"Damn it, it's all your fault!"
Inside Ichiraku Ramen in Konoha.
While wolfing down his food, Naruto glumly looked at Takemi, who was also eating heartily.
He snorted lightly and said, "If you had stopped me that day, I wouldn't be so unlucky now. Iruka-sensei is always watching me, I get caught if I try to sleep, and I can't even go out. It's too hard."
"Tch, can you blame me for that?"
Takemi looked up and scanned Naruto with his eyes, then continued to lower his head and eat fiercely.
Only after finishing up did he wipe his mouth and say, "Didn't I advise you not to go then? But you didn't listen to me."
Naruto asked, "But why didn't you tell me those mushrooms were poisonous?!"
Takemi said, "Isn't that what the school should teach you? Oh, I see, you must not have been listening in class!"
Natuto defended hinself, "No, no, I just hadn't learned it yet."
Takemi said, "Don't talk nonsense, you definitely weren't paying attention. No wonder I heard you're the dead last. You better not fail the exam."
"You bastard!"
Naruto was still too easily provoked. After all, thinking back to his current life, it was truly miserable.
Iruka constantly watching him prevented him from doing anything, and Takemi's verbal attacks made it even harder for him to endure.
"Hey, hey, watch your language."
Takemi raised his eyebrows, tilting his head to look at Naruto. "It's my treat today, you know."
"…"
Naruto's face stiffened. Ever since he had bought a large amount of limited-edition ramen, his pockets had been empty, and his allowance wouldn't arrive until next month.
After school today, he, looking dejected, happened to run into Takemi who was going out to eat, and was invited over.
Given Takemi's nasty personality, if he angered him, he might really be left behind.
"Haha, um… Oh right, why are you carrying a sword?" Naruto's eyes darted around, finally noticing something on Takemi.
"This?"
Takemi knew what Naruto was thinking, but he didn't care and shrugged, saying, "This is a gift from my teacher. How is it? Not bad, right?"
"It looks okay, but it's so short…"
(It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it.)
Naruto was somewhat envious, as this was a Ninja's weapon after all.
However, he looked closely and finally pouted, saying, "I've seen other people's swords, they're very long. Why is yours so short?"
"Because this sword is not ordinary."
Teuchi, who was nearby, seemed to have noticed the sword hanging behind Takemi long ago.
He smiled and said, "I never thought I'd see it again after so many years."
"Huh?"
Naruto blinked, asking confusedly, "Uncle, you know it? Is this sword famous?"
"Many people probably know this sword."
Before Teuchi could speak, a voice suddenly came from behind them.
Turning around, they saw Sarutobi Hiruzen walking in, holding a pipe in his mouth. He probably just got off work, as he wasn't wearing his Hokage hat.
"Grandpa Hokage!"
"Lord Hokage."
Naruto immediately got excited upon seeing him, while Teuchi and Takemi immediately bowed slightly in respect.
"No need to be so polite."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled at Teuchi, then reached out and gently patted Naruto's head, but his gaze lingered on Takemi.
Perhaps he remembered the pot of poisonous mushroom soup, as his hand instinctively paused for a moment, but he quickly recovered.
He said, "The previous owner of this sword was not ordinary. It also carries the memories of many people. It's a good sword, and I hope you use it well."
"I will, Lord Hokage."
Takemi smiled and nodded, though he was complaining a bit in his heart.
He had been waiting all day!
In order to go to Kirigakure, he had already demonstrated the Flying Thunder God Technique, and then he was just waiting for Sarutobi Hiruzen's reaction.
But he hadn't received any notification, and just when he thought he'd have to go to the office himself the next day, Sarutobi Hiruzen unexpectedly came over himself.
"Takemi, I've heard your name many times. I think this is our first time meeting, isn't it?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen still had a kind smile on his face.
After thinking for a moment, he chuckled and said, "Would you be interested in taking a walk with this old man? Just for a post-dinner stroll?"
"Sure." Takemi didn't refuse.
He immediately stood up and followed Sarutobi Hiruzen out, while Naruto, sitting on the chair, instantly turned green. Unfortunately, no one was paying attention to him at the moment.
"I heard from Kakashi and Jiraiya that you've already mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique?" After they had walked some distance, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a smile.
"Yes."
Takemi nodded, speaking humbly, "Actually, it's not mastery, just basic application. I guess you could say I'm just lucky."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Luck, sometimes, is also part of strength. Sometimes, to make a breakthrough, you just need that little bit of luck."
Sarutobi Hiruzen still had a full smile on his face, clearly in a very good mood.
"Besides, even with luck, you need talent. Takemi, you've truly given me a huge surprise."
"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Hokage." Takemi replied with a smile, and then the two walked and chatted along the way.
Perhaps it was because they were both in a good mood, there was always something to talk about along the way, making the atmosphere quite harmonious.
However, after chatting for a while, Takemi felt it was about time. After all, he had other ideas.
He simply spoke up, "Oh right, Lord Hokage, Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sama suddenly left today… Are they going on a mission?"
"Oh?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned for a moment, but he had no intention of hiding it, as Takemi had a good relationship with both Kakashi and Jiraiya.
"Yes, they're going on a mission. This matter is probably unavoidable for them, after all…"
"I know, Lord Hokage, Jiraiya-sama told me." Takemi nodded.
He turned a corner with Sarutobi Hiruzen, walking and talking towards Ichiraku.
"Kakashi-sensei has a burden he can't let go of in his heart, and Jiraiya-sama probably can't get over Orochimaru either."
"When Jiraiya-sama and I went to find Orochimaru before, we already knew that they would probably be heading to Kirigakure soon."
"Indeed, some bonds are truly hard to abandon." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and nodded.
"The bonds between comrades are the ties that connect the cold profession of a Ninja."
"Lord Hokage, I would like to request to go to Kirigakure with them."
At this point, Takemi stopped pretending and directly stated his thoughts, which made Sarutobi Hiruzen frown.
"Kirigakure? This mission is not simple. That place is utterly chaotic, and you…"
"Lord Hokage, I know this mission isn't simple. I have my reasons." Takemi gently shook his head, still serious.
"Obito was discovered by me, and I think it's necessary for me to continue following up on this matter. Besides, I also want to try out the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"Lord Hokage, any technique requires practice to achieve better results, and what I lack right now is experience in this area."
"Moreover, with the Flying Thunder God Technique, even if the offensive effect isn't as expected, I can still evacuate Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sama, which would be safer."
Sarutobi Hiruzen listened to Takemi without speaking. He had to admit that the boy was right.
Experience needs to be accumulated, otherwise, having power without being able to utilize it is meaningless.
And even if the Flying Thunder God Technique couldn't provide offensive help, evacuation seemed to be unproblematic, and he didn't want Jiraiya and Kakashi to have any problems.
However, he was still a bit uneasy, but before he could speak, Takemi suddenly smiled.
"Besides, didn't Lord Hokage also say that the bonds between comrades are the ties that connect the cold profession of a Ninja?"
The breeze ruffled his hair and sleeves as he looked up at the distant Hokage Rock and slowly said, "I regret that I didn't have comrades after graduating. Kakashi-sensei is, to some extent, my comrade."
"If I didn't have the ability, I naturally wouldn't be so stubborn for fear of dragging them down, but I do have the ability, and I hope to do what I can."
"Lord Hokage, I hope you can approve this small request of mine."
A request?
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't speak, but silently took a few puffs from his pipe.
This way of thinking, this idea, wasn't this the concrete manifestation of the 'Will of Fire'?
This kid…
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and nodded.
"I'll consider it first. You go back and get some good rest."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Takemi smiled and nodded, then pulled Naruto, who was trembling inside Ichiraku, and turned to leave.
Watching the two of them walk away, the smile on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face grew wider.
This kid really is like Minato!
Turning around, Sarutobi Hiruzen intended to leave, but was stopped just as he walked out.
"Lord Hokage…"
"What is it, Teuchi?"
"Those two kids just now, they haven't paid for the ramen…"
"???"
"Um, that will be…"
"…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen bit down on his pipe. He felt he had evaluated him too soon.