Hearing Katsumi Kei's words, Tenten and Hinata also looked over.
Naruto looked panicked, glancing left and right to see if there were other people next to him.
After confirming again and again that there were no other people nearby, Naruto looked at Katsumi Kei in disbelief, stammering with both desire and fear, "You... are you talking to me?"
Seeing Naruto's reaction, Katsumi Kei couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment; the descendants of heroes were actually treated so poorly that they became like this. Konoha Village really was too corrupted.
It was very sad.
"Yes, I'm speaking to you."
"I just noticed you seemed like you wanted to rush in and drive away those mean brats. That makes you a decent person in my book," Kei said casually.
Hearing this, Tenten and Hinata showed realization.
So that's what it was.
Hinata, due to her clan's strict upbringing, had little understanding of Naruto or his reputation. Tenten had heard the rumors—but she trusted Kei more than gossip.
That was why their eyes held no disgust or fear.
Naruto looked like he was about to cry.
'Finally... someone my age is willing to talk to me!'
He hesitated. 'Can I really stop being alone now?'
Katsumi Kei smiled, "Still hesitating? Picnics with friends are best with more people. Come on."
Naruto wanted to ask, "Aren't you afraid I'm the fox demon?" But the words stuck in his throat.
Instead, he trotted forward.
Just like that, Katsumi Kei led Hayate, Tenten, Hinata, and now Naruto toward the forest at Konoha's edge.
They walked—Hayate couldn't carry everyone, and Kei wasn't eager to take Naruto, the Nine Tails' jinchūriki, outside the barrier.
On the way, Naruto finally couldn't resist asking, "Um... aren't you afraid of me? Because of... you know, the fox demon thing?"
Kei looked at him and smiled. "It's simple. You saw someone being bullied and wanted to help. That makes you a good person."
Naruto's eyes welled up. He choked out, "Really?"
"Of course. I'm Katsumi Kei. Let's be friends."
Naruto stared at Kei's extended hand. Slowly, he took it.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki. From today, we're friends."
Tenten beamed. "Kei's friends are my friends! I'm Tenten."
Naruto nodded so hard his head bobbed.
Hinata hesitated, then whispered, "K-Kei's friends are my friends. I'm Hyuga Hinata."
Naruto blinked, then grinned like a fool.
'I really did it! Three friends! This must be my lucky day!'
Kei gently patted his shoulder. "It's getting late. Let's hurry."
"Okay!" Naruto said brightly.
Soon, they arrived at the forest.
Kei pulled out a storage scroll, infused it with chakra, and summoned a set of barbeque tools. Earlier that morning, he'd prepped a few skewers of meat with spices and sealed them inside. Just in case Hayate's hunt took longer than expected, he'd made sure they wouldn't go hungry.
He patted Hayate, who sped off into the woods.
Even before evolving, Hayate could catch rabbits and birds. Now? Who knew what he'd bring back?
Naruto's jaw dropped. "That dog is awesome!"
"His name's Hayate," Kei said, assembling the grill. "He's my ninja dog. With him here, we'll have plenty of meat—so don't hold back."
Kei's hands moved fast. In moments, the grill was set, fire lit, meat cooking.
Spices and oil sizzled. The smell wafted around them.
Tenten, Naruto, and Hinata all started drooling.
Tenten had eaten Kei's food before and knew what to expect.
Naruto—who had a partial Sage Body and a poor diet—couldn't stop staring.
And Hinata, though she usually ate like a lady, had a hidden, monstrous appetite.
As the aroma grew, all three of them swallowed hard.
Their picnic had only just begun, but already, something meaningful had been shared:
Friendship, warmth, and the simple joy of being together.