Heading to Kirigakure

"Damn it, this is all your fault!"

Konoha, inside Ichiraku Ramen.

Naruto was wolfing down his food while gloomily staring at Kitagawa Gen, who was eating just as hard. He gave a soft snort and spoke.

"If you hadn't stopped me that day, I wouldn't be this unlucky now. Iruka-sensei watches me all day, I get caught the moment I try to sleep, and I can't even go out. It's too hard."

"Tch, and you're blaming me for that?"

Kitagawa Gen raised his head and swept a glance over Naruto, then lowered it again and kept eating like mad. Only after finishing the last noodle did he wipe his mouth and say,

"Didn't I advise you back then? I told you not to send them, but you wouldn't listen to me."

"But why didn't you tell me those mushrooms were poisonous!"

"Isn't that something the school should have taught you? Oh, I get it. You definitely weren't listening in class!"

"I-I was! We just hadn't learned it yet."

"Don't talk nonsense. You definitely weren't paying attention. No wonder I heard you're the Dead Last. Don't tell me you can't even pass the exams."

"You bastard!"

The little blond brat was still far too easy to set off. After all, thinking back on his current life, it really was miserable.

Iruka watched him all day, leaving him unable to do anything. On top of that, Kitagawa Gen's verbal jabs made it even harder for him to hold it together.

"Hey, hey, hey, watch your mouth."

Kitagawa Gen raised an eyebrow and tilted his head as he looked at Naruto.

"I'm treating today, you know."

"."

Naruto's face stiffened. Ever since buying a huge pile of limited-edition ramen, his pockets had been empty, and his allowance would not come until next month.

After school today, he had happened to run into Kitagawa Gen, who was heading out to eat, while looking utterly dispirited. That was how he had been invited over.

Given this guy's awful personality, if he angered him, he might really leave him here.

"Haha, uh, um... right, why are you carrying a knife?"

Naruto's eyes darted around wildly until he finally noticed something on Kitagawa Gen.

"This?"

How could Kitagawa Gen not know what Naruto was thinking? He did not care, merely shrugging as he said,

"This is a gift from my teacher. What do you think? Not bad, right?"

"It looks okay, but it's so short."

Naruto was somewhat envious, since this was a weapon that belonged to a ninja. But after taking a closer look, he still curled his lip and said,

"I've seen other people's knives. They're really long. Why is yours so short?"

"Because this knife isn't ordinary."

Teuchi, off to the side, seemed to have noticed the knife hanging behind Kitagawa Gen long ago. At this moment, he could not help smiling as he spoke.

"I really didn't expect to see it again after all these years."

"Huh?"

Naruto blinked and asked in confusion,

"Old man, you know it? Is this knife famous?"

"This knife is probably known by quite a few people."

Before Teuchi could speak, a voice suddenly came from behind them.

They turned to look and saw Hiruzen Sarutobi walking in with a pipe in his mouth. He was probably off work, since he was not wearing the Hokage's hat.

"Grandpa Hokage!"

"Hokage."

The moment Naruto saw the old man, he grew excited, while Uncle Teuchi and Kitagawa Gen immediately gave a slight bow to show respect.

"No need to be so formal."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled at Teuchi, then reached out and kindly patted Naruto on the head. However, his gaze remained on Kitagawa Gen.

Perhaps he had remembered that pot of poisonous mushroom soup, because his hand paused unconsciously for a moment, but it quickly returned to normal.

"The former owner of this knife was no ordinary person. It also carries many people's memories. It is a good knife. I hope you can use it well."

"I will, Hokage."

Kitagawa Gen smiled and nodded, though inwardly he could not help grumbling a little.

He had been waiting all day!

In order to go to Kirigakure, he had already shown the Flying Thunder God Technique, and then he had been waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi's response.

In the end, he had never received any notice. Just when he thought he would have to go to the office and report on his own initiative the next day, the man had actually come over himself.

But he had to admit, did this not make it easier to close the distance between them?

"Gen, I've already heard your name many times. This seems to be the first time we've met, doesn't it?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi still wore a kind smile. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said,

"Would you be interested in taking a walk with this old man? Consider it a stroll after dinner."

"Sure."

Kitagawa Gen did not refuse. He stood up directly and followed Hiruzen Sarutobi outside, while Naruto, sitting on the chair, immediately turned green in the face.

Unfortunately, at this moment, no one really paid him any attention.

"I heard from Kakashi and Jiraiya that you've already mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

After they had walked some distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a smile.

"Mm."

Kitagawa Gen nodded and spoke modestly.

"It doesn't really count as mastering it. I can only use the basics. This can only be considered a bit of good luck on my part."

"Luck is sometimes a part of strength too. Sometimes, when you want to break through, you really are just missing that little bit of luck."

Hiruzen Sarutobi still wore a smile, clearly in a very good mood.

"Besides, even if you have luck, without talent, you still couldn't do it. Gen, you've truly given me a huge surprise."

"Thank you for your praise, Hokage."

Kitagawa Gen replied with a smile, and then the two chatted idly as they walked.

Perhaps because both of them were in good spirits, they always had something to talk about along the way, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

But after they chatted for a while, Kitagawa Gen felt it was about time. After all, he had other ideas, so he simply spoke directly.

"By the way, Hokage, today Teacher Kakashi and Lord Jiraiya suddenly left for the Hokage Building. Are they going out on a mission?"

"Oh?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi froze for a moment, but he had no intention of hiding it. After all, Kitagawa Gen had a pretty good relationship with both Kakashi and Jiraiya.

"That's right. They are going out on a mission. I'm afraid neither of them can avoid this matter, after all..."

"I know, Hokage. Lord Jiraiya told me."

Kitagawa Gen nodded. He led Hiruzen Sarutobi around a corner, walking in the direction of Ichiraku as he spoke.

"Teacher Kakashi carries a burden in his heart that he cannot let go of, and Lord Jiraiya probably can't find peace because of Orochimaru either.

When Lord Jiraiya and I went to find Orochimaru before, I already knew that before long, they would likely be heading to Kirigakure."

"That's right. Some bonds truly are hard to abandon."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and nodded.

"The bonds between comrades are the ties that connect the cold profession of ninja."

"Hokage, I would like to apply to go to Kirigakure with them."

At this point, Kitagawa Gen stopped pretending and directly said what he was thinking, causing Hiruzen Sarutobi to frown.

"Kirigakure? This mission is no simple matter. That place is pure chaos. You..."

"Hokage, I know this mission isn't simple, and I have my reasons."

Kitagawa Gen gently shook his head. He was still serious.

"Obito Uchiha was discovered by me. I think I need to continue following up on this matter. Besides that, I also want to try out the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Hokage, any technique requires accumulated practice in actual use before it can produce better results, and what I lack now is precisely experience in that area.

Moreover, with the Flying Thunder God Technique, even if I can't reach the expected effect in terms of offense, I can still take Teacher Kakashi and Lord Jiraiya away. That would make things a bit safer."

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Kitagawa Gen without speaking. He had to admit that the kid was right.

A ninja's experience had to be accumulated. Otherwise, having power but being unable to bring it out had no meaning at all.

And even if the Flying Thunder God could not provide offensive help, there really did seem to be no problem with using it to withdraw. He also did not want Jiraiya and Kakashi to get stuck in a quagmire.

However, he was still somewhat uneasy. But before he could speak, Kitagawa Gen suddenly smiled.

"Besides, didn't you also say, Hokage, that the bonds between comrades are the ties that connect the cold profession of ninja?"

The breeze stirred his hair and sleeves. He raised his head and looked at the distant Hokage Rock as he slowly said,

"I regret that after graduating, I didn't have comrades. In a certain sense, Teacher Kakashi is my comrade.

If I had no ability, I naturally wouldn't hold them back, but I do have ability, and I also hope to do what I can.

Hokage, I hope you can approve this small act of willfulness of mine."

Willfulness?

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not speak. Instead, he held his pipe in his mouth and silently took a few puffs.

This way of thinking, this idea—was this not the concrete embodiment of the Will of Fire?

This kid...

Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a smile and nodded.

"I'll consider it first. Go back and rest well."

"Yes, Hokage."

Kitagawa Gen smiled and nodded, casually dragging Naruto, who was trembling inside Ichiraku, along with him as he turned and left.

Watching the backs of the two as they left, the smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face grew even broader.

This kid really did have Minato's shadow!

Turning around, Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to leave, but he had only just stepped out when someone called out to him.

"Hokage."

"What is it, Teuchi?"

"Those two children just now still haven't paid for their ramen."

"???"

"Um, that will be..."

"."

Hiruzen Sarutobi bit down hard on his pipe. He felt he had made his evaluation too early.