Chapter 105: Meeting Friends

Noticing Shikamaru, the chefs immediately changed in their faces, but after a short nod from the guy, everyone immediately returned to work. They already knew, although he looked like a child, he was good at reprimands. They were clearly apprehensive about this young boss.

After washing and putting himself in order, the guy left the kitchen.

Shikamaru immediately got into a small hall of the restaurant to the eyeballs filled with either ordinary people or several shinobi. Over the past three years, nothing has changed much here. Except, of course, some dishes that have brought the establishment not a little fame. Although with business in general, Shikamaru was unhappy with some issues. The politics of the hidden villages gave rise to many problems with which he could not yet figure out.

Noticing the familiar guys at the far table, Shikamaru mentally chuckled.

"It looks like it's already evening, something I don't follow the time at all ..." - smiling, Shikamaru waved in response to the cute blonde and slowly walked in their direction.

Stopping at a small table by the window, Shikamaru asked with a smile:

- You have nothing to do again?

Three were sitting at the table. On the left side of the table by the window sat a short blonde girl with a bright smile and impressive blue eyes. The girl's hair barely reached her shoulders, but the bangs covered half of her face. She was dressed in a purple top and skirt, bandages were tightened on her waist and legs, why this was done, Shikamaru did not really understand ... Ino had grown noticeably in three years. Next to her, crunching chips, sat a chubby guy in a gray sweatshirt and black gloves with metal inserts. Because of his hood, Chоji's face was hard to see, all that could be seen were the clan marks on his cheeks, the same mark stood out on the back of his sweatshirt. On his feet, the guy wore dark green knee-length shorts and gray sneakers with spikes. This fat man has changed noticeably in three years, his muscle mass has increased no less than fat. Although, the fat man's habits have not changed much, especially his eating habits. Thanks to this, he can be said to become a regular customer of a small restaurant Shikamaru.

Opposite these two, a more mature girl was sitting at the window. She wore the same kimono as three years ago, only her childish charm turned into the charm of an adult girl. Her golden hair, like silk, fell down her back to the very waist, and even such loose clothing could not completely hide the beautiful and ideal forms of the girl.

All three of them looked at Shikamaru, Ino smiled as usual, Chоji just nodded, and Avie just glanced at the guy and returned to her cocktail.

"As always, though ..." Smiling, Shikamaru sat down in an empty seat next to Avie and asked:

- You don't often see you here, do you have free time?

"Uh-huh ... It's all because of Ino," the blonde replied emotionally.

Ino chuckled a little.

- It didn't take long to persuade you.

Avie cast a displeased glance at the girl and turned away. Shikamaru just shook his head and turned to Chоji.

- How is your workout?

- Okay. The father is pressing hard, but this is already bearable.

- Yeah, me too! Ino smiled sweetly at Shikamaru. "When are we going to practice?" It's more fun with you ...

Shikamaru leaned back on the sofa and sighed.

- I have a lot of work, if I have time, I can ...

Ino sighed sadly, after which Avie suddenly spoke up, still not turning her head towards Shikamaru.

- I heard you left the academy.

Ino sighed again, while Shikamaru just smiled.

- There was a case ... A year ago I started to complete the assignments, the teacher and father insisted, and I already knew the program of the academy, so I had to leave, - looking at Ino, Shikamaru said: - Sorry, Ino ...

The girl just shook her head and smiled again:

- Yes, and I was not offended, it was just so unexpected. It's so boring without you, this fat man always crunches and interferes with work! Nudging Chоji with her elbow, Ino chuckled, "Well, there's too few worthy opponents.

Chоji glanced at his friend with displeasure.

"You'd better study than get into trouble. I'm not going to separate you from a fight with the next Genin anymore.

Ino rolled her eyes.

- Yes, you go, they themselves ran up!

Shikamaru listened to the chatter of his friends with a smile and pondered:

"Yet they have grown ... Completely unlike themselves in the past. Ino, although playful, but now also aggressive, Chоji is now a calm big man, and Avie ... "- looking at the quiet girl, Shikamaru asked:

- You are quieter than usual today, did something happen?

The girl looked down, put down the cocktail and sighed:

- Today, more than ten years have passed since the death of parents ...

Shikamaru looked away, paused, and then quietly said:

"They would definitely be proud of you. You are already a seasoned jounin worthy of the village shinobi.

Avie just smiled wryly and said quietly:

- May be...

Over the past three years, Shikamaru has occasionally trained with Avie. He tried to do it himself without sending clones. He may have liked this girl, but the guy was more likely to enjoy spending time in her company. It was interesting to train with her, calmly and without haste. It was a kind of relaxation. Although sometimes sad thoughts rolled over Avie, she was often in a good mood and smiled. You could say these two were already old friends.

As for Ino and Chоji, Shikamaru has seen fewer friends since the days of the academy. Usually he spent weekends with them, rested. The rest of the time he tried to work. It was for this reason that he now looked a little pale and tired. Although he spent most of his time studying fuin. More than a dozen of his clones were busy with various things. Someone carried out the tasks of the village, someone studied the data in the libraries. Someone trained in fuin or techniques, and someone trained in taijutsu. It may seem like training with clones is very productive and incredibly rewarding, but this is only part of the truth. They are undoubtedly very useful, because thanks to them, Shikamaru was finally able to reach his limits in many areas. Learn a lot of Jutsu and complete several system tasks. But at the same time, the frequent use and expenditure of chakra led to rapid exhaustion. This exhaustion gradually accumulated and led to unpleasant consequences. Headaches, apathy and fatigue. Over the past three years, Shikamaru has been incredibly tired. It was only now that he began to understand why Naruto, with his huge reserves as Hokage, was so tired. The frequent use of clones led to a similar problem. In Shikamaru, this was already expressed in nausea and aching bones. If this continues, it will probably lead to even worse consequences. And this despite the fact that the guy has cut the use of clones in half. The consequences have diminished, but not by much ...