Seeing Sasuke leave on his own, Naruto naturally assumed that was the case.
What he didn't know was that the fire in his own backyard was already threatening to rage out of control.
Naruto quickly washed his face, slung his Canvas Bag over his shoulder, and shot out of the classroom.
He soon caught up with the young master, Shikamaru, on the street as he headed home.
"Yo, your boyfriend actually trusts you that much? He didn't grill you or threaten you into coming home early?"
Shikamaru was young but shrewd. Seeing Naruto catch up so quickly, he teased him with a smile.
"Hmph, would you guys quit teasing me about Sasuke all the time? He's a proud young genius of Konoha's prestigious Uchiha clan, top of our class, with countless admirers. Why would he be that petty?"
Shikamaru perked up at that. "So Sasuke had already left when you left the Ninja Academy?"
"Yeah. He probably didn't want to make things awkward for me, so he was considerate enough to head home first." Even now, Naruto said this with complete confidence.
Until later...
But to Shikamaru, those words meant something entirely different.
A knowing smile spread across Shikamaru's face. As a fellow boy, he seemed to understand everything.
"Heh, you really are optimistic, Naruto. Let's hope you're right and Sasuke doesn't overthink it."
Before long.
Naruto and Shikamaru, who was wearing Fishnet Stockings, arrived at the main gates of the Nara Clan's residence.
"Young master, you're back?"
The bodyguards were shocked to see that Shikamaru had actually brought that ill-omened child from the village home with him.
"Mm. Is lunch ready?"
"Yes, young master. It's been laid out in the side hall." Though the bodyguards were wary of Naruto, the Nara Clan had strict rules, and they didn't dare