After finishing off the last Snow Ninja, Naruto looked toward Kazahana Koyuki and discovered that Kakashi and the others had already arrived outside the town. He walked over with a smile and said, "Kakashi-sensei, you're all here too. Why didn't you come help? What if I'd been killed?"
Kakashi knew Naruto was only joking, so he played along. "Heh, sorry, sorry. Watching you fight, I got so caught up in it that I forgot. Hahaha."
Sakura said excitedly, "Naruto, you're amazing! Watching you fight was incredible. It was like art. Absolutely incredible!"
Naruto smiled. "Thanks, Sakura. Since I'm so handsome, are you planning to switch your affections and fall for me?"
Sakura scolded him with a laugh. "Stop flattering yourself. Who would fall for you? Keep flirting like that and I'll tell Hinata."
Naruto's face immediately fell, and he put on a pleading act. "No, Sakura! I was wrong. You can't tell Hinata! I'm sorry!"
Sakura and Kakashi both burst out laughing. Even Sai, whose smiles were always fake, gave a genuine laugh for once. That laugh took Naruto by surprise.
Naruto smiled. "Heh, Sai, I never realized you looked pretty good when you smiled. You should smile more often. It suits you better."
Sai touched his face and asked in confusion, "But I smile all the time, don't I?"
Naruto smiled. "Those are fake smiles, not real ones. Honestly, what has that guy Danzo been teaching you? I'll definitely have a good talk with him when we get back. How could he raise someone to be like this? Seriously." By the end, Naruto had begun grumbling. Although he disliked Danzo, it wasn't an especially deep hatred. Their ideals simply differed.
Once Danzo came up, Naruto couldn't help complaining again. "That stubborn old man. Why does he always have to