Training

Poor Naruto.

You should have given up by now, right? Sakura didn't like you—she liked your best friend.

Watching Naruto leave, Josuke did not feel much. After all, he too would defect in three years. He just did not know what circumstances it would be under.

That kid Naruto would definitely come after him to bring him back. Heh heh, but did he really think he could catch him?

How ridiculous.

Just like in the original story, Naruto returned empty-handed and failed to bring Sasuke back.

It dealt Naruto a heavy blow.

He finally understood that, in this world, weakness was the original sin.

Under Jiraiya's advice, Naruto decided to embark on a training journey with him.

Since Josuke was also Jiraiya's student, he joined the training party as well.

Naruto especially treasured Josuke as a friend. Failing to bring Sasuke back had already made him deeply upset,

Naruto seemed to feel an inexplicable sense of guilt toward Josuke. He had failed to bring Sasuke back. He had let Josuke down.

Of course, Josuke knew none of this. He only knew that getting to train with Jiraiya was pretty great.

Now, the main storyline had officially begun.

He had some goals he wanted to achieve too. Of course, the most important goal was definitely to become stronger!!

The day they left the Hidden Leaf Village.

Josuke and Naruto packed their bags and waited for Jiraiya.

The Konoha Twelve arrived as promised.

Everyone came to see their friends off.

"Are you really leaving?"

Ino spoke softly.

"Yeah."

Josuke nodded.

"Don't worry, it's not like we won't come back."

Josuke comforted her. It was only three years of training; it would pass in the blink of an eye. When he returned, he should have the strength of a jonin. By then, he would at least have the ability to protect himself in the shinobi world.

With that kind of strength, the people he wanted to protect and cherish could remain safe and sound.

"Will you miss me?"

Ino pressed on, afraid Josuke would vanish the very next second.

This...

Josuke did not know how to answer that question.

Just then, Jiraiya arrived as well.

Without answering, Josuke followed Jiraiya out of the Hidden Leaf Village.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

When Josuke returned to the Hidden Leaf Village, he was already fifteen years old. Three years later.

Over those three years, the Make-Out Paradise spin-off written and published by Josuke sold well across every major country and received widespread praise from readers.

Ahem, ahem, ahem. How did that get brought up?

Three years.

They allowed Josuke to learn many ninjutsu he had never learned before, the most representative being the Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan.

Its power was several times greater than that of an ordinary Rasengan.

No wonder Naruto could rely on that one move everywhere he went.

It had to be said, the person who invented Minato was truly a genius. Over three years, Josuke had no idea how many times he had fought Jiraiya and Naruto. His combat experience only continued to grow.

Over those three years, Naruto learned how to use the Nine-Tails' chakra, along with many practical combat techniques.

Josuke's chakra reserves had improved significantly over those three years. He had at least the strength of an elite jonin. He had even trained the Eight Gates to the Fifth Gate. Yes, although Might Guy was no longer his teacher now.

Josuke had not neglected his Eight Gates.

He trained with discipline every day, so at only fifteen years old, he already had the bonus of six-pack abs. Very handsome.

Those three years also deepened the bond between the two of them.

"We're finally back in the village!"

Naruto exclaimed.

"Yeah."

Josuke nodded. Three years ago, he had still been an immature boy. Now, he was already a handsome young man. Kana~

That old pervert Jiraiya had run off somewhere. Maybe he had gone to the Hokage's office.

Whatever.

Josuke could not be bothered to think about it. The moment that simp Naruto saw Sakura, he rushed straight over.

Josuke complained inwardly.

Seriously, the moment he saw Sakura, he could not even walk properly anymore.

Almost all the girls among the Konoha Twelve were here, even Ino...

She had grown into a graceful beauty too—the prettiest one, no objections accepted.

Everyone present was delighted by Naruto's return.

But Ino really looked preoccupied.

Naruto had come back.

What about him?

Where would he be?

A voice interrupted Ino's thoughts.

"Hey, beautiful. Can I get to know you?"

Ino rolled her eyes. Seriously, at a time like this, someone was actually trying to flirt with her. She was just about to speak when she turned around and found herself unable to say a word.

Wasn't this the one she had been thinking about day and night?

"Mmm~"

At that moment, silence said more than words.

Ino rushed forward and gently hugged Josuke, then let go as quickly as lightning, her little face flushed red.

The girls began cheering from the side.

Even Josuke's old face turned red.

Sakura and Hinata looked over with envy.

So did Naruto.

Pah.

What the hell were you envying?

"Alright, alright, everyone, stop laughing at me."

After catching up with everyone, Josuke naturally went with the Konoha Twelve for a small gathering. The restaurant they chose happened to be the barbecue place he had visited with Ino back then.

Looking at the barbecue restaurant.

Josuke fell into his memories.

He said to Ino beside him.

"I really miss that time~"

Ino also looked nostalgic. She remembered feeding Josuke back then, and what Josuke had said afterward (////▽////)

Her little face reddened again.

The Konoha Twelve's dinner began as promised, just as it had three years ago.

Unfortunately, they were missing a rebellious boy named Two-Pillar.

After three rounds of drinks.

Everyone went home to find their moms.

Josuke, meanwhile, escorted Ino home.

"Did things go smoothly these past three years?"

Josuke asked softly.

Ino thought for a moment, clasping her hands behind her back.

"Not bad, I guess. Every day, we trained and practiced with Teacher Asuma. We've improved by far more than just a little compared to three years ago."

"And every day... I also..."

Ino did not dare continue, but Josuke naturally understood what she meant.

Ahem, ahem, ahem.

What was going on? His souls combined were nearly forty years old, yet a girl teasing him a little still made him blush.

"That sounds pretty nice."

Josuke said.

"Ino, you've grown even prettier."

Ino shyly murmured,

"You're so annoying~"

Josuke awkwardly scratched the back of his head. Maybe he was not really suited to flirting with girls. He was not cool and aloof like Sasuke, nor was he a social butterfly like Naruto.

He was more like an ordinary person, I guess. Four stocks open Asia dead general than Asia.

Honestly, he was pretty embarrassed himself.

Josuke said shyly in his heart.

As they chatted, they arrived near Ino's home.

Under the streetlight, they said goodbye to each other. The atmosphere gradually grew heated, and two lonely souls embraced.

What were you thinking??

They only hugged.

Just then, Ino's front door opened, startling Josuke badly.

Holy crap.

He hurriedly let go of Ino and used the Body Flicker Technique to hide.

A woman who looked seventy or eighty percent like Ino appeared at the doorway.

She carried a bag of garbage in her hand and slowly walked out.

She saw Ino standing beneath the streetlight and looked at her in confusion.

"Ino, what are you doing out here?"