Help Me with a Small Favor

Nine-Tails was half asleep when someone suddenly lifted him up, causing him to look up at the man.

"What are you doing?"

"It's nothing, it's time for you to work and pay off your debts." Naruto grabbed it by the neck and walked out the door. He quickly took a shower and changed his gear, then slammed the door shut.

His footsteps echoed in the hallway. Naruto's hair was still dripping wet, and Nine-Tails's dissatisfied complaints mingled with the footsteps.

"You want me to work? I'm not going to get involved in your human wars."

"It's not a war, just a mission. I was a little worried, so I brought you along." Naruto walked downstairs to the light, where he could already see the exit connecting to Konohagakure Street.

"A mission?" Nine-Tails scoffed. "Whether you need my help or not, you can't skimp on a hundred bottles of wine."

"Understood." Naruto placed Nine-Tails on his shoulder and began checking his ninja tool pouch as he walked. "I might not even need you, but it's just to be on the safe side."

"Besides, look how fat you've become! You used to be a greyhound, but now you're as fat as a pig. If we don't get you moving around more, the only difference between you and a pig might be your skin color."

"Damn it! You deserve to die, brat!" Nine-Tails was a little annoyed; wasn't this an insult to it?

Although it's been living a more comfortable life lately, it hasn't forgotten its original purpose. A pig? It's Nine-Tails beast, a terrifying Tailed Beast! Roar! Super fierce!

Hmph, the Nine-Tails perched on Naruto's shoulder, giving him a bit of the feeling of having a mount.

"Hurry up, kid."

"What's the rush? If you're in such a hurry, get down and walk yourself." Naruto completely ignored it. "You better behave, you fat pig fox, or you won't be able to drink a drop of alcohol again."

"Despicable human, a gigolo like you should be dragged out and fed to the dogs."

"Heh, shut up." Naruto simply picked it up from his shoulder and put it in his hand. The Nine-Tails has become increasingly rounded recently, and its limbs have evolved to be shorter.

It was originally a Tailed Beast disguised as a lackey of Evil God's Hound. In essence, it was just a shell containing a ball of pure Chakra energy, and its appearance could be changed.

Normally, Nine-Tails) doesn't need to eat or drink, and its body doesn't excrete impurities. It exists entirely as an energy body, completely absorbing and converting the energy from the alcohol.

As a result, Nine-Tails has drunk too much alcohol, and under the influence of alcohol, it looks almost like Natsume's fat cat.

He didn't really care; with the system around, the Nine-Tails Fox couldn't cause any trouble.

He only needs to spend a little money to buy alcohol to keep the Nine-Tails. He's not short of money, and buying alcohol doesn't cost much. He usually fulfills the Nine-Tails fox's requests as long as he's not busy.

Anyway, Nine-Tails) is now implicitly acknowledged as being supported by Ino and Hinata, two wealthy women, and he's a complete gigolo. Naruto doesn't want to correct him.

As usual, the group gathered at the Hokage Building. He originally intended to go straight to the fifth floor, but upon entering the Hokage Building, he saw familiar faces in the courtyard.

Sakura and Ino stood together chatting and laughing, while Kiba, Shino, and Hinata also stood there waiting. Choji and Shikamaru didn't seem to have arrived yet, Rock Lee and Neji after.

After a moment of hesitation, Naruto abandoned his plan to go upstairs and simply waited in the yard.

Anyway, Shikamaru, that cunning strategist, will probably be leading the team this time, so there's no point in him going up to check it out. If there are any special orders, Tsunade will send someone to summon him.

Ino noticed Naruto too, her gaze flickering with panic for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. She had spent half an hour rolling around in bed yesterday, but she still couldn't shake off the shame she felt.

They actually said it!

Damn it, he found out and even responded. At that moment, her whole body and mind were trembling violently, and her actions were completely out of her control.

The thought of her mother cooking in the kitchen almost made her hold hands on the sofa! So embarrassing! She wished she could go back to yesterday and stop herself from doing something so foolish and stupid.

Or, beat him until he suffers a concussion and amnesia!

Forget it! You absolutely must forget that memory!! Ino woke up in the morning filled with regret, wondering what she had done yesterday!!

I want to live in a different world, it's too shameful!

She arrived at the Hokage Building early, hoping to get a feel for the atmosphere beforehand. Maybe if she pretended to have forgotten about that incident, the person wouldn't ask any questions.

Yes, great teamwork!

But Naruto didn't seem to have that understanding. He glanced at everyone and walked directly towards Ino and Sakura.

Ino glanced sideways, wondering where Naruto had gone, when she saw Naruto walking in her direction, and her mind went completely blank.

"What's wrong?" Sakura asked.

"Huh?" Ino was stunned for a moment.

Sakura turned slightly outwards, frowned, and asked, "What happened to that dress? You suddenly stopped talking."

As they spoke, Sakura looked in the direction Ino had been staring blankly and saw Naruto walking towards them. Her eyes lowered slightly, and she instantly understood what was wrong.

"Sorry, I was daydreaming," Ino said. "That dress..."

"The mission started so soon?" Naruto leaned closer and asked casually, "When did you guys arrive?"

"Not long after," Sakura said with a smile. "Ino a little earlier; she was already here when I got here."

"Yeah?"

"It hasn't been long." Ino chuckled dryly, avoiding Naruto's gaze, but her eyes met Nine-Tails's, and she immediately became happy.

Why did you bring it?

"This guy is Ninja Hound," Naruto casually lied.

I don't know if anyone will believe this, but this round, Fox-dog is right here. Since I've already brought it along, it's bound to come on the road with me.

"Ino, yesterday"

Upon hearing this, Ino's heart leaped into her throat, pounding so hard she almost ran away.

"Yesterday!" she blurted out. "Yesterday...you didn't get wet when you got back, did you? My mother was worried you'd gotten wet."

"No, not at all." Naruto glanced at Ino with some curiosity, but seeing that she seemed very nervous, he didn't say anything more.

Sakura's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them, but she didn't look at them much, instead lowering her eyes to look at the ground.

"Is everyone here?" Shikamaru's lazy voice came from the stairs. "Is Naruto here yet? That guy always comes late. Is he here?"

"Stop nagging, I'm here! You came over with your hair still wet," Naruto said, rolling his eyes.

"Who knows what you're up to?" Shikamaru complained, then changed his mind, "Ino? Ino arrived yet?"

Upon hearing this, Ino, whose mood had just calmed Ino, almost froze on the spot. Why did he call her after calling that guy? Was Shikamaru doing this on purpose?

"I'm here!" Ino tried to keep her voice calm and normal.

But when she opened her mouth, her trembling voice startled her. She immediately scolded herself for being so weak-willed, wondering what was there to be nervous about.

"Okay, where 'Neji?" Shikamaru glanced at everyone, seemingly not intentionally calling anyone out.

"They're here," Neji said.

"Let's set off now. Assemble outside the village gate. Team Eight will lead the way using the Scent-Tracking Bug '." Shikamaru quickly issued the battle orders. "We'll arrange the formation later."

No one objected, and they turned and walked towards the village entrance in twos and threes.

Ino had already met up with Shikamaru Choji; they were traveling in Genin appeared to be genin squads. Naruto looked back at Sakura, only to see Hinata brush past him.

After a few moments, Hinata looked at him. His hair was half-dry, with water stains still visible at the ends. A small amount of water slowly slid down his neck, dampening his collar.

Naruto was in such a hurry when he left, and since it was summer, he figured the water would dry quickly on the way out, so he didn't think much of it.

Hinata blushed slightly at Naruto's expression and forgot what she was going to say. She could only stammer out a soft "yes".

"Naruto."

"Hmm, what's wrong?" Naruto didn't feel anything was wrong. Anyway, Hinata always blushed when she saw him, so he was used to it.

"No, it's nothing." Hinata's heart skipped a beat.

The Natsuhi was sweltering, Nikko shone long. A bird from some tree let out a strange cry, drawing Naruto's attention. When he looked away again...

Hinata said softly, "I'm leaving now, Naruto."

Watching Hinata walk quickly away, Naruto was somewhat bewildered. Something felt off today; why were all these people acting so mysteriously?

"Let's go," Sakura said with a smile as she walked to his side.

"Okay." Naruto nodded. Thankfully, Sakura seemed to be alright.

"This mission is over." Naruto Black Sakura to look at her and asked.

"What?"

"Now that this mission is over, do me a small favor."