Naruto had to admit that the Ten-Tails (Jūbi) truly had a special kind of perception.
Along the way, it located traces of chakra, guiding Naruto to places where subtle clues remained—enough to justify everything he had been "teaching" the girls earlier.
Of course, it wasn't entirely deception. At least, those explanations really did come from books.
When night fell, Naruto caught several big, fat fish from the river.
Under the shocked gazes of Uchiha Izumi and Inuzuka Hana, Naruto casually took out pots, pans, oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar…
"You…"
The two girls stared at him in complete confusion as he started a fire and began cooking.
Izumi looked at Naruto suspiciously.
"Doesn't the textbook say lighting a fire at night is strictly forbidden? Doing this means you're hiding something, right?"
At that moment, Naruto completely lost the image of a "seven-year-old genius" in their eyes—and instead became an experienced, mature ninja.
Naruto smiled gently and handed them grilled fish.
"Let's eat first."
The girls blushed and hurriedly took the fish.
Naruto spoke softly:
"It's because you two are so nice, Izumi… Hana."
The two girls lowered their heads shyly.
"No… we still have a lot to learn. If we were better during the day…"
Naruto suddenly laughed.
Hana puffed her cheeks.
"What are you laughing at?!"
Naruto waved his hand apologetically.
"Sorry, sorry. I just thought… there's not much left for me to teach you."
The girls quickly replied:
"You already taught us a lot today!"
Izumi still looked confused.
"Then… what about the fire?"
Naruto glanced at the flames and said quietly:
"When you're with people you like… you want to give them something warm."
Instantly—
Both girls' faces turned red, like their brains had overheated.
They lowered their heads and bit into the fish.
"It's hot… and tasty…"
"Y-Yeah…"
Seeing their defenses completely broken, Naruto smiled.
After all, they were just twelve-year-old girls experiencing feelings like this for the first time.
In his past life as a fanfiction writer, he had read plenty of romance stories.
Especially in Konoha, where looks mattered—a face inherited from the Fourth Hokage and Kushina gave him a huge advantage.
Naruto was pretty sure that if someone like Rock Lee tried the same thing… he'd get beaten up instead.
He then scooped fish soup and fed each of them a spoon.
The girls were too flustered to react.
By the time they recovered, Naruto had already set up a tent.
"Sorry," he said with a smile. "I only have one tent, so we'll have to sleep together tonight. The exercise will end soon anyway."
The two girls almost fainted from embarrassment.
"No, no, no! We'll take watch! You rest!"
Naruto patted his chest.
"How can you girls take watch? I will! Besides, we have Haimaru, right?"
Haimaru: "Woof!" (I'm a dog, not a person!)
Hearing that, the girls finally relaxed a bit.
They exchanged looks and went into the tent—completely unaware of Naruto's sly smile.
Naruto formed hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The girls entered the tent, confused.
"Don't worry, my Shadow Clone will keep watch!"
Hana & Izumi: "…"
Just as Naruto was about to… enjoy the situation—
A sudden violent sound came from outside.
Naruto frowned.
"Who's reckless enough to run into the Forest of Death like that?"
He quickly extinguished the fire and moved toward the sound.
The girls followed.
The three hid behind a rock near the river.
Izumi whispered:
"Is this the final test?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"Something's wrong. Stay hidden."
At that moment—
An injured ANBU ninja stumbled across the water.
A silver flash—
A deadly shuriken struck him and wrapped around his ankle.
"That's ANBU!" Hana whispered urgently.
"Should we help him? Or find Captain Yamato?"
Naruto gestured behind.
"Wait. Look."
Three more figures appeared—
Members of Root, dressed like ANBU.
Hana was shocked.
"How… even the pursuers are ANBU?!"
Naruto stared at the purple-haired ANBU on the ground.
"…What a coincidence."
Seeing the Root members preparing to kill—
Naruto whispered:
"Don't come out."
Then—
He instantly appeared in front of them and smiled calmly.
"Sorry… I, Uchiha Naruto, will interfere. Hope you don't mind."