Beating Ebisu Senseless

Might Guy was the future "Kage of Guy," the man who had nearly kicked the story to its ending. Although many people had helped Guy when he fought Madara...

Still, there was no denying that the Eight Gates were truly formidable.

Naruto had the Uzumaki Clan's special physique, combined with the Saiyan Bloodline. It could be said that he was perfectly suited to the Eight Gates.

If he learned the Eight Gates, it would definitely play a crucial role in his cultivation. After all, the Saiyans' self-destructive training methods were absolutely terrifying when it came to increasing battle power.

"Once I get back to the village, I'll get in touch with Might Guy and earn some Experience Points while I'm at it. It seems there aren't many plot characters left in the village who can provide Experience Points. Guy's team, Asuma, Ebisu..."

Naruto muttered to himself. He had already absorbed everything from Ino–Shika–Cho, and he had nearly finished absorbing the minor characters as well. There really were not many left.

"Right, the next arc is the Chūnin Exams. A lot of people will definitely come to Konoha. Heh heh, this arc will probably be my season of huge gains."

Naruto instantly perked up, intending to make a fortune from the Chūnin Exams.

"Naruto, Kakashi-sensei is looking for you."

"Got it."

Over the next few days, their team remained in the Land of Waves. Only after the bridge was completely finished did they leave for Konoha.

Not long afterward, the travel-weary group finally returned to Konoha and began turning in their mission.

While Kakashi went to report the mission details, Naruto hurried home at once, intending to take a good bath.

The Land of Waves mission had taken up quite a bit of time. Although Naruto had earned more Experience Points, what he wanted most right now was a proper bath and some relaxation.

Of course, he wanted even more to see Hinata as soon as possible. Come to think of it, he really did miss her a little.

"Boss Naruto, you're back."

"Boss, hurry and look at our paintings. Haven't we improved?"

"Look at mine too."

Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi were carrying drawing boards home when they happened to run into Naruto on the street. They hurried over and asked him to inspect their artwork.

"Hm?"

Naruto casually picked up Konohamaru's painting. Looking at the kunai in it, he discovered that it actually had a hint of a 3D Painting's style. Clearly, they had put in quite a bit of effort lately.

"Not bad. You've improved a lot," Naruto praised.

"It's all thanks to Boss Naruto's excellent teaching. I'm planning to develop in this direction now." Konohamaru scratched his head, looking very pleased.

"Not bad. Work hard, and maybe you'll achieve quite a lot in painting. But pay attention here and here. Both spots need work."

Naruto took the drawing board and made a few minor adjustments to the kunai in the painting. In an instant, the realism of the painting increased severalfold.

"Thank you for teaching me, Boss Naruto. Oh, Yakumo Kurama's paintings are really impressive too, but..." Konohamaru hesitated halfway through.

"But what?" Naruto asked.

"Her condition hasn't been very good lately. Boss, when you have time, you should go see her more often," Konohamaru said.

"Alright."

Naruto nodded. Just as he was about to leave, a figure suddenly blocked his path.

"I was wondering who had been luring the young master into painting. So it was you. Do you know this is neglecting proper duties? You're delaying the young master's training."

Ebisu, wearing glasses, stood in front of Naruto, a hint of disgust in his voice.

"Neglecting proper duties? Interesting." Naruto raised his brows and stared coldly at him.

"I am young master Konohamaru's instructor, a Special Jonin. I have trained several Hokage candidates. I absolutely cannot allow a dead last to affect the young master's cultivation."

Ebisu deliberately spoke down to him, his voice still filled with disdain.

"Dead last?" Naruto clenched his hands, making them crack.

He was not some masochist. Besides, with absolute trump cards in hand, he truly feared no one. Since someone was provoking him now, he did not mind showing off a little muscle.

"Since you're so capable, come fight me." After saying that, Naruto headed toward Training Ground 3.

"Fine."

Ebisu did not take Naruto seriously at all and followed him directly.

Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon exchanged glances before quickly following after them.

A moment later.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Thunderous sounds came from Training Ground 3. One minute later, everything fell completely silent. Then Naruto walked out of the training ground with a smile and patted Konohamaru on the shoulder.

"Study painting properly. Don't slack off, understand?"

"U-Understood."

Konohamaru swallowed and glanced toward Training Ground 3. A chill instantly shot from his tailbone straight to the top of his head.

"Mm."

Naruto nodded and left. Konohamaru and the other two remained where they were, looking sympathetically toward the training ground and at Ebisu.

"That was awful."

"Yeah. I'm going home to practice painting properly," Konohamaru said.

"Me too."

"Let's go, let's go."

The three children quickly left for their respective homes.

Not long afterward, Ebisu limped out of the training ground. Unwilling to let others see his miserable state, he took a detour home. There was no helping it—his face had been beaten into a pig's head.

Inside the Third Hokage's home.

Konohamaru hurried back and began practicing his drawings in the living room, determined not to disappoint Boss Naruto's concern.

Creak!

The door opened, and the Third Hokage returned deep in thought, carrying a document.

When he saw Konohamaru drawing so earnestly, he became curious about how well he was doing.

He had often seen Konohamaru painting these past few days, but Konohamaru was too mischievous, so the Third Hokage had not paid much attention.

Now that he saw Konohamaru being so serious, the Third Hokage walked over to take a look. "Hm? What a realistic kunai."

The Third Hokage looked at the kunai in the painting, his expression pausing slightly. It seemed as though the kunai had been placed directly on the paper, incredibly lifelike.

"Konohamaru, how did you do this?" the Third Hokage asked in surprise.

"Grandpa, Boss Naruto taught me. And Boss helped me touch up this painting. Mine couldn't possibly look this realistic. This one over here is mine."

Konohamaru showed the Third Hokage another painting. Its realism dropped several levels, but it still carried the traces of a 3D Painting.

"This one is not bad either. Did you really draw it?" the Third Hokage asked suspiciously.

"Yes. Mainly because Boss Naruto taught me so well." Konohamaru smiled. Being recognized made him very happy.

"Naruto? Him again!" The Third Hokage looked at the document in his hand.

"Grandpa, is it about Boss Naruto?" Konohamaru asked.

"Mm. Kakashi just submitted a report stating that Naruto has become a sensory ninja, and that his strength has reached at least the level of a Chunin."

After saying that, the Third Hokage shook his head.

"But that is somewhat exaggerated. Naruto is too unpredictable. Defeating Mizuki last time was only an accident, and that alone cannot prove that Naruto has reached Chunin-level strength."

"Cannot prove it?"

Konohamaru froze. Recalling how Ebisu, a Special Jonin, had just been brutally beaten by Naruto, an odd smile appeared on his face.

"What are you smiling about?" the Third Hokage asked with a frown.