Chapter 33: The Flying Thunder God Technique
"Konoha sure is peaceful…"
Under the silver moonlight, Haruta and Yūgao walked side by side through the residential district of Konoha.
After the gathering, Haruta had insisted on being a gentleman and offering to walk Yūgao home, which left her both amused and exasperated.
Sure, she was a woman, but she was also a shinobi!
Still, she didn't refuse, and so the two of them ended up heading off together.
Looking at the peaceful streets before her, Yūgao couldn't help but sigh.
It was such a stark contrast to the disaster that had been Sunagakure—dangerous enemies, harsh conditions, and constant pursuit.
"By the way, Haruta, what's your dream for the future?"
Tilting her head slightly, Yūgao suddenly looked at Haruta with curiosity.
"Me?"
Haruta gave her a strange look, pretending to think deeply before grinning.
"To become as strong as Jiraiya-sama. And if possible, I want to be the man who becomes Hokage!"
"..."
Yūgao was momentarily speechless.
Something about that statement felt… off.
Jiraiya was incredibly powerful, but hadn't they just been joking about him ignoring the Three Shinobi Prohibitions earlier?
Did Haruta mean to follow in his footsteps in every way?
And while aiming to be Hokage wasn't wrong, something about the way Haruta said it felt weird.
"…Good luck. I believe you can do it."
After a long pause, Yūgao finally responded with a sigh. Haruta simply nodded.
"Thanks, senpai. I'll work hard."
If he had known what Yūgao was thinking, he would have nodded confidently and given her a thumbs-up.
He was a transmigrator in a world of supernatural abilities—things like age differences were irrelevant!
The real issue was whether he looked good or not.
And driving a big car? Well, big headlights were useful too!
"I told you, just call me Yūgao."
Yūgao pursed her lips. She had the feeling this junior of hers wasn't as obedient as she had expected.
But before she could say more, she suddenly stopped in her tracks and instinctively reached out to tug on Haruta's sleeve.
"Haruta, look over there. Isn't that… Naruto?"
"Huh?"
Haruta looked up in confusion.
Sure enough, he spotted Naruto, wandering alone near a few shops, looking downcast.
It wasn't hard to guess what had happened—he was probably hungry again.
Seeing this, Haruta thought for a moment before walking over.
Last time, nothing had happened when he interacted with Naruto, so why should he worry now?
Especially since he was never alone when talking to him—he always had company.
"Kid, what's wrong this time?"
With Yūgao following beside him, Haruta quickly approached Naruto, whose shoulders stiffened at the sound of his voice.
"Big bro! Big sis! It's you guys!"
Naruto turned around excitedly, his blue eyes lighting up.
He still remembered how these two had treated him to ramen last time.
He had wanted to ask for their names back then, but he never got the chance.
Now that he had run into them again, how could he not be happy?
But just as he opened his mouth to speak—
Grrr~
His stomach growled loudly, causing him to freeze in embarrassment.
"Haven't eaten again?"
Haruta raised an eyebrow. This kid's situation was way too tragic.
"I overslept… and Ichiraku Ramen was already closed."
Naruto looked toward the now dark and empty ramen shop with a frustrated expression.
Haruta and Yūgao exchanged glances.
At this hour, barely any shops were still open.
"Why didn't you come earlier?"
Yūgao frowned. This kid didn't seem too bright.
"Because… I feel like most people don't like me. So I usually come out when there aren't a lot of people around."
Naruto's words made Yūgao freeze.
With an awkward laugh, he continued,
"The only people who don't hate me are Teuchi-ossan, the Old Man Hokage, and you two. Too bad Ichiraku's closed—otherwise, I'd have treated you guys to ramen!"
Naruto had already received his monthly allowance, and he had even said before that he wanted to treat them sometime.
But now that they had met again… well, it was a bit ironic.
"You little brat…"
Yūgao sighed, thinking for a moment before saying,
"Haruta, stay here with him. At this hour, most places are closed, but I'll go to a convenience store and grab him something."
"Huh? Big sis—"
Naruto quickly tried to stop her, but Haruta grabbed him by the collar.
"Relax. Just wait here. Instant ramen will do the job just fine."
"But…"
Naruto wanted to say something, but Haruta cut him off.
"Instant ramen is already a luxury. Back when I was on missions, I had to eat things like cockroaches and rats."
"..."
Was that really the point of this conversation?!
Naruto's brain short-circuited.
He had wanted to say he could pay for his own food, but how had the conversation suddenly shifted to disgusting things?!
Still, he was curious. He hesitantly asked,
"Do all ninja have to eat stuff like that?"
"Of course! When you're on a mission, you eat whatever you can find."
Haruta bullshitted without hesitation.
He had seen other people eat that kind of stuff, but he sure as hell never did it himself.
That didn't stop him from messing with the kid, though.
COUGH!
Just as Haruta was spinning his tale, a deliberate cough interrupted him.
"Hokage-jiji!"
Naruto immediately beamed with joy when he saw the old man approaching—his pipe in his mouth as always.
"Well, Naruto… haven't eaten again?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke before shifting his gaze to Haruta.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Haruta, you're here too. How was your gathering tonight?"
"Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama. Everything went smoothly."
Haruta nodded politely.
Considering Shisui, Tenzo, and Kakashi had all been present, and all of them were Anbu, there was no way the Third Hokage wouldn't have heard about it.
"Good, good."
Hiruzen smiled and nodded before suddenly shaking his head.
"But after such a nice gathering, why are you telling the kid things like that? Ninja don't always eat like that—you'll scare him."
Was there a problem with Konoha's logistics?
Was Konoha so broke that shinobi couldn't afford proper food?
Cockroaches? Rats?
That sounded like something Danzo's people would do—not normal Konoha ninja!
Even Anbu didn't have it that bad…
"..."
Haruta let out a dry laugh but didn't argue.
Fine, fine. You're the Hokage. Whatever you say goes.
"But speaking of which… you've completed quite a few missions, haven't you? And I don't think I've given you a proper reward yet."
Hiruzen suddenly changed the subject, smiling at him.
"Huh? A reward?"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
As someone who aspired to be Hokage, he was naturally curious about everything related to ninja.
"That's right. A reward."
Hiruzen gently patted Naruto's head before turning back to Haruta.
"Haruta is a genius. He's completed many incredible missions, so of course, he deserves a reward.
I've been thinking for a while about what to give you… but now, I've made up my mind. I want you to try learning this."
With that, he pulled out a scroll and handed it over.
Haruta immediately caught it, and as he looked at it, he already knew what it was.
If he wasn't mistaken, this was—
The Flying Thunder God Technique.
Glancing at the ecstatic Naruto beside him, Haruta sighed internally.
"…Yes, Hokage-sama."