How Did He Sleep at His Age?

Eiji's eyes held three parts confusion, three parts shock, three parts sorrow, and one part helplessness.

He really wanted to call the police.

Forget teaching a Jinchuriki—he was afraid that the Anbu would set their sights on him just for saying a few words to Naruto.

Eiji gritted his teeth. He was going all in.

Taking a gamble might get him killed, but if he lacked the strength, he would definitely die three years later.

Eiji let out a breath and walked over to Naruto.

He picked up Naruto, who was still counting his money, and headed toward the ramen shop.

"Hey, hey, hey?"

Little Naruto struggled in midair. What was this strange White Hair trying to do?

Was he trying to steal the few coins he had?

Even a child's money? Were you even human?

Naruto gripped his coins tightly, ready to throw a couple of punches at the White Hair robber at any moment.

Unexpectedly, White Hair did not steal his coins. Instead, he placed him on a stool at the ramen shop.

The moment Eiji let go, Naruto took off running.

But before he could get two steps away, he heard Eiji say to Uncle Teuchi, "Sorry for the trouble, but please give this kid a bowl of ramen. Triple the chashu, and no bamboo shoots."

Uncle Teuchi cheerfully agreed. "Little Naruto seems to be in luck. He met someone who wants to treat him to a bowl of ramen."

After a brief moment of surprise, a smile appeared on Naruto's face.

This strange little White Hair who was actually pretty handsome didn't seem to hate him. He was even treating him to ramen!

And how did he know that Naruto didn't like bamboo shoots?

So he slowly shuffled back and plopped down beside Eiji.

Naruto carefully put away his coins, then asked Eiji even more cautiously,

"Strange big brother, may I ask who you are?"

"Someone who came into a little unexpected money and wanted to share it with someone."

"Huh?" Naruto felt that the White Hair in front of him might not be in the best mental state.

But he was still pretty happy. At least this person had not told him to get lost and stop dirtying his clothes.

"Strange big brother, are you a ninja from the village?"

"Yes." Eiji pointed at the forehead protector on his head. "I'm a Chunin. This is a height you'll never reach in your lifetime."

Little Naruto waved his fists, venting his displeasure.

"I'll become Hokage when I grow up! Do you know what Hokage is? The Hokage is the strongest person in the village!"

While the two argued, Uncle Teuchi brought over the ramen.

Following Eiji's instructions, the toppings were piled high, forming a small mountain.

Naruto sniffed hard, his knuckles turning pale as he clutched his coins.

He looked at Uncle Teuchi, then at Eiji.

"Is this really for me?"

"Yes." Eiji handed Naruto a pair of chopsticks. "Even the Hokage has to eat."

After receiving a definite answer, Naruto was overjoyed. He picked up his chopsticks and began battling the ramen furiously.

He looked as if he had not eaten in three days. Soup splashed onto his jacket, and even when the noodles scalded his tongue and made him stick it out, he refused to slow down.

Eiji watched from the side, frowning deeply, afraid Naruto might bite through the bowl along with the noodles.

Naruto ate while curiously sizing up Eiji.

He was not popular in the village. Hardly anyone was willing to play with him.

There were even fewer people who would take the initiative to treat him to ramen, like today.

"Strange big brother, you don't seem to hate me."

"Hmm... I'm going to become Hokage. How could I hate a fellow villager?"

Naruto could not even be bothered to eat anymore. He understood now: this strange big brother was competing with him for the position of Hokage.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! I'm the one who's going to become Hokage!"

Eiji gently rubbed Little Blondie's head. "Then let me ask you this: do you know how to become Hokage?"

That stumped Naruto. He only knew that his dream was to become Hokage.

But no one had ever told him what he needed to do to become Hokage.

Still, Naruto's little head worked quickly. He bared his large teeth and asked Eiji,

"So, Strange Big Brother, how do you become Hokage?"

Eiji thought about it seriously. "The Hokage needs to carry the hopes and recognition of everyone in the village and gain everyone's acknowledgment."

"Also, don't call me Strange Big Brother. My name is Uchiha Eiji."

"Oh."

Naruto answered, but he clearly had not understood.

"So, Big Brother Eiji, how do you become Hokage?"

Now it was Eiji's turn to get a headache.

In theory, Naruto could write an essay titled My Hokage Father, and that would solve quite a few problems.

But it seemed that it was not quite appropriate yet.

It looked like he needed to phrase the question more simply.

He looked at Naruto. "The Hokage has to accomplish things others can't. Can you do that?"

Naruto put down his chopsticks and nodded hard.

"Of course I can!"

"Like how I don't have a single person beside me, but I never, never cry."

After saying that, Naruto looked up at Eiji. "Does that count as being an excellent ninja?"

Eiji's expression grew solemn. He rubbed Little Blondie's hair and said each word clearly,

"You are an excellent ninja."

Naruto had received your affirmation and was extremely delighted. He had become even more confident about becoming the great Hokage.

You obtained *Water Style: Water Dragon Bite Burst*.

After receiving Eiji's affirmation, Naruto was much happier.

He wiped his eyes and continued burying his head in the ramen.

Soon, Naruto finished the last mouthful of noodles.

He patted his round belly. "It feels so good to be full."

Then he stood up and nodded gratefully at Eiji.

"Thank you for the meal, Big Brother Eiji. When I get next month's allowance, I'll treat you to the best instant noodles."

"Mm." Eiji nodded. "Go back and get some rest early."

"Okay, I'm off. Bye-bye."

Naruto hummed happily as he waved goodbye to Eiji. He soon disappeared around the corner.

Only after Naruto's back vanished from sight did Eiji withdraw his gaze.

Eiji let out a long sigh and lowered his head to eat the ramen, which had already gone cold.

The moment he came into contact with Naruto, he sensed Chakra fluctuations coming from several directions.

"Besides the Anbu, there are probably Danzo's men too."

Eiji ate a few mouthfuls, set down the silver notes, and rose to head in another direction.

After Eiji left, two masked ninjas emerged from the shadows.

The silver-haired ninja made a hand signal. The other immediately understood and pursued Naruto in the direction he had gone.

As for him, he followed Eiji from a distance, stopping only after he saw Eiji enter the Uchiha Clan Compound.

A few minutes later, that ninja met up with Kakashi at the agreed location.

"Senior Kakashi, should we report this to the Hokage?"

Kakashi nodded matter-of-factly. "I'll see the Hokage tomorrow morning. Keep an eye on Eiji's movements."

"Understood."

"It's about time. Let's change shifts."

Elsewhere, the door to Danzo's office was flung open.

"Danzo, the Uchiha have made a move!"

Danzo, who had been nodding off, instantly widened his eyes. "Speak."

When Danzo heard that a member of the Uchiha had come into contact with the Jinchuriki, he could no longer contain his excitement.

In his mind, he had already imagined an elaborate drama.

The inherently evil Uchiha, for some reason, had grown dissatisfied with Konoha.

So they had devised an extremely dangerous plan.

They would imitate Uchiha Madara's actions from back then, control the Nine-Tails, and use it as a weapon against Konoha.

If this plan succeeded, it would cause tremendous damage to Konoha!

At that thought, Danzo slammed his hand onto the desk.

"Send people to surround the Uchiha and arrest them all. All of them!"

His guard, Aburame Ryoma, did not act on the order. He looked extremely hesitant.

"Danzo, an operation on such a large scale still requires the Hokage's approval."

Danzo snorted coldly. Hokage, Hokage—it was always Hokage.

The Hokage had authority in Konoha, but did that mean the Hokage Assistant had none?

It seemed he really did not.

Never mind. He would endure for now.

Danzo snatched up the scroll and stormed toward the door.

"Danzo, where are you going?"

"I'll report this to the Hokage!"

Ryoma was helpless. "Danzo, it's so late. The Hokage is already asleep..."

Danzo gritted his teeth in fury.

All Hiruzen knew how to do was sleep all day. At your age, Hiruzen, how did you even manage to sleep?