"You said you wouldn't be my proctor, didn't you?"
"Did I?"
"You did! I'm sure you did! I even treated you to ramen!"
"Funny, I seem to recall that ever since I became a shinobi, I've been the one paying most of the time."
On the streets of Konohagakure, Naruto was practically fuming with frustration, clearly provoked by Kitagawa Minamoto.
Sasuke, on the other hand, looked exasperated, currently preoccupied with worrying about whether he could successfully graduate.
He wasn't like Naruto; he fully understood how terrifying it was for someone like Kitagawa Minamoto—a guy who had just graduated from the academy—to turn around and become a Jōnin.
Though he felt a deep sense of unwillingness, he wasn't jealous.
Maybe it was because they had grown familiar with each other?
But whenever he thought about Minamoto's mischievous personality, the idea of having him as his graduation proctor made him incredibly uneasy.
If he failed because of Minamoto, how would he ever get his revenge on Itachi Uchiha?!
"Minamoto-senpai, are you really going to be our proctor?"
Sasuke asked cautiously, while Naruto was still grumbling in frustration.
"Dammit, I treated you, though!"
"You treated me, my ass! I was the one who paid, wasn't I?"
Kitagawa Minamoto glared at Naruto before turning his attention to Sasuke.
"And besides, that's up to the Hokage. How would I know who'll be assigned to me? But I am curious about something."
"About what?"
"Are you guys really that lacking in confidence? Are you seriously not ready?"
"..."
"Relax, relax. Be confident. The Genin graduation exam is super easy, even if I'm the proctor."
"..."
Easy? With you around?
Sasuke didn't dare speak. Memories of Minamoto's legendary exploits at the academy—like sending his own teammates to the hospital while ensuring his own graduation—flashed through his mind.
Someone like him couldn't possibly be associated with the word "easy," could he?
"Honestly, you should just go beg the Hokage."
Minamoto raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"And Naruto, you already know the technique I told you about last time. The one that can really impress the Hokage."
"Huh?"
Naruto blinked in confusion, but his eyes soon lit up.
He had thought about it before but never had a chance to try it. Now that Minamoto brought it up again, he couldn't help but get excited.
"And you know, this technique works even better against stronger opponents."
Minamoto's grin widened.
"Just look at Pervy Sage. He couldn't even resist it."
"That's true! Alright, it's decided!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled as he made up his mind, while Sasuke looked completely lost.
"What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing, nothing, hehe."
Naruto chuckled mischievously before quickly changing the subject.
"Hey, Minamoto, since you're about to become a Jōnin, what's your dream for the future?"
"You idiot..."
Sasuke shot Naruto a glare, but Minamoto seemed to be genuinely caught off guard by the question.
"A dream, huh?"
Dreams felt both distant and close at the same time.
But for Minamoto, this wasn't a difficult question. After all, his goals were his dreams.
To fully develop his bloodline and live the life he wanted!
He didn't see any conflict between the two. And even if there were, he'd simply grab both with both hands: "I want it all!"
As a growing Ōtsutsuki, if he didn't dare to say "I want it all," what was the point of living?
"My dream is simple: to keep getting stronger and to live the life I want."
Minamoto clasped his hands behind his head, speaking leisurely.
"Maybe I'll even open a shop. I'll call it 'Odd Jobs Agency.' After all, I've got a sword and white hair, so why not?"
"What's an 'Odd Jobs Agency'? And what does that have to do with swords and white hair?"
Naruto and Sasuke were utterly confused, unable to make sense of Minamoto's words. But Minamoto ignored them and continued.
"I'll do some small business to make money, marry a beautiful wife, and never have to introduce myself as a 33-year-old bachelor."
"..."
"Maybe I'll even find a four-eyed guy to help me run the shop. Preferably someone who'll work for free. But now that I think about it, the four-eyed guy I know doesn't seem very reliable."
"..."
"Yeah, that sounds about right."
"..."
Sasuke looked even more bewildered. He understood every word Minamoto said, but when put together, it made no sense.
Naruto scratched his ear, also feeling that something was off. But he caught onto one key point.
"Huh? Your goal is that low? Weren't you aiming for..."
Naruto hesitated, remembering how Minamoto had once declared something like, "The vacancy on the throne of the heavens ends today. From now on, it's mine."
Though he didn't finish his sentence, the implication was clear: wasn't Minamoto aiming to become Hokage? Why had his goal changed?
"What are you talking about?"
This time, it was Minamoto's turn to look confused.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"No, nothing!"
Naruto quickly denied it, laughing slyly like a little fox.
"I fully support your dream! Totally support it! In the future, I'll buy stuff from your shop every day!"
"Idiot..."
Sasuke facepalmed, unable to keep up with Naruto's train of thought.
And judging by Naruto's expression, he didn't seem inclined to explain what he was planning either.
Instead, Sasuke turned to Minamoto and asked, "It's still early. Can you train us some more?"
"What? Let him train us?" Naruto nearly had a panic attack. Memories of him almost dying from running laps around the village on his hands flooded back.
"Are you kidding me?"
"Training, huh? Nah, let's skip that. Work-life balance is important. How about we have a little get-together tonight?"
Minamoto rubbed his chin thoughtfully, deciding that a small gathering wouldn't be a bad idea.
Although he was two years ahead of Naruto and Sasuke, their ages weren't too far apart. And thanks to Naruto, they had become good friends.
Especially on his birthday, which he himself had forgotten, but they had remembered and brought him gifts.
He had always appreciated that gesture, so a little gathering wouldn't hurt. After all, they were friends.
"A get-together?"
Naruto froze, instinctively patting his empty pockets. But before he could speak, Sasuke replied.
"Sure, but you're the one who said work-life balance is important. So, can we do some training first while there's still time?"
"You're really..."
Minamoto rubbed his chin, his eyes suddenly lighting up as he grinned.
"Alright, no training. But I can teach you a really interesting technique. It's a move that can protect you and create opportunities, no matter who you're up against—as long as you use your brain."
"A technique?"
Sasuke and Naruto's eyes lit up. Minamoto nodded and pulled out two kunai, handing them to the boys.
"Take these and get ready to attack me."
"Huh? These have..."
"Explosive tags? That's too dangerous!"
Naruto and Sasuke's eyes widened. They had trained with explosive tags before, but using them directly like this was over the top!
"Being a shinobi isn't child's play. Consider this your test."
Minamoto didn't seem concerned. After making sure no one was around, he leapt backward and raised one hand.
"Prepare yourselves and attack. Don't hold back, or it'll be meaningless."
"Alright..."
Naruto and Sasuke swallowed nervously, their tension palpable. But they steeled themselves and got ready.
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"
With a rumble of Chakra, two earthen walls rose up. Naruto and Sasuke exchanged glances, nodding at each other.
But just as they ignited the explosive tags with their Chakra, they froze in place.
Because on the two earthen walls were carvings of statues.
"Is that... the Hokage?!"
"Dad?!"
Naruto and Sasuke were dumbfounded. There was no way they could throw the kunai now.
And a single thought crossed both their minds:
"Who could be so shameless?!"
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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