Could it be…
Naruto started training in the middle of the night after he left?
The thought came to Sasuke's mind—and it wouldn't go away.
At this moment, Sasuke was completely sure.
It was Naruto, training in secret.
That was all there was to it.
Sasuke followed Naruto home again.
Naruto, however, didn't train at all. After washing up, he lay directly on the bed, took out a pink book from the bedside, and began reading.
Sasuke, hiding outside but unwilling to leave, was stunned when he saw this.
Thinking he had caught Naruto, Sasuke assumed Naruto wasn't training.
So he deliberately called out, "Huh! Seems like you really aren't training! I'll go back first."
Sasuke jumped down from the tree and pretended to leave.
In fact, he returned later to continue secretly observing Naruto.
But Naruto only became more engrossed in his book, completely ignoring training until late at night.
"Oh~ As expected of the literary giant Jiraiya," Naruto said, closing the book and placing it on the bedside table.
Jiraiya's books could be divided into two types:
The first was about romance—the love-hate relationships between the protagonists and heroines, and so on.
The second type… well, the kind you shouldn't say too much about—the kind that makes you blush just by reading.
Naruto closed the book and went to sleep.
Sasuke leaned against the tree canopy, arms folded, eyes half-closed, wondering if Naruto had already fallen asleep.
The next day.
Naruto heard the system prompt as soon as he woke up.
[Ding~ System task released: Earn 10 million silver taels
Reward: Simulation opportunity +1]
"Why would the system release a task like this?" Naruto wondered.
He opened the system panel.
[Host: Uzumaki Naruto
Characteristics: Uzumaki bloodline, Senju bloodline, Reincarnation of Ashura, Nine-Tails Jinchūriki
Techniques: Seduction Technique, Transformation Technique, Adamantine Sealing Chains Kai, Eight Trigrams Seal Ji, Myojin Gate
Combat Power: 13,888
Backpack: 1.23 million silver taels, Yin-Yang Nine-Tails Rage
Number of Simulations: 1
Task: None]
Over the past few days, Naruto's bloodline strength had increased his Chakra and combat ability.
And now that the Nine-Tails was gone, the extra +80,000 combat power bonus had disappeared.
On top of that, his silver was running low.
Being a ninja was expensive.
Though Naruto claimed to be lazy, he still needed training tools and supplies.
For the past few years, he had relied almost entirely on the silver coins he earned from the first simulation to pay for school and meals.
Now, those coins were nearly gone.
No wonder the system suddenly released a mission to earn silver.
Naruto wondered whether using a simulation to make money would count as completing the task.
Before he could decide, the system responded:
[Ding~ Forget it.]
Still…
Naruto decided not to use his only simulation opportunity to complete this task.
Simulation opportunities could only be obtained through system tasks.
Each one was an opportunity to improve his strength—extremely valuable.
The first simulation had been a fluke, so it rewarded silver coins.
If he used a simulation just for money, he'd be wasting a chance to grow stronger.
In a world where strength was everything, that was irrational.
But… how to earn 10 million silver taels?
Naruto thought for a while and decided to take it step by step.
First, check the mission release site for high-paying tasks.
If one came up, he could save the money for later.
If not, he would have to find another method.
After finishing his morning routine, Naruto went to the usual gathering place.
But Sasuke wasn't there.
Meanwhile, inside the Uchiha compound, a young Uchiha boy slept soundly, looking a little tired with dark circles under his eyes…
Sakura had arrived earlier.
Upon seeing Naruto, her expression turned hesitant.
Naruto asked curiously, "Sakura-chan, what's wrong? Do you want to say something?"
"Well…" Sakura lowered her head, her heart heavy.
This was the first time Naruto had seen this cheerful girl so troubled.
After struggling, she finally said, "I… I may not be able to become a ninja anymore."
"Why?" Naruto asked, more curious than ever. "Is it because being a ninja isn't good?"
What a beautiful day this was!
And this… had never happened in the original story.
Sakura soon explained.
She pulled out a schedule and said, "It's this. I showed this schedule to my parents.
They no longer support me becoming a ninja."
Schedule issue?
Naruto frowned, then understood.
This was a ninja world. Even Genin had a decent income.
Sakura's parents were civilians, not ninjas.
Civilians had to work hard to survive in Konoha.
Sakura's parents had struggled to support her schooling, and now their daughter had finally graduated.
Yet her team captain, Naruto, was… underperforming.
Only one mission a week? Not enough to make ends meet.
So her parents no longer supported her dream of becoming a ninja.
Naruto guessed correctly, and Sakura confirmed it.
Naruto thought for a moment. "Okay, maybe there's a problem with our schedule."
Sakura's eyes lit up.
Would Naruto really change things for her?
But then Naruto shattered her hopes: "But things are already settled. It's not easy to change."
Sakura was disappointed. She sighed, turned silently, and started to leave.
"Wait!" Naruto shouted.
Sakura stopped and muttered, "Naruto-kun, you know I like being a ninja. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't even consider quitting."
But Naruto wasn't talking about that.
He said, "What do you think about us working together to earn money?"
Although he had a plan, having a careful partner would make things easier.
Sakura spun around excitedly and ran up, leaping into Naruto's arms.
"Uuu~ Naruto-kun! I knew you wouldn't let me go!"
But Naruto stepped back, and she missed.
"Sakura-chan, be careful. I have a fiancée," Naruto said calmly.
Sakura gritted her teeth. Damn… just barely failed.
But business came first.
She ignored it and asked, "Naruto-kun, besides missions, how else can we earn money?"
Naruto asked carefully, "If… I mean, if you were asked to buy a picture of Sasuke, how much would you spend?"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
I upload 2 chapters daily on Patreon!
There are 60+ advanced chapters available for you to read.(100 Chapters Completed on My Patreon)
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Check out my new Marvel fanfic!
[Marvel: A Video Editor]