A short while later, 50 kilometers northwest of Konoha, Naruto walked briskly along the main road, a package slung over his back.
The main road was flanked by lush, verdant forests with abundant trees and thriving grass.
Naruto whistled, the melodious sound carried away by the passing breeze and fading into the distance.
"Don't try to live so wise, Don't cry coz you're so right~"
"Hmm?"
Kurama, who had been feigning sleep, suddenly lifted its head: "What's the name of that song?"
"Wind."
Naruto raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching the passing breeze, a gentle smile on his face.
Wind was just a translation; the song's original name was actually 'Wind', and it was also the ending theme for the first episode of Hokage.
Because the prototype of this world was Neon, the culture was also a mishmash, with awkward Chinese calligraphy and occasional bursts of strangely accented English.
Naruto had even specifically asked Ino, and the little girl said that the writing had been passed down from ancient times, and English was a dialect from the Land of Lightning, which became widely popular because it sounded fashionable...
This was absolutely ridiculous!
"This song... it suits you very well."
Kurama said, seemingly thinking of something amusing, and chuckled: "Speaking of which, since you like singing so much, why don't you learn an instrument and become a wandering minstrel?"
"Good idea!"
Naruto nodded. His biggest regret was not knowing how to play an instrument, which made him feel like something was always missing during lively gatherings with fellow travelers, a feeling of regret akin to a eunuch visiting a brothel.
The main reason was laziness; he bought a guitar but abandoned it after two days, leaving it to gather dust at home...
Naruto had never been a patient person, but fortunately, he now had Shadow Clones, so mastering something in three days was definitely not a dream!
Indeed, Shadow Clone was the strongest cultivation cheat in this world. If the original Prince had realized this sooner, he would have broken Sasuke's arms and legs and brought him back during their first encounter at the Valley of the End...
"Set a small goal: learn ten instruments within a year!"
Naruto was full of enthusiasm. Perhaps it was because he had broken free from Konoha's restraints that he finally felt a rare burst of motivation.
Kurama immediately poured cold water on him: "I'm just afraid it'll be a three-minute passion."
"You're right, then let's round it down."
Naruto quickly calmed down upon hearing that: "One is fine."
...
Kurama felt its future was bleak. It truly feared that if Naruto encountered an enemy, he might suggest they all wait for death because he was too lazy to escape...
"Speaking of which, is it really okay to just leave like this? That little girl named Ino, she'll probably be very sad when she can't find you, won't she?"
"It's fine."
Naruto looked up at the sky leisurely: "If it's meant to be, we'll meet again..."
"But whether you'll be friends or foes when you meet again is uncertain."
Kurama's tone was teasing: "Who knows, maybe she'll train diligently from now on, determined to personally take down a heartless brat like you."
"Then let her be."
Naruto didn't seem to care about this. This time, his unannounced departure was for a reason. He understood Ino's personality; she wouldn't get angry over something like this.
"By the way, where are we going? Do you know the way?"
"How could I? I was sealed away less than two years after Konoha was built!"
Naruto looked at the sun in the sky. Judging by its position, they were heading northwest.
Forget it, I'll just go with the flow...
A traveler without a destination cannot get lost.
"Even the sadness of that day, even the pain of that day, I deeply love all of it~"
"Together with you, remaining in my heart, the lingering bitter scent of lemon..."
Humming Kenshi Yonezu's Lemon, Naruto slowly passed a fork in the road. Not far from the intersection, two passing carriages suddenly stopped in front of Naruto.
Whoosh--
The curtain on the front carriage window was suddenly pulled back, and a man with round glasses and a ponytail peered out from inside the carriage.
"Yo, little brother!"
The moment he saw Naruto, a hint of surprise flashed in the man's eyes: "Can you tell me the name of this song?"
"Lemon..."
It wasn't that Naruto wanted to show off his English; the Japanese pronunciation of 'lemon' was basically the same as in English, only the intonation differed.
"Lemon..."
The man was a bit surprised: "Then, would it be convenient to tell me who the original singer of this song is?"
"Me."
Naruto said without changing his expression.
So many transmigrators to Naruto, some spread Marxism, some plagiarized the Three Kingdoms! Some even went as far as not sparing Abin...
Well, I, Uzumaki Naruto, am at least a protagonist. Is it too much to plagiarize a few songs?
"Oh, well, that's truly incredible..."
Seeing Naruto's confident (shameless) demeanor, the man's face was full of surprise: "Then, little brother, where are you from? And your parents?"
Naruto tugged at the package slung over his shoulder: "I'm an orphan. I go wherever the road takes me."
"An orphan, huh..."
The man sighed softly, looking at Naruto's delicate little face, a little moved: "In that case, would you like to come with me? Of course, uncle here isn't a bad person."
Saying that, he took out a business card and handed it to Naruto.
"Let me introduce myself, Asama Santayu, a celebrity agent."
Asama Santayu persuaded: "To be honest, you have a great talent for being a celebrity. If you're properly nurtured, you'll definitely become famous throughout the Five Great Nations!"
"Asama Santayu... Hmm--"
Habitually translating the name into Chinese, Naruto tilted his head and thought for a while before remembering that this was the agent from the Snow Country movie!
"Hmph, it seems you have quite the potential to be a pretty boy, Naruto..."
Kurama teased: "You just left the Village and you're already being targeted. Why don't you give it a try?"
"Okay."
Naruto nodded at Asama Santayu. Inside the sealing space, Kurama suddenly sat upright.
"Hey, you actually agreed?"
"Why not? I don't have anywhere to go anyway."
Naruto shrugged: "Being a celebrity, isn't that much more comfortable than being a struggling hunter? And who knows, if my reputation spreads, he might just come looking for me himself?"
"Hmph, suit yourself."
Kurama lay back down. Anyway, this kid's enthusiasm would last at most three minutes.
Seeing Kurama's indifferent look, Naruto tilted his head: "Then... do you want to come along?"
"Get lost! You're so stupid! No way!"
Kurama howled, exasperated.
Naruto, do you even hear what you're saying?
I, Kurama, the strongest Tailed Beast, the embodiment of all hatred in the world, an existence that makes countless Ninja tremble in fear, go and be a celebrity with you?
It could already imagine the scene!
Every time they encountered a battle in the future, the enemy would ask with a strange look: Are artists nowadays really that dedicated?
What the hell was it supposed to say?
That I was the one who provided the music when Uchiha Madara danced back then?
Are you crazy?!
What a joke!
My reputation would be ruined, wouldn't it?
I'm telling you this right now!
I, Kurama, would rather be controlled by the Sharingan! Be sealed for ten thousand years! Than do something so stupid!
Meanwhile, in the outside world, Asama Santayu's face lit up with surprise when he saw Naruto agree.
"Oh! That's wonderful! By the way, I haven't asked your name, little brother?"
Naruto raised his head, his azure eyes sparkling in the sunlight.
"Uzumaki Naruto, pleasure to meet you."