Ichiraku Ramen.
Naruto Uzumaki had just finished seven or eight bowls and patted his stomach in satisfaction.
But when he turned to look at Raiden—
His jaw nearly dropped.
A mountain of empty bowls.
At least thirty of them.
And Raiden showed no signs of stopping.
At that moment, watching Raiden eat so happily, Naruto felt too embarrassed to interrupt him.
Instead, he quietly took out his wallet.
Every time Raiden finished a bowl—
Naruto deducted another bill.
Finally—
After Raiden had eaten over a hundred bowls—
Naruto couldn't hold back anymore.
"Big Brother Raiden… are you full yet?"
Raiden looked at Naruto's conflicted, pained expression—
And immediately thought of Might Guy.
Back at the barbecue restaurant, Guy had made that exact same face.
"…Yeah. I'm full."
Even though he had only just started enjoying the taste, Raiden reluctantly said so.
After all—
If someone was treating him, he couldn't scare them off by eating too much.
"Big Brother Raiden… this is the first time I've met someone who can eat more than me…"
Naruto said with complete admiration.
"Is that so?"
Raiden felt speechless.
In his eyes—
Everyone in this world ate like mosquitoes.
How could such tiny portions be enough?
"See you next time!"
Waving his hand, Naruto quickly ran off.
"Sigh…"
Looking at the bustling street, Raiden felt a bit helpless.
"Finding a job is really hard…"
If he wanted enough money to taste all the delicious food in the world—
He needed a high-paying job.
And so, without hesitation—
He decided to find Might Guy.
—
At that moment, in the forest outside Konoha—
Might Guy was training seriously with his three students:
Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee.
"Uncle Guy!"
The moment Raiden found him, he greeted him enthusiastically.
But the instant Guy heard Raiden's voice—
He staggered, nearly falling over.
His first instinct—
Run.
However, just as he was about to escape—
A figure appeared right in front of him.
It was Raiden.
"So fast… when did he get here?"
Neji's pupils contracted.
He had been training with his Byakugan active—
Yet he hadn't seen how Raiden appeared.
Not just Neji—
Rock Lee was stunned.
Tenten was equally shocked.
Even Guy himself was shaken.
He already knew Raiden's strength was terrifying—
But he hadn't expected his speed to be just as monstrous.
"Is he really… just an ordinary person?"
Guy couldn't help but question.
"Uncle Guy, I've been looking for you for a while."
Raiden smiled brightly.
Meanwhile—
Guy was already sweating.
"Raiden… what do you need from me?"
He had already decided—
To forget about taking Raiden as a disciple.
"That… I want to become a ninja."
Raiden scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed.
Become a ninja?
If it had been before—
Guy would've been overjoyed.
But now…
"Actually… being a ninja isn't that great. It's dangerous. Being a normal person is pretty good too, right? Didn't you say you wanted to work?"
Guy forced a laugh.
Neji, Lee, and Tenten stared in disbelief.
They could clearly tell—
Their teacher… was afraid of this boy.
"But working doesn't pay enough. I can't even get full."
Can't. Even. Get. Full.
Those three words hit Guy like a hammer.
He immediately recalled that meal from earlier—
The one that nearly bankrupted him.
"Uncle Guy, I heard ninjas earn a lot from missions. That's why I want to become one. I still remember—I promised to treat you to a meal."
Raiden smiled kindly.
"…You're not asking me to take you as a disciple?"
Guy finally realized something.
"No. I just want to become a ninja. I don't know where to apply."
Then he muttered softly:
"If I became your disciple, you wouldn't even feed me… I'd still have to rely on myself."
Guy's face went dark.
"To become a ninja, you need to go to the Ninja Academy first. After graduating, you become a Genin. If you want to enroll, I can recommend you."
Guy spoke quickly—
Carefully avoiding any mention of taking him as a disciple.
"That sounds troublesome… isn't there direct recruitment?"
Raiden complained.
"Of course not. Unless you're specially recruited into the ANBU."
Guy explained.
"And that usually requires the Hokage's approval."
"Oh… I get it."
Raiden nodded seriously.
"If I want to skip the trouble and become a ninja… I just need to apply directly to the Hokage."
The moment he said that—
Guy nearly collapsed.
That was not what he meant at all.
—
After Raiden left—
Two hidden figures disappeared silently.
Guy noticed them.
ANBU.
They were observing Raiden from the shadows.
"Raiden… who exactly are you? Are you really just an ordinary person? That speed… that strength…"
Guy stared in the direction Raiden had left, his heart filled with doubt.
"Sensei Guy… who was that?" Rock Lee asked.
"…A survivor."
—
Elsewhere.
Hokage Office.
The Third Hokage was reviewing documents when his brows suddenly lifted.
He sensed someone outside the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Raiden pushed the door open and entered.
"You are… Raiden?"
Though they hadn't met before, the Third Hokage recognized him from reports.
"Are you the Hokage?" Raiden asked curiously.
"I am. What do you need?"
"I'm here to apply to become a ninja."
"I heard the ANBU doesn't require going to the Academy—you can be directly recruited."
"…What?"
The Third Hokage froze.
For a moment—
He thought he had misheard.
Apply…
For ANBU?