Konohamaru's lips curled into a mischievous smile, his eyes glinting with sly amusement. He leaned close to Naruto and whispered, "Who's this big sister? Don't tell me she's your... heh heh, you know what I mean!"
Sakura, standing nearby, blushed faintly. A hint of anticipation showed in her eyes as she watched Naruto closely, seeming eager to hear how he would respond to Konohamaru's teasing. A subtle tension and expectation hung in the air.
Naruto simply chuckled and patted Konohamaru on the shoulder. "Don't make things up. Sakura's just a friend."
A trace of disappointment flashed in Sakura's eyes at Naruto's answer. She lowered her head slightly and unconsciously twisted her fingers together, as though trying to hide her emotional turmoil. Even so, she did her best to keep smiling.
Ripples stirred in Sakura's heart. She was surprised to realize that whenever she stood before Naruto, she became so self-conscious. Every small gesture and every word she was about to say seemed to have been carefully considered. She realized that she cared about Naruto's opinion far more than she should.
Thinking back to the past, Sakura couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Back then, she never hesitated when dealing with Naruto. More often than not, she expressed her displeasure or disagreement in the most direct way possible—with a punch to his face.
How did I become like this? Sakura silently asked herself.
Strength was always the first thing that determined how others treated you. It was Naruto's current strength that made Sakura afraid to treat him the way she used to. She even cared about his attitude toward her, and was gradually becoming attracted to him.
Sunlight flooded the streets as Naruto strolled through the bustling crowds with Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon, and Sakura, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon were like colts let loose, excitedly chasing and playing around up ahead.
Sakura stayed close beside Naruto, occasionally glancing at him, as if she had something left unsaid.
Just as Sakura worked up the courage to speak to Naruto, a sudden commotion shattered the calm.
While chasing the others, Konohamaru lost his balance. He stumbled and crashed straight into a stranger passing by.
"Ow!" Konohamaru's cry of pain and the stranger's startled exclamation rang out together, drawing everyone's attention.
Naruto and Sakura hurried over. Konohamaru stood there rubbing his head, looking embarrassed. The person he had collided with was Kankuro of Sunagakure, in the Land of Wind.
Kankuro wore a black shinobi outfit and carried a mummy-like bundle of ninja tools on his back. With him was Temari, another kunoichi from Sunagakure.
Temari stood beside Kankuro in a purple mesh shinobi outfit. Her cheeks were flushed as she looked at Naruto. After dressing up, Naruto was handsome enough to easily draw everyone's attention.
That blond guy... he's really handsome... Temari murmured to herself, her face growing hot. She knew it was a little strange to think that way, but she was captivated by Naruto's charm and couldn't help herself.
"Temari, what's wrong? Why's your face so red?" Kankuro asked, tilting his head. His question snapped Temari out of her thoughts. She quickly shook her head and denied it. "It's nothing. I'm just a little hot." As she spoke, she fanned herself, trying to cover up her embarrassment.
Kankuro was clearly unmoved by Konohamaru's apology. His gaze sharpened, and he suddenly grabbed Konohamaru by the collar, lifting him up with one hand. Konohamaru's feet left the ground, and his eyes widened in panic as he felt the tremendous strength in Kankuro's grip.
"That hurts, brat!" Kankuro said angrily.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't see you..." Konohamaru quickly apologized, his eyes full of remorse.
Temari frowned slightly at the sight. "Let him go, Kankuro. If the village elders see you, you'll get scolded again." She couldn't help glancing at Naruto and quietly reminding him.
Sakura watched in alarm and hurried forward to speak up for Konohamaru. "I'm sorry. He really didn't do it on purpose."
But Kankuro remained aloof, ignoring both Konohamaru's and Sakura's apologies as he kept hold of Konohamaru's collar. Konohamaru's feet dangled above the ground, his face pale and his eyes full of fear and helplessness.
Just then, Naruto moved.
He was as fast as lightning, almost as if he had teleported. Everyone's vision blurred. Kankuro still held his arm aloft, but to his astonishment, his hand was empty.
Somehow, Konohamaru was now standing safely beside Naruto, who looked as though he hadn't moved at all.
"He's my little buddy. If you keep holding him like that, it'll make me look bad," Naruto said with a smile.
Kankuro froze, not even quite realizing when Naruto had moved.
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