The meeting ended, and everyone began to leave.
Choza Akimichi, a burly man with an honest face, said, "I never thought a group of adults could be cowed by a kid like Naruto."
"A kid?" Inoichi Yamanaka, a man with a golden ponytail, said gravely. "I suspect the Nine-Tails may have corrupted him."
Shikamaru Nara shook his head. "Impossible. Lord Jiraiya and Lord Tsunade both trust him. If something were wrong, they would've dealt with it already."
Choza's gaze turned distant with memory. "Maybe he inherited the Fourth's wisdom and his mother's personality."
Inoichi nodded. "He does seem a little like them."
Shikamaru sighed. "Konoha is a ship that's been sitting in port. Now it's set sail by force. Who knows whether it'll reach the other shore or capsize along the way."
On the other side,
Tsume Inuzuka asked, "Why did you respond just now?"
Hana Inuzuka had a voluptuous figure, with a full chest and a high-collared black mourning dress. Like her mother, she had red fang markings on both cheeks. Her brown hair was tied tightly into a ponytail, giving her a striking, heroic beauty.
"Because Kiba and Hinata are teammates, and he's Naruto's classmate. They've been skipping class together since they were little."
The mother and daughter went downstairs, where Kiba Inuzuka was waiting.
"Big sis. Mother."
Hana ruffled Kiba's spiky hair affectionately. "Kiba, you need to work hard. Naruto's left you far behind."
Kiba pressed his lips together and lowered his head. Akamaru, the white dog perched on his head, barked to comfort him.
"I used to be stronger than him! But ever since he became Lord Jiraiya the Toad Sage's student, he's gotten strong too fast."
Tsume laughed heartily. "Our Inuzuka Clan's secret talent is communicating with animals. Your sister is only a Chunin, but