150. That Boy Doesn't Seem Like a Good Match

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto."

After introducing himself, Naruto discreetly watched Daigo Tono. Seeing that his attitude hadn't changed at all and he was still acting naturally, continuing to introduce the garden's landscaping, Naruto finally relaxed.

It wasn't that Naruto cared about people giving him the cold shoulder. It was just that this time, he wasn't alone. Ino was with him, and he didn't want to cause any trouble because of him and put her in an awkward position.

Though I still don't really understand why I suddenly got dragged here to get my hair done.

Weren't we just having a touching moment at my front door? How did things suddenly transition to getting a haircut?

Damn, the comments were right.

Women really were hard to understand.

Meanwhile, after keeping up appearances for a while, Ino looked around with her pretty eyes. Once she confirmed there were no familiar faces around today, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She'd gotten a little carried away in the heat of the moment. It wasn't until they were almost at Mingmie Chijian that Ino realized: what if they ran into someone they knew? She wasn't the only regular here. Plenty of members from prominent clans like the Nara, Akimichi, Hyuga, and Sarutobi clans liked to come here for haircuts.

Although the shop was closed today, you never knew what might happen... After all, hadn't she suddenly and inexplicably brought Naruto here herself?

If they ran into someone like Choji or Shikamaru, it would be easy enough to handle. She could just threaten them with force until they kept quiet. But if they bumped into an elder, or even her mom and dad, Ino would be completely thrown for a loop and wouldn't know what to say.

It wasn't that she thought hanging out with Naruto was something shameful. She just had no idea how she'd explain to an elder that she'd dragged Naruto here for a haircut... And for some reason, the thought made her feel a little embarrassed and annoyed.

So why were women so hard to understand? Sometimes, even they didn't know what they were thinking.

Seriously, damn it.

Leaving the two kids to their private thoughts, Daigo Tono, who had been quietly observing them, couldn't help feeling puzzled and surprised.

He wasn't bragging when he said that he had personally designed and arranged every part of Mingmie Chijian, from its garden to its overall decor. His artistic aspirations weren't just empty talk. He'd truly taken care with every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile. That was how he'd achieved the elegant yet luxurious effect the place had now,

He dared say that even across all of Konoha, there was nowhere else quite like his place.

So normally, wouldn't someone visiting for the first time be at least a little surprised and impressed, even if they weren't timid?

The Yamanaka Clan's young lady was one thing. Her family was one of Konoha's top clans, and she'd visited more than once. But this guy called Uzumaki Naruto... Why wasn't he reacting at all?

Where were the compliments? The amazement? Come on, man, give me something!

No matter how slowly Daigo Tono walked or how long he went on about the decor until his mouth was dry, Naruto merely nodded politely. His mind seemed to be elsewhere, and he looked completely unmoved.

And yet Daigo Tono had a good eye for people. He could tell this guy wasn't putting on an act. He truly didn't care, as if all this were perfectly ordinary to him.

It wasn't Naruto's fault.

After all, he usually spent his time thinking about Might Guy's kick, Obito's Kamui, Madara's Susanoo, or Hashirama's Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands... Sure, it was a little weird that he was always thinking about men, but at least this kind of decorative grandeur didn't impress him. No matter how grand or beautiful it was, how many Tailed Beast Balls could it stop?

Besides, his experience at the movie theater had already broadened his horizons, and the "sage mode" brought on by all the endorphins flooding his system after his workout hadn't worn off yet... So unless Konoha exploded on the spot, it was hard to imagine anything that could really surprise him.

Could this guy actually be some hidden young master from a prestigious family, just usually too sloppy to show it?

Daigo Tono's mind raced.

Uzumaki, Uzumaki... Wasn't the Land of Whirlpools wiped out ages ago?

A prince in exile? The orphan of some powerful figure?

Come to think of it, the Land of Whirlpools used to be Konoha's staunch ally. I heard the First Hokage and the Fourth Hokage both had wives from the Uzumaki Clan... Who would've thought the country would still be wiped out with connections like that? Tsk, the Ninja World really is dangerous. Better to stay in Konoha and keep your head down.

Daigo Tono indulged in a little gossip in his head, then let the matter drop.

Fair enough.

At the end of the day, he was just a hairdresser. Trying to read people's minds and guess their identities was only a merchant's instinct. It wasn't as if he really cared all that much.

Getting their hair done was what mattered.

They crossed the garden and entered the corridor.

At the shop owner's insistence, Naruto took off all his clothes.

Don't get the wrong idea.

He was just borrowing the house's bathroom to take a shower.

After all, there was room for compromise, but he couldn't let standards disappear altogether. Naruto was covered in sweat and dirt, and just washing his hair wouldn't be enough. If a customer found out he'd been allowed to sit in a chair in that unhygienic state, especially one of those fussy ladies, she'd probably have something to say about it.

Better to avoid trouble where you could.

As for a change of clothes, Daigo Tono generously lent Naruto a kimono of his own, saying, "It's a gift to a friend, no need to say another word!"

Naruto was the kind of person who responded to kindness but not force—or, more accurately, he had no way of resisting other people's good intentions. And this wouldn't cost the owner any money. Besides, he was aware of how filthy he was, so he didn't dwell on it and accepted the offer readily.

While Naruto showered, Ino sat on the sofa in the room set aside for haircuts, waiting in boredom.

The room was spacious, with soft, gentle white lights overhead and comfortable tatami underfoot. The screens on either side were painted with white cranes and cherry blossoms. The full moon hung outside the window, and now and then, a night breeze stirred the wind chimes, their clear notes mingling with the soft singing of a famous diva from the Ninja World playing on a gramophone.

Daigo Tono had truly taken the art of standing out to a new level. This didn't feel like a place to get your hair done at all, but rather an elegant retreat where you could let your mind and body relax. No wonder almost everyone who visited once kept coming back.

But Ino didn't feel relaxed right now.

If anything, she was a little nervous.

As for why... She couldn't quite say.

Maybe it was because "seeing what someone looked like after a bath" felt inherently private and intimate... Or maybe she was looking forward to seeing "clean Naruto (kimono version)"?

"Knock, knock."

A woman wearing a dark blue kimono patterned with silver wisteria came over to Ino and lightly tapped the table twice.

When Ino came to, the woman lifted her lovely oval face and smiled as she held out several tea bags, apparently asking Ino which one she wanted.

"Ah, this one." Ino pointed randomly. "Thanks, Xin."

Xin was the employee the owner had mentioned as the only one he managed. She was Mingmie Chijian's attendant.

She nodded lightly, her slender waist swaying as she gracefully returned to Daigo Tono's side. While making tea, she secretly watched Ino with a gossipy look.

Youth is wonderful.

While waiting for the water to boil, Xin signed:

Does little Ino like the boy she brought with her?

Don't go playing matchmaker.

Daigo Tono signed back:

That boy doesn't seem like a good match for Ino.

Why not?

Doesn't little Ino like the elegant, handsome young-master type? But that boy is scruffy and doesn't have a great image. So they should just be friends.

Daigo Tono rubbed his chin, then added carefully, Though the boy seems decent enough.

Oh, does little Ino like someone like Uchiha Sasuke?

Who's Uchiha Sasuke? Daigo Tono immediately became wary.

He's little Ino's classmate. Just a kid. Don't get jealous. Xin shook her head helplessly and shot Daigo Tono a reproachful glance.

Only then did Daigo Tono grin and rub his bald head. But suddenly, he noticed Xin's gaze had shifted past him, her expression turning strange.

"?"

Daigo Tono, not understanding what was going on, turned around in confusion and followed Xin's gaze.

--Then his eyes widened instantly.

Because, just like Xin, Daigo Tono saw the person they'd been talking about: "that boy."

"Clack, clack."

His wooden sandals made crisp sounds against the wooden floor.

The corridor gleamed softly in the moonlight. A breeze drifted through, carrying the fresh herbal scent of body wash. At the far end, where light met shadow, a tall figure who looked nothing like he had before was walking toward them at an unhurried pace.

It was Uzumaki Naruto.