Chapter 349: Chapter 350: Secret Date
Chapter 350: Secret Date
The Third Hokage chuckled as he placed the marriage registration form on the research table, then turned and left.
He really was just here to tease Orochimaru.
Who told this Rebellious Disciple to dare launch the Konoha Crush Plan?
The current Third Hokage had nothing else to do. He had taught Orochimaru for many years, yet this was the first time he had seen Orochimaru so infuriated.
Being angry is good; if you’re unhappy, then I’m happy.
Kidomaru lowered a silk thread from the ceiling and slid down, watching the Third Hokage leave the research institute.
Watching the departing Third Hokage, Orochimaru grabbed the marriage registration form and crumpled it into a ball, making a gesture as if to tear it. After a moment’s thought, the corners of his mouth curled up.
After smoothing out the marriage registration form, Orochimaru took a pen from his breast pocket and wrote down the names of the Third Hokage and Utatane Koharu.
"Tayuya, deliver this to the Rokudaime."
"Hokage-sama!"
A sharp-eyed stall owner recognized Naruto and immediately greeted him enthusiastically.
This was an old-fashioned liquor shop. The owner was a chubby middle-aged man with a face full of smiles.
He quickly pulled a beautifully packaged bottle of wine from behind the counter, trotted up to Naruto, and respectfully handed it over:
"Hokage-sama, please try our newly brewed wine! It’s made with the best Materials, has a mellow taste, and a long-lasting aftertaste."
It’s a fine brew specially prepared to celebrate the victory and the festival.
It’s just a small token of my appreciation, please do accept it!"
The owner’s attitude was incredibly earnest, his eyes filled with gratitude and admiration for the young Hokage.
It was this young man before him who had led Hidden Leaf Village to an unprecedented brilliant victory, taking down two major nations and allowing the Village to enjoy its current state of peace and prosperity.
However, facing the fine wine handed over by the owner, Naruto smiled and extended his left hand, gently waving it in a polite refusal:
"No, thank you for your kindness."
"I haven’t reached the legal drinking age yet."
These words made the owner freeze for a moment, and he subconsciously looked Naruto over.
Although Naruto’s height was quite tall for his age, and his face had lost much of its childishness—his brow even carrying a composure and majesty far beyond his years—if one looked closely, the clear contours of a youth were still visible.
"Ah... I-I see! Look at me, I was just so happy I forgot!"
The owner quickly apologized and somewhat sheepishly took back the wine bottle, but he couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.
"The great feats you’ve accomplished, Hokage-sama... they really make one forget your age! Hahaha!"
He was telling the truth; conquering the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth was a feat truly difficult to associate with a youth.
Naruto smiled and didn’t say anything more.
He didn’t like drinking.
Not just because alcohol numbs the nerves and affects judgment, but because he simply didn’t like the taste of liquor.
Compared to alcohol, he preferred sweet drinks.
If alcohol were actually a good thing, people wouldn’t use ’fining someone three glasses’ as a punishment.
After declining the owner’s enthusiasm, Naruto took Hanabi’s small hand again and continued strolling down the street lined with lanterns.
Hanabi followed obediently, but her little head was looking left and right, both excited by the liveliness of the street and seemingly a bit restless.
After walking for a bit, she gently tugged on Naruto’s hand and tilted her small face up. Her pure Byakugan held a hint of hesitation and unease as she asked softly:
"Big Brother Naruto... is it really okay for us to leave Big Sister and the others behind and sneak out to play?"
Hearing Hanabi’s question, Naruto stopped, looked down at her cute expression—half excited and half guilty—and couldn’t resist reaching out to pinch her soft cheek, a mischievous smile appearing on his face:
"Hey now, little Hanabi~" he drawled,
"Wasn’t this idea... your own? Who was it this morning pulling on my sleeve with sparkling eyes, saying, ’Big Brother Naruto, there will be so many people during the festival, can we sneak out and look around first? Just the two of us!’"
Naruto imitated Hanabi’s tone and expression from that moment, doing a vivid impression.
Hanabi’s little face turned bright red instantly. She looked down in embarrassment, gently kicking a small pebble on the ground with her toe, her voice getting even quieter:
"It... it’s true that I suggested it... but..."
"But now that you’re out with me, you feel bad about leaving your sister and the others at home?"
Naruto finished her sentence, his tone gentle and filled with an understanding smile.
Hanabi nodded and said honestly, "Yeah... I feel like Big Sister wanted to come too..."
Naruto ruffled Hanabi’s hair and continued walking slowly while holding her hand.
"Tomorrow, I’ll have less time to spend with you. I’ll be spending more time with your sister, Karin, and Ino. When that time comes, make sure to stay close to Hikari so you don’t get lost."
As for today... let’s just treat it as our’secret date’!"
"Secret... date?"
Hanabi repeated the words, the blush on her small face deepening, but her eyes lit up, and that small bit of guilt was replaced by joy.
That’s right, this was her and Big Brother Naruto’s private "secret date time"!
(I just like the fragrant and soft little Hanabi, so I wrote it this way on purpose!)
"Mm! A secret date!"
Naruto nodded with certainty, then pointed to a Takoyaki stall ahead.
"Look over there!" Naruto pointed with his left hand and looked down to ask Hanabi, "Do you want some Takoyaki?"
Hanabi looked in the direction Naruto was pointing, her little nose twitching slightly. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she nodded vigorously: "I want some!" Then, she added,
"I want a double portion of bonito flakes!"
"Sure thing."
Naruto readily agreed, leading Hanabi toward the Takoyaki stall.
As they approached, the busy owner behind the stall looked up.
When he saw the customers clearly, his movements jerked to a halt, and his eyes widened instantly!
"Ho... Hokage-sama!"
The owner’s voice stuttered and trembled with extreme excitement and surprise.
Naruto had long since become accustomed to the excited reactions of stall owners over the past few days. He still wore a gentle smile and waved his hand, signaling the other party not to be nervous:
"Boss, two portions of Takoyaki. For one of them, please add extra bonito flakes."
Naruto remembered that the last time he bought Takoyaki, it was also made by this owner. Although Konohamaru later told him that the Takoyaki from this place was bad, Naruto and the others thought the taste was alright.
Everyone has different tastes, I suppose.
"Right away, no problem! Hokage-sama, please wait a moment! It’ll be ready soon! I’ll make you the freshest ones with the most fillings!"
The owner quickly suppressed his excitement and moved nimbly.
He specifically took out unopened, top-quality octopus chunks and batter, his movements even more careful and swift than usual, striving to make these two portions perfect.
While the owner was busy preparing, Naruto pulled his wallet from his pocket.
He carefully counted out enough money and then placed the coins neatly on a corner of the counter.
"The money is here, boss."
The owner was fully focused on flipping the Takoyaki. Seeing the money Naruto had put down, he quickly said, "Oh, Hokage-sama, you’re too kind! How—how could I possibly take your money! These two portions are on me..."
"That won’t do."
Naruto interrupted with a smile, his tone gentle but firm,
"This is what you’ve earned. Take it."
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