"Is that so? Then I won't keep you any longer. I hope you recover soon."
Gekko Hayate lifted his cup and drained it, then rose to take his leave. He also remembered to thank his hostess, Hinata. "The tea was very good. Thank you."
"You're too kind. It was only plain hot water."
Hinata smiled in return.
Karin also said goodbye to Naruto and Hinata, then followed Gekko Hayate outside.
Although it was only a few steps away, Hinata still saw her guests to the door. After another round of polite farewells, she watched them head downstairs, then returned to the room to tidy up.
"Ahem. Thanks for showing me the way earlier. Was there something else?"
Gekko Hayate had just reached the foot of the stairs when he stopped and turned to Karin, who was clearly hurrying after him, looking a little puzzled.
"Um, you're a Konoha Jonin, right?"
"...A Special Jōnin, to be precise. But yes, you could say that."
"Then could I ask you a favor?"
Karin pressed her palms together in front of her in a pleading gesture. "I want to join Konoha and become a Konoha Ninja."
"Naruto-kun, what would you like for lunch?"
"Whatever you think is best. If it's too much trouble, we could go... Never mind. I don't feel like doing anything right now. Just make whatever you like, Hinata."
Hinata wasn't surprised by his answer. Naruto had already told her that something was wrong with his current state.
Naruto was effectively using his own body to research Kotoamatsukami, hoping to free the Anbu under its control as soon as possible.
As his girlfriend, Hinata naturally chose to support him.
Just as she had once wished, whatever Naruto wanted to do, she would stay by his side and support him.
Besides, simply