Chapter 236: Roommate

Disclaimer:

Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 236: Roommate

"Ah…this is delicious as always, Teuchi. You have no idea how much I missed your food."

"Weren't you here like two days ago?" Ayame asked.

"That was three days ago," Naruto corrected the chef's daughter.

"And that's why he's my favorite client," Teuchi said with a smile.

After eating two more bowls of ramen and paying the man, Naruto walked towards his apartment.

He did notice that his wallet was starting to become a bit light. His last monetary entry was Kabuto's bounty reward, and he was yet to be paid for the missions he did during his time with Jiraiya.

According to what Shizune had told him, this was due to all the destruction he had caused during these missions.

He had meant to bring up the subject of Orochimaru's reward during his conversation with the Hokage, but the woman was unable to stay on the same topic for long and became tremendously excited every time he mentioned anything, so he was worried about how she was going to react.

But Naruto wasn't worried one bit. He knew that Tsunade wouldn't try to scam him out of any funds.

He was also due to receive payment for the mission he just completed with Kakashi and Yamato, but he'd have to wait until those two returned and gave their report for that to happen.

Unfortunately, he wasn't going to be getting paid for the Elder and his followers, as they weren't classified as criminals.

'Oh well…it's not like I have that much use for cash in this world. As long as I can buy delicious food and drinks, I'm fine with it,' Naruto thought.

He had already acquired a sword of the highest rarity, and it wasn't like there were cultivation pills or anything of the sort for sale.

He was in no hurry to reach his destination, so he enjoyed the stroll through the village. By the time he reached his apartment, the sky was starting to darken.

"Hmm?..." Before opening the door, he already knew that someone was inside.

The handle wasn't damaged, and there were no signs of forced entry.

'I didn't expect her to visit this soon…' Naruto wasn't surprised about this. After all, he had given her the keys to his apartment before leaving on his long trip so she could help maintain it during his absence.

Naruto opened the door and walked inside.

"Welcome home, roommate!"

He found Ino lying on his couch, reading a book.

"Roommate?" Naruto asked.

"My room got destroyed, remember? So I need a place to stay while they repair it. You don't mind if I stay here, right?" she asked with a sweet smile that would make most men fall to their knees and agree to anything she asked for.

But this wasn't enough to move Naruto…he knew she was hiding something.

He closed the door and walked to the couch before sitting down next to her.

"You can stay for as long as you want, but I want to hear the real reason," Naruto said, observing her closely.

"I…" Ino's smile disappeared, and she now looked hesitant.

"I've been to your house," Naruto continued. "It may not be huge, but I do remember seeing a few extra rooms on the lower floor. If that wasn't enough, Hinata could offer you at least a dozen rooms for you to stay in while repairs are completed…there's something you're not telling me."

Ino lowered her head. "You can read through me that much? Is this thanks to your…something senses?"

"Divine Senses…and I don't need to use them for something trivial like this. I just know you, Ino."

She sighed. "After Shizune finished up with her check-up and had a long conversation with my parents, I decided that I was going to stay in a guest room in my house, but…the moment I was left alone inside that bedroom, my body began to tremble…I was so scared."

"None of those people can harm you again…or anyone else, for that matter."

"I know that! I know it's an irrational fear. I mean, I'm a freaking Chunin! I shouldn't be afraid of an enemy attack," Ino snapped.

Naruto didn't say anything and just let her blow off some steam for a while.

"What can I do?..." she eventually asked him something that wasn't rhetorical.

"A while ago, I trained Hinata to surpass her fear. Although, in her case, the fears came mostly from her own insecurities and lack of self-worth. In your case…you don't believe you're strong enough to face your enemies."

"Isn't that the same as Hinata?" Ino asked.

"No…Hinata was never weak to begin with. She always had tremendous talent for combat that could surpass her cousin Neji."

"So I'm truly weak?" Ino stared at him, waiting for an answer.

"Only when compared to Hinata, and only if we're talking about pure combat. You have a talent for the mind arts, and from what I've seen, you also excel at healing jutsu," Naruto told her, but this wasn't going to be enough for her.

"I don't want to feel weak."

"Then…I'll make you strong," Naruto responded.

"You will?" she exclaimed.

"It won't be easy…I warn you."

"That's fine, I can take it!" She stood up in excitement and jumped onto his lap before embracing him. "So…can I stay here? I always feel safer at your side."

"Mmmm…" Naruto pretended to be considering it.

Ino knew what he was doing and let out a chuckle. She then leaned closer and whispered into his ear. "I don't have any money for rent, but…I can pay you with my body," she said in a seductive manner.

Even with all his mental resistance, this was able to move Naruto. "Very well…I can consider that offer."

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