Witty Naruto Life

Chapter 173 The Twelve Little Strongmen with a Subtle Relationship (4K)

But I am a very reasonable person. I will never mess around as long as I follow the bet list.

So in the end I only collected 10% interest... Well, I don't have to fleece the foundation this time. (Strike through the whole sentence)

After meeting Gaara, I immediately went to look for Sakura, and found that she seemed to be still avoiding me...

It’s okay, I have…how many days to wait for her reply?

Well, if I remember correctly, there are still nine days left until the time Sasuke agreed, which is the day after rescuing Gaara.

Now that things have come to this, let’s have a midnight snack first.

……

Day three.

I explained some precautions to the medical team and discussed the treatment plan for Grandma Chiyo, and then we just had to follow the steps.

Grandma Chiyo was in good spirits and even joked with me when I went to Diaoyutai to see her. However, she then asked me a very embarrassing question: How did you know about the forbidden techniques that I mastered?
Uh, how about I tell you, old man, I learned this from a comic book?
The annoying thing about this matter is that I have no idea whether Konoha could possibly know this information, so I had to act very secretive. Seeing me like this, Chiyo didn't ask any further questions.

The old-timer wasn't surprised by my reaction.

But before leaving, she specifically told me that she might get involved in some of Sunagakure's political affairs in the future.

Damn it.

This means that I can no longer interfere in the politics of Sand Village as I did before. As Gaara's best friend...good brother, our friendship will undoubtedly be affected by Chiyo in the future. (Strike through the whole sentence)

Chiyo owes me a favor, but that doesn't mean she will be soft-hearted towards me.

We can maintain a friendly relationship in private, but state affairs are different from family affairs. I would not be surprised if we stand on opposite sides over something in the future.

Come to think of it, this isn't the first ninja whose life trajectory I've completely changed. The last one to undergo a major change was Bai.

I suddenly wondered: Can Yamato, Shiro, and Sai form a team? Or, should Shiro join the current Twelve?

Let me think about this question again. I still have no idea.

When we were preparing to return to Konoha in the afternoon, Sakura finally came to see me, but she came to discuss Sasuke with me.

The focus of the discussion is why Sasuke chose the critical time point ten days later.

I thought about it and realized that I was most likely not the reason that influenced Sasuke to make such a choice.

Firstly, Sasuke and I haven't seen each other for a long time; secondly, the physical distance between Sasuke and I is far, so it is difficult for me to have a direct impact on him. In the original work, we also lived our own lives during this period.

As for the butterfly effect, I think the possibility is very small. Instead of thinking so, it is better to conclude that it was the dark hand that influenced Sasuke.

He has been away from me for so long, there is no guarantee that he will not harm Sasuke, so I think it is completely reasonable to set a trap for Sasuke ten days later.

However, given Black Hand's personality, he most likely won't take direct action, so no one knows how he will exert influence secretly.

Let the bullet fly for a while.

……

Day 4, the first day back in Konoha.

There's something wrong with Sasuke's reputation!

After being away from Konoha for so long, I suddenly realized that Sasuke's reputation among Konoha's top leaders is declining rapidly.

Specific manifestations: Tsunade privately chatted with me about Sasuke, asking when he would return to the village; Yusuke reported that many Anbu members were discussing that Sasuke had actually defected; Shikamaru and Neji among the Twelve Young Warriors also began to express their dissatisfaction with Sasuke.

The Anbu and Tsunade represent the two major forces of Konoha respectively, while Shikamaru and Neji represent the ninja clan of Konoha. Ino did not say bad things about Sasuke, not because the Yamanaka clan did not express their opinion, but because she herself liked Sasuke.

Why did this change happen? After an in-depth investigation, I found that it was related to the Foundation's [Ninja Revitalization Plan].

Previously, in order to leave enough funds for Sasuke to revitalize the Uchiha clan, I led the foundation to establish this plan and left a sum of funds for the Uchiha.

Now, after being shelved for many years, the amount of funds has become considerable, and therefore it has been coveted by some people, who have begun to spread rumors against Sasuke.

interesting.

Even Konoha cannot avoid some essential economic issues, and this is my negligence.

However, I think Sasuke himself also bears some responsibility. There is no reason for him to be a completely hands-off boss. I help him do this only out of brotherhood, but it does not mean that I should be fully responsible for this matter.

After the battle of the Heaven and Earth Bridge is over, I will let Sasuke go back to Konoha no matter what, and I will take him with me to deal with this matter.

Now that we have come this far, let’s talk a little more about it.

Before Shippuden, I helped Sasuke avenge Danzo and bury his clansmen, but I never let him interact with the ninja brothers of Konoha. Maybe Kishimoto left this issue blank, but after all, we live here and these practical issues cannot be ignored.

I am not saying that in order to revive the Uchiha clan we must form cliques, but I am talking about a basic interpersonal issue.

Everyone has their own social circle in society, but Sasuke's network is like a single line. He only has me and Sakura, and this current situation is extremely unhealthy.

Sasuke needs to have his own circle of friends in Konoha, at least a few regular friends besides me and Sakura, so that his life will be on the right track.

Besides, revenge is not the right path in life. Accept a relatively stable job, complete tasks within your ability, and have your own private life in your spare time.

This is life, not about wandering around the world all day, almost disconnected from society and not taking care of your hair - yes, I'm talking about Sasuke in Boruto.

But when I thought about this, I suddenly realized that I haven’t had a team-building activity with people of my age for a long time. Do you want to find some time to have a barbecue together?

……

Day .

I found Ningji, Rock Lee, Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino, and invited them to go to a barbecue restaurant for team building.

Unfortunately, the others either couldn’t be found, were on a mission, or said they were busy and would get together again next time.

But this team building was quite different from what I imagined...

Not only is my current status completely different from before, but the conversation seems to be going off track again.

This can also be considered as the butterfly effect.

……

On the fifth night, at the barbecue restaurant.

Naruto had reserved a seat early. Two barbecue tables were put together, and there were partitions to ensure a certain degree of privacy for the guests.

"Yeah, let's put all these on first, and then add more when everyone comes."

Naruto handed the menu back to the waitress, who took it back with some excitement, then took out a small notebook and pen. "Master Naruto, can you sign for me?"

"Oh...oh, okay."

"Thank you so much!"

Naruto took the pen and quickly signed his name. Then he heard Ya's voice next to him: "Okay, Naruto, your popularity is even higher than I thought~"

With a carefree expression, he waved at Naruto, who made way for him.

Naruto: "Sit wherever you like."

"Then I won't be polite." Ya chose a seat in the corner. Then Shino came, nodded to Naruto, and sat with him.

Is Kiba so awkward right now... Naruto could clearly see the unnaturalness in Kiba's micro-expressions, and his casual remarks just now seemed too deliberate.

However, his boastful personality hasn't changed much. For example, he just kept trying to pretend that he was completely equal to Naruto, and even patted Naruto's shoulder several times, which made Shino beside him look sideways.

Next came the Ino, Shikamaru and Chou trio. When Choji saw the barbecue already served, he couldn't wait to pick a good barbecue seat. Ino was a little reserved, and Shikamaru hinted to Ino with his eyes. Then he sat next to Naruto, and Ino sat next to Shikamaru.

"Naruto, how's Gaara's situation?" Shikamaru went straight to the point. It can be seen that he is very concerned about the major events in the village now.

Naruto looked at Shikamaru strangely. He seemed to be much more mature than before, but Asuma hadn't sacrificed himself yet, right?
"Don't worry, Gaara and the tailed beast inside him are safe."

"Is that so..." Shikamaru pondered for a moment, then leaned back in his chair: "My dad has been asking me to spend more time with you recently, and this has caused a lot of trouble."

"Now that you've told me all this, I think it's done for me."

Naruto was a little surprised. In the original novel, would Shikamaru also respond to such a request at this time?
But if you think about it carefully, Shikamaru seemed to be more sensible than his peers during the Shippuden period, and he also started dating Temari early on... Oh no, he got involved in diplomatic affairs.

After thinking for a moment, Naruto said tentatively, "Your father should be concerned about the Konoha Foundation, right?"

"It's so troublesome...ah, sorry, actually, it's giving me a headache to talk about this. Tsunade-sama has been introducing me to people from the Konoha Foundation recently."

"Dad also said that this is a great opportunity to come into contact with a talent like Uzumaki Naruto. It's not that it's bad to come into contact with you, but I really don't know anything about psychotherapy."

Naruto was a little confused: "Is that so..."

His own changes seemed to force Shikamaru to participate in a lot of political affairs in advance, and unknowingly, the world that Shikamaru was exposed to became wider.

Well, how about letting Shikamaru help think about the matter between Sasuke and Haku... No, it's better not to, he seems to be a little anti-Sasuke now.

But Shikamaru is indeed a useful talent, he should be my military advisor...

Naruto was thinking when Ino suddenly interrupted: "Shikamaru, let's not talk about these serious matters at the dinner table... By the way, Naruto, do you know what Sasuke has been doing recently? I haven't seen him for a long time."

Ino treats Naruto a little more timidly than in the original book, but her concern for Sasuke has not changed much.

Naruto smiled, "Sasuke will be back to the village soon."

"Really?" Shikamaru asked from the side.

"Well, a mission he's carrying out outside is about to be completed."

Shikamaru was silent for a moment, and his expression suddenly became more serious: "Naruto, is this mission related to Orochimaru?"

Naruto was stunned. He had not thought of focusing the topic of tonight on Sasuke. After all, Sasuke's affairs were quite sensitive right now, and since it was a team building, it would be better to talk about some topics that were popular among the people.

The air suddenly became quiet, with only the sounds of grilling and drooling. Shino and Kiba ate the grilled meat with their ears unconsciously perked up.

I enjoyed eating the melon very much.

"Hmm...why do you think so?" Naruto asked.

"I've heard some things about the past recently. It seems that Sasuke has received favors from Orochimaru?"

"Don't blame me for being nosy, Naruto. I know you and Sasuke have a good relationship, but sometimes you can't see the full picture because you are too close to the situation."

Ino said hurriedly, "Shikamaru! Don't say that. There's no solid evidence for Sasuke-kun's matter yet, right?"

Naruto picked up a piece of grilled meat and put it into the dipping sauce. He said calmly to Shikamaru beside him: "Don't worry, Sasuke is fine. He just contacted me a few days ago."

"Is that so... I hope I'm overthinking it." Shikamaru also started eating barbecue. At this time, there was another noise coming from the door.

"Sorry Naruto, we're late."

Neji sat down in a hurry, followed by Rock Lee, and waved to Naruto.

"This guy Li insisted on challenging me to a duel before dinner. I told him it might delay Naruto's dinner, but he still wouldn't give up..."

Naruto: "It's okay, it's okay. We haven't finished our round yet."

Lee's eyes burned, "Ningji, if you hadn't been avoiding me before, I might have come to you another time."

Neji crossed his arms and said, "I've already told you I'm usually very busy..."

"Okay, okay, the meat is almost gone. Pick up some vegetables." Naruto quickly handed the lettuce to Neji, who nodded at Naruto and politely took it.

It is worth mentioning that Neji has never been able to withstand Naruto's verbal persuasion in this time and space. The Konoha collapse plan was implemented before the Chunin Exam began, resulting in very little communication between the two.

Now, Neji and Naruto are just nodding acquaintances. The former's impression of Naruto is just that he is the strongest of the younger generation, and they have never had much of a heart-to-heart talk.

But there is one interesting thing here. The relationship between Neji and the main family's Hiashi has actually improved. The reason is that Hiashi himself apologized to Neji in this time and space.

It’s just that this story did not take place during the Chunin Exams.

After picking up the food, Naruto immediately changed the topic to Neji and the other one, trying to brush aside Sasuke's matter.

"But you two seem to have a good relationship. There's no need to argue. It's so hurtful."

Unexpectedly, Neji calmly shook his head and said, "It's pointless to dwell on someone who is destined not to win against me."

After saying that, everyone was stunned.

Now Neji has been successfully promoted to Jonin, but the biggest difference from the original is that his fatalistic view has not changed because of this, so he is so impatient with Rock Lee's challenge.

Since I'm destined to be unable to defeat him, why keep challenging him? It's just adding to my wounds in vain.

Naruto thought about it and quickly understood the reason. He looked at Lee, who looked unconvinced, and then looked at Neji:
"Do you think Xiao Li is destined to not win against you?"

"Of course. From the time he was a Genin to now, has he ever truly defeated me? A genius will always be a genius, just like you."

"Perhaps in the near future, you will become the Sixth Hokage, and we can only look up to you like looking at the sun."

(End of this chapter)