Chapter 318 Partner

"Hey, Naruto. Long time no see Sasuke."

That familiar voice came again, Naruto was very "painful"

He turned his head and took great effort to look in the direction of the sound, only to see Shikamaru with his hands in his pockets, a playful look on his face.

Next to him, Shikamaru was stuffing potato chips into his mouth and looking at him with a smile on his face, his eyes full of anticipation for a good show.

Naruto struggled to get out of Ino's arms, shouting, "Hey, Shikamaru, Choji, stop standing there and watching the fun, come and help!"

Ino snorted in dissatisfaction: "Hmph, no help, I haven't hugged you enough."

Sakura stamped her feet in anger: "Ino, you are going too far, let Naruto go!"

Sasuke looked at this chaotic and lively scene and finally couldn't help but speak:

"Have you had enough of the trouble? You are grown up, yet you are still so childish." However, his words did not seem to have any deterrent effect. Everyone still refused to give in, and the scene became more and more interesting.

"Oh, Ino, please let me go. I'll treat you to some barbecue that I made myself. I'll also introduce you to two friends." Naruto said loudly and anxiously, his face full of helplessness and anxiety.

When Choji heard this, his eyes lit up instantly, and he stopped stuffing potato chips into his mouth. The chips in his hand suddenly no longer tasted fragrant.

He quickly came forward, pulled Ino's arm and said, "Ino, let go of Naruto, you see he is almost suffocated, we can't miss this good opportunity to eat barbecue, and we have new friends to meet."

Ino then reluctantly let go of Naruto and rolled her eyes at him: "Humph, for the sake of the barbecue, I'll let you go this time, but you can't cheat."

Naruto finally breathed a sigh of relief, rubbing his neck which was a little painful from being strangled, and said, "Don't worry, I will keep my word and I will definitely treat you guys to a meal."

Shikamaru smiled and teased, "Naruto, you're making everything so lively when you come back. You're really something. But who is the new friend you're talking about?" As he spoke, he looked curiously at Sora and Kimimaro who were standing aside.

Naruto chuckled and pointed at Sora and said, "This is Sora, a very powerful young monk who is training in the Fire Temple."

"This is Kimimaro. He used to work for Orochimaru, and now he's my little brother."

Then he pointed at Kimimaro, who nodded slightly to signal everyone. His cold face and unique temperament made the air around him seem a little colder.

When everyone heard the name "Orochimaru", their faces suddenly turned serious.

Shikamaru frowned: "Naruto, is he really reliable? He is Orochimaru's man."

Choji swallowed the potato chips in his mouth and muttered, "Since you said so, Naruto, it should be fine, but we still have to be careful."

Ino looked at Kimimaro curiously: "Humph, I hope you are really our partner like Naruto said. If you dare to have any bad intentions, I will not let you go."

Kimimaro still looked indifferent: "I have no ill will towards Konoha, I just follow Naruto."

Sakura looked at Kimimaro with some worries in her heart, but along the way, although Kimimaro was taciturn, he was obedient to Naruto, so she didn't say anything.

Just when the atmosphere was somewhat tense, Kimimaro spoke up: "I know you have some concerns about my past, but my life was saved by Lord Naruto. Since then, I have been determined to follow him and protect everything he cherishes. Orochimaru's ambition has nothing to do with me. I just want to use my strength to make up for the mistakes I have made."

Naruto patted Kimimaro's shoulder and said, "Okay, don't worry about these things. Let's go inform our friends that the party is about to start. And welcome the new members. Oh, Sakura, you can also inform Sai, since he is also a member of Team 7."

But Naruto didn't notice that when he said the word "partner", Kong's expression was slightly stunned, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

It was an expression mixed with longing and loneliness. He grew up in the Fire Temple. Although he had fellow disciples by his side, deep down in his heart he had always been looking forward to having a true like-minded partner who could share life and death with him.

Seeing the intimate atmosphere between Naruto and the others, Kong felt a little envious, but at the same time, he felt a little warm that he was accepted.

When everyone heard Naruto's proposal to hold a party, they cheered and took action to notify others.

Shikamaru muttered as he walked: "This guy only knows how to stir up trouble. But it's good, I can relax and prepare for the troubles later."

Shikamaru's face was filled with excitement, and he was already thinking about what delicious food there would be at the banquet.

Ino pulled Sakura and they chattered about something.

Sasuke glanced at Sora, seemingly noticing something was wrong with him, but said nothing and left to inform the others.

Kimimaro walked up to Sora and said softly, "They are all very good people. You will understand the meaning of partners in the future."

Sora nodded slightly, the fighting spirit rekindled in his eyes, and followed Kimimaro to help prepare for the banquet.

As the crowd went away, Asuma looked at Kong's back and whispered, "Kong, you've grown up."

There was relief and emotion in his eyes.

The once carefree little monk in the Fire Temple has now become involved in complex situations and has his own mission and partners.

Asuma knows that Kong's growth path is not easy. Under the threat of Kazuma, he gradually understands the weight of responsibility.

And this encounter with Naruto and other Konoha ninjas may become an important turning point in Sora's life.

Asuma took a puff of his cigarette silently, secretly hoping that this child would maintain his original intention in the upcoming crisis and protect Konoha with everyone. He also hoped that he could truly find his own destiny and bonds in the process.

Naruto came to the Konoha training ground alone.

I haven't been back for two years, but this place still looks familiar. Every inch of land and every training stake carry too many memories of Naruto's growth.

The scenes of sweating, experiencing failure and standing up again here are replayed as if it were yesterday.

Just as Naruto was still reminiscing, a clear voice suddenly shouted: "Brother Naruto!"

Naruto turned around and saw three boys and girls standing there.

The leading boy was obviously a little excited, with excitement flashing in his eyes, as if he had seen his most admired idol.

Naruto immediately gave a perfect smile, a smile as bright as the sun, full of warmth and affinity.