Naruto turned and walked toward those bounty-hunting ninja, completely ignoring the change in Tsunade's expression after hearing his name.
Perhaps he had noticed, but he simply didn't care.
Speaking of which, Naruto was truly experienced with carrying bounties on his head.
In that other world, he had constantly carried a massive bounty and was frequently harassed by various pirate hunters during his early years.
No matter how much he emphasized that he wasn't a pirate, it was useless. The string of zeros on the wanted poster was what motivated these people.
This situation continued for quite some years before gradually fading away.
His bounty poster eventually became just for show, and the Navy simply stopped increasing the amount.
Now, hearing about bounties from these ninja, Naruto felt somewhat nostalgic.
"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
It was clear that these bounty-hunting ninja had some level of skill. At least the jutsu they released looked decent.
Several flames arced through the air toward Naruto.
The practitioner of this Fire Release jutsu had passable proficiency, but perhaps due to limited talent, the technique couldn't compare at all to that Sasuke kid's.
In comparison, that Earth Spear was disappointing.
The half-person-tall stone spike that emerged from the ground only looked intimidating. In reality, both its hardness and speed were pathetically weak.
Naruto casually swatted it apart with one hand.
With this level of skill, they dare come after me?
Naruto was genuinely puzzled.
In his view, even Kakuzu, who had once tried to assassinate him, possessed considerable strength.
At least more formidable than ordinary Konoha jonin. No offense intended to any innocent Konoha jonin.
Two casual head bonks directly knocked out two of them. Then, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, he precisely grabbed the third ninja who had been sneakily approaching from behind while his two companions drew attention.
This unlucky fellow caught by Naruto's grip on his head felt like his skull was being clamped by metal pincers. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break free.
Tsunade, who had witnessed this one-sided battle in its entirety, couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly, seriously examining Naruto.
Naruto Uzumaki... She hadn't heard this name before.
According to Tsunade's knowledge, most surviving Uzumaki clan members scattered throughout the ninja world rarely used their real surname for self-protection.
Unfortunately, in her memory, there was one familiar figure who also had the surname "Uzumaki."
That was Mito Uzumaki, the First Hokage's wife and also the grandmother who had raised Tsunade.
This was because Tsunade had left the village too early.
Otherwise, she would have known that the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze's wife also had the surname Uzumaki and would have directly connected this to Naruto's true identity.
Naruto wasn't currently concerned with Tsunade's questions.
He was more interested in why his bounty information had already been distributed to these people just one day after leaving the village.
And who was the bounty issuer?
Danzo was already dead, so he could be ruled out.
Orochimaru? He was suspicious, but based on Naruto's rough understanding of him, that guy would probably come after him personally.
Other higher-ups in Konoha?
Logically speaking, this possibility was actually the greatest.
They had both motive and intelligence.
But with the Third Hokage keeping them in check, did these people still have such audacity?
I'll have to interrogate them one by one when I return.
While thinking this, Naruto reached into the man's pocket and pulled out the wanted poster.
It clearly depicted him after he had "grown up."
"Konoha Genin" Naruto Uzumaki, Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Below was marked a bounty of one hundred million ryo.
Speaking of which, this was equivalent to two Kakashi-senseis...
"Didn't your employer tell you about my danger level?"
This was what puzzled Naruto most.
Generally speaking, when putting out bounties on targets, they would include some information about the target's strength or signature techniques.
At least it would increase the success rate somewhat.
"No... no, this... this bounty is public... anyone who kills you can claim the reward."
Under the painful pressure around his head, this ninja very straightforwardly confessed everything he knew.
He had also realized that he and his companions were just cannon fodder.
They had originally thought they could get lucky and directly kill this so-called "Konoha Genin," but ended up nearly being kicked to death like roadside dogs.
Hearing this, Naruto frowned.
It sounded like the bounty issuer seemed to be deliberately drawing more attention to him, while actually killing him was secondary.
"Get lost."
Casually throwing the ninja aside, Naruto couldn't be bothered with this guy who had even abandoned his teammates. Instead, he picked up the wanted poster to examine it.
"Looks like you'll be busy from now on."
At this moment, Tsunade also walked over with Karin beside her.
She had also clearly seen the contents of this paper.
"You're right, Karin. We might have to camp out tonight."
According to what that person said, those who saw this bounty would likely appear before him in swarms like mosquitoes. Even if they couldn't kill him, they'd annoy him to death.
With that, Naruto casually handed the wanted poster to Tsunade, then reached out to gently pinch Karin's cheeks.
"You don't blame me, do you?"
Karin responded by shaking her head. At twelve years old, having experienced so much, she had already become mature beyond her years.
"Well then, until next time."
This sentence was directed at Tsunade, but Tsunade just looked up at him coolly.
"So, are you a rogue ninja from Konoha? Naruto Uzumaki?"
"How could that be... Tsunade-hime?"
With those words, it was essentially laying all cards on the table.
Obviously, Naruto had already recognized her long ago.
But Tsunade didn't understand why this jinchuriki, who looked nothing like a genin, could leave the village alone.
And why would he bring along a red-haired little girl... red hair?
Well, she seemed to suddenly understand this point.
"So why aren't you wearing a headband?"
This was her final question.
"Aren't you the same?"