““““““Sorry for intruding!””””””
“Welcome! No need to be so formal, kids. Hurry inside, it is so hot today!” With the urging from Nara Yoshino, Shikamaru’s mom, the six of us went inside the house, escaping the blazing summer sun.
If you asked why only six of us instead of eight, it’s because Choji already went ahead to Shikamaru’s house. And obviously Shikamaru were already at his own house.
After we removed our footwear, we were led to a spacious room with a veranda. In it were Shikamaru and Choji, which is expected. What I didn’t expect, and I’m sure others also didn’t, was the presence of Ino.
Kiba, boisterous as he is, immediately greeted the group’s inviter. “Sup, Shikamaru! Thanks for the invite!”
Though Shino immediately added “Yoshino-san, thanks for having us.”
Followed timidly by Hinata. “H-hello, Choji-san, Ino-san.”
Yoshino smiled at Shino. “You are very welcome, dear. I’ll fetch some water for you kids, wait here.” Then she went somewhere else.
Shikamaru approaching us, along with Ino and Choji, while sighing. “Haah. Took you guys long enough.”
Kiba scoffed. “Well, yeah, thanks to someone for being late.”
I smiled wryly at Kiba’s remark. “I’m sorry, okay? There’s discount at the market that poor lil’ me just can’t miss on.”
Though, what took most of my time which made me quite late was the processing of the ingredients. A problem that could be solved if I knew Kage Bunshin.
… Sigh.
Ino, arms crossed, pouted a bit. “What’s this? Such a lively gathering and I’m not invited?”
Choji, who have been sniffing around since the six of us entered the room, finally locked on to me. Or rather, to what I’ve brought.
“I smell something sweet!” He exclaimed as he went closer and took a peek on my tote bag.
… I’m sure I’ve closed the jars tight. Was he secretly an Inuzuka or something?
Then chaos ensued.
Kiba and Ino had a little bickering after Kiba remarked something along the line that Ino was not part of the group.
I was kinda defending the cookies that I brought from Choji, arguing with him in the process about how the host should be the first to receive the cookies.
Then Yoshino almost dropped the trays she brought from somewhere because she was somehow startled by Shino, even though she just spoken to him several seconds prior. Hinata, Aki, and Sora then ended up helping Yoshino serving some snack and drink.
I took advantage of that moment to give some of the cookies I brought to Yoshino.
Seeing the cookies that I brought, Yoshino softly admonish me. “Takeshi-kun, is it? You don’t need to trouble yourself, you know?”
“It’s no trouble, Yoshino-san. It is simply my hobby.” I replied with a smile as I opened one of the ten small jars that I brought to let everyone have a taste. Everyone takes one to try, and thankfully, it seemed everybody liked it.
“Mm~ It’s sweet but also refreshingly sour! Is this pineapple? I think my husband will also like this.”
“It’s sho good, Takeshi!”
“Did you make this yourself?”
Such praises come flying, making me genuinely feel good about myself.
“Pineapple, huh. Why do I feel like you are meaning something rude by choosing this ingredient?”
Damn sharp, Shikamaru.
I only gave him a glance from behind my sunglasses and refuse to give any response.
We then snacked while chatting after Yoshino leave us to our own device. Of course, I only let her go after I gave her the two jars that I’ve prepared. After that, I also gave others except Shikamaru one jar each. Ino was surprised that she also got one, so I just shrugged and say that I made extra. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Thankfully I decided to make that one extra jar just in case. Now I could give one to Ino. Would be awkward if she didn’t get any while everyone else did.
Though, I could technically give the Naras only one jar if I didn’t make extra, but that’s neither here nor there.
The conversation between the nine of us flowed for some time. We talked about all sort of thing; summer homework that some still haven’t touched, what food should we try in this season, which place are great for napping in this weather, etc, etc.
I guess it was expected as an heiress from a family of mind reader, but Ino’s social skill was really something to be envied about. In no time she could seamlessly insert herself into the group. She even helped Aki and Hinata, the shy and shyer of the group, to talk more than usual.
Speaking of Ino, I also found out from the conversation that the OG Nara-Shika-Cho trio are currently having a meeting. When they heard Shikamaru and Choji are already coming together, Inoichi ended up dragging her here as well against her will.
Her words, by the way.
A rumbling voice suddenly sounded from outside. “It sure is lively today.”
Followed by a cool voice in pampering tone. “I’m glad I brought Ino along.”
“Who knew that Shikamaru would willingly invite his friends over rather than taking a nap at a time like this?”
“I heard that, Dad!”
Speaking of the devil, or devils in this case, and the three men we just talked about shows up from outside the veranda.
I could see Aki and Sora tensed up a bit when they see them in person. Well, both of their fathers are an active ninja, guess they’ve been told about the legendary Ino-Shika-Cho formation.
… Honestly, I myself was quite bedazzled by how many prominent characters from the show that was currently gathered in this room.
Shino, the calmest among us six late visitors, immediately stood up and bowed. “Greetings, Shikaku-san, Inoichi-san, Choza-san.”
Me, Aki, Sora, Kiba, and Hinata followed suit. “““““Greetings!”””””
Honestly, it was really convenient hanging out with these clan kids. They can easily handle interacting in situations which other kids will be all tensed up.
Probably because of their upbringing as clan heirs/heiress. So I can just let them handle any such troublesome interaction.
Yeah, I am an adult inside. Precisely because of that, I don’t want too many people think I was too mature, or worse, thinking that I have a “Hokage mindset” or something.
Choza was the first one to respond with a smile after answering the greetings. “Shibi’s, Tsume’s, and Hiashi’s, huh?”
Inoichi simply smiled dotingly. “Thank you for allowing Ino to play with you.”
Shikaku also smiled at us. “The three at the back are Aki, Sora, and Takeshi, right?”
Hearing their name, Aki and Sora flinched a bit, but in the end managed to muster some courage.
“Hai. My name is Hito Aki, desu.”
“M-my name is Kamado Sora.”
“My name is Nobu Takeshi.”
The three men and Yoshino, who just came back from the kitchen bringing another set of cups, paused for a bit after hearing my full name.
Yoshino putting the tray aside, then asked me hesitantly. “…Nobu? You’re Tamako’s…?”
After the adult Ino-Shika-Cho looked at each other for a second, they also looked at me in realization. “I see. So, you are Hashira’s son?”
I blinked, then I hesitantly answered them. “Yeah, my parents are Nobu Hashira and Nobu Tamako. Um… Did you guys know them?”
“We do.” It was Shikaku who answered my query. “Your mother is my wife’s friend from the academy days. And your father,” he pointed at himself and the other two men, “is our friend. Also from way back in our academy days.”
“We fought together on the same front at the Third Great War.” Inoichi continued. “He got some renown from that war that he and his cell ended up being targeted. Unfortunately, he lost a teammate because of an ambush, and he also took some heavy injuries because of it.”
“If I remember correctly, it was after that incident that your father started meeting your mother when he was receiving treatment.” Choza then chimed in. “Speaking of which, I do remember some of Akimichi owned stores have begun paying back dividends a couple years ago. I guess that’s you, right?”
I could only nod absentmindedly at Choza’s question, because I was quite stunned by that revelation. I guess that’s another reason for Hiruzen’s positive attention toward me; my parents do have quite a good relation it seems with the Ino-Shika-Cho, which as far as I remember was known to be very close to the Sarutobi.
I then feel a hand on my shoulder. I look over to find it was Shino’s, though the other kids also looked at me worryingly.
Huh. Seems like they misunderstood.
I gave them a smile to reassure them. “I’m fine, guys. Honest.”
They all looked at me for several more seconds in silence before showing a relieved look on their faces.
What a bunch of kind-hearted friends that I got here. Lucky me.
“I smell something sweet!” Choza suddenly said in his rumbling voice.
Hmm… Was he perhaps trying to change the topic?
Hearing that question, Choji beamed and immediately told the men about the cookie that I made. He gave it such a high praise so eloquently that for a second I thought he had become my sales and marketing manager or something.
Curious, they gave my cookie a try. And surprise, surprise… They also liked it. They threw some praise my way, especially Choza, who thanked me for the one jar of cookies that I gave to Choji.
Poor Choji. I guess I also should’ve made two jars for Choji instead, huh? Hope he still get some cookies from that one jar that I gave him.
Though Shikaku did give me some bombastic side eye at one point after he tasted the cookies.
… Damn sharp-minded pineapple-head.
After exchanging some more pleasantries with us kids, they bid their farewell before leaving again to who knows where. Yoshino also went away, probably to do chores.
So, left alone again, the group now went outside to enjoy the breeze. We found a tree with large enough shade that can comfortably fit all nine of us, and we stayed there for quite some time.
When the sun was about to set, we get back to Shikamaru’s house and the group split into two. It seems like the young Ino-Shika-Cho trio still need to stay there while the rest of the group, including me, was bidding our farewell.
It was then that Kiba, Shino, and Choji extended their invitation to the group to visit their house, specifically in that order. For some reason though, Kiba and Choji were throwing some not-too-obvious glances at me as they are inviting the group.
… I guess they are expecting me to brought some cookies like today?
Well, that’s what I planned anyway, so no big deal.
It also seems like Ino would be joining our group for this “clan head houses’ summer tour” that we got going. Whether she would be joining the group lunch at school day are remain to be seen.
Overall, I’d say it was a great day. I have lots of fun, and I also discover another of my parents’ connection in the OG Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
…Now, I wonder what I should make to bring to others’ houses?
Note
Welp, a bit of a nothing-burger for this chapter. Though I won’t write about the other house visit, so don’t worry on that front.
Also, I need to say this: there will be NO TIME TRAVEL involved with my story.
So that Loulan movie? Not happening. Boruto goes to the past? Well… I don’t want to deal with Boruto yet, so even without that policy I won’t do that in the first place.
I do plan on adapting the other Naruto movies tho…