"Cough, cough!"
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared with a strange expression at the two figures who had walked in hand-in-hand, a sight that nearly choked him on his pipe smoke.
It was only at this moment that Yugao Uzuki suddenly reacted, quickly pulling her hand away from Naruto's.
She didn't know what had happened just now; it was as if she'd been momentarily possessed.
How to put it? Naruto had a special aura about him that made her want to be by his side. That was probably it.
"Hokage-sama, Naruto Uzumaki has arrived!" Yugao said, trying to act composed, as if nothing had happened.
But no one could see the face burning red behind her mask.
It wasn't shyness, it was pure embarrassment.
"You can go now!" The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, waving his hand for Yugao to leave.
In truth, what he was thinking was, unbeknownst to him, the little flower had grown into a beautiful, alluring blossom. He wondered who would be lucky enough to have her.
"Old man, stop staring. It has nothing to do with you. She's my future wife."
Naruto's voice snapped the Third Hokage back to reality.
"Pfft...cough, cough, cough!"
This time, the Third Hokage was truly choked by the smoke, nearly coughing up his lungs.
Yugao, who had just flashed out to the hallway, also stumbled slightly.
For some reason, what initially felt annoying now made her want to laugh a little.
This little brat seemed to be quite amusing.
Could it be that holding hands had lessened the distance between them?
Yugao shook her head, dismissing the unrealistic thought.
She wouldn't take the girlfriend or wife thing seriously, of course, but if it were a sister-brother dynamic, she could probably accept it.
Unfortunately, the other party was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, a status that meant others couldn't casually interact with him.
In the office, the Third Hokage coughed for a long time before finally calming down. He said, annoyed, "Naruto, you little brat, can't you show your grandpa some respect? I'm the Hokage, after all. What will people think if they hear about this?"
Privately, he had spent a lot of time with the original Naruto, and their relationship was indeed like that of a grandfather and grandson, with a casual way of speaking.
If it weren't for the Third Hokage's leniency, the original would have been beaten up long ago for all his pranks. Did he really think his three-legged cat skills could evade the Anbu?
"But come to think of it, didn't you like that girl from your class, Sakura? Why the sudden interest in Yugao? She's much older than you, and you haven't even seen her face, have you?" Hiruzen Sarutobi really couldn't understand.
"So what if she's older? Aren't men always saying the older, the better?" Naruto said matter-of-factly. "Besides, who says you can only like one person? I like you a lot, Third Grandpa, can't I like someone else too?"
"Cough, let's skip this topic!" The Third Hokage was flattered and a little carried away.
According to Naruto, he subconsciously thought it was an immature idea from a child, so he didn't delve any deeper.
The Third Hokage straightened his face and said, "I called you today to talk about what happened yesterday..."
"Huh? What's there to talk about? That was no fun!" Naruto sneered, "I just scared them a little, and they hadn't even wet their pants yet, but they went to snitch."
"You said...scare?" The Third Hokage was a bit confused; this didn't quite match the version he'd heard.
"Yeah!" Naruto blinked, his face innocent. "He pushed me for no reason, and I fell. I just wanted to scare him a little."
"Come to think of it, it's all that Anbu's fault. If he hadn't suddenly jumped out and threatened to arrest me as a traitor, I wouldn't have accidentally hurt the Mask Shop Owner."
"I actually felt a little bad and wanted to pay for the owner's medical bills, but unfortunately, I already spent all my allowance this month."
At the end, he was indignant, regretful, and innocent all at once, like he was putting on a face-changing performance.
But this was the usual Naruto, and the Third Hokage believed him immediately.
He was thinking inwardly, It seems my methods are still too gentle. Are they already playing me?
Not only did they provoke and threaten the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but they even tried to frame him. This is a bit too much.
I guess I'll have to send that Anbu to another country on a covert mission.
Hiruzen Sarutobi internally sentenced that Anbu to death.
"It seems it was all a misunderstanding."
Believing he understood the truth, the Third Hokage exhaled slowly, smiling. "Don't be angry. I'll apologize to the Mask Shop Owner and that Anbu for you."
"Besides, it's about time to give you your monthly allowance. Since you're here, I'll give it to you directly, so you don't have to make a special trip."
He took an envelope from the drawer and handed it over. After thinking for a moment, he added an extra thousand ryo.
"This thousand ryo is your compensation. You don't need to go to the Mask Shop Owner. I'll handle it." The Third Hokage was unusually generous this time.
"Thank you, Grandpa Hokage! I love you the most!" Naruto cheered happily.
Hiruzen's mouth twitched. "For saying that, I'll give you another two thousand ryo privately. Grandpa likes good kids who tell the truth."
"Grandpa Third is indeed worthy of being the strongest Hokage, the greatest of all Hokage! Since that's the case... Seduction Technique!"
"Pfft——"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's nose started gushing blood, and he collapsed to the ground, sprawled out with his legs kicking.
But he had a happy smile on his face, and a hint of... perversion.
He'd have to give Naruto more pocket money from now on, this kid was too considerate!
"Tch!"
Naruto looked at the pathetic state of the Third Hokage, pouted, pocketed the money, and started walking away.
Three thousand ryo a month, plus the extra three thousand, his living expenses were much more comfortable.
Rubbing his slightly stiff face, Naruto couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Playing along like this really doesn't suit a transmigrator.
But there was no help for it. Currently in Konoha, the Third Hokage was his biggest safety net. He couldn't afford to offend him.
After all, he wasn't planning on defecting from Konoha.
But it wouldn't be long now. Once Tsunade, who treated him like her own son, took over, he'd be free.
Arriving outside the Hokage building, Naruto waved at a figure on the nearby treetops and said, "Sister, the Third Hokage wants you to escort me back to the Ninja Academy."
Swish!
Yugao Uzuki's figure indeed appeared, but she was puzzled.
How did he discover me? Did I not hide myself well enough?
"Let's go!"
On the surface, she was as aloof as ever.
"Sister, sister, the Third Hokage told me all about you! Your name's Yugao Uzuki, it's a really nice name."
Naruto sidled over again, and then, with practiced ease, clasped his fingers with hers.
Yugao's lips twitched. How did she let her guard down again?
But what surprised her was that the Third Hokage had actually told Naruto her full name.
What did this mean?
Did he permit her to interact with him? Or was he even encouraging her to do so?
Hmm…
It should mean this, otherwise, she wouldn't have sent Naruto to the Ninja Academy.
Besides Naruto, I've never seen anyone else get this kind of treatment.