This Naruto is a player.

Chapter 147 Hiruzen, this little bit of money is making it hard for me to get things done.

The temptation to go back to the village is quite strong.

I've only been away for two days, but it feels like half a month has passed.

The thought of returning to the village arose...

A jumble of thoughts immediately flooded my mind.

How's Sasuke's Mangekyou Sharingan coming along?

Has Sakura's "brand-new approach" to romance made any breakthroughs with Sasuke?
Where are Kakashi-sensei and Hana-chan?
How is the long-term relationship between those two adults progressing?
and also,

Thinking of Hinata's fair face, which would turn bright red and her eyes would dart away whenever someone got close...

A mischievous smile unconsciously crept onto Naruto's lips.

Hmm, I kind of want to tease her.

Come back home!

Once the thought was made up, I was eager to return home!

"Shh-!"

Naruto's teleportation speed upon returning home was a full 0.02 milliseconds faster than usual.

Several consecutive high-speed flashes created a strong gust of wind that almost stirred up dust!
but,

This time, instead of going directly into the village as usual, he appeared on the road outside Konoha Village.

This time, he will walk in openly and honestly through the main gate of Konoha!

The goal is to make sure that old man in the Hokage's office sees it clearly:

Naruto Uzumaki is back!
As Naruto walked along the main road back to the village, he keenly sensed that something was wrong.

Konoha is exceptionally busy today.

The number of ninjas entering and leaving the village was far greater than usual, and most of them were in a hurry, obviously rushing to various urgent missions!
He suppressed his doubts and strode towards the village entrance.

At the gate, a familiar group came into view.

It's Class 10!

Wow! Naruto-kun!

Just as Naruto raised a bright smile and was about to wave and greet Shikamaru and Choji, he heard Ino shout with delight!

Next second,
Under Naruto's astonished gaze, Shikamaru's sigh of "I knew it," and Choji's wide-eyed stare,

Ino, like a pink cannonball launched from a gun, spread her arms and charged straight at Naruto!

Her goal was clear—to get a hug!

then
There was a "pop" sound,
Naruto swiftly extended his right hand and precisely blocked Ino's forehead as she lunged forward.

Sisters! We're really not that close!

Ino's enthusiastic expression froze on her face.

She was as if she had been frozen in place, her body leaning forward, her arms still in a hugging position, firmly held in place by Naruto's hand, unable to move.

Ino's forehead was pressed down, and her fair cheeks instantly turned bright red, both from embarrassment and anxiety!

"Idiot Naruto! Let go!"

She flailed her arms wildly in the air, like a crab that had been flipped over, crying out, "Let me hold you for just one more time! Just one!"

Unfortunately, no matter how hard she scratched, that short distance was like an insurmountable chasm, and Naruto's arm remained completely still.

Naruto was completely bewildered by Ino's sudden outburst of enthusiasm.

He leaned over,

His gaze passed over Ino, and a pair of blue eyes turned their inquiring gaze toward Shikamaru and Choji behind him.

Can,
The expressions on their faces didn't seem to indicate any surprise at Ino's actions.

"She actually did it!" Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his forehead with one hand.

In memory,
After being assigned to different classes, Ino learned that the two of them were Naruto's good friends, and began asking about Naruto.

After the Forest of Death, Shikamaru often heard her muttering, hesitating between Naruto and Sasuke.

After the Chunin Exams, she muttered something to herself: "Let Sakura have Sasuke, I'll choose Naruto!"
And then, this scene unfolded today.

He leaned against Choji with his arm draped over him, looking like he was watching a good show.

"Naruto seems to be quite popular with girls?" Choji remarked upon seeing this.

Lately, he's been hearing girls in the village talking about Naruto Uzumaki all the time.

Hey!
When will men with a fuller figure like him finally have their moment in the sun?

"Popular with girls?"

Shikamaru shuddered at the mere thought of such a thing; just imagining the scene sent chills down his spine. "Women, what a hassle!"

Choji didn't reply, but took out a bag of potato chips and started eating!
"Do you want some?" After eating one, he handed it to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru lazily reached out and grabbed a piece.

And so, the two of them stood side by side, watching the drama unfold!
This scene!
Naruto's forehead veins throbbed as he watched!
Not a buddy?

You two just started chatting like that? And you're even gossiping about it?

Help!

Are they still good brothers? Is it just a fake brotherhood?

Seeing that he could not rely on any "external help" at all, Naruto turned his attention back to Ino in front of him.

Seeing that she was not making any progress, Ino decisively changed her offensive strategy.

Instead of reaching out to hug Naruto, he grabbed Naruto's arms.

"Whee!"

She tried her best to flash what she considered her sweetest and most charming smile, complete with a super-electric wink!

"Naruto-kun~" The voice was sickeningly sweet, "Do you prefer girls who are a little chubby or a little thin?"

unfortunately,

That electricity won't hit Naruto.

Yesterday, he had just had close contact with the most beautiful woman in the world, and Ino couldn't even stir a ripple in his heart.

Wait, could it be that Kirigakure's ruthless attack on the Minazuki clan back then was because of this?
Naruto suppressed the urge to retort, merely raising an eyebrow and symbolically scanning Ino with his gaze.

Upon catching Naruto's gaze, Ino immediately adopted an elegant posture, fully displaying her beauty.

This set of moves left Naruto speechless.

You little bean sprout, what's so great about your figure?

but,

In order to get out of there as soon as possible, Naruto decided to give some "constructive" advice.

He considered his words carefully before speaking, "Well, it's better to be a little fuller-figured."

"really?"

Ino's eyes lit up; dieting had been so tough lately.

“Of course,” Naruto said with an extremely serious expression, “I always feel that with your current thin appearance, one punch from me could cut you in half.”

".?"

Ino's smile froze instantly!
Is that so?

Taking advantage of the moment when she was stunned and dumbfounded by this "fatal concern," Naruto swiftly withdrew his arm.

In one swift step, he darted in front of the "spectator duo".

"Hey! You two, this is so unfair! Are you just going to watch this show?" Naruto's eyes twitched as he pointed at the potato chips they hadn't finished eating.

"Shouldn't you be experiencing the blissful dilemma of having girls pursuing you?"

"Happiness my ass!" Naruto's forehead was covered in black lines.

He snatched the last potato chip from Choji's hand with lightning speed, put it in his mouth and chewed it with a loud crunch, as if venting his anger!

After eating the potato chips, my anger subsided a little.

Naruto looked around and asked curiously, "By the way, why did you guys come out alone? Where's Asuma-sensei?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Shikamaru's face. "He went on a mission alone. This time, it's just the three of us in the team."

Shikamaru found Naruto's question strange. Didn't he know that the village's mission was being delayed by a lot because of Orochimaru's "Konoha Crush Plan"?

Everyone is busy with tasks.

He took another closer look at Naruto and realized that he didn't look travel-worn or like he had been away for two days.

Oh, right, Naruto can use the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Why would it appear outside the village?

Why not just go back to the village?
Shikamaru thus draws a simple conclusion: Naruto hasn't been in the village at all these past two days!

why?
Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore, it's too much trouble!
"I see." Naruto nodded and sighed softly, just about to say something.

"Nah~ Lu~to!" Ino's resentful voice came from behind.

Naruto immediately got goosebumps. "Ahem, I have something to do. See you later!"

He spoke so fast that he slipped away before he had even finished speaking.

Ino, who rushed over, didn't even manage to grab a hair.

"Hmph! Why did Naruto run away? Am I that scary?" Ino stomped her foot in anger.

She looked at the two onlookers, her eyes questioning rather than inquiring.

Shikamaru and the other two were speechless; he was just an observer!

"Women are such a hassle!"

On the other side, Naruto swaggered in.

The village seemed no different from before, but according to his chakra senses, several ANBU members had already discovered his whereabouts and were almost at the Hokage Building.

He wandered aimlessly, his gaze sweeping over the familiar streets.

suddenly!

A white-haired man with his head down, so focused that he almost buried his face in the paradise of intimacy, came into his field of vision!

"Hey, isn't this Kakashi-sensei? I haven't seen him for days, but he's still as dashingly disheveled as ever!" Naruto walked over, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.

Kakashi put down his book, revealing his signature dead fish eye.

Upon seeing Naruto, a glint of light flashed in his usually unchanging, lifeless eyes.

are you back?

It seems the situation hasn't deteriorated to the point of no return.

"Oh, right! Kakashi-sensei."

Naruto seemed to suddenly remember something, reached behind his back, and pulled out a box. "A specialty of the Land of Hot Springs! Top-grade scented bath salts! They smell wonderful. This is for you and Kakashi." Kakashi accepted it in astonishment.

Before he could say anything,
swoosh~
An assassin appeared in an instant, landing precisely beside the two.

The newcomer was a woman with purple hair.

Naruto recognized him at a glance; this was the person who had appeared after the Forest of Death.

She glanced at Kakashi, gave a slight nod in greeting, and then her gaze sharpened as she locked onto Naruto, her voice cold and unquestionable.

"Naruto Uzumaki, the Hokage summons you! Proceed immediately!"

"Summoned?"

Naruto exaggeratedly picked at his ear, then pouted and said, "No way! Let the Hokage come see me in person!"

?

The two were taken aback for a moment.

"That's a lot!"

Kakashi called out, his voice calm and without any warning, yet it was like an invisible thread being gently tugged.

"Hehe, just kidding! Just trying to lighten the mood!" Naruto glanced at him, indicating that he was giving him face.

"See you tonight, Kakashi-sensei!"

After saying goodbye, Naruto swiftly struck the purple-haired Anbu member.

The Flying Thunder God Technique is activated instantly!
In front of the Hokage Building, the air rippled slightly, and Naruto and Uzuki Yugao suddenly appeared!

Uzuki Yugao, who had been brought here, was still somewhat dazed for a moment.

Naruto's movements were too fast; she didn't have time to react at all.

I felt my arm being patted, and the next moment I felt an uncontrollable twisting sensation.

In the blink of an eye, we're here.

Is this the Flying Thunder God?

Uzuki Yugao stared blankly, her black eyes filled with unbelievable shock!

"Big sister, lead the way." Naruto had an innocent smile on his face.

That was just to show my attitude; why make things difficult for an ordinary secret service member who was delivering the message?

"Oh, oh, yes!"

Uzuki Yugao snapped back to reality, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and quickly regained the competence of an ANBU member. "Please come with me!"

Naruto was led forward.

This time, the meeting with the Third Hokage was no longer held in the Hokage's office, but in a room next to the Hokage's office within the same Hokage building.

The room wasn't very big; it had two rows of light green sofas facing each other, with a small table in the middle.

dong dong~
"Come in!"

The familiar, slightly weary voice of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, came through the heavy wooden door.

squeak~
As the door opened, Naruto looked inside.

The room was small, but the atmosphere was unusually heavy.

Aside from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting upright on the main sofa, having removed his Hokage hat and revealing his signature head of pale hair.

On the sofas to his left and right sat two figures exuding a strong "old-fashioned" aura!

One was an old man with glasses and a full beard.

The other was an old woman with a hunched back and eyes that were almost invisible.

Naruto had never met these two people before, but he guessed they were probably advisors or something similar.

"Naruto, you're back from your vacation?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi put on a kind smile. "Did you have fun?"

"Ah."

Despite the Hokage's enthusiasm, Naruto remained expressionless, uttering a single syllable through his nose as a greeting.

He exuded an almost tangible, icy aura!

He walked past the purple-haired ANBU who was leading the way, went straight to the sofa, and sat down comfortably facing the three of them.

Uzuki Yugao was shocked and confused. Was this how Naruto responded to the Hokage's greeting?

Is this right?
Mitokado Homura's brows furrowed instantly, and a fierce glint flashed in Koharu Utatane's nearly open, cloudy old eyes. Was this the attitude of a Konoha ninja toward the Hokage?
Madness!

I don’t know how high the sky is and how high it is!

How could Minato Namikaze have such an impudent son?

The two were, after all, seasoned veterans. Remembering Naruto's identity and strength, they swallowed back what they had wanted to say.

"Cough cough!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed twice to ease the tension. "Yugao, you can go out now."

"Yes! Hokage-sama!"

As if granted a pardon, Uzuki Yugao immediately bowed and withdrew, gently closing the door behind her.

Only four people remained in the room.

The air seemed to have been sucked out, leaving only a suffocating silence.

Naruto maintained his languid posture, his azure eyes calm and still, like a bottomless, icy pool, quietly watching the three people opposite him.

Based on his chakra perception, the three of them did not harbor any genuine malice towards him.

The two consultants may have been using him as a tool.

But the Hokage was truly sincere towards him.

But public and private are separate; how can they be confused?

Naruto's current negotiating partner is the Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, not Hiruzen Sarutobi!
"Naruto! I still remember you when you were little."

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally broke the silence, starting by talking about Naruto's childhood and playing the emotional card.

Naruto remained completely unmoved, simply watching quietly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi talked until his throat was dry, going from Naruto's embarrassing childhood stories to Naruto's parents, from Minato Namikaze to the Will of Fire.

His words were earnest and his emotions were sincere.

He tried to use past warmth and heavy responsibility to touch the soft spot in Naruto's heart.

however,
"Old man Hokage, are you done talking?"

Naruto finally spoke, saying bluntly, "Now that you've finished talking, hurry up and present your conditions!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile froze.

His wrinkled hands trembled slightly.

this.
The three exchanged glances, finding the situation quite troublesome. Finally, Mitomon Homura took a deep breath and slowly took out a scroll that he had prepared beforehand from his bosom!

Naruto picked up the scroll with a blank expression and examined it carefully.

There are many conditions, but Naruto summarized the main ones as follows:

1. He promised the throne of the Sixth Hokage.

2. Compensation: Up to 15 billion taels.

3. Village land: Choose any vacant land! Konoha will fund the construction of suitable residences!

The other two are alright, but this second one is the only one that's good.
15 billion taels? That's like giving money to a beggar!
I see that you have absolutely no sincerity whatsoever!

"Tsk tsk tsk"

Naruto gently put down the scroll, his gaze sweeping over the three expectant figures before finally settling on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen! This amount of money makes it very difficult for me to get things done!" Naruto's voice was so calm that it revealed neither joy nor anger.

"presumptuous!"

"Be bold!"

Mitokado En and Utatane Koharu slammed their fists on the table almost simultaneously!

Their two old faces flushed red with extreme anger and humiliation.

Hiruzen?!
A twelve-year-old brat! How dare he address the Hokage by his name?!
Their withered fingers trembled as they pointed at Naruto, about to shout a stern rebuke.

"enough!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly let out a low shout!
The two turned their heads in surprise and saw Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face, shaking his head to signal them to be quiet.

Naruto took it all in, but his heart remained completely unmoved.

With so little money, it's already a favor that we didn't call you three old men!

He maintained his previous principle: he never set the conditions himself, but instead let the three of them do so.

If he's not satisfied, he'll reject it!
Until you are satisfied!

With this in mind, in order to continue applying pressure, Naruto dropped another bombshell.

"I went out for a walk to clear my head and took the opportunity to visit the Land of Lightning. I happened to arrive just in time to find them in the midst of a terrible disaster! Tsk tsk, it was truly a pitiful sight!"

He changed the subject, "And then, the village elders cried and wailed, clinging to my legs and refusing to let me leave! They said..."
'Lord Naruto! Please stay and become our Raikage!'

'Only you can save Kumogakure!'

At this point, Naruto's gaze fell once again on the three skeptical men. "I said no, how can I, a ninja from Konoha, become the Raikage of Kumogakure?"

"But they offered too much money!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had only dared to believe 10% of Naruto's words, was instantly thrown into disarray.

He exclaimed in surprise, "You agreed?"

"Ahem, not for now. I just said I'd think about it when I get back!"

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

"Naruto!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi earnestly advised, "There's something you might not know. When your mother was little, she was kidnapped by the Hidden Cloud Village. If your father hadn't discovered it in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable!!!"

As he said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at Naruto's expression with his cloudy old eyes.

He believed that this blood feud with his mother was enough to make any hot-blooded young man realize his mistakes!

However, Naruto didn't seem to care at all.

Even the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, a playful curve as if he had discovered something interesting.

"Oh? I know about that!"

As the three people opposite him froze in surprise, he slowly added:

"But I forgave them a long time ago!"

(End of this chapter)