This round of questions handed the Akatsuki nearly ten million gold coins. That was no small fortune in the shinobi world. Every Kage exchanged wary glances, and the Akatsuki stirred in the shadows.
Ten minutes passed in a blink. In the chat group and the Pure Land, no one needed food, water, or rest. Endless banter had become its own form of entertainment.
Ding! New livestream starting. Title: To Be Announced!
Hashirama Senju: "Huh? So we don't even know what we're streaming?"Tobirama Senju: "Oniichan, you're so clever!"Uchiha Izuna: "Would you two stop slacking off already?"Hashirama: "Wait, was he just slacking?"Izuna: "Can't you tell?"
Scene: Konohagakure.A bustling street stretched under bright banners and a gentle fall of sakura petals.
"Hey, Ino, are you here?"
Choji and Shikamaru stood at the flower shop. Choji wore his signature red, and Shikamaru's hair was tied into its usual topknot. Inside, a familiar figure pulled back the curtain.
Haruno Sakura: "!!! Yamanaka Ino?!"Sai: "…"Yamanaka Ino: "Wait, is that me from the future? And outside… Choji and Shikamaru too?"Shikamaru: "Man, what bad luck. Why do I always end up on camera?"
On screen, Shikamaru scratched the back of his head. "I wanted your advice on a wedding gift."
Ino beamed. "Actually, I already picked mine out. I was just heading in to buy it."
"Which shop? We'll come too," Shikamaru offered.
"No way. Why buy together?" Ino folded her arms. "Figure it out yourselves. Bye!" She swept inside, leaving the boys awkwardly standing there.
Moments later, the two sat in a yakiniku restaurant. Shikamaru eyed a huge mug of beer glumly. "What do we do now?"
Choji piled more meat onto the grill. "Dessert. Some ice cream. You want some, Shikamaru?"
"Nah, I'm good."
Choji chuckled. "Your appetite's still legendary. Just like when we were kids." Yamato hovered nearby, silently eavesdropping.
Shikamaru rubbed his neck. "Lately I'm more into chicken legs and lean cuts. Feels more… mature."
He sighed. "It's not about food. I meant Naruto's wedding gift!"
"Oh, that? Ice cream or yuzu sherbet?" Choji said casually, completely missing the point.
"Not that!" Shikamaru groaned. "The actual wedding gift for Naruto and his bride!"
"Ah," Choji relaxed. "Well, I already got something."
Nearby, Yamato ducked behind a pillar, one hand on his chin.
Meanwhile, in the Namikaze household…
Minato: "Hey, Naruto's getting married? Wakayo, did you see that?"Naruto (groggy): "Me? Married? To who?"Kushina: "I'm so happy! My Naruto is getting married!"Naruto (blushing): "Mom, wait! I don't even know who I'm marrying yet!"
Ding! Question Incoming!Ding! Who is Naruto's bride?
A. Haruno SakuraB. Hyūga HinataC. Yamanaka InoD. Tenten
Correct answer wins 1,000,000 gold. Wrong answer: unknown punishment.Only one buzz-in allowed. A single mistake brings punishment to the entire ninja world!
Ding! Buzzers open!
Naruto: "There's Sakura, Hinata, Ino, and Tenten…"Ino: "Baka! It can't be me. I'm buying a gift!"Tenten: "Not me!"Kiba: "Hinata just fainted."Hinata (pale-eyed): "I… passed out again."
Madara Uchiha: "Let me be clear. Anyone can claim the million gold. But if you're wrong, don't blame me for what comes next."
Ding! Jiraiya buzzed in successfully!
Jiraiya: "I know Naruto's heart. His bride is Sakura!"
Sakura blinked.Naruto cheered, "Sweet!"
Ding! Judging Jiraiya's answer… ADing! Incorrect! Penalty: Jiraiya loses all inspiration for his next novel.Random world-wide penalty: Everyone's hearing sealed for one day!
Kakashi: "My novel inspiration…!"Jiraiya (surprised): "Wait. Aren't you more upset than I am?"Kakashi: "…"
Ding! World penalty applied: One-day deafness!
Hashirama (laughing): "New buff! So funny. Can't hear a thing!"Madara: "Damn it… I wish I could donate some IQ to him so he'd stop being such an idiot."Izuna: "Brother, are you trying to merge with him?"Tobirama: "Merge? Sure, Ino, handle that…"Kushina: "Oh please. I can't control either of you."Tobirama: "Fine. Anyone want sunflower seeds? I got a whole crate. One gold coin each."Naruto: "But it wasn't Sakura… or Ino… or Tenten… and I wouldn't marry Hinata. She's not my type!"
Hinata swooned again, slumping unconscious.Though to be fair, she always looked pale.
Meanwhile, back in the restaurant…
Choji pulled out a red envelope. "Maybe we're the only ones without gifts? But I've got mine!"
Shikamaru leaned in. "You do? What is it?"
Choji grinned. "Not ordinary gift certificates. These are for the highest-end restaurant in all of Konoha!"
Shikamaru broke into a nervous sweat. "You… you actually got those?"
Choji beamed. "Gotta celebrate properly, right?"
End of Chapter 40
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