Although Fū had been very well protected by the village head in Takigakure, that protection didn't mean she was immersed in some beautiful fantasy world. She was fully aware of everything related to tailed beasts.
She knew that jinchūriki were feared in many places and that many people coveted them. The one Furina mentioned this time was clearly one of those people eyeing a tailed beast.
But it didn't matter. She believed that these friends she had only recently met wouldn't harm her. With their help, she no longer needed to worry about those hidden threats.
"Hey, hey, what about me? What about me? I can protect Fū too, you know."
Seeing Furina, Uchiha Hikari, and Fū starting to put on some kind of terrifying ninja-world friendship display, Shion could no longer stay silent. She had come first, so why was the situation developing like this?
"If you want to do what you just said, wait until you've fully mastered your own power first. Otherwise, with your current level—half a bottle not full and the other half sloshing around—if you really run into danger, Fū might end up having to protect you instead."
"Ugh, Master, can you not shut me down so quickly? Of course I know my own level. It's just that the atmosphere has built up to this point, so I also want to fight side by side with you all~ And in the future, I'll definitely work even harder and make good on what I said just now."
"Mm-hmm, work even harder. I definitely heard that. Don't worry, we'll help you make that wish come true later. Right, Hikari?"
"Of course. Since Shion has said so, I'll naturally do my best as well."
"Uh, Master, Hikari... actually, I suddenly feel like I don't need to work that hard anymore. With you two around, everything will definitely be fine already."
.....
Watching the four people ahead laughing and chatting around Furina, Naruto wanted to say something many times, but in the end he always stopped himself under some special emotion—perhaps out of shyness, or perhaps for other reasons.
As expected of Furina, huh? During this period of training away from the village, she had made so many new companions who all seemed really strong. Someone as dazzling as her... did she really still need a friend like him?
In the short time from their meeting to traveling together, although the villagers they encountered along the way didn't say it outright, the looks in their eyes clearly held no good will. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was quite ostracized.
Someone like him...
"What are you thinking about, Naruto? I've noticed it on this journey too—it seems like you really missed me, always sticking close and walking with me. I'm honestly quite touched.
But touched as I am, you can't forget that Furina is your companion too. Playing favorites like this isn't good behavior, you know."
Unlike Furina who liked to tease for fun, Kakashi had also noticed that Naruto seemed far too easy to read—whatever was on his mind was practically written on his face.
And that wasn't even the worst part. Naruto hadn't even noticed Furina frequently looking back at him; he was just sunk in his own emotions. Kakashi couldn't help feeling a bit speechless.
But there was no helping it. Naruto was his student after all, and now that his student had gotten himself into a dead end, it was time for this teacher to step in and do his job.
"Teacher Kakashi?"
Hearing the teasing voice by his ear, Naruto snapped back to reality. He turned his head to look at Kakashi beside him. Under the encouraging gaze of the other, Naruto turned his head again to look toward Furina up ahead.