Chapter 268: Brunch
After bidding farewell to Teuchi and Ayame for the morning, he set off towards the agreed meeting spot.
Sakura was already waiting just as he was running, trying to catch his breath. When she spotted him, she grinned and waved him over.
"You're late," she teased, shaking her head in amusement.
Naruto chuckled, feeling a bit sheepish. "Sorry, sorry! I got caught up at Ichiriku's."
Sakura laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "That's right. I forgot you work there now. Well, I'm glad you're having fun there. But enough talking about restaurants; I'm starving already."
Naruto was more than happy to make up for lost time. "Don't have to tell me twice!"
Inside the café, she sat across from him. He was oddly quiet. When her drink came, she absently stirred it, sensing that he was about to share something significant—something that she hadn't heard from him yet.
Why else would he be so quiet?
Naruto finally met her eyes to whisper, "Hey, Sakura, what do you know about a Jinchūriki?"
"Huh?" Sakura asked as she sipped her tea. Her eyes darted around as she wondered why he brought his voice so low. The place was filled with civilians and shinobi alike, and while she doubted anyone could hear them over the chatter, she decided to play it cool. "What do you mean exactly?"
"I mean," Naruto said, staring down at his cup. "What do you know about Tailed Beasts and their hosts? Ya know, like Gaara."