"Finally sent that little brat away."
Mitarashi Anko bit into a dumpling, feeling somewhat relaxed.
"I wonder if deceiving a little kid like that isn't a bit too much..."
A Chunin examiner cautiously asked, seemingly afraid of Mitarashi Anko's temper, and added, "Of course, that brat did cause quite a ruckus in the exams, and Anko, you helped everyone vent their frustrations!"
Because of that brat Akihara Kagura, the entire Chunin exam was a bit chaotic.
During the first written test, Akihara Kagura used Transformation Jutsu to confuse all the candidates, nearly causing the exam to fall apart.
In the second survival round, Akihara Kagura destroyed the finish line, then single-handedly captured almost all the teams, making it seem like he wanted to eliminate all his rivals, nearly preventing the third exam from happening.
"Oh well."
Mitarashi Anko waved her hand dismissively, watching Akihara Kagura's distant figure, speaking indifferently, "Lively kids like this need a bit of a lesson..."
"What about the remaining candidates?"
"Didn't that brat undo the Jutsu?"
Mitarashi Anko glanced at the sprawled-out candidates in the Forest of Death: "Originally, I should have eliminated all of them, but this time, let's let them fight on their own; they're all gathered here, so the results should come soon!"
"It's getting dark..."
The night in Konoha Village gradually quieted down.
The shops on the street began to close, with only a few still open and the warm glow of Ichiraku Ramen's lights spreading their comforting orange hues into the night.
"Gurgle gurgle gurgle..."
A little blond-haired boy hid under the eaves, rubbing his hungry stomach, gazing at Ichiraku Ramen not far away, and opened his hand to count his few remaining coins.
"This amount of money isn't enough for a bowl of ramen..."
A young voice appeared beside the little boy.
"Yeah..."
The blond-haired boy nodded instinctively, only to realize someone had appeared beside him, causing him to jump back two steps: "Who... Who are you!"
"Someone just as hungry as you."
The young man reached out and touched his own empty stomach, then rummaged through his hollow pockets: "Also someone equally down on luck."
"..."
The blond-haired boy's eyelid twitched.
"Come on."
The young man squatted on the steps beneath the eaves, beckoning the little boy over: "If you squat and rest for a bit, you won't feel as hungry."
"..."
The blond-haired boy slowly shuffled over.
Many in the village often scolded him, never allowing him to approach, but this slightly older brother didn't mind him.
This blond-haired boy was Naruto Uzumaki.
Konoha Village's Nine-tailed Jinchuriki, with the Ninja World's most ferocious Tailed Beast sealed within his body.
The young man was Akihara Kagura, who, after leaving the Forest of Death, didn't want to return to Root too early, so he took the opportunity to explore Konoha and unexpectedly encountered Naruto Uzumaki while wandering the streets.
This is...
A child impossible to dislike.
The story of this little boy always inspires many to move forward bravely.
Even Akihara Kagura had to admit, if it weren't for this boy's story in his past life, no one would love this Ninja World; he is the warmest sun in this world.
Naruto Uzumaki wouldn't know these things.
This little guy seemed happy to have met someone who didn't dislike him, and curiously opened up a conversation: "Are you a ninja from the village?"
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura nodded and glanced at the blonde beside him, adding, "In a few days, I'll be a Chunin from the village; do you know what level of ninja a Chunin is? It's a level you'll never reach in your life, little brat."
"..."
Naruto Uzumaki's forehead twitched, pouting unhappily, waving his little fists vigorously: "That's impossible! I'm going to surpass the Hokage! Do you know what kind of person the Hokage is? The strongest person in the village is the Hokage..."
"But you need to eat well first..."
Akihara Kagura's words instantly dampened the little blonde's fiery spirit, and he continued languidly: "Kids must eat well to grow up strong."
"You're hungry right now!"
Naruto Uzumaki rubbed his grumbling stomach and quickly retorted.
"Originally, I could have managed a few days with full meals."
Akihara Kagura shifted his position, sitting on the steps, hands resting between his legs, a shade of darkness in his eyes: "Unfortunately, I was deceived today; even though I found it troublesome and willingly got tricked by her, it still makes one angry."
"... So long-winded."
Naruto Uzumaki poked his ear.
"I see..."
Akihara Kagura smiled, reaching out to pat Naruto Uzumaki's head, showing a hint of a smile: "It's okay, someday you'll feel this way too."
"No way!"
Naruto Uzumaki loudly protested, claiming his intelligence wouldn't let him fall for such things easily: "I won't be fooled like you so easily!"
"Really?"
Akihara Kagura seemed unconvinced.
As Akihara Kagura and Naruto were chatting, an old man with a pipe in his mouth passed by and suddenly stopped in front of them.
"Grandpa!"
Naruto Uzumaki's face lit up with excitement!
Because he knew this old man, and during times of low spirits or sad moments, this old man occasionally would appear beside him.
"Yo, Naruto."
The old man puffed a smoke ring from his pipe, slowly speaking: "So late, and still not going home to sleep?"
The old man didn't wait for Naruto Uzumaki to reply; his gaze shifted to Akihara Kagura: "Another little one here... How come you're not resting tonight either?"
"Because I'm so hungry."
Naruto Uzumaki tapped his stomach and looked up at the old man: "Grandpa, take me fishing! Just right he's too hungry to sleep, why don't we go fishing by the river together? As long as we catch some fish, we'll have food to eat!"
"Sure..."
The old man kindly reached out to pat Naruto Uzumaki's head, his gaze remaining on Akihara Kagura: "Little one, since you haven't eaten, why don't you join us!"
"I want ramen."
Akihara Kagura responded slowly.
"..."
This little one really isn't holding back!
The old man's gaze flickered slightly, quickly accustomed to Akihara Kagura's attitude, and he smiled: "This old man didn't bring much money when he went out... Do you two little ones have any?"
"I only have these..."
Naruto Uzumaki showed the old man the coins in his hand.
"My pockets are cleaner than my face."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, standing up: "Forget it, I've played enough today; if I return too late, Lord Danzo will be angry."
"Such an obedient child."
The old man complimented with a smile, saying: "I have a friend named Danzo; I remember he shouldn't get angry so easily."