Kakashi stepped out of the Hokage office, his single eye expressing sheer exasperation. To actually be given a position in the Jonin Squad... Tsk, what a hassle.
But, as for Naruto's matter... He shook the scroll in his hand: "Flying Thunder God: From Beginner to Burial (Limited Edition with Fourth Hokage's Prodigy Notes)." He was familiar with this thing! Back in the day, he'd gnawed on this scroll until he went bald, eventually realizing one truth: It's not my fault I couldn't learn the Flying Thunder God; it's the jutsu's problem!
But Naruto? That kid's a genius, and with the Fourth's son bonus, he should be fine. At most, it's just a matter of time. Blond hair, blue eyes, and then learning to whoosh-whoosh teleport... Kakashi's mind automatically replayed the Fourth's high-octane flashback. As for the Fourth's other signature move, the Rasengan? For Naruto, in his own words: "Just a sprinkle!"
In a daze, Kakashi again imagined Naruto as the Fourth. Could it be, as Naruto said: Make-out Paradise really hurts the brain? Does reading too much lead to spiritual emptiness? Even making one's blue, no, even chakra insufficient? He was even constantly urged by the kid to find a partner, and then to entrust the book to him for safekeeping—ahem!
Thinking of this, he also lamented Naruto's personality, which was a bit too mischievous compared to the Fourth Hokage. If only Naruto's personality wasn't so mischievous. Well, he's still young, we'll talk about it later.
On the other side.
Naruto trailed closely, eyeing the whispering 'duo' ahead, his gaze gradually growing suspicious. What's going on? Has this cold, hard, Uchiha nail house really had its foundation loosened by the 'Green Tea Limited Edition Strategy' that he taught Sakura?
Sasuke, oh Sasuke! I never knew you were the tsundere ceiling: saying "disgusting" with your mouth, but your body gets easily swayed? However, this guy's mind is filled with nothing but "revenge, revenge, and more revenge," more united than the Avengers. Will these two have a good ending?
At this thought, as the Ninja World's top matchmaker, Naruto immediately pulled out his "For Your Own Good" brand megaphone: "Sasuke!" He said earnestly, "Be good to Sakura! Don't be like Takumi Fujiwara from that racing anime next door; his girlfriend's engine was about to blow a gasket, and he was still thinking about gutter runs! Both your car and your wife are important, understand?"
Hearing this, Sakura's lips curved wildly upwards, and she desperately covered her mouth, making "pfft pfft" sounds—it was too hard to suppress her laughter!
Though Sasuke didn't understand, he immediately activated "low pressure" mode, dark clouds gathering on his face, lightning faintly flickering: "Do you want to try dying once?"
Naruto: Heh heh, I'm invincible, do as you please. Don't you understand why I'm so arrogant and not afraid of being beaten? Invincibility is my trump card!
"Speaking of which..."
Naruto changed the subject, "Where are you two trying to pawn me off to? This looks like the VIP of VIP sections in the hot spring district already!"
"Ta-da-da-da~☆"
Sakura suddenly spun a gorgeous 360° turn in front of the most luxurious establishment on the street corner, spreading her arms out as she grandly introduced: "Surprise Giveaway—Konoha's hot spring industry's newest luxury hot spring sensation, Naruto-Sasuke-Sakura's Bath!"
Naruto: (⊙⊙)
He didn't react for a moment. "What kind of Frankenstein's monster aesthetics is this name? Wait! This weird name, who bought this place?!"
Sakura put her hands on her hips, suppressing a laugh. "Who else? Our dear Sasuke-chan!"
Sasuke leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, not bothered by Sakura's nickname, and nodded with noble indifference. Naruto's previous boasts hadn't lied to him. All that talk about real estate being eternally hard currency, value investment... After returning from the Land of Waves, he had bought this hot spring, planning to build Naruto's exclusive bond nest (crossed out)... partner base. It had already appreciated by 10% by now.
And Naruto instantly petrified. This is the power of money for a rich second generation, isn't it?
Then he suddenly realized: "Wait... you always said 'my house is quite big' before. It wasn't a slip of the tongue; you really are a rich heir showing off, aren't you?"
This guy!!! Naruto was intensely envious. He had money too, but his ventures were equally extensive. The investment in the Land of Grass was a huge sum, and Uzumaki Gotama was doing God knows what, throwing billions and billions of ryo around. He currently had no money to buy hot springs! Moreover, as someone who appeared to be a pauper, it was even less suitable for him to make large purchases. Otherwise, if a crime of unknown source of huge assets came down, he would be in trouble—no, Konoha would be in trouble. For the sake of Konoha's safety, he, Naruto Uzumaki, the rising sun of Konoha, had always adhered to a simple policy.
But Sasuke? This grand gesture... No, from today onwards, he had to show some respect to Uchiha Rich Bro.
That night.
The three of them soaked in the "Uchiha Exclusive Imperial Bath," imbued with special petals and swirling with mystical steam. Naruto was steamed to the point of out-of-body experience, feeling extraordinarily refreshed. "Damn! If I'd known hot springs were this amazing, I would have stayed here every day and never left."
On the other side, Sakura happily splashed in the water: "Whoo-hoo~ Finally, no more squeezing into the women's bath and watching old ladies scrub their backs!"
Late at night.
Naruto, wrapped in his hot spring exclusive little dinosaur onesie pajamas, rolled into the center of the master bedroom bed. Just as he was about to play a thrilling game of Landlord with Kurama, Naruto suddenly realized that in reality, his left and right arms were suddenly subjected to a physical lock-down jutsu!
No need to look. This cherry blossom scent, and the same Uchiha Imperial Bath scent on him, undoubtedly belonged to his two teammates. Remembering their whispered conversation earlier that day, Sure enough, Sasuke wasn't planning anything good! Naruto sighed helplessly. When he saw that the hot spring's name put 'Naruto' first, he knew trouble was coming. But he still let out a helpless shout to express his attitude: "I knew it, you two 'Bond Assassins'!"
In the darkness, Sasuke curved his lips: Plan successful √
The next day, Kakashi-sensei graced them with his presence. Facing this "Naruto-Sasuke-Sakura's Bath" that came with a "poverty limits imagination" buff, his Sharingan beneath his headband almost crashed and rebooted. His gaze locked onto the sign for 3 seconds: "This name... did Naruto buy this?"
"Hi~ Kakashi-san!" The three kids popped out from the entrance. "Sensei, please come in quickly! Experience this 'Uchiha Exclusive Hot Spring SPA' crafted especially for chakra nobles! Guaranteed to be soul-tinglingly sublime!"
Soon, the three men soaked in the misty hot spring. During this time, Naruto squinted at Kakashi: Tsk, this inverted triangle body shape... quite enviable, but is Sensei's mask attached to his face?! He doesn't even take it off for a bath?
"Naruto," Kakashi's lazy voice drifted through the steam, "Do you know the Flying Thunder God Jutsu?"
Naruto: Huh?
Flying Thunder God? Wasn't that the first skill he bought after transmigrating? He pretended to recall, "Uh... wasn't it the Fourth Hokage-sama's 'whoosh' and then he's gone, express delivery teleportation jutsu?"
Kakashi closed his eyes, enjoying the water flow, as if casually mentioning, "Hmm, if I were to teach you this thing... how long do you estimate it would take you to master it?"
How long? Immediately? Or right now? How about a quick round trip performance: hot spring - Hokage's office - ramen shop - Dad's burger joint, all in one second?
Though his inner monologue was dramatic, Naruto outwardly pretended to ponder deeply: "Kakashi-san, my learning speed actually depends on your relationship status progress bar!"
Kakashi's lazily closed eyelids whooshed open a slit: "Huh?"