At Ichiraku Ramen, Anya generously ordered the most expensive Ichiraku Ramen for both of them. When Iruka was about to protest, she cut him off, saying, "As an author, I can't possibly be stingy toward my little readers."
Naruto slurped down his ramen with a big grin on his face.
At this moment, Iruka asked, "Naruto, why did you paint graffiti like that? You should know what kind of figure Hokage is, right?"
"Of course," Naruto replied confidently after finishing a bowl of ramen in one breath. "To put it simply, whoever inherits the title of Hokage is the strongest ninja in the village. Especially the Fourth—it seems he's the hero who saved the village from the Nine-Tails."
Iruka looked puzzled and asked, "Then why?"
Naruto declared solemnly, "Because someday, I will inherit the title of Hokage, and even surpass all previous Hokages! That's why I want the villagers to acknowledge my strength."
Minato, who had already begun lifting into the air using the Spirit Transformation Technique, was deeply moved by Naruto's words.
Anya teased, "Minato, looking at him, does it remind you of your younger self? Same background—both orphans, same dream—becoming Hokage."
Minato nodded. "Back then, when I sealed the Nine-Tails inside Naruto, I strongly believed he was the one destined to change the world's fate. Now I believe it even more."
Anya shot back teasingly, "Still, you should first think about how he's going to pass the graduation exam. You were a genius as a kid, but he isn't—he's literally the total bottom of the class."
Minato analyzed, "It must be caused by the seal within him. Once Master Jiraiya returns to the village, under his guidance, Naruto will surely walk the path to becoming Hokage."
While the two were talking, Naruto, who had just finished eating, looked at Anya and asked, "By the way, Kurotsuchi, why are you always wearing a hood while eating? Isn't it inconvenient?"
Iruka had also been curious all along, but hadn't dared to ask.
Anya chuckled. "Haha, I'm worried I might startle you."
"No pr..."
"Naruto," Iruka interrupted, "Kurotsuchi must have her own private reasons; don't push people."
"Okay, okay," Naruto didn't mind and turned to Iruka, "Master, could you do me a favor?"
"What kind of favor?"
Naruto pointed at Iruka's forehead protector. "Let me borrow your headband for a while."
"Ahh, this? No way. This is only worn by those who have graduated from school and become fully qualified ninja. Wait until tomorrow, after the exam."
"Pfft, you're so stingy."
With laughter filling the air, they ended this meal.
Anya walked toward her old hut. Coincidentally, Naruto also headed in this direction.
"Hey, Kurotsuchi, do you live around here?" Naruto asked curiously.
Smiling warmly, Anya replied, "You can just call me Uncle if you want. My old house used to be here, though I haven't visited in such a long time that I've forgotten the exact location."
"Uncle?"
Naruto had grown up completely on his own, and this was the first time someone had asked him to call them "uncle." Suddenly, he felt a stronger connection toward this writer. He chuckled. "Alright then. My home's just around here. I'm very familiar with this area—let me take you there."
"Oh, thank you."
Walking along the road together, after climbing up a small high-rise building, Oboro realized that her former hut had now become Naruto's residence. Was it a coincidence?
No, it must have been Hiruzen Sarutobi's deliberate arrangement. He clearly understood the bond between this child and herself.
Realizing this, Oboro proposed parting ways with Naruto. "I think maybe I remembered wrong. Since you've arrived home safely, go rest early."
"Aww, are you leaving already?" Naruto felt somewhat reluctant.
"Here, let it keep you company." Oboro took out a little Yellow Wasp and placed it in front of Naruto.
"Familiar somehow." Thick-skinned Naruto naturally didn't know that from childhood onward, this tiny Yellow Wasp had always watched over him without ever leaving his side.
By the time Naruto shifted his gaze away from the bee, Oboro had vanished into thin air as if she'd never been there at all.
Reappearing, Oboro arrived in front of a familiar ninja tool shop. Pushing open the door, she spoke to the napping shopkeeper, "Got a customer for you."
"It's so late—it's already closed. You barging in like this is really rude," the shopkeeper grumbled drowsily. "What do you want to buy?"
Oboro replied casually, "Not here to buy things—I need you to help me print some books, sell them, and make some money. We'll split it fifty-fifty."
"Printing books? Are you sure you're in the right place? This is a ninja tool shop! You've come to the wrong place, pal." The shopkeeper became irritated.
"Oh, really?" Oboro tossed a playing card onto the table. "Didn't you used to sell card games before? Selling a few books shouldn't be hard for you, Yearly Boss."
At the sight of the card, Yearly Boss instantly snapped awake, widening his eyes as he questioned, "Who are you? Someone sent by Sasori?"
Removing her hat, Anya smiled warmly, "Even though my appearance has changed somewhat, with your eyes, you should still recognize me."
"You," recognition dawned on Yearly Boss immediately, exclaiming with surprise, "After all these years, how come you look younger instead?"
"Possibly because of good skincare," Oboro joked lightly. "We're old acquaintances, Yearly Boss. So, shall we do business?"
Yearly Boss answered wryly, "Of course."
As the day turned into night and another dawn came, Oboro stayed around chatting idly with Yearly Boss. Over the years, Sasori indeed picked up Tenten, the shop owner's daughter, every year to play—from starting with a month each visit to staying more than half a year now. In fact, Tenten had almost forgotten about Old Father Yearly Boss and refused to return. From Yearly Boss's tone, it was clear that Tenten thoroughly enjoyed her time with Sasori, which was precisely why he finally let go of his grudge against Sasori.
Hearing this, Oboro raised an eyebrow—he never imagined Sasori had such a knack for looking after kids.
At this moment, a Yellow Wasp flew into the shop. Minato's spirit appeared and urgently said, "Anya, hurry and help Naruto. He's been manipulated by a traitor hiding in Konoha to steal the Scroll of Seals."
"Tch, yeah. Sure." Anya muttered, showing no sign of moving.
"Naruto's in a rough spot already," Minato continued. "If the village finds out, they'll only hate him more. Let's go—"
Anya cut him off. "It's just swiping a book — what's the big deal? We both stole stuff when we were kids."
Minato hesitated for a moment. "We? You mean you didn't do it alone?"
Anya snapped back, "Don't act like you didn't see it. Otherwise, how did you learn my Flying Thunder God?"
Minato ignored the comment. "This isn't the time to argue about that."
Anya reassured him, "Relax, I've already used my Clone Jutsu. Come on, let's go take a look."
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