Naruto's living allowance—
Even if he tried—
He couldn't spend it all.
Mostly because—
He had nowhere to spend it.
Aside from Ichiraku Ramen—
No shop in Konoha was willing to sell him anything.
So right now—
Naruto needed someone…
To help him spend that money.
Shenyue Yuan didn't mind being that person.
Unfortunately—
He was about to leave Konoha.
So before he left—
He might as well help Naruto a little.
Spend some of it.
Ease his burden.
Better than letting the kid waste it on limited-edition ramen…
Or hoard junk food and ruin his stomach.
"Yuan-senpai… you're injured?"
After slurping down his noodles—
Naruto Uzumaki finally noticed the faint scratches on his face.
Shenyue Yuan replied casually,
"On the way home, I handled an S-rank mission."
"Got scratched a bit by the enemy."
"My clothes got a little dirty."
"No big deal."
Naruto's eyes widened instantly.
They sparkled.
"S-rank mission?!"
"Isn't that something only the Hokage can do?!"
He had just entered the Academy.
His understanding of the world—
Was still forming.
And since he rarely paid attention in class—
Most of what he knew came from imagination.
"As expected of Yuan-kun!"
Ayame's eyes lit up as well.
She corrected him gently,
"Only jōnin are qualified to take S-rank missions."
"But I'm sure Yuan-kun will become a jōnin very easily."
"Wow… that's amazing!"
Naruto looked at Shenyue Yuan with pure admiration.
"You're still a genin, right?!"
A genin—
Touching S-rank missions.
Even a child could understand—
That kind of future was extraordinary.
And someone like that—
Still took him out for ramen.
Naruto felt something warm in his chest.
Something unfamiliar.
His thoughts drifted—
Someday—
He would become a ninja.
Yuan-senpai would become Hokage.
And after he retired—
Naruto would take over.
Under the two of them—
Konoha would become greater than ever.
Shenyue Yuan shook his head slightly.
Honestly—
Compared to Naruto becoming Hokage as a genin—
Him completing an S-rank mission was nothing.
"By the way, Naruto."
He set down his chopsticks.
"I need a favor."
Naruto straightened instantly.
Serious.
"Say it, senpai!"
"If I can do it—I'll give it everything!"
This friendship—
Hard-earned.
Precious.
Shenyue Yuan nodded.
"I'm going on a long trip."
"Not sure when I'll be back."
"…Senpai…"
Naruto's excitement faded immediately.
His shoulders dropped.
Without his only friend—
Everything would go back…
To loneliness.
Something he never wanted again.
"My house… and my pets—"
"I've entrusted them to my teacher."
"But she's often away on missions."
"So…"
Shenyue Yuan looked directly at him.
"I need you to take care of them when she's not around."
"Can you do that?"
Naruto didn't hesitate.
Not even for a moment.
He nodded firmly.
"I can!"
"I'll take good care of them!"
"Good."
Shenyue Yuan smiled faintly.
"Think of it as a D-rank mission."
"When you graduate…"
"When you become a real ninja…"
"I'll come back."
"And I'll pay you."
Naruto hesitated.
Then asked quietly—
"…Senpai…"
"My grades… aren't good."
"Can I really become a ninja?"
Shenyue Yuan looked at him.
Calm.
Certain.
"Of course."
"In my eyes—"
"You're someone who will become Hokage."
…
Naruto froze.
Then—
His vision blurred.
Tears welled up uncontrollably.
Hokage…
Senpai believes I can become Hokage…
Right now—
People shouted at him in the streets.
Avoided him.
Feared him.
But to be trusted—
To be acknowledged—
That was everything he had ever wanted.
His voice trembled.
"Senpai…!!"
Shenyue Yuan nodded lightly.
"Mm."
"I'm full."
A brief pause.
"Then let's celebrate in advance—"
"For the future Hokage."
"This meal… is on you."
"…!"
Naruto instantly snapped back.
All the emotion—
Gone.
Even the tear about to fall—
Was forcibly sucked back in.
He glared.
"Senpai…"
"You have no shame."
"This is the 25th time I've treated you."
But—
He couldn't help it.
Shenyue Yuan always knew exactly how to cheer him up.
And Naruto—
Fell for it every single time.
After finishing the meal—
Naruto pulled out his bulging frog wallet.
And paid.
They said goodbye to Ayame and Teuchi—
Then stepped out into the night.
"Senpai—"
"When are you leaving?"
"I'll skip class and see you off!"
Naruto asked eagerly.
Shenyue Yuan reached out—
And gently patted his head.
"You're already seeing me off."
"…Huh?"
"So soon?"
Naruto froze.
Then—
Quietly slipped his hand into his pocket.
Touching his wallet.
As if preparing himself.
…
Hokage Office.
Watching through the crystal ball—
Hiruzen Sarutobi was fuming.
"Scamming an orphan's money?!"
"Shenyue Yuan—you have no shame!"
Then—
He paused.
Wait.
That kid…
Is also an orphan.
…
An orphan scamming another orphan?
That's even worse!
And more importantly—
Naruto's money…
Came from him.
Which meant—
Shenyue Yuan was basically scamming his money.
A direct slap to his face.
Still—
At least the boy genuinely treated Naruto as a friend.
There was no ill intent.
Sure enough—
In the crystal ball—
Shenyue Yuan and Naruto parted ways.
He put on his cloak.
And walked—
Alone—
Toward the village gates.
…
Moonlight filtered through the trees.
Scattering across the forest floor.
A late autumn night—
Silent.
At Konoha's massive gate—
Shenyue Yuan stopped.
Turned back.
And spoke softly—
"Goodbye, Konoha."
"Farewell… cage."
From this moment—
On the surface—
He was a rogue ninja.
A target.
Hunted by Konoha.
In the shadows—
He was a spy.
Enduring everything—
To infiltrate Akatsuki.
Only the Hokage knew this truth.
For now.
Good thing—
He dealt with Root in advance.
Not because he wanted trouble—
But once labeled a rogue—
Root and ANBU would swarm him like flies.
Better to cripple one early.
Less trouble later.
…Sigh.
Making money is hard.
Life is worse.
Even after transmigrating—
Still working.
To survive in this world—
To gain true freedom—
To never be controlled—
There was only one path.
Grow stronger.
Strong enough to—
Crush Kaguya.
Trample the Ōtsutsuki.
Fortunately—
He had a system.
He was already on the right path.
In a world ruled by bloodlines—
Without a cheat—
You don't stand a chance.
With that—
He stepped into the forest.
His figure blurred.
Leaping from tree to tree—
Heading toward Amegakure.
And along the way—
He began reviewing the rewards he had obtained.