As the saying went, keep the benefits in the family. When Shikamaru asked Naruto for a recommendation, he played right into Naruto's hands.
"Easy. Everyone, let's head to Juxia Tower."
At the mention of Juxia Tower, his friends all froze, and even Shikamaru's expression changed.
"Hey, Naruto, aren't you taking this a little too seriously?" Ino couldn't help saying. "Juxia Tower isn't somewhere ordinary people can afford anymore. One or two people could go in and order a dish or two to try, but with this many of us... the bill alone... would make Shikamaru cry."
Everyone except Sasuke nodded. Though Juxia Tower's food was unrivaled in the Land of Fire, it clearly wasn't something a bunch of kids could afford. Their allowances were fixed, after all.
Sure enough, Ino's words left Shikamaru looking troubled.
"How about we just go for barbecue?"
Naruto smiled. "Relax. Would I make you pay when you're coming with me? Sasuke and I used to work at Juxia Tower, you know. We get a thirty-percent discount."
Shikamaru and Hinata cried out at that.
"Older Brother Naruto, have you lost your mind?"
"Naruto, your monthly stipend is only ten thousand! If you blow it all on one meal, what are you going to live on afterward?"
Naruto waved a hand. "No big deal. There's still Sasuke, isn't there? Besides, it's just one meal. I can afford to treat you. I promise you can eat as much as you like."
Accepting favors left people indebted, and sharing someone's food made it harder to refuse them. This would make it easier for Naruto to get that thing, too.
Seeing how serious Naruto was, the others couldn't really object anymore.
"Let's go. Next stop, Juxia Tower."
Before long, the group arrived at Juxia Tower.
Since his last use of