A Shinobi's Take on this Wonderful World

A Warm Welcome Unto This Manor

"..."

Yunyun's ears rang as she processed the absolute bombshell that had been dropped on her the previous night. She blinked her saucer-like eyes. Something was moving around in front of her... A hand?

"...n?"

There was a voice too... She recognized that voice. It was the voice that she simply couldn't get out of her head all night as it was that very voice told the story over and over again.

"...yun!"

Did she even sleep?

"Yunyun!"

Naruto's voice finally broke through as his party member's eyes finally focused on him, and she blinked a few times before gasping.

"I-I'm sorry, Naruto-san! I was just..."

Yunyun apologized before trailing off again, her eyes unfocusing once more.

Naruto sighed, but he left it at that. It was obvious why the girl was acting this way. After all, how else were you supposed to react if your friend suddenly revealed they were from another world on a quest from a literal goddess to defeat the Demon King?

He would give her time to process everything.

'I'm worried about Yunyun and how she's going to react in the end, but I can't help but feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.'

Naruto thought as he waved his hand to get a waitress's attention. It was still morning and his wallet was feeling very light, but he could really use some Neroid right about now.

When the waitress eventually brought his drink, he was about to take a sip when a blue blob sat down next to him.

"Heya, Naruto! Oooo~! Is that Neroid for me? You shouldn't have~!"

Aqua chirped and moved into his personal bubble to snatch his drink, but the shinobi extended his arm just enough so she couldn't reach it.

"I'll have you know I'm completely broke right now, Aqua. So this is the only drink I'm going to be able to afford until my next quest, and I intend on drinking it."

Naruto responded with a flat expression, even with the beautiful girl mere inches away from his face.

Aqua pouted, but it was short lived as she pulled back and put her hands on her hips.

"Well, luckily for the broke you, the great me has been putting in a good word for you with my party members!"

"What are you..."

Naruto trailed off when he noticed Kazuma, Darkness, and Megumin walking up to his table. The first two seemed rather nervous for some reason, while the Crimson Demon looked rather disinterested.

Darkness, he understood, as seeing her in person after last night's little incident was kind of embarrassing on his end too. No doubt she would be confronting him about that later.

But why was Kazuma nervous?

It was then Naruto realized what was going on, and he placed his drink on the table.

"Fufufu... It seems you understand now. While you didn't win the tournament, this gracious goddess has decided to take pity on you due to your financial situation. For I, too, have been there..."

Aqua admitted while wiping a stray tear from her eye.

'Aren't you guys still broke too?'

Naruto wanted to retort, but he was too nervous to risk ruining the moment.

Kazuma stepped up, a hand scratching his cheek as he awkwardly looked at the shinobi.

"We've discussed it as a party, and... Well, you know. You're a good buddy of mine, and you've helped us a lot in the past, so..."