Hinata, Stop Pretending

Then his expression gradually turned serious. "But since Hinata is our classmate, perhaps after graduation, she'll also become a teammate we can fight alongside."

"Since we've already formed bonds, how could we possibly abandon her? Even though peaceful days are nice, trouble never stops coming."

"After we solve those troubles, we can live peaceful lives. That is my belief, and also my Ninja Path."

Kiba Inuzuka, holding Akamaru, stepped forward as well. "In that case, count me in too!" Akamaru immediately barked in support.

Shino Aburame, whose presence was practically nonexistent, kept his hands in his pockets and spoke coolly behind his black sunglasses. "If you do not mind, then count me in as well. I also hope to contribute what little strength I have."

If Sasuke's aloofness was the imitation-and-tsundere type—though calling a boy tsundere was admittedly a little strange—then Shino Aburame was unquestionably like that by nature.

In the original story, only during one mission where he teamed up with Naruto had he been forced to reveal that unknown side of himself. And even then, it seemed to have happened only that once.

Shikamaru then shifted his gaze to Choji Akimichi. "Choji, what's your choice?"

Choji's hand, which had been tossing chips into his mouth, paused slightly. His eyes narrowed, and a simple, honest smile unique to chubby people appeared on his face.

"Mm, it sounds pretty interesting! I don't really understand what exactly you're planning to do, but count me in too."

After hearing Choji's answer, Shikamaru Nara's lips curved into a wicked smile. He waved his hand, and the little group immediately gathered around Shikamaru's desk.

Shikamaru stood up, pinching his chin between his right thumb and index finger. His gaze lowered as he sank into thought. Seeing him like this, the others all looked at him expectantly.

Before long, Shikamaru smiled confidently. The little group watching him also began to smile. Though this lazy bastard was usually lazy as hell,

whenever he was truly needed, he never seemed to let anyone down. He always brought hope and light to others.

Shikamaru said, "Since our goal this time is to help Hinata, and we barely know what exactly happened, I've come up with the following plan of action."

Just as the six of them were whispering among themselves and had reached the most crucial part, the classroom door was suddenly shoved open with force.

Naruto, who had regained much of his energy, walked into the classroom, intending to throw back his head and shout, "I, Hu Hansan, am back again!" Ahem, anyway, that was the general idea.

But when he saw the group huddled together, the words already at his lips were swallowed back down. At that moment, Shikamaru was secretly troubled.

When he saw Naruto slowly walking toward them, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. He immediately raised a hand and called, "Naruto, come over here! We have something we need to discuss with you."

Naruto immediately perked up. To be honest, he rather liked the feeling of being needed, so he hurried over to the group in a few quick strides.

Shikamaru immediately explained the whole situation to Naruto, but Naruto was left dizzy by it all. The only thing he took in was that Hinata needed help.

Naruto shouted, "What?" Shikamaru immediately said, "Naruto, that's why we need your help."

"Come closer. We'll do this, then this, then that, that, and finally this, this."

Naruto immediately said seriously, "All right, leave it to me!" After saying that, he rushed out again in a whirlwind.

Shikamaru immediately let out a long sigh of relief. The others stood silent as cicadas, while Ino said hesitantly, "Shikamaru, isn't it a little bad for us to trick Naruto like this?"

Sakura also said, "Yeah, yeah." But where no one could see, Sakura gave Shikamaru an emphatic thumbs-up.

Well done, Shikamaru. That dead last is always bothering Sasuke-kun whenever he has nothing to do. Keeping him farther away from Sasuke is something I, the future wife of Sasuke, absolutely have to do.

Delinquent Girl Anko Mitarashi

Shikamaru spoke helplessly. "The task I gave him is something he'll definitely mess up without even needing to think about it, so I never expected him to succeed in the first place."

"But don't worry! Naruto will definitely bring us a surprise. If he doesn't, then he wouldn't be the Naruto we know."