Bonds

"N-No, it's nothing."

Konohamaru did not know how to explain it and finally shook his head, deciding not to say anything.

"What exactly happened? Don't leave your sentence half-finished," the Third Hokage scolded.

"Well... Naruto is actually very strong. Stronger than a Chunin, even stronger than a Special Jonin," Konohamaru said seriously.

"Stronger than a Special Jonin? Enough, enough. You're still young and don't understand the strength of a Special Jonin. I'll have your teacher, Ebisu, show you what he can do later. That'll open your eyes."

The Third Hokage waved a hand, feeling that Konohamaru had simply not seen enough and did not understand a Special Jonin's strength.

Kakashi's earlier report claiming Naruto possessed Chunin-level strength had already been absurd enough. Yet his own grandson was saying Naruto was even stronger than a Special Jonin. That was beyond ridiculous.

So the Third Hokage shook his head, treating it as nothing more than a child's playful nonsense.

"Grandpa, I'm telling the truth. Big Brother Naruto really is stronger than a Special Jonin," Konohamaru said firmly.

"Enough. Go draw."

The Third Hokage did not believe him at all and headed straight for his room.

"Grandpa, Boss Naruto beat Teacher Ebisu into a pig's head. If you don't believe me, summon Teacher Ebisu and see for yourself," Konohamaru continued seriously.

"Are you sure?" Seeing Konohamaru's expression, the Third Hokage began to have some doubts.

"You'll know once you summon Teacher Ebisu," Konohamaru said solemnly again.

"Fine."

The Third Hokage went to the doorway and made a small gesture. In an instant, a Black Shadow wearing an ANBU mask vanished.

Soon after.

The ANBU Black Shadow returned, bringing Ebisu, whose face was swollen like a pig's head, to the Third Hokage's home.

Ebisu's injuries also left the Third Hokage extremely surprised.

"Those injuries... Naruto really did this to you?" the Third Hokage asked in astonishment as he looked at the miserable Ebisu.

"Y-Yes." Ebisu covered his swollen face, too ashamed to show it.

"How could that be? Did Naruto use the Shadow Clone Technique? Did he overwhelm you with numbers?" the Third Hokage asked incredulously.

"No, he didn't use the Shadow Clone Technique." Ebisu's eyes were filled with helplessness.

"Then how did he defeat you?" the Third Hokage pressed.

"He smashed me around. He grabbed my ankle and kept slamming me into the ground. Several times, my face hit first," Ebisu answered painfully, his face mournful.

"Slammed you around? With your face hitting first?"

The Third Hokage was uncertain. He turned to Konohamaru, wanting to confirm whether it was true.

After all, the thought of a Special Jonin being grabbed by the ankle and repeatedly smashed into the ground was simply too unbelievable.

"Yes, Grandpa. He really did smash him around. Several times. He even knocked him out afterward," Konohamaru said, nodding firmly.

"This... Naruto has become this strong? He improved so much from just one long-distance mission?"

The Third Hokage was truly shocked. He had never expected Naruto to have improved so much.

"Yes, Boss Naruto is very strong. He's even better at drawing."

"I understand."

The Third Hokage nodded. After dismissing Ebisu, he picked up the report again and continued reading, carefully studying Naruto's information, including his sensory abilities.

Not long afterward, his stern expression faded, replaced by a kind smile.

"Konohamaru, since you like drawing, spend more time with Naruto and learn from him. If anything interesting happens involving Naruto, you can tell me about it."

"Okay, Grandpa. Boss Naruto is so amazing. He'll definitely have many glorious achievements in the future," Konohamaru said admiringly.

"Good, good. Go draw."

"Okay, Grandpa."

After watching Konohamaru leave, the Third Hokage turned and returned to his room. Then he took out a crystal ball and began using the Telescope Technique.

Elsewhere

Naruto had also arrived at his front door. He opened it, and when he saw the scene inside, he froze.

The room was exceptionally clean and tidy. Even the flowerpots on the windowsill had been replaced with new ones.

Before the Land of Waves mission, he had broken a flowerpot while practicing Qi. He had left in a hurry and never dealt with it, yet someone had already put everything in order.

The bedsheets and blankets had all been washed and replaced. There were even several new pieces of furniture and appliances. Naruto was genuinely surprised by the sight.

He walked to the refrigerator and opened it. Seeing it filled with ingredients, several large pieces of raw pork, and the purchase dates marked on everything, warmth filled his heart.

For some reason, the image of teaching Hinata how to make Braised Pork Belly suddenly surfaced in Naruto's mind. Her adorably clueless appearance had truly been endearing.

Closing the refrigerator, Naruto walked over to the desk, looked at a small notebook lying there, and opened it.

[Naruto, I brought lots of ingredients, but I didn't know you had gone on a mission. I couldn't say goodbye to you. What a pity.]

[Naruto, I replaced the flowerpot, but I have to go on a mission too, so I took the ingredients with me for now. When I return, I'll bring fresh ingredients every day.]

[Naruto, I bought some furniture and appliances...]

Looking at the rows of neat, graceful handwriting in the notebook, Naruto could picture Hinata coming to his home. The feeling of being remembered by someone truly made him feel warm.

Honestly, he did not have much attachment to this world. Even after living here for so long, he still felt somewhat detached from it.

But with such an adorable girl as Hinata thinking about him, Naruto felt his bond with this world deepen without him even realizing it.

"Such a wonderful girl. I declare that she's mine from now on," Naruto murmured.

The next moment.

He activated his powerful sensory ability and easily located Hinata. He found her carrying fresh ingredients, her small feet taking her toward his home.

"As expected of a little foodie. It's pork again."

Seeing the ingredients Hinata was carrying, Naruto smiled and shook his head before getting to work.

He planned to make a huge pot of Braised Pork Belly today and properly reward this adorably clueless little Hinata.

However.

Just as he began cooking, he suddenly felt someone watching him.

That sensation came from the direction of the Third Hokage's home. Naruto continued working without showing any reaction, but his sensory ability easily locked onto the old man.

Seeing the Third Hokage act as though he noticed nothing, Naruto almost laughed.

If the Third Hokage learned that Naruto was observing him in return, he would probably be frustrated to death.

Still, Naruto was very displeased at being secretly watched all the time. He wanted to teach the old man a lesson and let him know why flowers were so red.

Suddenly, Naruto's eyes lit up. He thought of an irritating idea, and it was completely feasible.

From what he knew, the Telescope Technique could only show images and could not transmit sound. Naruto could fully use that to annoy the Third Hokage.

So he went to the desk, picked up a pen and paper, and began writing several large words.