Knock knock knock.
A knock sounded on the hospital room door.
"Naruto, I've come to visit you."
"Kano-chan... sorry, I couldn't bring Sasuke back. He... he's gone."
Kano stepped forward and hugged Naruto, who was covered in bandages.
"Sasuke might be gone, but you still have me. I won't leave like Sasuke did; I'll always be here. Besides, you did your best. Don't blame yourself anymore.
It's just one failed mission. There will be many more chances to bring Sasuke back. If it doesn't work this time, there's next time, and the time after that. Don't tell me you'd give up just because of one failure, Naruto?"
"I won't! I definitely, definitely will bring Sasuke back! We're the three-man squad forever!"
"Grumble~"
Naruto's stomach growled at an inopportune moment, making his face turn red.
"You haven't eaten yet?"
"No, I just woke up."
"Then did you see a bento or something next to you when you woke up?"
"No."
Kano slapped her forehead, completely speechless.
She then pulled a bento out of her shadow. This was one Kano had kept for herself, just in case she went out without food.
"I made this myself, so eat up. You're so bad at taking care of yourself—you don't even know to find food when you're hungry. How can I feel safe letting you go out on missions alone like this?"
Kano suddenly felt like a nagging mother worrying about her mischievous son.
"Thanks."
Naruto just laughed twice and started devouring the food. Since Naruto had cheered up, Kano needed to find something interesting to do.
"Alright, I'm going to watch my brother on his date. Rest up and recover well; we'll do missions together once you're healed."
Kano rubbed Naruto's head, which was wrapped like a mummy, and headed out to find Ino... Kano and Ino went back to change into inconspicuous outfits. Black hats, black sunglasses, black coats, black skirts, black high heels, and even their stockings were black. The only white part was their masks.
"Kano-chan, do you really think we're hidden like this?"
"Of course! Dressed like this, no one will definitely recognize us."
"But why do I feel like more people are staring at us?"
Kano and Ino quietly followed Shikamaru and Temari. Many people noticed the two girls along the way; wearing all black in broad daylight, were they going to a funeral?
However, Temari and Shikamaru didn't notice; they were both racking their brains to complete the mission Kano gave them.
Why does the other person look so worried? How can I cheer them up? Kano gave me so much money, I have to get this done.
The two followed surreptitiously. As it was getting late and the sun was setting, Temari and Shikamaru still hadn't noticed them, so they gradually became bolder.
"Hold hands! You cowardly brother!"
"Put your arm around her, you idiot Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru's hesitation made the two gossip-loving girls incredibly anxious, wishing they could step in for him!
Oh! Right! It seemed they actually could.
"Ino, I can't watch this anymore. Quick, use the Mind Transfer Jutsu to control my brother. At least make them hold hands."
Ino also just remembered that she indeed could step in.
"Don't blame me, Shikamaru, I'm doing this to help you. Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
Having successfully possessed Shikamaru, Ino unhesitatingly grabbed Temari's hand and put on a confident expression.
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