Feeling the Nine-Tails bristling in his arms, Naruto kept a straight face and said, "Oh, are those clothes for Hanabi's dolls? They're so cute."
"Right, Naruto-kun? They'll definitely look even better on the little fox when you put them on her." Hinata took out a tiny white lace princess dress and turned it over in her hands. "Pretty, aren't they, Naruto-kun?"
"Mm-hm. Then I'll gladly accept them, Hinata." Naruto took the little bag and looked inside. It was stuffed full; there were probably more than a dozen little dresses.
"..." The Nine-Tails continued bristling.
"Come on, Hinata. Sasuke and the others are already waiting for us at the foot of the mountain..." Naruto said as the two walked side by side along the gravel path.
Since Hinata was wearing a kimono and wooden clogs, Naruto slowed down.
Meanwhile, after Naruto set off, Sasuke slung a backpack over his shoulders as well. It contained some water and snacks. He casually grabbed a hat and headed out.
When he arrived at the little shop at the foot of the mountain, Sasuke found that he was the first to arrive. The shop was small, and its owner was a fat middle-aged man. Since it was the Summer Festival today, business was fairly decent. People would occasionally come up to buy water and snacks.
Beside the shop stood a large tree, with a bench beneath it for people to rest on.
Sasuke sat on the bench, set his backpack aside, took out some water, and drank while waiting for Naruto and the others. At the same time, he listened to the shop owner chatting with a customer.
The customer was a lean man wearing a mask. Only one dead-fish eye was visible, and his hair was white. Sitting at the counter, he quietly said