Flying Thunder God Technique (Please Keep Reading)

"Konohagakure really is peaceful."

Under the silver moon, Hidezawa and Yugao walked side by side through Konohagakure's streets toward a residential district.

After the gathering ended, Hidezawa had taken the initiative to escort Yugao home in the spirit of "gentlemanly conduct," leaving her both annoyed and amused.

Even if she was a girl, she was still a ninja!

Still, she ultimately did not refuse, and the two of them set off together.

Yet as she looked at Konohagakure's peaceful scene, she could not help but sigh.

Things had truly been awful when she was in Sunagakure. Not only had people been hunting her down, but the environment there had been exceedingly harsh as well.

"By the way, Hidezawa, what's your dream for the future?"

Blinking, Yugao tilted her head toward Hidezawa beside her. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly asked curiously.

"Me?"

Hidezawa gave Yugao a strange look. After pretending to ponder for a moment, he smiled.

"To become a ninja as powerful as Lord Jiraiya. If possible, I hope to become a man who becomes Hokage!"

"..."

For a moment, Yugao did not know what to say, because she felt there was something off about that statement.

Lord Jiraiya was indeed powerful, but hadn't they just been talking about how he did not abide by the Three Prohibitions for Ninjas?

Could it be that Hidezawa wanted to follow his example?

And becoming Hokage did not seem wrong, but for some reason, she found Hidezawa's wording rather strange.

"Do your best. I believe you can do it."

Only after a long while did Yugao speak helplessly, and Hidezawa immediately nodded.

"Thank you, senpai. I'll work hard."

Hidezawa had no idea what Yugao was thinking. If he had known, he definitely would have nodded and given her a thumbs-up.

As a transmigrator who had come to a world with strange powers.

Age was not a problem at all!

The only question was whether she was pretty or not.

What was wrong with driving a big car? Big cars had great headlights too!

"I told you, just call me Yugao."

Yugao pursed her lips. She felt that this junior of hers was not as obedient as she had imagined.

But soon, she suddenly stopped walking and grabbed the corner of Hidezawa's clothes with one hand.

"Hidezawa, look over there. Isn't that Naruto?"

"Huh?"

Hidezawa raised his head in confusion and looked over. Sure enough, he saw Naruto wandering alone outside several shops.

He looked somewhat dejected as well. If nothing unexpected had happened, the kid was probably hungry again.

Seeing this, Hidezawa thought for a moment and simply walked over. Nothing had happened to him last time, so he did not believe anything would happen this time.

Especially since he had never met Naruto alone with some ulterior motive. There were usually people around him.

"Kid, what's wrong with you this time?"

Pulling Yugao along, the two quickly arrived beside Naruto. Hidezawa's words immediately made Naruto jump.

"Big brother, big sister, it's you!"

Naruto turned around, and upon seeing Hidezawa and Yugao, he immediately became excited.

He had always remembered how the two of them had treated him to ramen last time. Unfortunately, he had not asked for their names.

Now that he had run into them again, how could he not be happy?

But just as he opened his mouth, his stomach let out another strange growl, instantly making him freeze.

"You haven't eaten again?"

Hidezawa raised a brow. He felt this kid was living a little too miserably.

"I overslept. Ichiraku... closed."

Naruto turned toward the already closed Ichiraku Ramen with a troubled look, his eyes full of frustration.

Hidezawa and Yugao could not help exchanging glances. What time was it now? How many shops would still be open?

"Why didn't you come out earlier?"

Yugao frowned and asked helplessly. She felt this little guy did not seem very sharp.

"Because I feel like everyone doesn't seem to like me, so I usually choose to come out when there aren't many people around."

Naruto's words immediately stunned Yugao. Naruto gave an awkward smile and spoke.

"Only Ichiraku Uncle, the Hokage Old Man, and you big brother and big sister don't hate me. Too bad it's closed, otherwise I would've treated you to ramen!"

Naruto's allowance for the month had evidently already been issued, and he had said he would treat them in the future. Now that they had run into each other, though, it seemed like the timing was a little off.

"You little brat..."

Yugao sighed. After thinking for a moment, she spoke directly.

"Hidezawa, watch him for a bit. There aren't any shops open at this hour. I'll go to the convenience store and get him something."

"Hey, big sister—"

Seeing Yugao leave without even looking back, Naruto hurriedly called after her, only for Hidezawa to grab him.

"Alright, just wait patiently. You can manage by going home and making some instant noodles or something."

"But..."

Naruto still wanted to say something, but Hidezawa was not about to indulge him.

"Instant noodles are already pretty good. Back when I was out on missions, I ate everything from cockroaches to rats."

"..."

Was that what I was trying to say?

Naruto's mind went blank. He had wanted to say that he would pay for it himself, so how had the conversation suddenly turned to something so disgusting?

Still, Naruto was curious. He cautiously asked, "Do all ninja have to eat stuff like that?"

"Of course. When you're on a mission, you eat whatever you can find!"

Hidezawa immediately switched into full-on bullshitting mode. He had seen others eat such things, but he himself could never bring himself to do it. That did not stop him from fooling the little guy in front of him.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Just as he was talking himself up, an ill-timed cough interrupted them.

"Hokage Grandpa!"

Looking up, they saw the Third Hokage walking toward them with a pipe between his teeth. Naruto's face instantly lit up with excitement.

"Yo, Naruto. Haven't eaten again?"

With his pipe in his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi blew out a smoke ring. He glanced at Naruto, then turned his gaze to Hidezawa. After a moment's thought, he spoke.

"Hidezawa, you're here too. Did tonight's gathering go smoothly?"

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Hokage. Everything went fairly smoothly tonight."

Hidezawa nodded. Their gathering tonight had included Shisui Uchiha, Tenzō with Wood Release, and Kakashi with the Sharingan.

And every one of them was Anbu. It would probably have been difficult for the Third Hokage not to know.

"That's good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded, but soon shook his head.

"Still, after such a fine gathering, why say something so inappropriate? Besides, not all ninja are like that. You'll scare the child."

He truly felt that Hidezawa's words had been inappropriate. Was Konohagakure's logistical support insufficient, or was Konohagakure so poor that its ninja could not afford to eat?

Cockroaches and rats were Danzo's doing. They had absolutely nothing to do with normal Konohagakure ninja, alright?

Even Anbu were unlikely to end up in such a situation, weren't they?

"..."

Hidezawa gave an awkward laugh and did not argue. Whatever—you're the Hokage. Whatever you say goes.

"But speaking of which, you've completed so many missions, and it seems I still haven't given you a reward, have I?"

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject and suddenly asked with a smile.

"Huh? A reward?"

Naruto's eyes immediately lit up. Since he aspired to become Hokage, he was naturally curious about everything related to ninja.

"That's right, a reward."

Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and affectionately rubbed Naruto's little head before continuing.

"Hidezawa is a genius. He has completed many unbelievable missions, so naturally he deserves a reward.

I had been thinking about what sort of reward to give you, but now I've made up my mind. I think you can give this a try."

As he spoke, he took a scroll from his robes and handed it over.

Hidezawa hurriedly reached out to take it, and Hiruzen spoke again.

"This is a technique that two Hokage have learned and used in the past. It is extremely difficult, so I hope you'll work hard."

"..."

The moment Hidezawa heard that, he understood what technique it was. If nothing unexpected happened, this was probably the Flying Thunder God!

Glancing at Naruto beside him, who was excited beyond measure, Hidezawa sighed inwardly.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."