lacked an opportunity.
Now that Naruto proposed this plan, he could use the pretense of defection to truly leave.
Thank you, idiotic Naruto.
Sasuke's lips curved slightly.
"Sasuke, you're not actually thinking of defecting, are you?"
Naruto asked cautiously.
Sasuke's smile instantly froze.
....
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