Shikamaru's Dilemma

"Your woodcarving shop really does make a lot of money. No wonder you said you didn't want to attend the Ninja Academy some time ago."

Watching the two Uchiha Clan members leave the house, Shikamaru's expression was complicated.

From this single transaction alone, one could see just how profitable Samu Kokaze's woodcarving shop was. Even if such major orders were rare, the monthly profit was probably equivalent to the reward for an S-rank mission posted in Konoha. And there was no risk involved. No wonder he said he did not want to become a ninja. This was far more profitable than risking one's life as a ninja.

That was only because Shikamaru did not know Samu Kokaze's standing in the Land of Fire's carving world. If he knew how much the Land of Fire's nobles paid for a single carving request, his feelings would probably become even more complicated.

"It's not that great!"

Samu Kokaze turned his gaze toward the wooden shelves on either side. "I'm a rather laid-back person. If I became a ninja, I'd have to follow orders, but I can't stand the feeling of being ordered around."

"Besides, Konoha gave me the ninja Chakra Refinement Technique. I studied it seriously too, and I'm very strong now."

As he spoke, a confident smile appeared on his face.

Choji and Shikamaru exchanged a glance, then gave a few awkward laughs, unsure what to say.

As members of ninja clans, they naturally did not believe what Samu Kokaze had said. But it did not matter. If he believed he was strong, then so be it. Refining chakra could strengthen the body anyway.

"I knew you wouldn't believe me!" Samu Kokaze muttered quietly. Then he leaned toward Ino, who was still examining the newly displayed woodcarvings on a nearby shelf, and whispered, "Don't tell me you really haven't prepared any gifts! Ino came to demand a present from me early yesterday morning. She said a friend named Sakura was coming too."

"When the time comes, you'll make her lose face in front of her new friend!" He paused, looking at the two with deep sympathy. "I'll light incense for you."

Hearing Samu Kokaze's words, Choji and Shikamaru exchanged another look.

"What a drag!" Shikamaru scratched his head.

Choji grabbed a handful of chips and stuffed them into his mouth, then glanced at the sun already setting in the west outside the window. "Then what do we do now? It's almost time. There's no time to prepare anything!"

"You know, I've been craving the food from Choji's family for a long time." Seeing the two rack their brains, Samu Kokaze curled his lips and said with a sigh.

"We'll send it to you tomorrow!" Shikamaru agreed immediately before Choji could react.

"Oh, I just remembered that I need some special rare materials to practice my carving art, but I have absolutely no connections."

"Tell me what you need, and I'll help you get it!" Shikamaru gritted his teeth, his face darkening as he agreed.

"I remember I'm still short on..."

"Hey! Don't push your luck!" Shikamaru suddenly shouted, his dark expression deepening as he listened to the endless conditions.

"Tsk, what a pity!" Looking at Shikamaru's blackened face and Choji, who stared at him expressionlessly while chewing chips, Samu Kokaze could not help muttering under his breath.

"What are you talking about?" Hearing the commotion, Ino ran over from the side and asked.

"Nothing. We were just discussing how to celebrate your birthday, right, Choji? Shikamaru?" Samu Kokaze looked to either side with a smile in his eyes.

You two tried to play tricks on me just now. Feng always settles his grudges on the spot. If I don't make you suffer this time, I'll write Feng backward from now on.

As the thought pleased him, the smile on his face grew even broader.

"Really?"

Ino looked suspiciously toward Choji and Shikamaru.

Under Ino's scrutinizing gaze, the two nodded repeatedly, while shooting threatening looks at Samu Kokaze.

From the looks of it, if Samu Kokaze could not settle this matter, Choji and Shikamaru definitely would not mind dragging him down with them before they died.

Ignoring their threatening glares, Samu Kokaze cleared his throat twice and said, "Ino, who did you invite for your birthday this time? It's not just the few of us, is it?"

"Other than you guys and Sakura, there's no one else. Oh, right, Naruto too."

Ino was slightly stunned by Samu Kokaze's question before she responded.

"I see!" Samu Kokaze propped his chin on one hand. As if he had suddenly thought of something, he slapped his palm and said, "Come to think of it, after knowing each other for so long, we've never properly looked around your house. Later, let's go take a look at your room together!"

"Huh! M-My room!?"

Ino cried out in surprise, her cute little face blank as she turned to ask.

"Yeah! Right, Choji? Shikamaru?" As he spoke, Samu Kokaze shot them a look.

"Yeah! We really haven't seen it before!" Shikamaru nodded, his face twisting.

Choji stuffed another large handful of chips into his mouth and nodded as well.

"I-Is that so?" Seeing everyone nod, Ino's expression became a little awkward. She suddenly said, "Oh, right, I just remembered there's still some preparation work at home that isn't finished. I'll head back first. You can come over later." Saying that, Ino walked toward the door as though she had only just remembered.

"Do you need us to help?" Samu Kokaze shouted after her hurried footsteps.

"No need, it'll be done soon!"

With a loud bang, the shop door closed, and Ino's voice came in from outside.

Listening to Ino's voice outside, Samu Kokaze looked proudly toward Shikamaru and Choji.

"You really understand her well." Watching Ino run off, Shikamaru let out a sigh.

"That was amazing!" Choji looked at him with admiration.

"Haha..."

Bang...

In the midst of his laughter, the shop door that had just closed was violently flung open. The wooden door groaned under the strain as a yellow figure rushed in with a blast of cold air. Before he could see what was happening inside, the newcomer shouted excitedly.

"Feng, I came to find you! Look at this..."

Naruto stood there clutching a purple hairpin tightly in his hand. Seeing Samu Kokaze chatting with others their age inside, his expression suddenly froze, and he looked uneasily at Shikamaru and Choji.

"Naruto, you're here!"

Seeing Naruto run into the shop, Samu Kokaze smiled.

"Shikamaru, what do we do?" Choji, standing nearby, leaned close to Shikamaru's ear and whispered as he looked at the figure who had rushed in.

As ninja families, the Nara Clan and Akimichi Clan did not regard Naruto as some kind of monster the way ordinary people did.

If the Five Great Shinobi Villages were considered the peak of the ninja class, and powerful bloodline clans and villages second only to the Five Great Nations were considered the upper ranks, then the three secret technique clans of Ino–Shika–Cho could be considered the middle ranks of the ninja world. Their clan leaders naturally knew Naruto's situation and had long told the younger members of their clans how they should treat him.