Konoha Hospital.
Private ward.
Danzo Shimura sat with his eye tightly shut, face twisted in pain, one hand pressing against his forehead.
Across from him—
The hospital director.
Examination. Treatment.
His injuries weren't serious.
After all—
Shenyue Yuan's strength had matched his own.
They fought at full power.
Countered move for move.
In the end—
A draw.
Exhaustion on both sides.
But—
Ever since arriving at the hospital—
Something was wrong.
A sound.
Echoing in his head.
Sometimes loud.
Sometimes faint.
Endless.
Relentless.
At first—
Danzo thought it was genjutsu.
Something Shenyue Yuan had planted on him.
But after checking—
No chakra disturbance.
Nothing.
The director frowned.
"…I'm sorry, Danzo-sama."
"Your ears show no signs of injury."
"No abnormalities."
"This may be neurological tinnitus… or auditory hallucination caused by combat stress."
"With proper rest, it should fade."
"No."
Danzo shook his head.
Cold. Firm.
"This is not tinnitus."
"Check again."
The director hesitated.
Then asked carefully—
"…Can you describe what you're hearing?"
"…What did you say?"
Danzo's expression twisted.
The sound—
Suddenly surged.
His ears rang violently.
For a moment—
He couldn't even hear.
The director repeated himself.
And finally—
Danzo snapped.
"Hakimi monan bei lü dou—! Axi hayaku nai long—!!"
The noise.
Flooding his brain.
Unstoppable.
Completely unstoppable.
"..."
The director fell silent.
Then—
Carefully.
"…Hakimi… what does that mean?"
…
…
Hokage Tower.
Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat alone.
The two advisors had already left.
He leaned back in his chair.
Slowly turning.
Facing the darkened village outside.
He lit his pipe.
Inhaled.
Exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.
His expression—
Unstable.
Shenyue Yuan's strength…
Had exceeded his expectations.
To fight Danzo to a standstill—
No wonder he was compared to Itachi.
Thankfully—
He hadn't let that boy attempt an assassination.
Konoha…
Was truly blessed.
To produce two monsters in the same generation.
The future—
Had successors.
But—
Hiruzen sighed.
Such talent.
Such potential.
And yet—
Neither could be used properly by the village.
Itachi Uchiha.
Shenyue Yuan.
Both—
Too extreme.
Itachi could slaughter his entire clan without hesitation.
And Shenyue Yuan…
Hiruzen was certain—
If given the chance—
He would cut down any clan in Konoha without blinking.
Just like what he did to Danzo.
He had the Will of Fire.
He followed orders.
But—
His thinking…
Was abnormal.
This boy—
Could not remain in the village.
"…Has Shenyue Yuan left Konoha yet?"
Hiruzen suddenly stood.
Facing the darkness outside.
Smoke scattered.
An ANBU appeared behind him.
Silent.
Respectful.
"Hokage-sama… not yet."
"…Not yet?" Hiruzen frowned.
The ANBU reported coldly—
"He returned home first."
"Took a bath."
"Changed into clean clothes."
"Fed his cat and dog."
"Then…"
"He went to see Kurenai Yuhi."
"Transferred all his assets to her care."
Hiruzen's expression darkened slightly.
Even with his protection—
The bounty wouldn't be issued until morning.
But still—
This was too careless.
Not afraid of Danzo retaliating?
"…At least he's sentimental," Hiruzen muttered.
Then asked:
"Is he leaving now?"
The ANBU shook his head.
"No."
"Before I returned…"
"He changed direction."
"Toward the village center."
"…Possibly heading toward the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki's residence."
"…WHAT?!"
Hiruzen spun around.
Alarmed.
That boy—
Was he planning to capture Naruto?
Offer him to Akatsuki as proof of loyalty?
That was exactly the kind of thing—
Shenyue Yuan might do.
Without hesitation—
Hiruzen grabbed a crystal ball.
Activated the Telescope Technique.
Moments later—
The image formed.
And he froze.
…
…
Ichiraku Ramen.
Two steaming bowls—
Placed on the counter.
Prepared by Teuchi.
Served by his daughter.
Originally—
They had closed for the night.
But—
At the sight of someone she admired—
Ayame woke her father up to cook.
Back at the Academy—
The girls were divided into two camps.
One—
Admired Itachi.
Calm. Brilliant. Distant.
The other—
Admired Shenyue Yuan.
Equal in strength.
More handsome.
And—
With that mysterious flaw.
Blind.
Which only made him more appealing.
"Yuan-kun… take your time."
Ayame smiled sweetly.
"If you want more, I'll make it for you."
"Free~"
She quietly added an extra egg to his bowl.
"…."
Teuchi watched.
Silent.
Meanwhile—
Naruto Uzumaki shot up excitedly.
"Ayame-nee! Me too! I want more too!!"
"Of course, Naruto."
She smiled.
"Extra noodles: 30 ryō."
"Extra egg: 5 ryō."
"…Huh?!"
"Then why does Yuan-senpai get it for free?!"
"Because your Yuan-nii is a ninja."
"Ninjas work very hard every day."
"Then when I become a ninja—"
"Will I get free ramen too?"
"…We'll see."
Ayame chuckled.
Then ignored him—
And sat quietly to the side.
Watching Shenyue Yuan.
Even injured—
That face…
Under white bandages—
Perfect.
Mysterious.
Flawless.
Shenyue Yuan said nothing.
Just ate.
As for his friendship with Naruto—
It began after graduation.
As a genin—
Completing high-level missions with Kurenai—
He made money.
Spent it.
In his previous life—
He couldn't even afford a restroom in the city.
In this life?
He went all in.
Real estate.
Three houses.
Three shops.
All in central Konoha.
One of those houses—
Directly across from Naruto's home.
Owning property in the village—
Peace of mind.
Of course—
He became broke again.
As for ANBU surveillance—
Shenyue Yuan—
A local.
Parents dead in the war.
Clean background.
Not a threat.
Living across from Naruto—
Seeing him often—
Greeting him often—
They became close.
Naruto's only friend in the village.
His trusted…
Yuan-senpai.
After all—
Both were orphans.
Shared the same lonely childhood.
And Shenyue Yuan—
Wasn't like the ignorant villagers.
He didn't look down on him.
But the real reason their friendship deepened?
Simple.
Naruto—
Was rich.