“I can’t believe it, the students are diligently doing their missions, and the sensei is hiding here eating dango… Eh?”
Sakura clenched her fists, her brows furrowed, and with obvious displeasure, she stepped into the shop.
When she caught sight of the familiar face opposite Kakashi, her forward momentum involuntarily paused.
Immediately after, a brilliant smile bloomed on her small face, like a flower blossoming in spring, and she instantly rushed towards the girl.
“It’s Chizhao! You’re back!”
The two boys who followed closely behind also focused their gazes on the figure opposite Kakashi, and a hint of surprise appeared on both their faces.
“This… why is Kakashi-sensei with Chizhao?” Naruto’s face was full of confusion.
Chizhao, tightly embraced by Sakura, was about to explain, but Sakura suddenly lifted her head, her eyes gleaming with vigilance, and stared directly at Kakashi:
“Kakashi-sensei isn’t going to prey on a minor, is he? How awful!”
“Eh?! Kakashi-sensei is actually that kind of person?!”
The innocent Naruto looked astonished and backed away repeatedly.
Sasuke, standing by, also coldly uttered, “How awful.”
These three short sentences delivered a triple critical blow to Kakashi.
Seen as a pervert, he quickly waved his hands, clarifying:
“What are you talking about? Chizhao and I knew each other before. I just happened to run into her while waiting for you guys, so I treated her to some food… Isn’t that right, Chizhao?”
Kakashi’s subtle glance was a clear signal for her to keep his skipping out to slack off a secret.
Chizhao then poked her head out of Sakura’s embrace and smiled, saying,
“Kakashi—”
“Cough cough!”
Afraid that Chizhao would call out that embarrassing nickname again, he quickly coughed twice on purpose.
Chizhao had no choice but to rephrase her words.
“Kakashi-sensei is right, he and I did meet by chance.”
Secretly relieved, Kakashi quietly gave Chizhao an Anbu hand sign.
Mission accomplished.
But this favor wasn't for free.
Chizhao immediately slapped the table and shouted, “Today, Kakashi-sensei is treating! Order whatever you want!”
Kakashi, with wide eyes, cautiously reached for his wallet, feeling helpless inside.
Ah, if only I had bought my book first.
As soon as he heard Kakashi was treating, even though it wasn't ramen, Naruto immediately became interested and sat down at the table, as energetic as ever:
“Then I won’t hold back!”
A rich, sweet aroma quietly permeated the shop, causing Sasuke to frown slightly. He softly said,
“I don’t like sweets, I’ll leave first.”
Sakura watched Sasuke’s departing back, a hint of worry inevitably rising in her heart.
“Sasuke… is he alright?”
“Don’t mind that arrogant Sasuke; we’ll just eat our own, right, Chizhao-chan?”
Naruto wiggled closer to Chizhao, but was met with a heavy punch from Sakura:
“You’re too close, idiot!”
Chizhao paid no attention to the surrounding commotion; her gaze remained fixed on Sasuke’s receding figure until he disappeared beyond the doorway.
Her eyes slowly fell on the tricolor dango on the table, and Itachi’s face flashed through her mind.
Sasuke, he must be thinking of his brother.
“Oh, Chizhao, those strawberries you sent to my house were really delicious, thank you!”
Sakura suddenly interrupted Chizhao’s thoughts. A gentle smile bloomed on her face, pulling Chizhao away from Sasuke’s matter for a moment, and she happily responded,
“That’s good! I also sent a portion to Ino; I wonder if she’s tried it yet.”
Upon hearing that she wasn't the special one, Sakura bit into a dango, looking a little disappointed.
“Oh, so Ino got some too…”
“What, what? What are you two talking about?”
Naruto, with a curious baby-like expression, leaned in closer to them. Chizhao was already accustomed to his proximity, but Sakura disliked his lack of “boundaries.”
Just as she clenched her teeth and raised her fist, about to deliver a blow, Naruto’s collar was suddenly pulled back, narrowly dodging the attack.
A gust of wind brushed past his eyes, and Naruto swallowed nervously, a fearful look on his face, as Kakashi’s helpless voice came from behind him:
“Don’t get too carried away, Naruto, it’s dangerous.”
At this moment, the dango shop owner’s wife inserted herself into the conversation, carrying a tray:
“Sorry for the wait. Here are your tricolor dango and tea. Please enjoy.”
Still not satisfied, Chizhao’s eyes immediately lit up, and she unceremoniously picked up several skewers, distributing them to those around her.
“Eat up, it’s really delicious!”
Kakashi grumbled weakly from the side:
“It’s strange, it feels like you’re the one treating.”
But the three of them, in unspoken agreement, ignored his complaints and quickly devoured the delicacies in front of them.
At the dango shop’s cashier, Kakashi painfully pulled out his wallet to pay the bill.
I wonder if what’s left is enough to buy the latest make-out paradise?
Chizhao stood outside the shop, stretching contentedly, her mood greatly improved.
“Chizhao, do you have any other plans next?”
Meeting Sakura’s smiling eyes, Chizhao looked at the bustling street filled with people:
“I want to stroll around a bit, then buy some groceries!”
Sakura’s spirits immediately lifted upon hearing this.
Shopping, after all, was the best way for girls to bond.
Sakura immediately affectionately linked arms with Chizhao and said with a smile,
“Then I’ll come along too! It’s been so long since I went shopping with you.”
“Alright!”
Naruto pouted, looking unenthusiastic: “Shopping, huh? I don’t really feel like it…”
Having finished paying, Kakashi wrapped his arm around Naruto’s neck, resting it on his shoulder.
Most of his weight pressed down, causing Naruto to stumble slightly.
“Well then, Naruto, let’s also go and bond as men.”
Naruto shivered with a chill:
“Eh? With Kakashi-sensei? It won’t be some weird bonding, will it?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the force around his neck suddenly tightened, compelling him to turn in a different direction, towards the Jingying Hall bookstore.
“Hey! Let go of me, Kakashi-sensei…” Naruto struggled to turn his head to look at Chizhao behind him, but Kakashi forcibly twisted his head back.
“Alright, alright, you kid, don’t put all your attention on girls.”
Watching them leave, finally, only the two best friends were left alone. Sakura, full of energy, linked arms with Chizhao and walked towards the bustling street.
“Let’s go, Chizhao, let’s go shopping together!”
The two weaved through the lively streets, constantly ducking into different shops to browse. Sakura’s pink hair swayed gently with her cheerful movements, looking smooth and charming in the sunlight.
The ninja tool shop was filled with a dazzling array of weapons. Chizhao picked up a long sword and swung it, almost knocking over the display stand.
The clothing store also had various styles of outfits. The two picked out a few exaggerated combat suits, changed into them, and stood opposite each other, laughing heartily.
Sakura laughed and chatted all the way, her gaze involuntarily fixed on an elegantly decorated jewelry store.
The dazzling array of cute jewelry and pendants inside instantly captured all her attention, and she dragged Chizhao inside.
“Ah, so cute~”
Sakura’s eyes were filled with surprise. She stared intently at the sparkling earrings, necklaces, and other accessories, and the deep-seated desire for beauty, unique to girls, was instantly ignited within her.
“But these would get in the way during missions, wouldn’t they?”
Chizhao poured cold water on her without mercy, and Sakura looked up, a little disappointed:
“You’re right, and now isn’t the time to wear these.”
Seeing her so disheartened, Chizhao looked for other suitable accessories in the store.
Finally, in a display case, she discovered a small, cute, brightly colored cherry blossom brooch, and next to it was an equally sized, exquisite and beautiful daisy brooch.
These two brooches were almost tailor-made for Sakura and Ino.
Then I’ll buy them to give them a surprise!
Chizhao reached out and took both of them in her hand, then carefully selected one as a gift for herself before going to the counter to pay and have them wrapped.
“Hmm? Chizhao, what did you buy?”
Curiously leaning closer, Sakura looked at the three boxes on the table, constantly guessing in her mind.
Looking at this box… could it be earrings?
But seeing that Chizhao didn’t have pierced ears, she dismissed the idea.
“It’s a secret for now. Come on, let’s go find Ino!”
“Eh?”
Sakura didn’t understand why, but she could only follow Chizhao out of the jewelry store and head towards Ino’s flower shop.