After they finished moving everything, Hana Inuzuka took the two of them out for a hearty meal at a barbecue restaurant.
Naruto stroked Gray One's head. It had been a while since the three Gray Maru brothers had seen him.
Seeing their oldest brother getting petted, Gray Two and Gray Three immediately crowded over, competing to rub their big, furry heads against Naruto's chest and arms. They whined affectionately, their tails smacking against the floor.
For a moment, Naruto was surrounded by three exuberant dogs, almost buried in fur.
"The Gray Maru brothers still love you so much."
Watching Naruto stroke Gray One's head while Gray Two and Gray Three rubbed against him, Hana Inuzuka suggested with a smile, "Why don't you get a ninja dog of your own?"
Gray Three was enthusiastically "washing" Naruto's face with his tongue. Naruto paused at her words. "Huh? A ninja dog?"
"That's right!"
Hana Inuzuka set down her cup and leaned forward slightly, an encouraging smile on her face.
"Black Maru would be thrilled to hear you're interested!"
Black Maru was the summoned companion of Hana Inuzuka's mother, Tsume Inuzuka. His standing among the ninja dogs was comparable to Gamabunta's on Mount Myōboku.
He could also speak human language and communicate normally with people.
Naruto had to admit, he was tempted.
He had wanted a puppy in his previous life. Having a ninja dog seemed pretty nice, too.
"Can I really?"
"Of course. How about we go pick one out after lunch?"
"Sure!"
On their way back, Sakura watched Naruto grinning foolishly as he cradled a little yellow puppy.
It was a young ninja dog that looked only a few months old.
Its fluffy, soft fur was a bright yellow, like the rising sun. Two big, round, moist black eyes surveyed this new