Training

Poor Naruto.

You should have given up by now, right? Sakura didn't like you—she liked your best friend.

Watching Naruto leave, Josuke did not feel much. In any case, three years from now, he too would defect. He just did not know what circumstances it would be under.

That kid Naruto would definitely come after him to bring him back. Heh heh, but did he really think he could catch him?

How laughable.

Just like in the original story, Naruto returned empty-handed and failed to bring Sasuke back.

It dealt Naruto a severe blow.

He had come to understand that in this world, weakness was the original sin.

Under Jiraiya's guidance, Naruto decided to set out on a training journey with him.

Since Josuke was also Jiraiya's disciple, he joined the training party as well.

Naruto especially cherished Josuke as a friend. Failing to bring Sasuke back had already left him devastated.

Naruto seemed to feel an inexplicable sense of guilt toward Josuke. He had failed to bring Sasuke back. He had let Josuke down.

Of course, Josuke knew nothing about any of this. He only knew that getting to train with Jiraiya was indeed pretty great.

Now, the main storyline had officially begun.

He had goals he wanted to achieve as well. Of course, the most important goal was undoubtedly to become stronger!!

The day they left Konoha.

Josuke and Naruto packed their bags and waited for Jiraiya.

The Twelve Rookie Shinobi arrived as promised.

Everyone came to see their friends off.

"Are you really leaving?"

Ino spoke softly.

"Yeah."

Josuke nodded.

"Don't worry, it's not like I'm never coming back."

Josuke comforted her. It was only three years of training, and it would pass in the blink of an eye. When he returned, he should have the strength of a jonin. By then, he would at least have the ability to protect himself in the shinobi world.

With that kind of strength, the people he wanted to protect and cherish would be able to remain safe and sound.

"Will you miss me?"

Ino pressed on, afraid that Josuke would disappear the very next second.

This...

Josuke did not know how to answer that question.

Just then, Jiraiya arrived as well.

Without answering her question, Josuke left Konoha with Jiraiya.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

When Josuke returned to Konoha again, he was already fifteen years old—three years later.

Over those three years, the Paradise Found Side Story published under Josuke's name had sold across major nations and received widespread praise from readers.

Ahem, ahem, ahem. How did that get brought up?

Three years.

They allowed Josuke to learn many Ninjutsu he had not learned before, the most representative being the Super Great Ball Rasengan.

Its power was several times that of an ordinary Rasengan.

No wonder Naruto could rely on that one move everywhere he went.

It had to be said that Minato, who invented it, was truly a genius. Over those three years, Josuke had no idea how many times he had fought Jiraiya and Naruto, and his combat experience only continued to grow.

Over three years, Naruto learned to use Nine-Tails Chakra, along with many practical combat techniques.

Josuke's Chakra reserves had improved significantly during those three years. He had at least reached the level of an elite jonin. He had even trained the Eight Inner Gates to the Fifth Gate. Yes, even though Emperor Gai was no longer his teacher.

Josuke had not neglected his Eight Inner Gates training.

He remained disciplined every day, so at only fifteen, he already had six-pack abs. Very handsome.

Those three years had also deepened the bond between the two of them.

"We're finally back in the village!"

Naruto exclaimed.

"Yeah."

Josuke nodded. Three years ago, he had still been an immature boy. Now, he was already a handsome young man, right~

That lecher Jiraiya had no idea where he'd run off to—maybe he'd gone to the Hokage's office.

Whatever.

Josuke couldn't be bothered to think about it. The moment Naruto, that simp, saw Sakura, he charged straight at her.

Josuke couldn't help but complain.

Seriously, the second he saw Sakura, he couldn't even walk properly anymore.

Most of the girls among the Twelve Rookie Shinobi were already here, even Ino...

She had grown into a graceful, stunning beauty too—the prettiest, no objections accepted.

Naruto's return made everyone present happy.

But Ino clearly looked like she had something weighing on her mind.

Naruto had returned.

But what about him?

Where could he be?

A voice interrupted Ino's thoughts.

"Hey, beautiful, can I get to know you?"

Ino rolled her eyes. Seriously, someone was trying to hit on her at a time like this? She was just about to respond when she turned around and found herself speechless.

Wasn't this the very person she had been longing for?

"Mmm~"

At that moment, silence spoke louder than words.

Ino rushed forward and gently hugged Josuke, then let go as quickly as lightning, her little face flushed red.

The other girls started teasing them from the side.

Making even Josuke blush with embarrassment.

Sakura and Hinata looked at them with envy.

Naruto did too.

Pah.

What the hell were you envying?

"Alright, alright, everyone, stop laughing at me."

After catching up with everyone, Josuke naturally went to hang out with the Twelve Rookie Shinobi. The restaurant they chose happened to be the barbecue place he and Ino had visited back then.

Looking at the barbecue restaurant, Josuke sank into memories.

He said to Ino beside him, "I really miss those days~"

Ino wore a nostalgic expression too. She remembered how she had fed Josuke back then, and how Josuke had said (////▽////)

Her little face turned red again.

The Twelve Rookie Shinobi's gathering began as promised, just like it had three years ago.

Unfortunately, they were missing one rebellious boy named Uchiha Sasuke.

After three rounds of drinks, everyone went home to find their mothers.

Josuke, meanwhile, escorted Ino home.

"Have the last three years gone smoothly?"

Josuke asked softly.

Ino thought for a moment, clasping her hands behind her back.

"They were alright. Every day, I trained with Teacher Asuma. We've improved by far more than just a little compared to three years ago."

"And every day... I also..."

Ino didn't dare continue, but Josuke naturally understood what she meant.

Ahem, ahem.

What was going on? His soul was practically forty years old combined, yet a girl teasing him a little was enough to make him blush.

"That sounds pretty nice."

Josuke said.

"Ino, you've gotten prettier and prettier."

Ino blushed and murmured.

"Ugh, you're so annoying~"

Josuke awkwardly scratched the back of his head. Honestly, he probably wasn't that suited to flirting with girls either. He wasn't cool and aloof like Sasuke, nor was he a social butterfly like Naruto.

He was more like an ordinary person, wasn't he? Four shares, open it, die general, than ya.

To be honest, he was pretty shy himself.

Josuke thought bashfully.

As the two chatted, they soon arrived near Ino's house.

Under the streetlight, they said goodbye to each other. The atmosphere gradually grew heated, and two lonely souls embraced.

What were you thinking??

They only hugged.

Just then, Ino's front door opened, startling Josuke into a jolt.

Holy crap.

He hurriedly let go of Ino and used the Body Flicker Technique to hide.

A woman who looked seventy or eighty percent like Ino appeared at the doorway.

She was carrying a bag of garbage and slowly walked out.

Seeing Ino standing beneath the streetlight, she looked at her in confusion.

"Ino, what are you doing out here?"

...(So handsome. What a great cliffhanger.)