This matter could be considered either major or minor.
Making a huge fuss about it would certainly solve everything, but then the original perpetrator, Shimura Tani, could use the excuse of them making a mountain out of a molehill to slander Nojuro Ryun and the others for deliberately trying to smear the Shimura clan.
He could even mobilize his relatives and friends to cause trouble for the proprietress. If that happened, this shop would truly be unable to stay open.
Nojuro Ryun, having lived two lives plus three lifetimes of simulations, naturally knew that many people were shameless and fearless.
Especially some clan children who committed misdeeds relying on their family name. Ordinary people found it very difficult to oppose them.
Konoha certainly had a police force, but Konoha, or rather the entire ninja world, was not a society governed by the rule of law. Ordinary people simply had no opportunity to find representatives and bring ninjas to court.
Even though the Hokage's office might occasionally uphold justice considering public sentiment, most of the time they themselves were the spokespersons for the interests of various clans.
This had nothing to do with quality or morality, because that was simply how the ninja world operated.
In his third simulation, Ryun had risen to the position of Kazekage's advisor and had deeply experienced this.
Therefore, to solve the current trouble, one had to return to the logic of clan politics.
Afterwards, Ryun gestured for the two girls to come closer with a hook of his finger.
After the two girls leaned their ears in, he whispered a few sentences into their ears.
The two girls' faces showed looks of surprise, but they immediately nodded in agreement, then turned and left to each do their own tasks.
Ryun then went to the stationery store he frequented, bought some long scrolls used for calligraphy display, and finally returned to his own home.
Tenten was already waiting for him, holding the yakiniku restaurant's account book.
Not long after, Ino also returned, carrying an old-fashioned camera.
As soon as she entered, she excitedly called out, "I found two of my friends. Come and meet them too."
Subsequently, Shikamaru and Choji were pulled inside.
The two of them had dark lines on their faces, clearly not very willing to come, but being forcibly dragged by Ino, they couldn't very well refuse.
Especially upon hearing they were coming to Ryun's house, their hearts sank, thinking that the matter had been exposed and Ino was going to make them confront Ryun.
"I am Nara Shikamaru. This guy over here eating chips is called Akimichi Choji."
Shikamaru spoke lazily, "We've also heard about you, so the matter of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio probably needs no explanation, right?"
Seeing Ryun nod, Shikamaru continued, "So what do you need the three of us for?"
Shikamaru's expression was fairly normal, but no matter how Ryun looked at Choji, he felt the other seemed guilty.
What had he done?
Tenten also followed Ryun's gaze, meeting Choji's eyes. Choji cried out in fright, saying, "Alright, I'll apologize, okay? Ino, just tell me what to do, I'll agree to anything."
"Wait, Choji, shut up..."
Shikamaru tried to stop him but it was too late. Ino, who originally had an indifferent look, immediately raised an internal alarm. She reached out and twisted Choji's ear, saying coldly, "Then it depends on how you wronged me."
"Confess honestly, and I might forgive you half."
Choji felt as if granted a great pardon, then spilled everything about how the two of them had tricked Ino.
Shikamaru had dark lines on his face. Tenten still hadn't quite grasped the situation. On the contrary, Ryun looked at the Ino-Shika-Cho trio with an amused expression, never expecting Ino's visit to his house to be about this.
Ino was even more full of regret. When Choji revealed the mission details, she knew her mission had failed.
As a ninja, how could she reveal mission details to the subject of the mission?
Clearly, Ryun trusted her so much, willing to let her chakra enter his body. That level of trust was usually only found among teams composed of intimately close clan members like the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
Yet she had deceived Ryun. It seemed Ryun was going to dislike her now...
Thinking of this, Ino felt a pang in her heart, even an urge to cry.
Suddenly, a hand was placed on her shoulder, startling Ino into turning around quickly.
What she saw was Ryun's slightly mischievous smiling face. He even winked at her.
A warm feeling surged in Ino's heart. Could it be that the relationship between her and Ryun still had a chance to be mended?
Ryun was talented, pleasant to look at, their personalities clicked, and their backgrounds were also suitable. Ino would not just give up on a potential prospect for deeper connection so easily.
"Ahem."
Ryun coughed lightly twice, drawing the trio's attention to himself, then said, "The matter just now, I can pretend I didn't hear it."
"As for the mission you are on, I will also let it be completed smoothly. After all, I myself want to train chakra."
"What I need is just a small favor from the three of you. Is that okay?"
Shikamaru and Choji looked at each other. Finally, Shikamaru spoke, "Let's hear it."
Half an hour later, Shikamaru and Choji left with their arms around each other's shoulders, looking in a very good mood.
And indeed they were.
The crisis of the mission being leaked was perfectly resolved. Ryun promised to help Ino complete the mission.
Moreover, Choji and Shikamaru even received a permanent 20% off discount coupon for the yakiniku restaurant. Although the Akimichi clan themselves ran a yakiniku restaurant, even Choji had the need to change flavors sometimes.
For this, all Shikamaru and Choji had to do was take a group photo with Ino holding up a sign. Furthermore, Ryun promised not to involve their parents or clans.
Shikamaru originally had some doubts about Ryun's character, but Ino vouched for Ryun, so he could only choose to go along.
No choice. Choji didn't dare provoke Ino, and Nara men never dealt with women harshly.
"I will develop this photo and enlarge it later. I can give it to you tomorrow."
Ino carefully put away the camera, then somewhat hesitantly tried to apologize to Ryun.
But Ryun spoke first, "You two haven't eaten yet, right? How about I just cook."
"Eh, you can cook too?"
Tenten exclaimed in surprise. She had never eaten Ryun's cooking before.
Seeing this, Ino quickly said, "I was fortunate enough to taste Ryun-kun's cooking yesterday. It was extremely delicious. Tenten, you can't miss this chance."
Ino vaguely sensed that there were some things Ryun didn't want to say in front of Tenten, so she focused on building a good relationship with Tenten.
An hour later, the three of them were full and satisfied. Tenten even licked her lips with lingering pleasure, saying, "If I had known you cooked so well, why did we still go out for a big meal on the street?"
"If you like it, you can come to eat every time after training with me."
Ryun issued the invitation smoothly. Tenten immediately replied "Okay," but then, noticing Ino's playful gaze, quickly averted her eyes.
After the three of them finished cleaning the dishes, there were already some elderly people who had come to play in the small courtyard.
Seeing this, Tenten spoke up, "Then I'll take my leave now. There are some things I need to discuss with my family."
"How about you, Ino? Want to leave together?"
Contrary to Tenten's expectation, Ino shook her head and said, "I want to stay."
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