Naruto-kun Is Mine

Shimura Danzō and his group arrived at the riverbank.

As they looked at the three piles of black ash that had once been corpses, the Root ninjas fell silent.

"This... wasn't Uchiha Shisui's doing."

A Root ninja from the Yamanaka Clan knelt on one knee and carefully examined the surroundings before saying coldly, "These are traces left by flames of extremely high temperature. It was the same Fire Release ninja who attacked Root not long ago."

After releasing Kikaichū to investigate the ashes, a Root ninja from the Aburame Clan spoke coldly. "There was only one wound on the bones. It was a penetrating injury."

"The enemy was extremely powerful. They killed them instantly, giving them no chance to react."

Shimura Danzō's expression turned exceptionally grim.

"A ninja who possesses this kind of Fire Release ninjutsu... who exactly is the enemy?!"

"Fire Release dozens of times hotter than ordinary flames, a weapon more brutal than a sword... does the Uchiha Clan really have such a ninja?"

Shimura Danzō began to doubt his previous judgment.

Was this ninja... really from the Uchiha Clan?

Suddenly.

The Yamanaka Clan Root ninja kneeling on the ground seemed to notice something. He felt around on the ground and said coldly,

"There are bloodstains here. It looks like they wrote something."

Shimura Danzō hurriedly asked,

"What did they write?!"

The Yamanaka Clan Root ninja frowned and spoke with some uncertainty.

"Nine?!"

"Nine?!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned as he looked at Shimura Danzō.

"What does that mean? Could it be some special message used by your Root?!"

Shimura Danzō shook his head. "I don't know. Root does not communicate that way, but this must be an especially important message."

"They did not even write whether Uchiha Shisui was dead or alive before they died. That means this message was even more important than Uchiha Shisui. It must have been critical information."

"But I can't figure out what this 'nine' means."

As he spoke, Shimura Danzō's face looked terrible.

Root ninjas were nothing but killing machines. The information they left behind before death had to be extremely important.

In their eyes, this character, "nine," was even more important than whether Uchiha Shisui lived or died. Even in death, they had to pass it on to him.

But what exactly did this "nine" mean?!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows knitted tightly. "Nine?!"

No matter how the two of them thought about it, they could not determine much from that single word.

Setting the matter aside for now, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo and asked solemnly, "Are you certain Uchiha Shisui is dead?"

Shimura Danzō shook his head.

"We only know that he was seriously injured and rescued. We don't know who took him away, nor can we tell whether he is dead or alive."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened. He tapped on the desk and said, "In that case, contact that mercenary organization as soon as possible and deal with the Uchiha Clan early."

Shimura Danzō nodded. "I'll contact that mercenary organization. You need to hurry things along with Uchiha Itachi as well."

After a long while, Shimura Danzō rose and left the Hokage's office.

Only Sarutobi Hiruzen remained in the office, continuously mulling it over.

"Nine?!"

"What does it mean?!"

The next day.

Uzumaki Naruto silently made his way to the Forest of Death.

After driving away several black bears at the cave entrance, he found Uchiha Shisui still unconscious. He changed Shisui's bandages, then returned to his rundown house.

After washing up and tidying himself normally, Uzumaki Naruto went to the Ninja Academy as though nothing had happened.

"Uzumaki Naruto!!!"

Inuzuka Kiba strode aggressively to Uzumaki Naruto's desk and slapped his palm down on it.

The loud bang instantly drew the entire class's attention.

Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Aburame Shino... all turned to look.

Then,

they witnessed an utterly speechless scene.

With a broad smile plastered across his face, Inuzuka Kiba offered Uzumaki Naruto a cup of water and said ingratiatingly, "Lord Naruto, could you tell me if you have any ways to make money?"

"The dog food you buy for Akamaru costs more than the food I eat."

As he spoke, Inuzuka Kiba wept inwardly.

Akamaru's food expenses were now three thousand Ryo a day, while he only had one thousand Ryo. His life really was worse than a dog's.

Akamaru barked happily and rubbed against Uzumaki Naruto's leg. The dog food Uzumaki Naruto bought really was delicious.

Uzumaki Naruto flashed a brilliant smile, kneaded his shoulders, and sighed.

"Yesterday, I beat up a few heartless bastards. My whole body aches. It would be nice if someone could give me a massage."

The rookies watching nearby all twitched at the corners of their mouths.

Inuzuka Kiba took a deep breath, then walked behind Uzumaki Naruto with a fawning expression and diligently began massaging his shoulders.

"Lord Naruto, is this pressure comfortable?"

A subtle curve formed at the corner of Uzumaki Naruto's lips as he smiled. "Not enough. Use a little more force."

Inuzuka Kiba: "..."

He massaged with a dark expression for half an hour.

Uzumaki Naruto nodded and began sharing his experience with Inuzuka Kiba.

The rookies nearby all pricked up their ears.

"You know Icha Icha Paradise and Taimanin, right?!"

Inuzuka Kiba nodded eagerly.

"I have a source for those books. I can sell them to you at cost, then you can resell them..."

Uzumaki Naruto gave Inuzuka Kiba a meaningful look.

Inuzuka Kiba was overjoyed.

"Great! Naruto, don't worry. Once I make money, I'll definitely give you a share."

The rookies around them also showed delighted expressions.

Just then, Inuzuka Kiba's face darkened as he turned toward the rookies.

"You all wanted to listen too..."

"You bastards... just stood there and watched me massage Uzumaki Naruto?"

The rookies all awkwardly turned their heads away.

Obviously.

Who told you to be so stupid?

Inuzuka Kiba burned with rage and pounced on the surrounding rookies, baring his teeth and claws.

The classroom instantly descended into chaos.

Uzumaki Naruto smiled.

Sure enough.

Compared to those filthy schemers, these kids were far purer.

"Naruto-kun..."

Little Hinata blushed as she set a lunchbox nearly half a meter tall beside her seat. Looking at Uzumaki Naruto beside her, she extended her fair little hand and said softly, "Naruto-kun, if you're uncomfortable, I can massage you too."

Uzumaki Naruto vigorously rubbed Little Hinata's hair.

"Can you?!"

Little Hinata nodded with a blush, then stretched out her fair little hands and began kneading Uzumaki Naruto's shoulders.

Uzumaki Naruto immediately felt his body go limp, as though even the acupuncture points within him had been worked loose. He closed his eyes comfortably.

"Little Hinata, that feels so good. Use more force..."

Yamanaka Ino watched with burning envy and trotted over to Uzumaki Naruto.

"Naruto-kun, how about I massage you too?"

Little Hinata was uncharacteristically firm. Blushing, she said, "No. Naruto-kun is mine."

"I won't let you!"

The old father in the distance: "..."

Hyuga Hiashi stared at the scene inside the classroom, his eyes nearly spitting fire.

"Uzumaki Naruto!!!"