The atmosphere in the Barbecue Restaurant was rather peculiar.
Ino glared across the table, her cheeks puffed with anger. The two sat close together, and Sakura wore a happy blush she had never seen before.
Like a victorious general, Goten stuffed his mouth with meat while needling her.
"Ino, look at you. Your face has gone round with anger."
"Eat up. Don't go hungry. You're my prospective little wife, after all. I wouldn't want you getting thin."
"Y-you shut up!"
Ino grabbed a piece of meat and shoved it into her mouth, biting down as though she were gnawing on Goten's bones.
Sakura linked her arm through Goten's, raised her chin slightly, and flashed Ino a victorious smile.
Being explicitly chosen and publicly claimed like this made sweetness bubble up inside her.
Over the following days, Goten fully embraced slacking off.
The aftermath of the mission to retrieve Sasuke, Kakashi's written self-criticism, the orientation training for the new "Red-Haired Greeter," Tayuya, and the "bone specimen," Kimimaro, who had been sent to Tsunade's Laboratory, had absolutely nothing to do with him.
His daily routine consisted of eating, sleeping, and then going to spend time with the village's pretty older and younger girls.
One afternoon, an unexpected visitor interrupted this leisurely, comfortable life.
"Yo, Pervy Sage. What brings you here today?"
Goten lounged back in his chair, looking at Jiraiya in the doorway.
Jiraiya grinned and walked inside.
"Goten, I thought I'd come see you, since you're taking it so easy."
"Need something?" Goten did not even lift his eyelids.
"Of course I do!" Jiraiya plopped down opposite Goten, looking travel-worn.
Just then, Naruto came charging in noisily from outside.
"Pervy Sage! You're finally back! Boss! Listen, I..."
Naruto froze when he saw Jiraiya sitting with Goten.
"What are you talking about?"