"Let's go this way. I'll take you somewhere special~"
Ino led Temari toward the flower shop, while Temari was full of questions about why Shikamaru had suddenly become so strange.
Kano carried Ino on her back toward the flower shop, taking the chance to give her a couple of squeezes to check the gap between herself and Ino.
Not bad, there's still hope of catching up.
Arriving at the flower shop meant arriving at Ino's own home (literally her home). She showed off all sorts of flower languages, leaving Temari completely stunned.
Finally, ending with a romantic rose, she flirted with Temari until her face turned red.
Temari was internally dazed. Does he even need me to cheer him up? He's more energetic than I am!
After the maneuver was complete, Ino returned to her body, tidied her slightly messy clothes at her chest, and spoke confidently.
"Was my move impressive just now?"
Kano gave a thumbs up. "Smooth!"
Coming to his senses, Shikamaru didn't know what had just happened. He looked around and found they were at the flower shop. Moreover, Temari was holding a rose, her face slightly red and her manner a bit bashful.
"We haven't known each other for that long. It's too early for that kind of thing. At least wait until we're more familiar."
Temari looked up at Shikamaru, only to see him return to his usual listless self.
Huh? Just because I didn't accept you, you became this listless? How am I supposed to explain this to the konoha songstress? I took her money, so I have to get this done!
"Let's go get something to eat. Do you have any recommendations?"
This time, she had to use the funds from the konoha songstress to treat Shikamaru to a meal, say things he liked to hear, and cheer him up.
Seeing the date get on the right track, Kano and Ino couldn't be happier. Just as they interlocked their fingers in celebration, a dangerous person approached.
"Who are you people?"
A puppet and Kankuro blocked two directions. As an outsider in Konoha Village, he shouldn't normally take action, but now that someone was stalking Temari, he had to find out who these two were.
Kano took off her mask and sunglasses and waved at Kankuro.
"Come over here quick, put your puppet away so you don't get noticed."
"konoha songstress, why are you here?"
"Stop talking and put the puppet away."
He couldn't beat the konoha songstress, so he could only obediently do as told.
"What are you doing being so sneaky? Why are you following Temari?"
"My brother is on a date with your sister. We're secretly watching. Want to join?"
Kankuro looked at the mask and sunglasses Kano handed over and fell silent... A sneaky 2+1 group followed the dating pair. Kankuro was already dressed in black, so a mask and sunglasses were enough.
"Your puppet is too obvious. When we pass my house later, you can leave it there and pick it up later."
Kankuro figured there was no danger in Konoha, so he nodded.
Passing by the Nara Clan Area, they happened to run into Gaara. He was coming to the Nara house to thank Kano, but unfortunately, she wasn't home.
Coincidentally, he ran into them just as he was about to leave.
Along with the sneaky Kankuro.
"Uh, what are you guys doing?"
...And so, a sneaky 3+1 group continued to tail the dating pair.
"Gourd Boy, your gourd is too obvious. Want to leave it behind too?"
"No, this is my most precious sand. I'll just turn it black so it's not noticeable."
Then Karin ran over, panting.
"Big Sister, I found you!"
...And so, a sneaky 4+1 group crouched at the restaurant entrance, peeping.
"Karin, your red hair is too obvious."
"Sorry, Big Sister, I'll cover it up right now."
Karin took a piece of black cloth and wrapped up her red twin-tails.
Then came Kiba holding Akamaru, along with Choji, Neji, and Rock Lee, who had just come out of the hospital. They looked at the five people lurking in the dark.
Kiba had already recognized them by scent.
"Kano, what are you guys crouching here for?"
...And so, a sneaky 5+4 group entered the shop together, pretending to be normal customers dining in, intending to observe from a close distance.
They happened to run into Tenten and Hinata, who were dining together after a mission... Of course, Shikamaru and Temari also noticed this sneaky 9+1.5 group (Hinata felt this wasn't right, so she only counted as half).
Even with sunglasses and a mask, Shikamaru could feel that dangerous aura from his sister.
Even if it was blackened, Temari could recognize the person carrying the large black gourd was Gaara. Why was Gaara mixed in with them?
But neither spoke. If they wanted to watch, let them. They still prioritized their mission to cheer each other up.
Then Naruto, who had escaped from the hospital, passed by the window and saw Shikamaru, so he came in to say hello.
"Shikamaru, good evening! Are you on a date? Kano-chan and I have dated before, too. I hope you have fun! I'm leaving now."
Naruto's single sentence made both of them turn red in the face. If he hadn't spoken, both sides thought it was a mission; now that he had, it was a date.
Immediately, they stopped eating and prepared to leave with flushed faces.
"Naruto!"
The group of onlookers couldn't take it anymore; such juicy gossip was ruined by Naruto's one sentence. A group of people rushed out and gave Naruto a beating, increasing his hospital stay.
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