Gradually pulling herself away from the sudden “accident” that had just occurred, Shikamaru slowly stood up from the ground, his gaze fixed on the scorching sun high in the sky, and said calmly:
“It’s about time.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Seeing Chizhao’s puzzled expression, and recalling the scene from just now, he uncomfortably turned his head and patiently explained:
“Simply put, after the Nara clan’s deer have been free-roaming for a while, they need to be called back to the Nara research base for inspection.”
“Oh, I see…” Chizhao nodded as if enlightened.
She remembered that many precious medical herbs in Konoha almost all came from the Nara clan.
They could be said to be the leading figures in the medicinal herb industry.
Truly amazing.
“Chizhao…”
Shikamaru’s voice was slightly low in the breeze, bringing her thoughts back.
“What is it?”
Chizhao tilted her head to look at Shikamaru’s profile, noticing a hint of seriousness in his expression.
Shikamaru’s gaze was fixed on the scenery before him, a familiar complex emotion lingering in his heart.
Sometimes Shikamaru himself was very troubled; he always felt that women were very troublesome beings.
Yet, he cared deeply about the person in front of him.
He didn’t understand where this feeling should be categorized.
Perhaps friendship?
But he wouldn’t feel this way about Choji.
Perhaps love?
He was still so young; how could he think in that direction?
What exactly was this emotion that could stir his heart?
But deep down, he had already sensed it.
The nascent affection in his heart, like a budding sprout, was deliberately hidden in a corner of his mind.
Perhaps he was waiting,
Waiting for this seed to blossom and bear fruit.
Or perhaps,
Waiting for this seed to be buried in the soil.
After a brief silence, he opened his mouth:
“You must be very strong, right?”
The breeze rustled, the grass leaves whispered, and Chizhao quietly gazed at Shikamaru’s profile, waiting for him to continue.
“But don’t sacrifice yourself easily. Don’t forget, I’m your number one creditor. You must pay back everything you owe me, understand?”
Chizhao was slightly startled, understanding the concern hidden in his words, and then broke into a brilliant smile:
“Don’t worry! I will definitely pay off my debts properly.”
Looking at Chizhao’s eyes, bright as stars, and her brilliant smile, Shikamaru let out a soft sigh in his heart.
Although it was troublesome…
It didn’t matter anymore.
Then, under Shikamaru’s summons, the deer stood in the distance, waving goodbye to them.
He smiled faintly as he looked at the girl, then turned around, hands in his pockets, leaving them with a lazy and casual back as he disappeared into the forest.
In the time that followed, Chizhao safely escorted Konohamaru and the other two out of the forest.
Walking again on Konoha’s bustling commercial street, seeing their unfulfilled expressions, they were probably discussing where to go for their next adventure.
After waving goodbye to them, she, now alone again, leisurely strolled along the commercial street. It seemed she hadn’t really stopped to shop since she returned.
Perhaps she should buy some ingredients on the way back.
Just in time to learn new dishes with Grandma Huizi.
Thinking this, Chizhao’s gaze swept over the series of shops along the street.
Whether it was the lively “Izakaya” or the dazzling “Ninja Tool Shop,” both exuded a different kind of market atmosphere.
Even Kakashi Hatake was at Jingying Hall.
Eh? Wait…
Kakashi Hatake?
Chizhao’s steps recoiled a bit, her gaze returning to the Jingying Hall bookstore she had just passed.
Looking closely, she indeed saw Kakashi Hatake sprawled in front of the latest make-out paradise poster outside the bookstore, a look of obsession on his face.
Shouldn’t he be out on a mission with Naruto and the others?
Why was he here?
Could it be that because it was a C-rank mission, he secretly snuck out to slack off?
Chizhao pinched her chin, pondering for a moment.
Given his personality, it wasn’t impossible.
Kakashi, immersed in the latest make-out paradise promotional poster, was grinning, his eyes crinkling.
He didn’t notice the girl behind him, with a mischievous smile, gradually approaching.
“Kakashi-sensei!!!”
“Eek?!”
Kakashi’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden voice. He whirled around and saw a familiar girl looking at him with a friendly expression.
“Chi… Chizhao?” Kakashi looked astonished.
“Ah! It really is Kakashi-sensei. From what I know, you should be on a mission. I strongly condemn your behavior of abandoning your students to slack off alone! I’m going to tell Naruto and the others about this!”
Because of her loud voice, passersby around them also turned their attention.
Seeing his slacking off exposed, a flustered Kakashi quickly covered Chizhao’s mouth, leaning close to her ear to offer his terms:
“If I treat you to dango, will you keep my secret?”
Chizhao pulled his hand away from her mouth, a triumphant smirk on her face:
“If you add a serving of takoyaki, then I’ll consider it.”
“Deal.”
She hadn’t expected Kakashi to agree so readily. She suddenly regretted if the terms she set were a bit too simple.
Inside the dango shop, a few tables of diners were scattered. The sweet aroma filled the air, whetting appetites.
Kakashi and Chizhao sat in an inconspicuous corner. On the table were a plate of tricolor dango and fragrant takoyaki, looking very tempting.
Kakashi lightly propped his chin, his gaze gently falling on the girl opposite him, who was happily enjoying the dango.
In a trance, he felt as if this scene had happened just yesterday, yet also felt as distant as several years ago.
His fingertip lightly touched the rim of his cup, his steady voice, muffled by his mask, carried a hint of imperceptible laziness, intertwining with the sweet fragrance in the air:
“By the way, I still don’t know how you’ve been doing in Anbu all this time?”
Chizhao looked up at him, picked up the tea beside her, took a sip, swallowed the food in her mouth, and answered truthfully:
“It’s been good. After all, Captain Yamato is leading the team, which makes me feel very secure.”
Kakashi squinted his right eye, trying to recall:
“Yamato? Who’s that?”
Chizhao choked on Kakashi’s question and quickly took another sip of tea, correcting him:
“It’s Tenzo, Captain Tenzo, I mean.”
“Oh~ it’s him.”
Kakashi suddenly understood, his tone carrying a profound sense of emotion.
Indeed, he was a trustworthy person.
Thinking of this, his worries in his heart also lessened a bit.
“Speaking of which…” Putting down her dango, Chizhao looked up into Kakashi’s eyes:
“Kakashi-sensei, did you know from the beginning that I was going to be in Anbu?”
His lifeless right eye stared at her for a few seconds. Kakashi then put down his chin-propping hand and answered with a nonchalant attitude:
“Who knows?”
Just as Chizhao was about to press further, Kakashi seemed to suddenly realize something, interrupting her thoughts a step ahead:
“Wait a minute, didn’t we agree you wouldn’t call me Kakashi-sensei? If they hear it, I’ll be very embarrassed…”
An unconcerned Chizhao took another bite of dango, her tone innocent:
“But I only promised not to call you Big Brother Kakashi-sensei.”
Speechless, Kakashi hung his head as if defeated, his eyes filled with weak resentment:
“You’re too cunning.”
But when he saw Chizhao appear before him again, and that familiar smile of enjoying delicious food.
Kakashi could only give a helpless smile and let out a resigned sigh.
Well, never mind, as long as those brats don’t find out.
After Chizhao finished her dango, she finally aimed her fork at the takoyaki on the plate, put it in her mouth, and exclaimed with satisfaction:
“Mmm~ delicious!”
Her gaze inadvertently fell on Kakashi’s face as he picked up his teacup, and a hint of anticipation rose in her heart.
Hoo hoo~
Kakashi’s true face, at such a close distance, she should be able to see it, right?
However, Kakashi seemed to have already seen through her thoughts, looking at her with a smile in his eyes:
“What are you expecting?”
Chizhao immediately averted her gaze to the passersby outside, a flicker of panic in her eyes, and chuckled awkwardly:
“What are you talking about…? I’m just worried that it wouldn’t be good if they found out you left your team like this.”
Kakashi put down his teacup, his tone relaxed:
“It’s fine, they should still be helping the old lady pull radishes, so it shouldn’t be that…”
“Ah!!! It really is Kakashi-sensei!! You’ve been hiding here!”
The word “that” hadn’t even left his mouth when it was interrupted by a familiar shout.
Kakashi was startled, goosebumps rising, and looked in shock at the source of the sound.
Team 7’s members appeared at the door, covered in dust, their faces filled with anger and dissatisfaction.
Sweat poured down Kakashi’s back. He quickly pretended to be calm and greeted them.
“Yo, you’ve come at just the right time. I calculated that you’d finish your mission, so I deliberately waited for you here.”
Witnessing all this, Chizhao calmly picked up her teacup and took a sip, scoffing inwardly.
This adult, he sure can lie without batting an eyelid.