The Hyuga chunin stood there, completely dumbfounded.
Hinata's expression didn't look any better.
She knew very well how powerful her clan's Gentle Fist was—
Yet Raiden stood there as if nothing had happened.
What was going on?
Sealing tenketsu… ineffective?
How was that even possible?!
Raiden looked at the stunned Hyuga clan members, feeling a bit helpless.
"I didn't even fight back… so why are they this shocked? Is it really that hard for me to blend into normal society? Whatever… I won't dwell on it."
With that thought, he sighed and turned to leave.
"I'm going now. If you have questions, ask Kakashi. I still need to find a job. And remember—stop bothering me."
The Hyuga members watched him walk away.
Their minds told them to stop him—
But their bodies instinctively told them to stay away.
"M-My body… is trembling?"
The Hyuga chunin tried to pursue him—
But couldn't move.
Even though Raiden hadn't counterattacked—
The moment the Hyuga had touched him, a suppressed aura had still seeped through.
A fear that reached deep into the soul.
"Why… why is my body trembling uncontrollably?"
The Hyuga shinobi was horrified.
At that moment, Hinata, aside from her shock, felt a trace of confusion.
She had heard the surrounding villagers mention this boy—
Raiden.
They seemed to know him.
"Isn't that Hinata from the Hyuga clan?"
Just as the situation froze—
A figure appeared.
It was Might Guy.
"Mr. Guy."
Hinata greeted him politely.
"I saw you all fighting Raiden just now. What happened?" Guy asked, though in truth, he had already witnessed everything from a distance.
He had simply chosen not to appear earlier—
Because he was afraid Raiden might bring up the matter of becoming his disciple again.
"I was training in the forest and discovered someone acting suspiciously… hiding in a tree. So I chased him here. I suspected he might be an enemy," Hinata explained.
"A misunderstanding. He's a survivor brought back by Kakashi. There's no way he's an intruder," Guy said with a smile.
"I saw you all attack him just now… you didn't hurt him, did you?"
Though he didn't dare take Raiden as a disciple anymore—
He was still somewhat concerned.
"Not at all…"
The Hyuga chunin had just recovered from his fear, but for the sake of face, he forced himself to sound calm.
"Mr. Guy, is this person really a survivor? Why couldn't my Gentle Fist seal his tenketsu? I think there's something wrong with him."
Guy paused for a moment, then spoke seriously.
"There's no issue with his background. And yes, he has shown some… unexpected traits recently. The ANBU are also keeping an eye on him, just in case. But for now, there's no problem."
After a brief pause, he added:
"That kid… is far from ordinary."
—
Meanwhile—
Raiden arrived at a noodle shop.
Ichiraku Ramen.
"Welcome! What would you like to have?"
Teuchi, the shop owner, greeted him with a cheerful smile.
"Um… boss, are you hiring?" Raiden asked.
"Oh, looking for a job? Yes, actually. I need someone to help with dishwashing and preparing ingredients," Teuchi said.
"Really? That's great. What's the pay?"
"You'll be satisfied. We pay daily—three hundred ryo per day!"
Three hundred…
Raiden fell silent.
Yesterday, he had spent over eighty thousand ryo on barbecue—
And still hadn't eaten his fill.
Three hundred a day?
That wouldn't even cover a fraction of his appetite.
"Uncle… that's too low," Raiden said bluntly.
"Too low? Then I'll add another hundred!" Teuchi said generously.
"…Still not enough."
Raiden shook his head helplessly.
"Forget it, uncle. I'll check somewhere else."
"That's a pity," Teuchi sighed. "But wages are about the same everywhere. Unless you become a ninja, you won't earn much."
At those words—
Raiden paused.
"Ninja… earn a lot?"
"Of course. The stronger the ninja, the higher the reward. They're heroes who protect the village," Teuchi said with a smile.
"Alright! I've decided—I'll become a ninja!"
As for how to become one—
Raiden had no idea.
But immediately, he thought of someone.
"Uncle Guy!"
Just as he was about to leave—
A figure rushed in energetically.
"Old man! One super delicious extra-large char siu ramen!"
It was Naruto, full of energy as always.
At that moment—
Raiden stopped in his tracks.
What caught his attention wasn't the name—
But the words:
Super delicious.
"Hey, blond kid, is the ramen here really that good?" Raiden asked.
Blond kid…
Naruto's face twitched as he looked over.
"The ramen is super good—but aren't you a bit rude? My name is Naruto Uzumaki, not 'blond kid'!"
"Oh, sorry, blond kid," Raiden apologized.
"I said it's not blond kid!"
Naruto nearly lost it.
He pointed at himself.
"My name is Naruto! Look at my mouth—Na-ru-to! Naruto Uzumaki!"
"Sorry, Naruto Uzumaki. Slip of the tongue."
Raiden suddenly found himself intrigued.
In his entire life—
Aside from his master—
No one had ever dared to shout at him like this.
Anyone who did…
Didn't end well.
"Forget it. Looks like you've never tried Ichiraku Ramen before. That's just sad. I'll treat you today! I'm in a great mood!"
Naruto grinned.
Truth be told—
Most people in Konoha kept their distance from him.
Seeing someone who didn't avoid him at all—
Made him feel a bit of goodwill.
"Really? You're treating me?"
Raiden was a little surprised.
Ever since Might Guy had been "eaten into disappearance"—
No one had dared to treat him to food.
"I just became a Genin today—I'm in a good mood! Eat as much as you want!"
Naruto puffed his chest proudly.
Eat. As. Much. As. You. Want.
The moment Raiden heard those words—
A gleam flashed in his eyes.