"Konoha is truly peaceful…"
Under the silver moonlight, the village glimmered softly, rooftops reflecting a faint silvery hue. Shigen Hidezawa and Uzuki Yugao walked side by side down the quiet street that led toward the residential district.
After the small team gathering, Hidezawa had, with exaggerated gallantry, offered to escort Yugao home — citing "a gentleman's duty to protect a lady".
Yugao had half a mind to refuse. She was a kunoichi, after all — an Anbu, no less! Yet, seeing his earnest expression and the casual calm of the streets, she'd only sighed and nodded.
Now, the two walked together, their shadows stretching long beneath the lantern glow.
'How strange.' Yugao thought, glancing at the peaceful night sky. 'It feels so calm here, almost like another world compared to the Land of Wind…'
Indeed, compared to the barren deserts of the Land of Wind — where every gust of sand bit like glass, where every mission came with the risk of dehydration or ambush — Konoha felt like paradise. The rustle of leaves, the scent of wood and fresh rain — it was peace given shape.
"Speaking of which," she said softly, breaking the silence. "Hidezawa, what is your dream for the future?"
Hidezawa blinked and turned his head, feigning surprise. "Me?"
He paused for effect, scratching his chin as though deep in thought. Then he grinned. "To become a powerful shinobi like Jiraiya-sama… and if possible, the man who become Hokage's!" (T.L Note: A little play of words.. And of course you know which Hokage he is referring)
"…"
Yugao's lips twitched. Somehow, she felt those two statements didn't belong together. Jiraiya-sama was powerful, yes — but wasn't he also known for completely ignoring the Ninja's Three Prohibitions?
So what was Hidezawa really implying?
Still, she gave a faint smile. "Go for it. I believe you can do it."
"Thank you, senpai. I'll work hard."
Hidezawa nodded with mock sincerity, but inwardly, he was already grinning.
'If only you knew, Yugao-senpai… being a transmigrator, I already know how this world turns. Age doesn't matter, power does — and maybe appearance, too. I'll just take both.'
The corner of his mouth twitched. 'What's wrong with driving a big car? Big headlights are good too.'
"I told you, just call me Yugao." she muttered, clearly used to his half-serious tone by now.
But as they walked, she suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Hidezawa, look over there. Isn't that… Naruto?"
"Huh?"
Hidezawa followed her gaze — and sure enough, not far ahead, Uzumaki Naruto stood in front of a row of shuttered shops, his small figure illuminated by a dim streetlamp. His shoulders were drooping, his face downcast.
If Hidezawa's memory served right, it was about dinnertime. Which meant—
'He's hungry again, huh…'
Sighing, Hidezawa started walking toward the boy, gesturing for Yugao to follow.
"Oi, kid. What's wrong with you again?"
Naruto nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden voice. Turning around, his blue eyes widened in recognition.
"Nii-san! Nee-san! It's you!"
Hidezawa raised an eyebrow. Yugao blinked.
It took him a second to remember — the ramen shop.
The little ball of sunshine had once devoured an entire serving of Ichiraku ramen while chatting endlessly about his dream to become Hokage.
Now, seeing them again, Naruto's face brightened — until his stomach growled loudly.
*Gururururu…*
His smile froze in embarrassment.
"Didn't eat again?" Hidezawa asked with a sigh. "Kid, you're hopeless."
"I… I overslept." Naruto mumbled, scratching his head awkwardly. "When I came out, Ichiraku was already closed…"
His gaze shifted sadly toward the shuttered ramen stand, its sign faintly illuminated by the moonlight.
Yugao's expression softened. She looked around — every nearby shop had already drawn its blinds.
"At this hour, it's no wonder." she said gently. "But why didn't you come earlier?"
"Because…" Naruto hesitated, then lowered his voice. "I feel like everyone dislikes me. So I usually come out when there aren't many people around."
For a moment, neither Hidezawa nor Yugao spoke.
"Only Ichiraku-ossan, Grandpa Hokage, and nii-san and nee-san don't hate me," Naruto added with a small, awkward smile. "If Ichiraku was open, I'd treat you both to ramen!"
Yugao's breath caught. The way the boy said it — so casually, so innocently — felt like a kunai to the chest.
"You little brat…" she murmured, eyes softening. After a pause, she turned to Hidezawa. "Stay here with him. I'll grab something from the convenience store."
"Oh, nee-san, you don't have to—"
But she was already gone, cloak fluttering lightly as she leapt toward the nearby district.
Naruto's head drooped. "She didn't even let me say thanks…"
"Relax." Hidezawa said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Just wait. She's scary when she's serious. You'll eat soon enough."
He glanced down at the kid and added dryly, "In the meantime, instant ramen isn't that bad. Back when I was on missions, I even had to eat cockroaches and rats."
Naruto froze.
"…Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"Of course! Builds character."
Before Naruto could protest again, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Ahem."
Both turned — and there, walking leisurely with a pipe in hand, was Sarutobi Hiruzen, his expression as kind as ever under the dim lamplight.
"Grandpa Hokage!" Naruto exclaimed, immediately lighting up.
"Hello there, Naruto." Hiruzen said, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. "Didn't eat again?"
He approached with an easy smile, his robes rustling softly. Then his eyes shifted to Hidezawa.
"Ah, you're here too. Was tonight's gathering smooth?"
Hidezawa straightened slightly, bowing with a smile. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Everything went smoothly."
"Good, good." The old man nodded, pipe still between his fingers. Then his tone changed slightly — half amusement, half reprimand.
"So tell me, Hidezawa — after such a good evening, why scare the boy with talk of cockroaches and rats?"
Hidezawa froze.
Yugao, who had just returned with a convenience bag in hand, nearly choked trying not to laugh.
Hiruzen continued with a chuckle. "Not all shinobi live like that. You'll make the child think our village doesn't feed its ninja."
'Yeah, that's exactly what Danzo does.' Hidezawa thought silently, keeping his smile. Out loud, he only said, "My apologies, Hokage-sama. I spoke carelessly."
Hiruzen waved his hand dismissively. "No harm done." He took a long puff of his pipe, then looked at Hidezawa again, his eyes glinting with a hint of approval.
"You've completed many missions for the village lately, haven't you? Yet, if I recall correctly, I still haven't given you a proper reward."
"…Eh?" Hidezawa blinked.
"Reward?" Naruto repeated immediately, his face lighting up. "For missions? What kind of reward?"
Hiruzen laughed, the sound deep and warm. He reached down and ruffled Naruto's spiky hair. "That's right. A ninja who accomplishes difficult missions should be rewarded."
Reaching into his robe, he pulled out a small scroll and held it toward Hidezawa.
"I was debating what would be suitable." Hiruzen said, his tone thoughtful. "But I think this will do. This technique was once learned by two Hokage. It's extremely difficult — but I believe you have the potential to master it."
Hidezawa blinked, slowly taking the scroll. The weight of it — both physical and symbolic — hit him immediately.
'A technique used by two Hokage…' he thought. 'There's no mistaking it.'
'Flying Thunder God Technique…' he whispered under his breath, feeling a thrill spark down his spine.
Beside him, Naruto's eyes gleamed with curiosity and awe. "Whoa! grandpa, is that really a super-strong jutsu?!"
Hiruzen chuckled again. "It is indeed. But only those with strong will and mastery of space-time chakra can learn it."
Turning back to Hidezawa, he added warmly, "I expect great things from you. Train hard, and don't let your potential go to waste."
Hidezawa bowed deeply, his voice calm. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
*****
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I am working on the following projects:
✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi
✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Accidental Incubus [R-18]
✓ The Academy's Saint Is Too Popular, But He's Not the Protagonist [R-18]