After a while,
Naruto and Tenten walked out of the photo studio.
The owner stood at the door, muttering to himself in confusion, "Are young people these days always this… playful?"
After coming out, Naruto had five million more ryō in his hands.
Of course, he couldn't spend that much money every day. He'd have to wait until he got back to Konoha.
Although Naruto didn't get to "explode Kado's gold coins," he still managed to get a "rich woman's" gold coins.
Not a bad trip at all.
As for Zabuza, Naruto decided to ask one more question.
He turned to Neji. "Brother-in-law, you've got good eyes. Did you see where Zabuza went?"
Hearing Naruto call him brother-in-law, the muscles on Neji's calm, composed face twitched slightly.
"Are you planning to chase him down and steal the silver he took?" Neji asked.
"What are you saying?" Naruto grinned. "I'm not stealing—it's called collecting a debt. He owes me."
Neji was silent for a moment before answering, "He seems to have gone to the northern port."
The northern port, huh?
Before the Great Naruto Bridge was built, people in the Land of Waves traveled mainly by boat.
Someone like Kado would definitely have his own private ship.
It was possible that Zabuza was using it.
If Zabuza was still there, Naruto could still catch up.
After getting this information, Naruto said goodbye to Tenten and Guy, grabbed Neji, and sped off.
Neji: "???"
Naruto stood on a rooftop overlooking the dilapidated port and asked, "We're here. Where is he?"
"Put me down first," Neji said, his face red.
He was known as a genius, after all—but being carried like a chicken wasn't exactly dignified.
When Naruto released him, Neji almost slipped off the roof, but managed to land on his feet.
Then Neji activated his Byakugan and scanned the area.
A moment later, he pointed toward a nearby house. "Over there."
Then, without hesitation, Neji turned and left.
He didn't want to spend another minute with Naruto.
He had his pride to maintain—and being around Naruto made that impossible.
Naruto, unfazed, turned toward the house Neji had pointed out.
Before he could approach, two samurai appeared and blocked his path.
"Hey, kid! This isn't a place for you. Get lost!" one of them shouted.
Naruto's cheerful expression vanished, replaced by cold, scarlet eyes glowing with beastly intensity.
Like a tsunami, his killing intent swept forward.
The two samurai froze in place, their eyes rolling back before they collapsed unconscious.
Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind. "How's that for cooperation?"
"Not bad," Naruto replied. "But your killing intent is a bit too much."
Kurama snorted. "Isn't that a good thing? I got stronger after absorbing another Nine-Tails' power."
Naruto chuckled. "Nice. I'll call it 'Conqueror's Killing Intent.'"
Kurama sighed. "You really like to run your mouth, don't you, brat?"
As they chatted mentally, Naruto stepped inside the house.
Zabuza had clearly sensed Naruto's arrival—an ambush was already waiting.
The moment Naruto entered, a sharp sound tore through the air above him.
He sidestepped easily, dodging the massive Decapitating Sword that came crashing down from above.
Then, in one smooth motion, he grabbed the blade.
Zabuza grunted, trying to pull it back… but despite his strength, Naruto didn't let go.
Naruto smiled slightly. "You're pretty strong."
At the same time, he thought to himself, I really need to find a way to get superhuman strength like Tsunade's, or I'll never get to show off properly.
Kurama laughed loudly. "Hahaha! Showing off when you can barely hold your own? Typical Naruto."
"Kurama, lend me your chakra," Naruto said.
"You need my chakra just to deal with this trash?" Kurama mocked.
"I do! I've given you plenty of benefits already, so at least let me see some in return!" Naruto shot back.
Kurama sighed. "Fine, you stubborn brat…"
Despite his grumbling, Kurama released his chakra.
Red energy flared around Naruto's body like wildfire.
Under Kurama's careful control, the chakra cloak didn't burn his skin.
Seeing Naruto enveloped in the tailed beast's chakra, Zabuza froze.
Not long ago, he had been kicked nearly to death by Might Guy—and he still hadn't recovered from that fear.
Now, seeing this monstrous chakra again, he broke out in a cold sweat.
Zabuza asked cautiously, "What do you want?"
Naruto smirked. "Either all your silver… or both your lives."
Zabuza immediately understood the hidden meaning—Naruto knew Haku was nearby.
Zabuza sighed. "Alright…"
Kado had a lot of money, but Zabuza hadn't been able to take all of it—only most.
In the end, Zabuza was defeated, and Naruto's capital multiplied tenfold.
Before leaving, Naruto warned, "The rest of Kado's money is yours. That should be enough for you to live comfortably, right?"
"But if you ever pull the same stunt as Kado again…"
He released another wave of killing intent that shook the room.
Zabuza quickly nodded.
His silent follower, Haku, stood beside him, saying nothing.
Naruto stored all the silver in his system's space and left with a swagger.
On his way back to Konoha, he coincidentally met up with Team Guy, who had just finished their mission, and returned alongside them.
Back in Konoha, news arrived—
The Chūnin Exams were about to begin.
[Ding~ System Task Released]
Take part in the Chūnin Exams. Rewards based on performance:
C-Rank: +1 Simulation Chance
B-Rank: +2 Simulation Chances
A-Rank: +3 Simulation Chances
S-Rank: +5 Simulation Chances
This was the first time the system had issued such a task.
Naruto asked curiously, "System, if I refuse, will you just give me another mission like this later?"
[Ding~ Yes. This system prioritizes free choice and will never impose restrictions on the Host.]
"Alright then," Naruto said, grinning. "Sounds fun anyway."
"How is the grading determined?"
[Ding~ Based on the Host's overall performance.]
"Hmm…"
It was the first time he'd seen a mission that could award up to five simulation chances.
Naruto grew serious for once.
He gathered his teammates to discuss it.
"The Chūnin Exams, huh?" Sasuke said, eyes shining with excitement. "There should be some strong opponents this time."
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