Need a Favor? Give Me a Million First

"I want to change this world. I want to end the wars, so people can live in peace with one another—and with the Tailed Beasts."

"You were separated from the Ten-Tails by the Sage of Six Paths. Each of you Tailed Beasts is now an individual."

"You haven't done anything wrong. But once people discover you, countless people will try to claim your power so they can rule the world."

"All you can do is fight back, and in the end, you become something humans fear even to speak of. I understand that all you want is to live in peace."

Senju Fujima sat atop Kurama's head, stroking his soft fur as he spoke slowly.

"So I want to be your friend. Only if we become friends can I use my power to help everyone live in peace."

"I don't like a world torn apart by war. I just want a peaceful world."

"So, Kurama, would you be willing to become my friend?"

Senju Fujima looked at Kurama with the most sincere expression he could manage. His powers of persuasion began to work their subtle magic, gradually drawing Kurama around to his way of thinking.

"Peace? Friends?"

"Humans want to be friends with us Tailed Beasts? Are you sure you're not imagining things?"

Hearing Senju Fujima say that, Kurama was utterly stunned—or, well, the fox was. He looked at Fujima and asked calmly.

"No. I'm working hard to make it happen, and you're my first goal."

"I want us to become the best of friends, because I don't have any friends either."

"Don't be fooled by the fact that I'm the young heir of the Senju Clan and seem important in the village. I really don't have a single friend."

"Would you be willing to become my very first friend?"

"Heh!"

Senju Fujima then appeared right in front of Kurama. He looked up at him with an earnest gaze and a sunny smile, and held out his right hand.

"Hmm?"

Kurama seemed strangely moved. For a thousand years, countless people had hunted him for his immense power. Some had stumbled upon him by chance, while others had been drawn by books passed down through the generations.

But every last one of them had been killed by Kurama. Those who tried to take away his freedom and turn him into a weapon of war had all met their end.

This was the first time he had ever heard someone say they wanted to be friends with a Tailed Beast. It was utterly ridiculous.

"I don't need friends."

After hearing Senju Fujima's words, Kurama was quiet for a long time. A flicker of conflict passed through his eyes, but in the end, he flopped down lazily and said flatly, then closed his eyes.

"Heh!"

Senju Fujima wasn't in a hurry. He withdrew his hand and sat quietly on Kurama's head. This time, Kurama didn't react at all, as if he had accepted him.

"Well, it wasn't a complete waste. I'll take it one step at a time. Heh!"

Senju Fujima then lay down on Kurama's head and gazed around the Sealing Space, murmuring to himself.

Some time later, Senju Fujima had fallen fast asleep atop Kurama's head.

"He's asleep? This kid's got some nerve. Isn't he afraid I might kill him right now?"

Kurama opened his eyes and saw Senju Fujima asleep on his head. For some reason, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he thought to himself. But he didn't strike. He closed his eyes again, and the two of them fell asleep together in the Sealing Space.

"Oh...!"

By the time Senju Fujima woke up, it was already evening. Seeing that he was still safe and sound, he smiled slightly.

"I'm heading out, Kurama. It's getting late. I'll come play with you tomorrow."

Senju Fujima stood up, stretched, and spoke to Kurama.

"Get lost."

Kurama didn't even lift an eyelid as he replied flatly.

"Hehe! You're still so grumpy. But I believe we'll be good friends soon."

Senju Fujima smiled at Kurama, then left the Sealing Space, returning his consciousness to his body.

"Tch. What an interesting little brat."

After Senju Fujima left, Kurama slowly opened his eyes. A hint of amusement flashed in them as he shook his head and spoke.

"The Ninja Academy, Dad? With my strength, I need to go to school? You've got to be kidding me."

Tomorrow was the opening day of Konoha Academy. The school was finally finished and had begun accepting students. It was open to everyone; anyone who wanted to attend could enroll.

Senju Fujima was already ten. If he had no strength, then he certainly ought to attend the Ninja Academy. But given his current strength, even Tobirama Senju and Izuna Uchiha probably couldn't beat him—only Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju could.

So when Hashirama Senju said he wanted Fujima to go to school, it was no wonder he was so surprised.

"That's right. Hehe!"

"Our own Ninja Academy has just opened, and there aren't many people in the village yet, so we don't have enough students to fill the classes. Go and make up the numbers, all right?"

Hashirama Senju smiled at the astonished Senju Fujima standing in front of him. It was the first year of Konoha; the village had only just been founded, and so had the school.

Many commoners wanted to attend, but it was difficult for them to meet the physical requirements.

The physical screening alone disqualified many commoners, so it was hard for civilian ninja to get ahead.

Ninja from clans had their children take medicinal baths to strengthen their bodies. How could commoners afford that?

"Dad, you mean you want me to make up the numbers? Are you sure I'm the only one you're short?"

Hearing Hashirama Senju's explanation, Senju Fujima broke into a cold sweat. What a ridiculous excuse.

"Mm. As the young heir of the Senju Clan, and the Hokage's son, you have to set an example."

"That way, the children of those great clans will feel comfortable letting the school educate their kids."

Hashirama Senju nodded as he spoke.

"Oh? I see. So those clans aren't giving you the time of day, Dad?"

After Hashirama Senju explained, Senju Fujima understood. The great clans probably didn't want to send their children to the Ninja Academy.

After all, those clans had their own traditions and secret techniques, as well as powerful clan members who could train the children personally. Would the school really be any better?

But Hashirama Senju wanted everyone to take part, so he wanted Fujima to set an example.

"Ding! The host is faced with a choice. God Selection System activated."

[Option One: Refuse to attend the Ninja Academy. You're already so old—why would you go to a Ninja Academy? It'd be embarrassing just to show up. Shout three times at Hashirama Senju: "I'm not going, damn it!" Mission reward: kicked out of the house and forced to sleep on the street for a month.]

[Option Two: Refuse to attend the Ninja Academy because you don't need to study. If Hashirama Senju refuses, Mito Uzumaki will appear immediately. Mission reward: a double beating.]

[Option Three: Agree to attend the Ninja Academy. Be a good child and obey your parents without question. Mission reward: nothing.]

When the matter of Hashirama Senju wanting him to attend the Ninja Academy came up, the God Selection System was instantly activated, and three options appeared in front of him.

"Pfft...!"

"System, are you messing with me?"

"For option one, I have to sleep on the street. For option two, I get a double beating...!"

"And option three's reward is nothing! You...!"

"You win...!"

Looking at the three options, he nearly spat blood. None of them offered anything worthwhile. He'd have been better off if the system hadn't appeared at all. Wasn't all this just about making him attend the Ninja Academy?

"Mm. Their clans all have their own traditions, so they don't want their children to attend."

"So our Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan have to set an example."

"Everyone needs to attend the Ninja Academy. That way, it'll be easier to register everyone and assign missions in the future."

Hashirama Senju nodded slightly. The Senju Clan and Uchiha Clan had no problem with it, but the other clans that had joined them—such as the Hyuga, Sarutobi, and Ino-Shika-Cho, along with the many other clans—had their own unique secret techniques.

Most of them didn't want their children to attend the Ninja Academy, so Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha had discussed sending the children of both their clans to school. That way, the other clans would be more likely to join in.

"Hehe! If the system won't give me a reward, can't I get one myself? Dad, sorry for the trouble."

Although the system hadn't offered any reward, Hashirama Senju was asking Senju Fujima for a favor, so Fujima could certainly ask for something in return. If the system wasn't going to give him anything, he'd just ask for it himself.

"Dad, I understand. I'll go to school, but what are you going to give me in return? Hehe!"

Senju Fujima held out his right hand and smiled at Hashirama Senju.

"Uh...!"

"What do you want?"

Hashirama Senju froze at Senju Fujima's gesture, then asked.

"One million ryo."

Senju Fujima made an outrageous demand, holding out his hand for the money.

Money in the world of Naruto had never been very consistent in value, but this was the early days of a time of war. One million ryo was an enormous sum.

When Naruto and Jiraiya went looking for Tsunade, Jiraiya took all the money and left Naruto with only three hundred ryo. But Naruto still bought plenty of food and toys. That suggested three hundred ryo at the time was probably worth about a hundred yuan by our standards.

Senju Fujima had asked for a million ryo outright. That was like a little kid asking his dad for three or four hundred thousand yuan. It was no small amount.

"What? One million ryo?"

"What does a little brat like you need that much money for? No. But you don't have to go to the Ninja Academy."

Hashirama Senju was stunned when Senju Fujima demanded a million ryo. How could he just hand over such a huge sum?

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