The Easily Deceived Otherworldly Girl

The sun hung high in the sky. It was early autumn, and the scorching heat of midsummer was gone. Sunlight, filtered by layers of leaves, cast only a few stray beams onto the ground through the gaps.

Occasionally, a cool breeze would blow, rustling the leaves.

Narak, clad in a loose robe, lounged comfortably in the shade, enjoying the cool air. Three-year-old Hanabi was nestled in his arms, playing with his hair.

Not far from him stood a massive barbecue grill, skewering a whole wild boar. The boar was slathered in sauce and had already roasted to a golden brown. Grease dripped intermittently onto the fire below, causing the flames to surge and intensify the cooking.

A small imp with yellow hair was huffing and puffing, diligently turning the boar to prevent it from burning.

This person was none other than Naruto! He was staring at the boar with a ravenous look, clearly unable to resist the aroma of the roasted meat. He wasn't alone; two other boys were also gathered around the grill, their eyes fixed on the golden boar.

One of these boys was plump, his mouth watering uncontrollably, dripping onto the ground. The other had face paint and a small dog perched on his head, his nose twitching as he inhaled the scent of the boar with a look of pure bliss.

The two boys were Choji and Kiba, both classmates of Naruto and members of the "Konoha 12."

They weren't the only ones present. Shikamaru, like Narak, was lazily sprawled in the shade, while Shino sat alone, engrossed in playing with the insects in his hands.

Meanwhile, Hinata, Ino, and Sakura had gone to pick wildflowers nearby.

In the original story, the relationships between these future pillars of Konoha should have been casual, perhaps even distant for Naruto.

However, due to Narak's influence, they had gathered together ahead of time.

Narak, having frequently picked up Hinata and Naruto from school, had gotten to know the other classmates along the way.

The Konoha 12, Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee were a year older and not present. Sasuke was still in the hospital. The rest were all here.

Three days had passed since Narak became a Jonin. The news of him single-handedly defeating veteran Jonin Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy in a joint battle, thus becoming Konoha's youngest elite Jonin, had spread throughout the village that very day.

Walking through the village these past few days, Narak felt the gazes of the villagers were like those of people in his past life seeing someone who got into a prestigious university return to their hometown – a mix of curiosity and admiration.

The members of the Hyuga Clan, in particular, walked with their heads held high these past few days, immensely proud. This was especially true for Narak's father, Hiashi Hyuga. When meeting or dining with the heads of other clans, he spoke with exceptional confidence, his voice several decibels louder than usual.

This smug demeanor greatly irked the other clan heads, but they were helpless. After all, who wouldn't be proud of having a son who became an elite Jonin at just ten years old? So, after swallowing their frustration, all they could do was return home and subject their own descendants to grueling training.

Consequently, over the past three days, the members of the Konoha 12 from prominent families had endured hellish torment, yet they were utterly unable to resist.

"Ah... Narak-bro, when can we eat? I can't take it anymore..."

"Yeah, yeah, Narak-big bro, it looks cooked to me. Can we eat it now?"

Naruto and Choji, both gluttons, had been drooling over the roasted boar for a long time and were now ravenous, urging Narak on.

"Mmm... Slept so well! How many times have you two asked? Barbecuing takes time; you can't rush it. Even though the boar's skin is golden brown, the inside isn't fully cooked yet. It won't taste as good if you eat it now."

Narak stretched lazily and said slowly to the two.

"Actually, barbecuing is like training. You have to learn to endure the boredom and tedium of the process. After all, nothing can be achieved overnight. A tall building is built from the ground up; you have to take things one step at a time. Do you understand?"

Narak placed Hanabi aside, stood up, and continued to lecture... no, to brainwash the others.

"Oh, I understand, Narak-bro. So, enduring the loneliness of training is why you've become so strong? Got it! I'll follow your example, Narak-bro!" Naruto said earnestly, still turning the grill.

"Mmm-hmm, me too. The old man at home has been nagging me to learn from you whenever I have free time. I finally learned today. Narak-bro's words always sound so profound!" Kiba and Choji echoed in agreement.

Shikamaru, who had been dozing on the ground, opened his eyes and looked at the three of them as if they were idiots.

"While I admit Narak-bro's words do have some truth, he's clearly just trying to get you to do the manual labor, isn't he? Why are you acting like you've heard life's commandments? Can you please use your brains a little?"

Shikamaru couldn't be bothered to complain about these three idiots anymore.

"Brother, look, are these flowers pretty?"

At this moment, Hinata, Ino, and Sakura returned, having finished picking flowers. Each holding a bouquet, they ran up to Narak, presenting them to him like treasures.

"Here, here, Narak-big bro, look, I made this bouquet especially for you. Do you like it?" Ino held out her arranged bouquet to Narak.

"Me too, me too! Narak-big bro, look, is it pretty?" Sakura chimed in, not wanting to be outdone.

"Get lost, forehead, I spoke first! Why are you interrupting?"

"Hmph, Ino pig, your flowers are so ugly, how dare you show them to Narak-big bro?"

"Whose are ugly? Don't forget, my family owns a flower shop. I've been learning flower arrangement since I was little. Mine are much better than yours!"

"Hmph!" x2

The two exchanged glares and turned their heads away.

Ino and Sakura began their usual bickering in front of Narak, neither willing to concede as they vied for Narak's judgment on whose flowers were prettier.

"Actually, I think all the flowers you picked are beautiful. If I had to say which one is prettier, then I think..."

Narak paused deliberately. At this moment, not only Ino and Sakura but even Hinata perked up their ears, listening for Narak's final verdict.

"Ahem... If I must say, I think none of these flowers are as beautiful as you are. Haven't you noticed? Your beauty eclipses these flowers!"

Narak cleared his throat and said with utmost sincerity!

"Ah... Really? Is that true? So, you think so highly of us, Narak-big bro?"

Upon hearing this, Ino and Sakura blushed deeply, covering their faces shyly.

Narak wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "Phew... I got away with it. Luckily, this is the Hokage world. If it were girls from my past life, they wouldn't fall for such cheesy, outdated pickup lines!"