In Konoha, This Naruto Has Decided To Take It Easy

Chapter 314 After The New Year Festival, The Price of Growth

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"A little stimulation is all it takes. At that moment, the main personality will wake up briefly." Sakura whispered while looking around cautiously, covering her mouth with her hand.

Naruto was a little speechless, ‘Do you think just because you lower your voice and cover your mouth, no one else can hear you? The way you're acting is even more suspicious, you know!’

He reached across the table and pulled her hand down, "Stop saying pointless things. Do you want Tsunade-sama to kick me out of Konoha and turn me into a Missing-nin like Sasuke?"

"How could that happen?"

"You really have no self-awareness!" Naruto sighed, "If the Hokage's disciple gets *****, you can watch as Tsunade-sama punches me to death."

"Oh." Sakura stuck out her tongue, "I think I'd probably get off scot-free though, right?"

"Stop gloating over other people's misfortune." He raised his hand as if to knock her on the head, but Sakura quickly dodged it.

"Anyway, I'll think of another solution. We'll only talk about your suggestion if there's no other choice."

"What are you doing?"

Before Naruto could withdraw his hand, Sakura suddenly stood up and bit two of his fingers, swallowing them in one gulp. She glanced up and looked at him cautiously.

After a second, she let go as if she'd succeeded in some mischievous revenge, and looked at him with a smug look on her face.

"Punishment." Sakura declared.

"You're sick." Naruto muttered as he withdrew his hand. He glanced at her with a deadpan look, and took out a napkin to wipe his fingers.

Naruto felt that the issue of Sakura’s dual personalities would have to be resolved eventually. It would be great if he could just talk to the Pink Sakura personality. But even though he understood that, he didn’t bring it up.

If the main personality was awakened, then what would happen to the Sakura sitting in front of him now?

He already had a solution, but he wasn’t going to say it yet. For now, delaying was the best option. He’d only act when there were no other alternatives.

"Anyway, did you invite me out just to eat?" Naruto asked after putting down his chopsticks.

"Is that a problem?"

"Of course not. If you invite me to eat, I’m happy."

"Really? You don't look happy at all." Sakura gave him a sideways glance, and said somewhat resentfully, "If you’re so happy to see me, then why don’t you ever reach out to me?"

"I'm busy, and our schedules don’t match." Naruto lowered his head and ate.

The two continued eating while engaging in light, meaningless conversation. Although the topics had no real substance, it was part of their daily routine.

"You sure have a lot of free time."

"Aren't you free too?"

Sakura had become more casual in her speech, no longer constantly calling him ‘Naruto-kun’. Naruto found this made him feel more at ease, otherwise, it always felt like she had some ulterior motives.

"Alright! You have to try your best and eat three bowls today!"

"What are you talking about? Who’s eating three bowls?" Sakura's defense was instantly broken, and her cheeks flushed in the rising steam, "You’re so annoying!"

"It's perfectly normal for Kunoichi to eat more. After all, training uses up a lot of energy." He said with a shrug.

"Ah, stop it already!"

Before they parted ways, Naruto gave Sakura a gift he had prepared in advance. It was a simple bangle, nothing too expensive, wrapped in a gift box that he casually handed to her.

"New Year's gift."

…

The day after Sakura’s meal with Naruto, Ino rushed to Naruto's house. She came mainly to give him a return gift, while also explaining why she hadn’t had the time to return the favor sooner.

"It's so troublesome. My mom suddenly took me to meet and have dinner with my uncles and aunts from our clan." Ino complained as she sat on the sofa.

"Maybe it’s because you’re getting older. They probably want you to get familiar with the clan's affairs." Naruto said as he handed her a glass of water, leaning against the doorframe, "It's a good thing, right? Didn’t you always say your dad is too busy?"

"In the future, you’ll be able to help out, and Yamanaka-san won’t have to work so hard."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Yeah, I guess you’re right." Ino thought what he said made sense, but then she changed her mind and thought, ‘Wouldn't that mean I would have even less time for myself in the future?’

She was wearing a snug, thick sweater that perfectly highlighted her well-developed figure, but she wasn’t in the mood to be happy about it.

Suddenly, she realized that growing up wasn't as fun as she had thought. Time slipped away like grains of sand, little by little. Even though their relationship was growing closer, the time they spent together seemed to be getting shorter.

Thinking back, she felt those years seemed better, with endless time and conversations that never ran out. Although there are no thrilling stories, there will never be such a long summer again.

The cicadas buzzed endlessly, unable to block the scorching sun.

She could lie under the trees, sit on the balcony, or on a green tree branch, chatting and eating with the person she liked, all without needing to say much. Even a single popsicle could be shared, as her bare feet dangled in the air.

After Ino left, Sakura went to eat with Naruto for three consecutive days. Then, after three days, she dejectedly returned to the Hokage Tower.

Once the New Year Festival ended, everything started to return to normal.

Only two of the prepared gifts were handed out. Upon further reflection, Naruto decided there was no need to give out the rest since the festival seemed like a heavy burden to some people.

Besides, the time had passed, and giving the gifts now would probably backfire.

During this period, Naruto hadn't actively sought out Hinata. Even if he thinks with his feet, he could tell what the Hyuga Clan was doing during the New Year Festival. Big, prestigious clans were just too troublesome.

After half a month of boredom in the village, Naruto, started walking around the Hokage Tower whenever he went out for a walk. It was as if there was an ominous person living inside, and he was afraid of being caught and forced into some hard labor.

In early February, Naruto lost a bet to Kurama and had no choice but to go out and buy him some takoyaki.

It seemed luck wasn’t on his side, as at the stall, he was swarmed by three kids.

"Naruto-nii-chan!" Konohamaru rushed over, missing a tooth and not looking very smart.

Behind him were two other kids, the temperamental Moegi and the snot-nosed Udon. However, they seemed to have grown up a bit, and they looked less childish than before.

"Don't bother me." Naruto said with a deadpan look, giving Konohamaru a light smack on the head before turning back to wait for the takoyaki.

"What’s the matter, Naruto-nii-chan? It’s been a while since we’ve seen you, don't be so cold!" Konohamaru tugged on Naruto’s clothes, only to get a flick to the forehead in return.

"Annoying brat, what do you want?" Naruto had already gotten the takoyaki and was ready to head home and feed the dog.