Chapter 76: A Picnic Gone Awry
Half an hour later.
Shishou and his friends had finished selecting their favorite foods and the items on the shopping list.
Kiba had picked up some soft bones and beef, likely for feeding Akamaru.
Sasuke took a few meatballs but not too many.
Shino only took the items listed on the shopping list.
Despite Shishou's wealth from his uncle's inheritance, Shino didn't want Shishou to spend too much.
Choji, on the other hand, grabbed several cuts of pork belly, beef tenderloin, lean meat, and sausages.
"Hey, Choji, you've taken too much."
"I guess Ino and I will have to help you eat some of it. But next time, it's your treat."
Seeing Choji's haul, Shikamaru quickly spoke up.
Even though Shishou had insisted he'd treat everyone, taking so much seemed unfair and could make Shishou feel taken advantage of.
To prevent any ill feelings, Shikamaru quickly roped himself and Ino into Choji's selections, making it seem like the three of them picked everything together. It looked more reasonable this way.
Moreover, Shikamaru set the expectation that Choji would treat them next time, showing that Choji wasn't someone who liked to take advantage.
"Oh, these are for everyone to share."
"Alright, next time will be my treat."
Choji, the chubby kid, didn't realize anything was amiss and readily agreed to Shikamaru's suggestion.
Seeing Choji being so reasonable, Shikamaru breathed a sigh of relief.
With one teammate who had no tact and another who was overly bold, Shikamaru had his hands full.
Shishou merely smiled at Shikamaru's concerns.
The money spent was insignificant to him.
Besides, he knew Choji wasn't the type to exploit others.
As for Naruto?
Forget it, Shishou didn't want to comment.
Who brings instant ramen to a barbecue picnic?
Naruto, of course. He not only brought it but also brought many packets.
Shishou could only shake his head and think, "Only you, Naruto, the unexpected ninja."
Soon enough.
Ino, Hinata, and Sakura also returned with vegetables, joining Shishou and the others.
They divided up the items and set off toward the Konoha Forest.
Behind them.
A few ANBU and members of the Hyuga clan followed discreetly.
These were the people sent by the Third Hokage to protect Naruto and by Hiashi Hyuga to protect Hinata.
Though Hiashi was stern with Hinata, he had never slackened in ensuring her safety after the Cloud Village incident.
Upon learning that Hinata would be going on a picnic with others, he had dispatched Hyuga clan members to protect her secretly.
Shishou had long noticed these tagalongs.
Although slightly annoyed, he couldn't do anything about it.
"Here, let's set up here."
Reaching the forest edge, Shishou suggested a shady spot.
"Shishou, let's go over there."
Naruto pointed to a spot by the river, shouting.
He wanted to catch some fish and show off in front of Sakura.
"Hmm, that spot is indeed better."
Ino agreed with Naruto.
"Then let's go there."
Seeing no objections, Shishou agreed.
By the river.
Choji immediately began preparing the meat.
Ino, Hinata, and Sakura started washing vegetables by the river.
Shikamaru and Shino went to collect firewood.
Shishou, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kiba began catching fish in the river.
Initially, the aloof Sasuke didn't want to participate, but after seeing Shishou catch a ten-pound fish, his competitive spirit kicked in, and he took off his shirt to join in.
"Haha, Sakura, look what I caught."
Naruto held up a frog, running to Sakura.
Sakura ignored him, focusing on washing vegetables and occasionally glancing at Sasuke fishing.
Sasuke-kun is still so cool.
"Naruto, take that toad away."
Ino tossed her vegetables aside, hands on hips, looking disdainfully at Naruto's frog.
"Ino, it's a frog, not a toad."
Hinata tugged Ino's sleeve, reminding her.
"Same thing!"
Ino dismissed it, turning her head defiantly.
As if to say, whatever I say goes.
"Alright, watch me catch a big fish."
Naruto threw the frog aside, running toward Kiba and Sasuke.
"Hey, Naruto, you idiot, you scared my fish away."
"Woof, woof!"
Kiba growled at Naruto, with Akamaru barking along.
"Splash!"
Sasuke's sharpened stick pierced the riverbed, successfully catching a mid-sized fish.
"Wow, Sasuke-kun, you're amazing!"
Sakura clapped in delight.
"Tch, what's so great about that."
Naruto spat, preparing to sharpen a stick for fishing.
"Naruto, catch this."
Standing in the middle of the river, Shishou caught a big fish and tossed it to Naruto.
"Oh, got it."
Naruto fumbled but managed to catch the fish.
"Shishou, you can walk on water?"
Suddenly, Ino's eyes widened, looking at Shishou standing in the river.
Everyone turned to look at Shishou, surprised.
Even the trailing ANBU and Hyuga ninja were startled.
Walking on water wasn't a high-level technique, but it wasn't something students from the Ninja Academy could usually master.
Shishou's proficiency indicated his extraordinary talent.
"It's quite simple."
Shishou waved nonchalantly, continuing his fishing.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, realizing he had fallen behind Shishou again.
"Shishou, you're amazing."
"Can you teach me how to walk on water?"
Naruto shouted from afar, holding the fish.
"Sure."
Shishou nodded, walking toward Naruto.
"I want to learn too!"
Ino quickly raised her hand.
"M-Me too."
Hinata stepped forward.
Then Sakura, Kiba, and the others joined in.
Sasuke said nothing but was clearly interested, blending into the group.
"What are they doing?"
Returning with Shino, Shikamaru saw the group by the river, training to walk on water, and asked Choji.
"Oh, they're learning to walk on water from Shishou."
Choji glanced at Shikamaru, continuing to prepare the food.
"Really."
Shikamaru set down the firewood, starting a fire.
He had little interest in walking on water.
Shino, having already learned it on Shishou's suggestion, helped Choji prepare the food.
As Shikamaru kindled the fire, he looked at Shishou and the others, exasperated.
"Weren't we supposed to have a barbecue picnic?"
"Why are we training now?"
...
Land of Rain, Amegakure.
In the tallest tower.
Tendo Pain looked at Uchiha Obito.
"I need an explanation."