First Contact with Naruto Uzumaki

Chapter 32: First Contact with Naruto Uzumaki

"Finally got rid of that brat."

Anko Mitarai chewed on a dango, feeling a sense of relief.

"Don't you think it's a bit wrong to trick a little kid like that..."

A Chunin examiner asked cautiously, seemingly afraid of Anko Mitarai's temper. He added, "Of course, that brat caused a lot of trouble during the exam, and Anko, you helped everyone vent their frustrations!"

Because of that kid, Akihara Kagura, the entire Chunin Exam had been thrown into disarray.

In the first written test, Akihara Kagura had used the Transformation Jutsu to toy with all the examinees, nearly causing the Chunin Exam to collapse.

In the second test, the wilderness survival, Akihara Kagura had destroyed the finish line and, single-handedly, captured almost all the teams, making it seem like he intended to eliminate all his competitors in the second stage. This nearly prevented the third exam from proceeding.

"Forget it."

Anko Mitarai waved her hand, watching Akihara Kagura's receding figure, and said indifferently, "Lively children like this need to be taught a lesson..."

"What about the remaining examinees?"

"Didn't that brat disable the jutsu?"

Anko Mitarai surveyed the sprawled-out examinees in the Forest of Death. "Originally, I was going to eliminate all of them, but this time, I'll let them fight it out amongst themselves. Since they're all gathered here, the results should come out soon!"

"It's getting dark..."

The Konohagakure village gradually quieted down as night fell.

The shops on the streets began to close, leaving only a few stores and Ichiraku Ramen with their warm, orange glow illuminating the night.

"Grumble grumble grumble..."

A little boy with blond hair hid under the eaves, stroking his hungry stomach. He eyed Ichiraku Ramen not far away and flipped open his palm, counting his dwindling coins.

"This much money isn't even enough for a bowl of ramen..."

A young man's voice reached the blond boy's ears.

"Yeah..."

The blond boy subconsciously nodded, then realized someone had appeared beside him. He quickly took two steps back, "Who... who are you!"

"Someone who's just as hungry."

The young man rubbed his flat, empty stomach and then patted his equally empty pockets. "And someone who's just as down on his luck."

"..."

The blond boy's eyes twitched.

"Come here."

The young man squatted on the steps under the eaves and beckoned to the boy. "If you squat down and rest, you won't feel so hungry."

"..."

The blond boy slowly shuffled over.

Many people in the village would curse at him and never let him near. Yet, this older boy didn't seem to mind him.

This blond boy was Naruto Uzumaki.

Konohagakure's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, sealed with the most ferocious Tailed Beast in the ninja world within him.

This young man was Akihara Kagura. After leaving the Forest of Death, he didn't want to return to Root so soon, so he decided to take the opportunity to sightsee in Konoha. Unexpectedly, he ran into the young boy Naruto Uzumaki on the street.

This...

Is a child one couldn't dislike.

The story of this young boy always inspired many people to press forward bravely.

Even Akihara Kagura had to admit that without this boy's story in his past life, no one would have liked the ninja world. He was the warmest sun in this ninja world.

Naruto Uzumaki wouldn't know any of this.

The little guy was still somewhat happy, seemingly having found someone who didn't dislike him. He curiously started a conversation, "Are you a ninja from the village?"

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura nodded, glanced at the little blond beside him, and added, "In a few more days, I'll be a Chunin in the village. Do you know what rank a Chunin is? It's a height you, brat, will never reach in your lifetime."

"..."

Naruto Uzumaki's forehead twitched. He pouted in dissatisfaction and vigorously waved his little fists, "No way! I'm going to surpass the Hokage! Do you know what kind of person the Hokage is? The strongest person in the village is the Hokage..."

"But you still have to eat first..."

Akihara Kagura's words instantly defeated the little blond's passionate fighting spirit. He slowly continued, "Children must eat well to grow up strong."

"Aren't you hungry too!"

Naruto Uzumaki rubbed his rumbling stomach and immediately retorted.

"I could have had a few days of full meals."

Akihara Kagura shifted his posture and sat on the steps, his hands clasped between his legs, his eyes somewhat dim. "Unfortunately, I was tricked today. Although I felt it was troublesome and willingly let myself be tricked, it still makes me angry that she deceived me like that."

"So annoying."

Naruto Uzumaki picked at his ear.

"I see..."

Akihara Kagura chuckled, reaching out to pat Naruto Uzumaki's head with a smile. "It's okay, sooner or later, you'll feel that way too."

"No way!"

Naruto Uzumaki retorted loudly, asserting his intelligence wouldn't be so low. "I won't be fooled as easily as you!"

"Is that so?"

Akihara Kagura didn't seem entirely convinced.

As Akihara Kagura and little Naruto were chatting, an old man with a pipe in his mouth walked by on the street and suddenly stopped in front of them.

"Grandpa!"

Naruto Uzumaki's face lit up with excitement!

He recognized the old man. Whenever he was feeling down or sad, this old man would occasionally appear by his side.

"Yo, Naruto."

The old man blew a smoke ring from his pipe and slowly spoke, "It's getting late, aren't you going home to sleep?"

Without waiting for Naruto Uzumaki to answer, the old man's gaze fell on Akihara Kagura. "There's a little one here too... Why aren't you resting at night?"

"Because I'm really hungry."

Naruto Uzumaki tapped his stomach and then looked up at the old man. "Grandpa, take me fishing! He's also too hungry to sleep, so why don't we go to the river and fish together! We'll have food as long as we catch fish!"

"Sure..."

The old man, with a kindly expression, reached out and stroked Naruto Uzumaki's head, his gaze still fixed on Akihara Kagura. "Little one, since you haven't eaten, why don't you come with us?"

"I want to eat ramen."

Akihara Kagura replied slowly.

"..."

This little one is really quite demanding!

The old man's eyes twitched, but he quickly got used to Akihara Kagura's attitude and said with a smile, "This old man didn't bring much money when he left the house... Do either of you two have money on you?"

"This is all I have..."

Naruto Uzumaki showed the old man the coins in his hand.

"My pockets are cleaner than my face."

Akihara Kagura shook his head and stood up on his own. "Never mind, I've played enough for today. If I go back too late, Lord Danzō will be angry."

"What an obedient child."

The old man praised with a smile and said, "I do have a friend named Danzō, and I don't remember him getting angry that easily."

Second update