By noon, the sun outside was already blazing, and the temperature kept climbing. It was worlds apart from the morning.
"It's about time."
Sasuke looked at the clock on the wall and spoke to Naruto, who had roped Hikoneko into playing cards.
"It's fine. Let me finish this round."
Naruto brushed Sasuke off without turning around.
Thump!
Sasuke kicked Naruto in the rear, then called Hinata and Karin along and headed to the garden amid Naruto's muttered curses.
"I'll go after them, then."
Kakashi smiled at Hikoneko. Although he wore a mask, the smile was still visible in his eyes.
"Oh, um, I'll come too."
Hikoneko stood up to go with Kakashi. Staying home alone would have felt a little awkward instead.
The group went out through the screen door and reached their destination after a minute's walk.
The sun blazed overhead, and Naruto could even feel the heat building on his skin.
A swarm of buzzing hornets circled in the shade beneath a tree, sheltering there from the scorching sunlight.
"A perfect chance."
Naruto's eyes lit up. He poked Sasuke, signaling for him to step forward.
"I know."
Sasuke stood up from the bushes and brushed the dust off himself. Then scarlet appeared in his eyes.
That degree of concentration... Kakashi rubbed his chin inside Hikoneko's protective barrier, a bad feeling coming over him.
Sasuke moved. His well-defined fingers flashed rapidly, finishing in barely two or three breaths.
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!]
A fireball roughly the size of a basketball flew swiftly toward the buzzing swarm of hornets and their nest.
The scorching flames engulfed the tiny hornets, igniting them almost the instant the powerful flames touched them.
Struck by the fireball, the hornets' nest shook violently before falling from the tree in flames. Only a few scattered