In Konoha, This Naruto Has Decided To Take It Easy

The sound of thunder drowned out all other noises, but Naruto could still see Ino's lips moving. Her expression was different from her usual indifferent or annoyed look. Instead, she wore a gentle smile, one that seemed soft and tender, even with a hint of fondness.

This kind of scene usually only happens between couples deeply in love or at weddings of newlyweds, a pure, unreserved smile that's so sincere it evokes sympathy.

Her slightly flushed cheeks and the dazed look in her eyes were like strands of delicate silk, beautiful and captivating to anyone who saw them.

Naruto saw her last sentence, which was completely imprinted in his mind. The silence was more powerful than the sound, and the sound seemed to explode in his mind.

'Like you.'

Her voice was careful and carried the emotion of a confession, whispered softly in the dimly lit living room. Her eyes were bright, filled with a tenderness that was almost overwhelming.

Naruto was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but held his breath. Ino's expression was so striking that it was impossible for him to remain indifferent, and he felt his heart start to race.

Shakespeare's sonnets flashed through his mind. A summer praised by gods couldn't compare to the gentle and lovely face of the girl before him. Her beauty wouldn't fade in storm or time, and even Death would lift a hand to shield her, immortalized in verse and gaze.

Dark clouds loomed over the balcony, thunder roared, and lightning streaked through the sky like branches. Raindrops clung to the young green tendrils of vines, and the downpour cascaded from above, leaving the streets empty save for stray dogs scurrying through alleys.

The dark blue eyes seemed to be able to see through everything, piercing directly into his empty heart. Waiting for his response, for him to answer Ino's words.

'What to say?'

'Surely, now was the time to say something!' Naruto's fingers, resting on the sofa, twitched slightly as if jolted by electricity. He then opened his mouth.

He had nothing, and he had always been that way. His life's goal was simply to lie down comfortably, without lofty ambitions or clear paths to adulthood. He had a flawed personality and will take revenge for any slight.

He had bottom line, but it was flexible, he had a sense of morality, but it was limited. The system he possessed was just a means to avoid rigorous training and still stay alive.

In the end, he knew he wasn't perfect. He had significant personality flaws, some misguided beliefs, and even a somewhat twisted sense of right and wrong.

Yet, even with all of this, he still yearned for beautiful things. The girl's passionate soul, her innocent, shining expression… he wanted to respond, to reach out and feel her warmth.

"I like you too." His voice was steady, not too loud nor too soft, just enough for Ino, who was sitting a half-sofa away, to hear.

He saw Ino's pale hand release the pillow, nervously dropping onto the sofa, with their fingers about a meter apart.

In the dimly lit living room, Ino maintained that position for a moment, her fingers slowly inching towards him. Naruto glanced up at her, and his hand slowly reached out too.

Thunder rumbled outside the balcony, and faint clattering sounds from the kitchen could be heard.

On the Yamanaka Family's living room sofa, the two pale hands, one on the left and one on the right, moved slowly along the sofa's surface, like trains approaching each other.

Ino suddenly felt a little breathless, her heart pounding wildly. This is the most daring thing she had ever done. Watching their hands get closer, the scene was a little thrilling.

She could feel her cheeks heat up, and she couldn't take her eyes off Naruto's hands. His hand seemed slightly larger than hers, warm like a furnace.

At the moment when their fingertips were about to touch, a sound suddenly came from the kitchen.

"Ino, could you help me get the sugar jar?"

"Okay!" Ino quickly straightened up on the sofa, her back arched, and responded loudly. Her face turned a deep shade of red, and even her neck flushed.

She hurriedly stood up, stealing a quick glance at Naruto before swiftly leaving the room.

Naruto calmly retracted his hand. The sweet scent that Ino left behind still lingered in the air, but it vanished as quickly as it came. He walked to the balcony and found that the rain had subsided.

The potted flowers on the balcony remained strong, and the round holes in the sink were filled with clear rainwater. The sky outside was clear, and the white mist had dissipated.

After finishing his meal, Naruto took his leave.

After all, Ino's mother was at home, and it would be awkward to stay any longer, so he simply decided to leave. Ino seemed a bit uneasy, never making direct eye contact with him.

He could occasionally feel Ino's gaze pass over him, but it never lingered. When he looked back, all he saw was the fading blush on her face.

"Goodbye."

Naruto left the Yamanaka flower shop, holding an umbrella as he walked along Konoha's main street on his way home. Everything was damp, and the afternoon sun emerged, making the golden raindrops dance like flames.

The second day of vacation.

The rain from yesterday had dried up by morning.

Naruto squatted under the eaves of the training ground, watching Lee in his green training outfit doing one-finger push-ups under the blazing sun. He couldn't help but yawn.

"How many now?" Naruto asked, resting his chin on his hand.

"Four hundred and forty-one." Lee was drenched in sweat, and the shadow beneath him was soaked from it. "Still a few more to go."

"Do two more and then stop." Naruto stood up and said.

"Why?"

"Four-four-four is unlucky, and we're about to go on a mission." He stated matter-of-factly, "This is a big mission. All four Genin Teams have to go."

Lee was a straightforward person and couldn't win the argument with Naruto, so he just said 'oh' and did two more push-ups before standing up obediently.

Most of the time, Lee stayed with Team 3, and he would occasionally join Guy for missions. After all, he was Guy's direct disciple, so they had a better synergy working together.

Because of this, Lee's personality mirrored Guy's, unrestrained and innocent.

Hard work in training is commendable, but if Naruto had known, he wouldn't have agreed to train with Lee. Early in the morning, Naruto found himself squatting here, watching Lee warm up.

"Let's get started. But let me make it clear first. I won't use the Biju's Chakra, and you are not allowed to use the Eight Gates." Naruto muttered, "You should also hold back a bit, don't end up killing me."

Naruto's Taijutsu are indeed not good. Without the Kyubi's Chakra, he was a notch below Lee's level.

"Are you wearing your weights?"

"Yes."

"Are they heavy enough? Add more if they're not!" Naruto shamelessly suggested.

Lee checked the weights on his legs, shook his head, and said it was enough. Tightening the bandages on his hands, he took a stance, gesturing for Naruto to come at him.

Naruto sighed and slowly stepped into the training area.