Shikamaru sits opposite of him, wrapping the cut with bandages. Chouji is being purposefully unforthcoming, he thinks. It's a little odd of him... There's not a lot the two of them have ever kept secret from each other.

Where that could have inspired more reason to question it, it has the opposite effect on Shikamaru. This is Chouji, after all. If there's a reason he's not elaborating to him of all people, it's going to be a sound one.

"You can eat more when we get back to the village. Ino can take care of this better, too, when we get there." He ties off the bandage, once he's satisfied with the wrap. "Until then... I can answer your questions about this place on our way back."