Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too Tsundere Chapter 59 - 59

Night had fallen over the barbecue restaurant, where enticing aromas filled the air. Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji sat around the grill, sizzling at dancing on the iron plate as Choji's face glowed with a happy flush.

After the at finished cooking, Choji enthusiastically distributed the grilled pieces to everyone's plates. Though he took the largest portion for himself, Choji didn't mind sharing the delicious food with his friends—except for the very last bite. The final piece of grilled at disappeared with lightning speed into his mouth.

Shikamaru lazily watched the flas dancing over the grill, rembering his father's words before school started. "There are many rumors in the village about that kid, but you should see for yourself with your own eyes."

Now, watching Naruto seriously listen to Choji explain grilling techniques, Shikamaru decided Naruto was a decent guy.

The next day in the ninja academy classroom, Naruto prepared to treat everyone to ran as promised, but he was scheming to expand his circle of friends. Besides Shikamaru and Choji, he had specifically invited several other classmates.

First was Kiba, that restless, hot-headed boy.

Upon hearing Naruto's invitation, Kiba agreed without any hesitation. Ever since witnessing that taijutsu match between Naruto and Satsuki—a fight worthy of actual ninja—Kiba had been burning with curiosity about this blonde boy.

Next, Naruto's gaze turned to Shino, who stood quietly in the corner, and extended an invitation to him as well.

Shino looked up slightly, remained silent for a few seconds, then gave a small nod of agreent.

By noon, Naruto's group was preparing to head to Ichiraku Ran in high spirits. Satsuki had also joined their group, and just when everyone thought they were all present and ready to leave, Naruto suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Looking around, he realized that the background-like boy with sunglasses was nowhere to be seen.

The others exchanged glances, only now realizing their group was indeed missing soone.

Naruto quickly returned to the classroom, and when he pushed open the door, sure enough, in the very corner of the classroom, Shino sat with his head down, quietly muttering to himself.

"Why am I not going to eat? If you must ask why... I am waiting for the promised invitation..."

It seed the original story's setting of Shino having a weak presence was still in effect in this world. Moreover, Shino actually cared more about being overlooked than anyone imagined—which was exactly why he stubbornly waited for soone who would actively notice him.

"Shino!" Naruto deliberately raised his voice. "Why didn't you co? We've all been waiting for you! Let's go eat ran together!"

Shino's body went rigid. He slowly lifted his head, sunglasses reflecting the sunlight so his expression couldn't be seen. But Naruto noticed his shoulders trembling slightly, and his mouth beneath his collar seed to twitch. If you looked carefully, the kikai bugs hidden in his clothes suddenly beca active, excitedly jumping around.

This was the first ti soone had noticed him being left behind... the first ti soone had cared...

Shino slowly stood up, his movents more stiff than usual. He opened his mouth as if wanting to say sothing, but in the end only gave a small nod.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, Host: Initial bond established with original character "Abura Shino"!]

[Points earned: 100!]

Sunlight stread through the classroom windows, illuminating Shino's slightly trembling figure. Looking at Shino ahead of him, Naruto felt a warm feeling in his chest. This was already the third companion he'd successfully bonded with, after Shikamaru and Choji.

After parting at the barbecue restaurant last night, Naruto had eagerly checked his system points. The original 900 points, plus the 300 contributed by Shikamaru and Choji, totaled 1200 points—exactly enough for a ten-pull. However, the results were sowhat disappointing, yielding only basic chakra enhancents and taijutsu improvents, with no legendary items that could dramatically boost his strength.

No matter though. Naruto looked at the newly acquired 100 points, plus his remaining 200 points, bringing him to 300 points total. Now that he'd successfully t these companions, he just needed to naturally deepen their friendships.

The warm curtain of Ichiraku Ran was pulled aside as several children lined up at the counter. Uncle Teuchi warmly greeted them as his voice echoed through the shop. "Oh, Naruto brought friends today! Welco! Co, co, sit over here."

On the high stools, Naruto watched as steaming bowls of ran were served one after another. He had two bowls of tonkotsu ran, the others had one each, while ten empty bowls had already piled up in front of Choji—a record that left even Uncle Teuchi wide-eyed with amazent. Too bad there were no Rinnegan in those bowls.

Thank goodness the Third Hokage's living allowance was generous enough... Naruto touched his bulging wallet with relief. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Satsuki quietly reaching for her small purse. He quickly intercepted that pale hand.

"What are you doing?" Naruto asked in a lowered voice.

Satsuki's ears instantly turned crimson as she turned her face away. "Hah? It's not like I'm specifically trying to help you! Father just happened to give spending money... and I don't know what to spend it on... so you might as well benefit."

Naruto had long beco immune to this standard tsundere routine. After skillfully giving the second tomato a way to save face, he cheerfully paid the entire bill.

Choji patted his round belly with continuous thanks, and even the usually lazy Shikamaru rarely said "next ti, I'll treat."

Returning to the ninja academy, during the afternoon taijutsu class, Iruka had obviously learned from last ti and no longer paired Naruto and Satsuki for sparring. Satsuki reluctantly practiced with other classmates—opponents who couldn't even touch her. She'd knock them down in one move while her eyes kept drifting toward Naruto.

anwhile, Naruto's side was even more relaxed. After easily taking down the little kids who ca to spar with him, the dismissal bell rang.

After nightfall, two figures appeared again at the agreed training ground. Satsuki's fingers flew through hand seals under the moonlight, while Naruto focused intently on practicing the advanced jutsu the Third Hokage had given him. Through continuous practice, he could now complete the 44 seals for Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu in just 10 seconds.

"Next, let's try simplifying it to four seals..." Naruto wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at the dense notes covering his scroll.

Spring cherry blossoms, sumr cicadas, autumn maple leaves. The days at the ninja academy passed one by one like this. Naruto's strength steadily improved while the bonds around him grew deeper. When the last snowflake lted, Naruto was already looking forward to the new year's story.