"The Third Hokage was strong? How could he possibly die?" Pakkun shot Naruto a glance. "It's not like Konohagakure has never been thrown into chaos before. Didn't it turn out fine every time?"
"But I bought flowers," Naruto suddenly said for no apparent reason.
Then he added silently, If the Third Hokage doesn't die, wouldn't those flowers have been a waste?
"Hm? What flowers?" Pakkun's dog face was utterly bewildered.
Naruto did not answer. He merely muttered to himself that he had specially bought the finest white chrysanthemums—thirty ryo's worth.
"There are enemies pursuing us from behind. Around eight of them," Pakkun suddenly said.
As Kakashi's Ninja Hound, his sense of smell was exceptional even among Ninja Hounds. The moment pursuers appeared behind them, Pakkun easily detected both their presence and their numbers.
"Pakkun, can you tell how strong they are?" Sasuke asked.
"I'm a sensory Ninja Hound, not some fortune-telling Toad Sage."
"If we don't deal with them quickly, we'll be caught in a pincer attack, won't we?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah, we can only deal with them first," Sasuke said. "The terrain of Konohagakure's forest works in our favor. If we set up an ambush, we might be able to catch them off guard."
"Then it's settled!" Naruto said, nodding solemnly.
"Pakkun, stay behind and ambush them."
"What?!"
Sasuke: "."
Sakura: "(T-T)"
The forest was thick with green shade, and giant trees blotted out the sky. The three children and one dog never slowed, leaping swiftly between the trunks.
Pakkun looked disdainfully at the blond-haired member of the team. The latter showed not the slightest guilt, even smiling earnestly.
"I'm counting on you, Pakkun."
"Damn it! I'm a sensory Ninja Hound, not a combat dog! If you want to make wishes, go to a shrine, brat! You're the dog