In a patch of bushes.
Naruto Uzumaki poked out half his head, nervously scanning the surroundings while silently counting the time in his heart.
They had agreed on twenty minutes.
Half of it had already passed. He only needed to wait a little longer, and he would win.
At the thought of getting a year's worth of free ramen, Naruto Uzumaki nearly drooled, and his eyes brightened even more.
"Once I win, I'll invite Senior Ye Fan to stay at my house. Killing two birds with one stone—I'm a genius."
Naruto Uzumaki grinned foolishly, unable to stop himself from laughing.
Perhaps afraid that his laughter would draw Ye Fan over, he hurriedly covered his mouth with his palm and lowered the half of his head that was sticking out, completely disappearing into the bushes.
But—
He had barely finished doing all that when an unexpected voice suddenly sounded beside him.
"Naruto, you're pretty good at hiding."
Naruto Uzumaki jumped in fright.
Naturally, he recognized the voice as Senior Ye Fan's.
But he could not understand how Senior Ye Fan could move so fast.
He had clearly checked the area just now, and there had not been a soul in sight. How had Ye Fan suddenly appeared beside him?
Perhaps clinging to a sliver of hope, Naruto Uzumaki did not move.
"I've already found you. Aren't you coming out?"
As Ye Fan spoke, he reached out and patted Naruto Uzumaki's head, which was covered in weeds.
Only then did Naruto Uzumaki finally realize that he had truly been found.
But—
How was that possible?
With so many Shadow Clones, how had Senior Ye Fan found his hiding place in such a short time?
"Senior Ye Fan, how did you find me?"
Naruto Uzumaki stood up reluctantly.
There was a dirt pit