I Want Flying Thunder God

Konoha, inside the Hokage Building.

"Huh? You mean my mission rating has been changed to S-rank?"

"Yes. You'll need to collect your reward from Lord Hokage," the staff member replied respectfully.

In truth, aside from the ninjas blessed with the "protagonist halo," most Konoha Ninja handled mission handovers and collected their pay on the first floor of the Hokage Building, at the Mission Assignment Hall.

Being summoned to the Hokage's Office was actually uncommon. Usually, only high-ranking missions were assigned directly by the Hokage.

Namikaze Yoru was momentarily dazed. It was absurd for an S-rank Mission to suddenly appear on a Genin's record.

He'd expected to receive a commendation, but hadn't thought Hiruzen Sarutobi would be so generous.

He arrived at the Hokage's Office, where he'd been just yesterday, and was about to knock and go in.

Then he heard the sound of an argument coming from inside the Hokage's Office. It sounded like...

"My Hokage!"

"You'll regret this!"

Then Shimura Danzō, dressed in full military garb, strode out of the office, his expression even gloomier than yesterday.

He caught sight of Namikaze Yoru waiting outside and glared at him with his shadowed, drooping triangular eyes before stalking away without a word.

Namikaze Yoru was confused. He was the one who'd been wronged, so why had the old geezer come to hate him instead?

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

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

The explanation was actually unnecessary. Hiruzen Sarutobi was only worried that Namikaze Yoru might get the wrong idea. What if, in a few days, strange rumors began circulating around the village—things like "Shimura Danzō and the Hokage are at odds" or "the Council of Elders is preparing an armed coup"?

"Oh."

Namikaze Yoru nodded without saying more, taking it as Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō's "special hobby."

"The village has verified the intelligence you brought back. It's genuine, and that scroll records a rare S-rank Sealing Technique."

Namikaze Yoru already knew that. He'd checked it on the way back, and the scroll recorded the forbidden technique, Reaper Death Seal.

If the system didn't reject duplicate techniques, he would've pawned it off already. Why bring it back for Hiruzen Sarutobi to play his guessing games?

"Your mission pay will be issued at the S-rank rate. In addition, since your team completed a mission far beyond your capabilities, you may choose a few extra techniques as a reward."

Though he'd expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to compensate him—and assumed it wouldn't be a small amount—Namikaze Yoru still froze at such generous treatment.

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

"That technique carries considerable risks. I recommend choosing something else."

"Then I want Flying Thunder God!"

"..." Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment, then quietly took a scroll from the bookshelf.

"This is a Shadow Clone Technique training scroll. Keep it safe."

"Sure."

Namikaze Yoru agreed outwardly, but cursed Hiruzen Sarutobi in his heart for being such a sore loser.

As for the mission pay, he chose to exchange it for several scrolls containing techniques of different chakra natures. He didn't keep much of it, since no amount of money could easily buy these.

Under the strange gaze of the Hokage Building Archives' chief, Namikaze Yoru calmly carried off all the scrolls containing the multiple chakra nature techniques he'd chosen.

He didn't dare linger. No joke, the moment he stepped into the Archives, the endless scrolls of techniques and forbidden techniques had dazzled him.

He'd been afraid he might lose control, grab everything, and get his head cracked open on the spot by Hiruzen Sarutobi next door.

The experience had given Namikaze Yoru another idea. As far as he knew, aside from the Hokage Building, there was another place where a large collection of these things was stashed away.

"What a haul."

Namikaze Yoru hefted the scrolls in his hand but didn't rush to study them. Feeling the weight of his bulging coin purse, he decided he'd better go enjoy himself.

He kept walking, and before he knew it, he looked up to find himself at the entrance to the Ninja Academy.

Judging by the time, school was nearly over. Namikaze Yoru decided to wait here for his "good little bro."

He didn't have to wait long. The Ninja Academy gates opened, and the students streamed out.

He spotted Little Sun in the crowd at a glance. With his striking looks and kind personality, the little guy was popular wherever he went.

"Hey, Minato! Over here!" Namikaze Yoru waved.

Minato turned at the sound and saw Namikaze Yoru lounging on a bench. He really wanted to sneak off another way, but his good manners wouldn't let him.

Namikaze Yoru darted over and casually draped an arm around Minato's neck.

"Not bad, kid. You've shot up, and you're almost as handsome as me."

"Brother Yoru..." Minato smiled helplessly, resigned to taking it.

Perhaps because they were both orphans from the Namikaze Clan, Namikaze Minato felt quite fond of this strange older cousin.

But Namikaze Yoru's wild ideas were always hard for him to handle. Sure enough, his next question left Minato at a loss.

"Have you won over that little Chili Pepper Head yet?"

"Ah... what? Don't mess with me, Brother Yoru." Minato was unusually flustered and hurriedly looked around.

Only after confirming that the flash of bright red hair hadn't noticed them did he let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm just saying, why are you so shy? No wonder she thinks you're unreliable—and a bit girly, too."

"Brother Yoru, stop saying things like that. Kushina's been in a bad mood all day. I don't know what's wrong."

Hearing that, Namikaze Yoru let go and patted Minato on the shoulder, his tone unusually serious.

"Yeah... this touches on some secrets. I can only tell you to be a little kinder to her from now on. This might be the hardest time in her life."

Then he slipped back into his usual lazy demeanor and continued, "Come on. I'll treat you to ramen. Bring your friends along."

Before Minato could reply, Namikaze Yoru had already led him after Kushina, who was walking home alone.

"Want to go get some ramen together?" Namikaze Yoru asked with a smile.

Uzumaki Kushina looked at the two blond boys in front of her, one big and one small. Under ordinary circumstances, she would've refused without a second thought.

But the faint sense of familiarity coming from Namikaze Yoru made her nod almost against her will.

Ichiraku Ramen wasn't far from the Ninja Academy, and the three of them arrived soon.

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

Once they were seated, Namikaze Yoru skillfully ordered from Teuchi, then sat Minato in the middle seat and smiled at the two who seemed a little awkward.

"Don't be shy. Order whatever you like. It's on me today."

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

Kushina nodded slightly, accepting his suggestion.

The ramen arrived quickly. They didn't continue chatting; the only sounds at the table were the constant slurping of noodles.

The two kids were absorbed in their food, while Namikaze Yoru's gaze wandered. He occasionally looked out the window, seeming lost in thought. No one noticed that he was plotting a bold plan in his mind.