Chapter 198 Men’s Friendship Begins with Drinking

Naruto looked in the direction that Lao Zi pointed, and the green forest seemed out of place in the surrounding environment full of rocks and dust. The green forest was lush and green, and the branches and leaves were intertwined, as if forming a natural barrier, making it difficult to peek into the mystery inside.

Naruto lowered his voice and asked, "Old Zi, how can you be sure that Han is in there?"

Old Zi stared at the green forest intently and replied, "The old guy Ohnoki imprisoned the two of us here before. Although the environment here is good, Ohnoki's spies are everywhere, and they will not let Han and I step out easily. At that time, this place was like a huge cage, and every step we took seemed to be monitored by countless eyes."

Lao Zi narrowed his eyes and carefully observed the movements around the green forest: "We can only sneak in quietly and try to avoid the surveillance of those spies. I know some hidden paths, but many years have passed, I don't know if they are still safe and usable."

Naruto clenched his fists and said firmly, "No matter what, we have to give it a try. I must have a good talk with Han."

Lao Zi glanced at Naruto and nodded, "Then let's wait here for a while until it's darker, then we'll act. The darkness will provide us with some cover."

After hearing what Lao Zi said, Naruto thought for a moment and said, "That's not necessary." Then, to Lao Zi's great surprise, Naruto's mysterious and powerful Mangekyō Sharingan emerged. The pattern in his eyes was like a vortex in the deep universe, emitting an awe-inspiring power. Naruto reached out and grabbed Lao Zi's shoulder. In an instant, the space seemed to be distorted, and the surrounding scene was like a fast-flowing scroll.

In just a moment, they teleported directly into the green forest. The green forest was quiet and mysterious. The dense leaves blocked most of the light, and only a few rays of mottled sunlight fell on the ground. The surroundings were filled with a fresh scent of grass and trees, mixed with a little smell of damp soil.

While marveling at Naruto's strength, Lao Zi led Naruto into the depths of the green forest. The trees in the green forest were getting taller and denser, with branches and leaves crisscrossing like green domes, and the sun could only shine through the gaps. The ground under his feet was covered with thick fallen leaves, and every step he took made a slight rustling sound, which was particularly clear in this silent green forest.

Naruto followed closely behind Old Purple, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Lao Zi seemed to be quite familiar with the path here. He moved flexibly among the trees, occasionally stopping to identify the direction, and then continued to move forward. As they continued to go deeper, the air around them seemed to become more solemn, and they could faintly feel a strong chakra aura fluctuating.

"Naruto, we should be getting close to Han." Lao Zi said softly "When you see him later, you must stay calm and tell him your thoughts clearly."

Naruto nodded, "Don't worry, Old Purple. I know what to do."

At this moment, the forest ahead suddenly opened up, and a small open space appeared. There was a small wooden house in the open space. The wooden house looked quite old, and the mottled wooden walls told the traces of time. The roof was covered with thick moss, and there were some vines around it. A burly man stood next to the wooden house. It was Han. His muscles bulged, standing there like an iron tower, exuding a cold aura. Han's eyes were full of vigilance. He stared at Lao Zi and Naruto who suddenly appeared, and his eyes were like sharp arrows.

"Lao Zi, why are you back again? And you brought a stranger with you." Han's voice was deep and rich, echoing in the green forest like thunder. The sound made the surrounding air tremble slightly, the birds in the trees were startled and flew away, and the leaves rustled.

Lao Zi took a step forward, with a friendly smile of reunion on his face, slowly spread out his hands and said: "Han, my good brother. It's been a long time since we last met. How have you been these years? As for me, I just returned to the village recently, and I missed you as soon as I came back, so I hurried over to see you."

As he spoke, Lao Zi turned sideways, enthusiastically pulled Naruto in front of him, and continued: "Come on, Han, I have to introduce this little brother to you. This is Naruto, a friend I met during my travels. Naruto is a really good kid, and he helped me a lot along the way. Moreover, he has a very powerful skill."

Lao Zi deliberately kept the topic a secret, looking at Han with sparkling eyes. Seeing that Han's curiosity was aroused, he continued, "Let me tell you, Han, my little brother's cooking skills are top-notch. He can make a lot of delicious food that we have never seen before, and he also knows how to mix a variety of unique drinks."

As Lao Zi spoke, he took a delicate little wine bottle from Naruto and shook it gently. A slight swaying sound came from the wine bottle, emitting an attractive aroma of wine. Lao Zi raised his eyebrows and said mysteriously, "Han, do you know? Naruto has a kind of wine that we have never tasted. This wine is amazing. I tasted a little before, and the taste is really amazing. Now I think about it and it's unforgettable. Do you want to try it?"

Han looked at the wine flask in Lao Zi's hand, then looked at Naruto's sincere face, hesitated for a moment, perhaps because he had been alone for too long, and finally said slowly: "Lao Zi, we have been friends for many years, I trust you. Since you recommend it so strongly, I will try it."

Lao Zi looked at Han closely and said, "Brother, you can't leave us two outside to drink with you. Although the scenery outside is pretty good, it's not as comfortable as inside. We haven't seen each other for so many years, shouldn't we find a comfortable place to reminisce about the past?"

After hearing what Lao Zi said, Han raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. He moved aside to open the door of the wooden house and said, "Come in, both of you. Lao Zi, you are still so good at making excuses."

Naruto sat there, watching the interaction between Lao Zi and Han, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: Friendship between men always seems to start with drinking.

Lao Zi laughed and pulled Naruto into the wooden house. The furnishings in the house were simple and rustic, with a rough wooden table, a few old chairs, and some hunting tools placed against the wall. Lao Zi found a seat and sat down, and Naruto followed suit.

Han took out two clean wine glasses from a small cabinet in the room, placed them on the table, and then said to Naruto: "Boy, since Lao Zi praises your unique wine so much, I'd like to taste it today."

Naruto smiled and nodded, picked up the wine jug, poured a glass for Han first, then filled up Lao Zi's glass, and finally poured a glass for himself. The wine swayed in the glass, exuding an enticing aroma.