I Want Flying Thunder God

Konoha, inside the Hokage Building.

"Huh? You're saying my mission rating was changed to S-rank?"

"Yes, the reward needs to be collected from Lord Hokage," the staff member replied respectfully.

In truth, aside from those ninjas shrouded by "protagonist aura," most Konoha ninjas could handle mission handovers and reward collection right in the Mission Assignment Hall on the first floor of the Hokage Building.

Being summoned to the Hokage's Office was actually rare, usually only high-level missions were directly assigned by the Hokage.

Namikaze Yoru felt a bit dazed for a moment. A Genin's record suddenly gaining an "S-rank Mission" entry—this was far too absurd.

He had expected to be rewarded, but he never imagined Hiruzen Sarutobi would be so generous.

Arriving at the Hokage's Office, which he had visited just yesterday, he hadn't even knocked yet.

He heard faint arguing coming from inside the office, something like...

"I, the Hokage!"

"You regret it!"

Then, from within the office, Shimura Danzō, clad in battle gear, strode out, his expression even darker than yesterday.

Catching sight of Namikaze Yoru waiting outside, he shot him a vicious glare with those sinister, drooping triangular eyes, then left in large strides without a word.

Namikaze Yoru found it utterly baffling. He was the victim here, so why was this old man holding a grudge against him?

"Come in," Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came from inside.

Yoru entered the office. Hiruzen rubbed his temples and explained, "Don't mind him. Danzō's just bitter about being reassigned to the front lines today."

The explanation was a bit unnecessary, but Hiruzen worried that Yoru might misunderstand and spread strange rumors around the village in a few days, like "Shimura Danzō is at odds with the Hokage" or "the Elder Council is planning an armed coup."

"Oh."

Yoru nodded, saying nothing more, simply taking it as Hiruzen and Danzō's "special hobby."

"The village has verified it. The intelligence you brought back is genuine, and that scroll contains a rare S-rank Sealing Technique."

Yoru was well aware of this. He had already examined it on the way back—the scroll recorded the forbidden technique "Reaper Death Seal."

If the system hadn't refused duplicate techniques, he would have pawned it off long ago instead of bringing it back to Hiruzen to play guessing games.

"The mission reward will be paid at S-rank rates. Additionally, since your team completed a mission far beyond your capabilities, you can pick a few extra techniques as a bonus."

Though Yoru had expected Hiruzen to compensate him, and not lightly, such generous treatment still left him momentarily stunned.

"Then I want... the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique."

"That technique carries considerable risk. I suggest you choose something else."

"Then I want Flying Thunder God!"

"..." Hiruzen was silent for a moment, then silently took a scroll down from the bookshelf.

"This is the learning scroll for the Shadow Clone Technique. Keep it safe."

"Alright."

Yoru agreed on the surface, but inwardly cursed Hiruzen for being a sore loser.

As for the reward money, he chose to exchange it for several scrolls of different elemental techniques, not keeping much, since normally no amount of money could buy these.

Under the strange gaze of the Hokage Building Archives' supervisor, Yoru calmly took away all his multi-element technique scrolls.

He didn't dare linger. No joke—the moment he entered the archives, the endless array of techniques and forbidden technique scrolls had dazzled him.

He was afraid he might impulsively grab them and get his head cracked open by Hiruzen next door.

This experience gave Yoru a different idea. As far as he knew, besides the Hokage Building, there was another place with a large private collection.

"A good haul."

Yoru weighed the scrolls in his hand. He wasn't in a hurry to learn them. Feeling his bulging money pouch, he decided to go on a spending spree.

He kept walking, and before he knew it, he looked up and found himself at the Ninja Academy gate.

Judging the time, it was almost dismissal. Yoru decided to wait here for his "good little brother."

He didn't wait long. As the academy gates opened, students streamed out.

He spotted the "Little Sun" surrounded by the crowd at a glance. After all, such a handsome, good-natured little boy was popular wherever he went.

"Yo, Minato, over here!" Yoru waved and called out.

Minato turned at the sound, saw Yoru lounging lazily on a bench, and though he wanted to take a detour, his good upbringing wouldn't let him.

Yoru dashed forward in one stride, his arm expertly looping around Minato's neck.

"Not bad, kid. You've shot up in height, and your looks are almost catching up to mine."

"Brother Yoru..." Minato smiled helplessly, just accepting it.

Perhaps because they were both orphans of the Namikaze Clan, Namikaze Minato had a certain fondness for this strange clan brother.

But Yoru's wild ideas always left him at a loss. Sure enough, his next words threw Minato into confusion.

"Did you get that Chili Pepper Head girl yet?"

"Ah... ah? Don't mess with Brother Yoru." Minato, uncharacteristically flustered, quickly looked around.

Seeing that flash of vibrant red hair hadn't noticed them, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Not to rag on you, but how can a grown man be so wishy-washy? No wonder she thinks you're unreliable, even a bit effeminate."

"Brother Yoru, don't talk nonsense. Kushina's been in a bad mood all day, and I don't know why."

Hearing this, Namikaze Yoru released his grip, patted Minato on the shoulder, and spoke with rare seriousness:

"Hmm... this does touch on something sensitive. All I can tell you is to be good to her from now on. This might be the hardest time of her life."

Then he slipped back into that lazy demeanor and continued, "Come on, I'll treat you to ramen. Call your little friend along."

Without waiting for Minato's reply, Yoru had already dragged him to catch up with Kushina, who was walking home alone.

"Come have some ramen with us." Yoru smiled as he invited.

Uzumaki Kushina looked at the two yellow-haired figures before her—one big, one small. On any normal day, she'd have refused without a second thought.

But the faint, inexplicable warmth radiating from Namikaze Yoru made her nod as if possessed.

Ichiraku Ramen wasn't far from the ninja academy. The three of them arrived before long.

"One extra-large bowl of Miso Chashu Ramen."

After they sat down, Yoru smoothly placed his order with Teuchi, then pushed Minato into the middle seat and smiled at the two awkward-looking kids:

"Don't hold back, order whatever you want. It's my treat today."

Minato had regained his composure by now. Seeing Kushina hesitating, he gently recommended, "The Miso Chashu Ramen here is really good."

Kushina gave a slight nod, silently accepting the choice.

The ramen arrived quickly. No more conversation passed between them; the only sounds were the rhythmic slurping of noodles.

The two little ones were fully immersed in their meal, while Namikaze Yoru's gaze drifted, occasionally glancing out the window, lost in thought. No one noticed the bold plan taking shape in his mind.