After they finished the barbecue.
Everyone started discussing their plans for the fireworks show later.
"We can't watch fireworks without kimonos."
Choji Akimichi offered a suggestion. "I know a good kimono shop. How about I take you there?"
"I'm fine with anything as long as I'm full. Thanks for treating us, Choji!"
Naruto Uzumaki walked over to Choji and patted his shoulder.
When he was little.
Only Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi had treated him like a normal person, so Naruto naturally got along well with both of them.
"Between you and me, Lord Hokage actually approved the funding for this outing," Choji Akimichi whispered into Naruto Uzumaki's ear.
Naruto Uzumaki's eyes widened. "What?! Lord Hokage is treating us?!"
At those words.
The Konoha 12 all looked stunned.
"So it was Lord Hokage? I was wondering why Choji would treat us."
Understanding dawned on Shikamaru Nara's face.
"Oh, I see. Why does this feel like a send-off for people marching to their deaths?" Ino Yamanaka couldn't help feeling a chill down her back.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Yemu Hyuga nearby, her thoughts unreadable.
Clearly noticing something was off with Ino.
Shikamaru Nara sighed helplessly.
Something must have happened between Yemu and Ino.
As for what it was.
Shikamaru Nara couldn't guess.
Besides, if Ino didn't ask for help herself, Shikamaru Nara couldn't exactly pry too much.
However.
Shikamaru Nara didn't know that Ino had absolutely no way of telling anyone what had happened that night.
Keeping it bottled up was practically killing her.
"Yemu, what do you think?"
Choji looked at Yemu Hyuga.
There was a hint of anticipation on his face.
"I'm fine with anything."
Yemu Hyuga didn't particularly care.
He was currently in the second stage of his Tenseigan's evolution, so he couldn't