On the top floor of a tower in Amegakure, Naruto sipped hot tea as he read the scroll he had just acquired.
"Lightning Release Chakra Mode, a B-rank ninjutsu, the same rank as the Shadow Clone Technique. But that isn't because it's weak. Although it isn't particularly difficult to master, its effectiveness in actual combat is mediocre for most ninja. Yes, for most ninja..."
Naruto paused and set down his cup. "In other words, both techniques are meant for the rare few ninja with enormous chakra reserves."
Konan stepped forward and refilled his cup, her tone faintly teasing. "You mean ninja like you, who can command dozens of summoning beasts and spend half the night tangling with a major nation's hidden village without even getting winded?"
Naruto looked up. "Konan, I know you're teasing me, but at least smile when you do it... Come to think of it, I've never seen you smile."
Konan thought it over. "Really? I remember smiling plenty of times."
Naruto scratched his head. "Sorry, I didn't notice... How about you show me a smile now?"
Konan hesitated. "Is that an order from our leader?"
"Ahem..." Naruto cleared his throat twice. "You could say that."
"If it's an order, then all right."
Konan placed the teapot on the table.
"..." Naruto sipped his tea, his eyes fixed on Konan.
"Whew." Konan took a deep breath, raised both hands, and patted her cheeks. Then she pinched the corners of her mouth and pulled them into a smile.
"Pfft...!" Naruto couldn't hold it in and sprayed a mouthful of tea. "What was that, a manual smile? Sorry, Konan, but that was just too funny!"
"I really can't smile on command..." Konan lowered her hands. Watching Naruto laugh so freely, she couldn't help letting a faint smile touch her