Just as I was pondering whether to wait for the owner of the lost wallet to return or to seek another task, a young boy with a pineapple-shaped haircut blocked his way, accompanied by a chubby brown-head who was continuously eating a bag of chips.
These were none other than the future members of the "Ino-Shika-Chō," Choji and Shikamaru, though they appeared rather young and would not become official shinobis for some years.
By the way, I had Transmigrated in the 68th year of Konoha, with two years remaining until Naruto's graduation, marking the beginning of the main storyline.
In fact, even with the system, I felt a pressing sense of urgency upon first arriving. I knew that after Naruto's graduation, within a few months, Orochimaru's plan to destroy Konoha would unfold, with dangerous events following one after another. With only two years left, I was uncertain how much my strength could improve and whether I could survive in this perilous shinobi world.
In the first month after arriving in the Konoha, I actively undertook missions, which is how I met Shikamaru and the others.
Although I had only recently settled in Konoha, my constant mission-running and helping others made it difficult for people not to recognize me. Of course, in others' eyes, I was merely trying to integrate into the village quickly and build relationships with everyone.
After all, I had Hokage vouching for me (no doubt about it is that the reason he even went out of his way to do it for me is because of my memories.).
As for why I later became so lazy, it was because I found a way to progress through the canon unscathed.
My true cheat code... I simply followed Ichiraku when major events were about to occur and after that, it is 'free real estate baby'.
"I've run out of living expenses; if I don't go out, even basic sustenance will be a problem." I said to them after bringing my mind back to reality.
Hearing this, Shikamaru and Choji were indeed speechless. They had never seen someone who stayed at home for a month and only went out when their money ran out.
"Where's Ino? Aren't the three of you together today?" I asked curiously.
"look over there." I followed Shikamaru's gesture and saw Ino standing dejectedly beside the dumpling shop, staring at the ground as if lost in thought.
" Did she get rejected again today?" Ino had been a devoted fan of Sasuke, and given her outgoing personality, it was almost certain that this was the reason for her expression.
"This is the third time this month! I don't understand why the girls in our class are so obsessed with this kind of thing." Choji interjected, genuinely puzzled. He thought it would be better to spend that time eating.
"Women are troublesome creatures!" Faced with such matters, Shikamaru didn't know how to comfort his friend and could only look skyward in silence.
"It's just young love; it'll pass in a few years." I spoke.
The girls in the Naruto tend to mature early, developing crushes as young as five or six. Ino and Sakura, who were close friends, had argued over Sasuke, holding a grudge for years, but they matured quickly, becoming independent by the time they were fifteen or sixteen.
In my memories of the canon, Ino didn't obsess over Sasuke for too long. Later, she only continued to pursue him to spite Sakura. After reconciling with Sakura, she rarely even mentioned Sasuke.
"You discussing this so close to me, is that really, necessary? I can hear everything!"
Unbeknownst to us, Ino had already appeared behind us, gripping my and Shikamaru's shoulders with both hands, her face filled with anger.