My Home Is Closer

Inside the crowded tent, the lights were bright.

Hinata stared blankly at the torrential rain outside, while Ino's brow was also furrowed. Listening to the sound of the rain pounding against the tent, she felt a slight unease.

A rustling sound arose, Hinata looked up, seeing Ino getting up. She paused for a moment. She didn't ask Ino where she was going in such heavy rain; instead, she turned to look at the seven children inside the tent.

Hinata tried to make her voice as gentle as possible, and smiled as she usually does.

"Stay here and don't run around. We'll come back to check if you've been good when the rain stops."

"Are the older sisters going out?"

Ino glanced at Hinata with some surprise, but didn't say anything, only managing a forced smile in response.

"I suddenly remembered that there are still some things I haven't done."

"Yes," Hinata replied. There were some things she wanted to verify herself.

Perhaps now isn't a good opportunity, but she doesn't want Ino to see Naruto alone; she's starting to feel uneasy. Any further unexpected events could send things in a direction she dreads.

The tent was opened a crack, and the two women immediately left in the heavy rain.

Outside a cave not far from the tent.

With a splash, a puddle was stepped on, sending water spraying half a meter high.

"Brother Naruto, there's a cave ahead!"

"Quick! Get inside!" Naruto felt his underwear was soaked, and his slippers limited his running speed.

"No way! It's too high up on the cliff," Udon said.

"What are you afraid of? I'm here for you!" Naruto shouted.

"Brother Naruto, didn't Iruka-sensei say we can't rely on the power of the Genin the team?" Konohamaru asked, turning back as he ran.

"I didn't hear it at all, so it doesn't count!" Naruto wiped the rain off his face. "Ninjas can't be too rigid. Moegi is an exception."

"Let's go up first and talk about it later!"

With that, he grabbed Konohamaru and Udon by the arms and climbed up the cliff. Once inside the cave, the three of them realized they were almost completely soaked.

Naruto took out the purchased firewood from the Sealing Space, and with a bang, he used Lava Release to create a burst of Kakkō. Konohamaru hopped on one foot while taking off his outer garment.

Fortunately, it's not yet late autumn, and the surrounding temperature isn't too low.

"Actually, I have a tent."

He sat down by the fire, and his very first words stunned Konohamaru and Udon.

"What?" Konohamaru stared blankly at Naruto, his lips trembling slightly. "Naruto- nii, you did this on purpose! Why didn't you bring out the tent?"

Udon nodded and echoed in agreement.

Naruto said impatiently, "So what if you get a little rained on? It's not like it'll melt you!"

The Kakkō danced in Naruto's pupils, and his voice sounded languid.

"While I may not be the best candidate, being too good wouldn't be of any use to you either. I've always thought the tasks at the Ninja Academy summer camp are ridiculous, like a childish ninja game."

"What problems can you find by following the steps? If we prepare everything for you, what kind of ninjas are you? And Moegi too."

"Moegi didn't do it on purpose, she just does it occasionally," Konohamaru explained.

"I didn't say anything bad about Moegi. At this age, everyone would allow her to be willful. I just hope that she can change her ways through this opportunity."

Naruto.

"I don't know when we'll meet again after today, but since I've been your team leader for Genin day, I'll teach you what I can in this one day."

Konohamaru and Udon lowered their heads, the Kakkō flickering on their faces.

"Don't look so dejected. I was just too lazy to deal with you kids, I was just too bored," Naruto said.

"Yes," the two replied.

"Konohamaru, do you think Moegi won't be angry?" Udon nudged Konohamaru and asked in a low voice.

"Who knows what she'll do? I might get another scolding when I get back and see her." Konohamaru sighed. "Let's see later. Hopefully, Moegi won't throw another tantrum."

Naruto placed his clothes by the fire to dry, glanced at Konohamaru and Udon who were whispering among themselves, then turned back to the roaring fire, and couldn't help but roll his eyes.

No wonder Tsunade insisted on canceling her own vacation just to make it to the summer camp of these Third Hokage Konohagakure kids. She even arranged the class assignments clearly, truly sparing no effort to accumulate resources for herself.

But he really didn't want this bond, and apart from beating up Konohamaru, he had almost no contact with these young Third Hokage.

But Tsunade clearly didn't think that way; she didn't know that he had already detached his tail and had nothing to do with Nine-Tails anymore.

Even if the next Hokage is not from Hiruzen Sarutobi's lineage, they still won't be able to do anything to him.

But Naruto wasn't truly naive. Tsunade's intentions were clear: it was blatant favoritism. Whether it was the temporary job or this summer camp, she was constantly adding connections to him, practically trying to pile all the legacy left by the Third Hokage onto Naruto.

The method was crude, but the effect would definitely be outstanding, and he couldn't let Tsunade's good intentions go to waste.

The Konoha 12 are basically the backbone of Konohagakure, except for Sasuke.

Furthermore, by cultivating good relationships with the descendants of the Sarutobi Clan, Kazamatsuri Clan, and Ise Clan, Naruto Uzumaki's position in Konohagakure will remain unshakeable, regardless of future circumstances.

Furthermore, Tsunade was unaware of any Shinobi World conspiracy; she was simply acting from the perspective of a Hokage, trying to allocate as many resources as possible to him.

Although Naruto was somewhat reluctant, he still put some effort into the group. While his methods were a bit extreme, it was simply to get the job done; even if Moegi might hold a grudge in the end, it didn't matter.

It's not so much about being cunning, but rather that old tricks have always been effective.

Instead of dealing with all that nonsense, I should think carefully about how to report back to my hot-tempered blonde boss.

This result cannot be described as excellent, but it is generally acceptable.

Just as he was pondering how to come up with a reason, Konohamaru's exclamation suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"Brother Naruto, those two older sisters have come looking for us despite the rain!"

"Um?"

Naruto, shirtless, immediately stood up and walked to the edge of the cave entrance on the cliff in a few steps. Looking down, he saw two figures rushing towards the Kakkō on the cliff face.

"What are they doing?" Naruto rushed back to the fire, grabbed his half-dry clothes, put them on, and hurriedly jumped off the cliff.

The heavy rain didn't last long, and all three teams reached the summit simultaneously, completing their training mission.

Having already informed Iruka, Naruto, soaked to the bone, walked towards the two women who were also drenched in the rain, his deadpan expression on his face, and said helplessly.

"We can talk about it later. Let's go, my home is closer."