The Right Time

"Thank you."

After a moment of hesitation, Uzumaki Naruto accepted Shikamaru's goodwill.

He wasn't born a loner; he just didn't like taking the initiative to interact with people, especially in a Konoha surrounded by malice, where his desire for communication had dropped to an absolute low.

As the saying goes, the more one sees of people, the more one grows to like foxes.

However, regarding Shikamaru...

On one hand, Uzumaki Naruto didn't dislike him; he was a person with very high emotional intelligence.

On the other hand, this was the "care" of the Third Hokage, and Uzumaki Naruto had to respond to it; after all, he still had to make a living under the Third Hokage's watch.

During the break after the second class, Shikamaru came to Uzumaki Naruto again, not with a chessboard, but bringing two friends along.

Inuzuka Kiba and Akimichi Choji.

"Hello, my name is Akimichi Choji."

The little chubby boy greeted Uzumaki Naruto before continuing to eat his potato chips.

"Hello, my name is Uzumaki Naruto."

Since they would be seeing each other constantly and had to spend a long time together in the future, it was impossible to never speak to each other.

Besides, doing this would also make the Third Hokage feel more at ease.

Thinking this way, Uzumaki Naruto took the initiative to start a conversation: "I remember you, Choji. You like grilled meat, right? To tell you the truth, my grilling skills are actually quite good..."

The little chubby boy asked in surprise, "Really?"

"Of course it's true. If there's a chance, I'll treat you to a taste of my cooking."

After making plans for an outdoor barbecue, Uzumaki Naruto introduced himself to Inuzuka Kiba, and the two got to know each other again.

"Woof..."

Looking at the puppy Akamaru, Uzumaki Naruto said earnestly, "Your dog is really great. I want to raise one in the future too."

"Thanks, Akamaru is my partner, and of course, he's the best."

Inuzuka Kiba grinned, revealing a very happy smile.

For the Inuzuka Clan, who are all dog lovers, praising their dogs makes them happier than being praised themselves.

Inuzuka Kiba said enthusiastically, "If you want to know what kind of dog to raise, ask me. I can give you professional advice."

Uzumaki Naruto pondered, "I haven't decided yet. Actually, I also want to raise a fox, but unfortunately, my pockets are empty, so I have to choose one or the other. But I want both... so, to compromise, what I should raise is a fox with the personality of a dog."

Nine-Tails: ??!

"Brat, who are you implying?"

Inside the Sealing Space, the Nine-Tails felt that this matter couldn't just be let go, given how this brat liked to push his luck.

If he didn't address it now, the brat would surely become more and more arrogant in the future.

He had to be given a lesson.

"Whoever feels called out is who I'm implying."

Uzumaki Naruto replied calmly. As for the mere Nine-Tails, he could suppress it with a flip of his hand.

Ignoring the Nine-Tails' roar, Uzumaki Naruto turned to explain to Inuzuka Kiba the reason "why he wouldn't buy a dog with the personality of a fox."

"This guy... is unexpectedly good at chatting."

Standing not far away, Shikamaru watched the conversation between Uzumaki Naruto, Inuzuka Kiba, and Akimichi Choji, unable to hide his surprise.

I thought he was someone who wasn't good with words, but I didn't expect him to be even better at chatting than the average person.

"But, why didn't he say a word for the past month?"

"Probably because he couldn't make any money."

A blonde little girl approached quietly.

"Oh, it's Ino." Shikamaru turned his head and asked curiously, "That... what do you mean by 'couldn't make money'? Judging by your tone, it seems you and Uzumaki Naruto knew each other before."

"We've met once."

Ino explained, "A year ago, that guy came to my family's flower shop to promote an endorsement, and we chatted for a bit."

A guy who only cares about money!

He stopped talking to her immediately after being rejected, and his speed at turning cold left a deep impression on the young Ino.

Shikamaru didn't know the inside story, but thinking of his mission, he suggested, "Why not go and get to know him? After all, we are all classmates..."

Ino refused flatly: "No! I like handsome guys."

Shikamaru felt exhausted: "I know, that's why I'm introducing a friend to you, not a boyfriend."

"Not interested. If I'm going to have friends, they have to be cool."

With those words, Ino ran off, arriving in front of Sasuke to bicker with her plastic best friend, Sakura.

Shikamaru sighed, "Women really are such a drag..."

The class bell rang.

Inuzuka Kiba, Choji, and Shikamaru returned to their seats for class, while Uzumaki Naruto slumped over his desk, his gaze fixed on Hinata.

The result was the same as always.

Hinata, who had been stealing glances at him, jumped like a startled rabbit and hurriedly lowered her head, a crimson blush spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.

It's exactly because you're like this that we can never hold a conversation...

She was cute, but it was also a real headache.

The examples from a few years ago proved it; she couldn't even finish a simple sentence.

It made Naruto not even want to talk to Hinata anymore, fearing he'd die of impatience.

Come to think of it... should I start training Hinata from a young age and mold her into the person I want her to be?

When he was behind a screen, Naruto loved Hinata's shy personality.

But now that he was in reality...

She was too shy, and Naruto couldn't quite handle it.

He didn't need her to be bold, but at least be normal.

Otherwise, Naruto felt that the affection he had built up for Hinata from the anime in his past life would be completely exhausted as time went on.

During the break, Naruto walked up to Hinata, extended his hand, and said, "Hello, Hinata. Do you remember me? My name is Uzumaki Naruto."

Hinata transformed into the Steam Maiden, stammering nervously, "I remember, I, my name is... Eek!"

Before she could finish, the moment her hand touched Naruto's, her brain overloaded and she fainted.

Looking at his own palm, Naruto was speechless.

Time flowed slowly as Naruto grew increasingly familiar with the Konoha 11.

A month later, the meticulously carved Raiden Shogun statue was finished, and the life energy and soul energy for the Rinnegan had also been fully accumulated.

It was time to execute the Statue Resurrection Plan.

The first step was to find a suitable birthplace for Raiden Shogun.

Naruto's first choice was the bathroom, because the Anbu wouldn't follow him in there to monitor him.

However, the old man Third Hokage was another story; that old geezer was a total pervert who even peeked into the women's bathhouse, so it wasn't impossible that he might spy on a little boy using the restroom.

After some thought, Naruto entered the Sealing Space to ask the Nine-Tails for help.

"Is there any way to avoid surveillance?"

The shield that once protected Naruto's safety had now become the shackles binding his actions.

"Kill everyone who is monitoring you."

The Nine-Tails proposed a simple and brutal method.

Naruto looked serious, "Stop joking around, I'm being serious."

The Nine-Tails looked displeased, "Who's joking? I'm being serious too, alright? If it were me, that's exactly what I would have done."

Whoever dared to monitor him, he'd blast them with a Tailed Beast Bomb and turn them all into dust.

Naruto realized, "So that's why you've been locked up until now."

"Brat! You're getting more and more arrogant!"

Having hit a sore spot, the Nine-Tails roared, and a terrifying aura began to spread.

"Looks like you don't have a way either, see ya." Naruto ignored him, leaving after provoking the Nine-Tails.

Perhaps... I should find a suitable time.