Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 115 I am the hope of the whole village (Seventh update! Please subscribe!)

"Hokage-sama!"

When Kakashi Hatake saw the Third Hokage, his eyes narrowed for a moment, but his expression gradually softened. He pointed at Naraku Uehara and said, "This is Mr. Naraku Uehara from Amegakure. We met him once by chance when we were on a mission."

"Huh? So unfamiliar?"

Uehara Naraku, with his arm around Hatake Kakashi's shoulder, said with some displeasure, "I've told you a lot of information for free, and this is how you treat your old friend?"

"..."

Kakashi Hatake was left speechless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Why is this ninja named Uehara Naraku so outgoing?

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakashi Hatake had different feelings. He already knew that Naraku Uehara's desire to participate in the Chunin Exams was nothing more than a small ninja village wanting to promote the genius of its village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a little more at ease.

As long as nothing major goes wrong during this joint Chunin Exams, then it doesn't matter.

What Hiruzen Sarutobi found even more rewarding was that the way Naraku Uehara and Kakashi Hatake interacted seemed rather unconventional.

According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's observation, this Amegakure ninja named Uehara Naraku seemed to have a good impression of their Konoha.

If a talented Amegakure ninja who has a good impression of Konoha could inherit the position of Amegakure leader in the future, it would be the best thing for Konoha.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile deepened: "Welcome to Konoha. What do you think of the scenery of our village?"

"It's beautiful; it's a view I've never seen before."

Uehara Naraku's words were half true and half false, because it was the first time he had seen the scenery that he had seen countless times in the anime, and he could even complete a side quest while looking at the scenery.

Hiruzen Sarutobi feigned ignorance, asking, "Are you the Jonin leading the Amegakure team in this Chunin Exams? I've long heard that Amegakure has produced a genius ninja..."

"Uh, I'm just a genin."

Uehara Naraku then revealed an embarrassed expression: "And you can only be promoted to Chunin after participating in the Chunin Exams held by Konoha."

"True strength cannot be distinguished by position."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled kindly as always: "We have some very strong genin in our village; in fact, their strength is comparable to that of jonin..."

This statement is indeed true.

The title of Konoha Genin is not something anyone can easily attain.

Leaving aside Maruboshi Kosuke and the fallen Might Guy, just looking at Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha right now, their future achievements are simply terrifying.

Uehara Naraku smiled but didn't respond. Instead, he said softly, "Yes, I just didn't expect that the Third Hokage would be as approachable as the rumors say."

"Ha ha ha ha…"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was becoming increasingly satisfied with Naraku Uehara. He gave Kakashi a serious wink and whispered, "Kakashi, now that your friend is here, show him around the village!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Kakashi Hatake nodded, watching Hiruzen Sarutobi's retreating figure.

After the old man left, Kakashi Hatake stopped mentioning Uehara Naraku's earlier suggestion to spar and quietly changed the subject.

"You've changed a lot. Where's the air of authority you had a few years ago back in the Land of Water, when you suspected I was coveting your village's treasures and told me to get lost?"

"We were young and impetuous back then!"

Uehara Naraku sighed, somewhat nostalgic, and said, "Sometimes, when you experience a lot, you have to become more tactful. And I genuinely believe that friendship between Konoha and Amegakure is beneficial to both of our countries."

Kakashi Hatake nodded, showing a hint of sympathy for Naraku Uehara: "Peace is hard-won, and everyone truly needs to cherish it..."

After all, back in the Land of Water, Uehara Naraku was incredibly arrogant, brazenly commanding a group of rogue ninja from Kirigakure to attack Orochimaru, and dismissing him, a Jonin of Konoha, with a wave of his hand…

I never expected that in just a few short years, time would smooth out all the rough edges.

However, this is also a good thing for Konoha.

Only by truly possessing the heart of a fearless strongman, unafraid of any difficulties or dangers, can one become stronger.

In Kakashi Hatake's view, Naraku Uehara was actually squandering his talent, and soon his strength would reach its limit, making him just another ordinary ninja.

"Boss, the money's on the table."

After shouting, Uehara Naraku pulled out an explosive tag and placed it on the table, then tried to pull Hatake Kakashi away: "I heard Konoha has lots of delicious food, take me there!"

For example, three-colored meatballs, sweet chestnut juice, etc...

These are all ordinary foods, but their significance cannot be overstated.

As Kakashi Hatake obediently prepared to leave, he noticed the explosive tag left by Naraku Uehara, which startled him. "What do you mean by leaving an explosive tag here? Are you trying to destroy this shop?"

"I'm used to it."

Uehara Naraku rummaged through his pockets, then looked at Hatake Kakashi with an innocent expression: "I never carry money with me when I go out; I always spend my teammates' money, usually explosive tags. Did Mr. Kakashi bring any money?"

Because Xiao Nan was very strict with his education.

Each of the three forbidden rules of Konoha was absolutely forbidden for Uehara to touch, even though Uehara Naraku was the accountant of Amegakure and didn't have much pocket money.

"hiss…"

Kakashi Hatake glanced at Naraku Uehara with a complicated expression, tossed him a banknote, and sighed, "I'm now seriously suspecting you're here to freeload..."

"If I remember correctly, you came to me willingly, didn't you?"

Uehara Naraku winked and said, "Let's go, let's go! Take me to Shueisha, and pay for a set of books for me while you're at it! Then we'll have a little sparring match!"

"What book?"

"A set of divine books passed down among ninjas."

Uehara Naraku stealthily approached Hatake Kakashi, suppressing his laughter, and said beside Kakashi, "Have you heard of the 'Make-Out Paradise' series?"

"..."

Kakashi Hatake's gaze grew increasingly strange. He was now somewhat inclined to show off his autographed collector's edition and then take Naraku to buy the regular edition.

Looking at Uehara Naraku's still somewhat immature face, Hatake Kakashi frowned and asked, "Are you eighteen years old this year?"

"sixteen."

"Minors are not allowed to read books about romance."

Kakashi Hatake, with great integrity, stopped Naraku Uehara's idea, and used himself as an example: "I only received a gift from Jiraiya-sama on my eighteenth birthday."

The limited-edition autographed copy of "Icha Icha Paradise" that Kakashi has is a birthday gift from Jiraiya.

Uehara Naraku sighed, "Is there really no way to discuss this? This book is very hard to buy. If I can't find it in Konoha, I don't know when I'll be able to..."

"no way."

Kakashi Hatake tugged at his mask and said softly, "Perhaps when you turn eighteen, I can help you get a signed copy of Jiraiya's book."

"Tsk..."

Uehara Naraku clicked his tongue in amazement.

If nothing unexpected happens, he might actually have a chance to see Jiraiya during this Chunin Exams.

"Alright."

Uehara Naraku patted Kakashi on the shoulder and stroked his chin: "We've seen enough of Konoha's scenery. Shall we go meet some of the kids in your class and let them get to know their rival beforehand?"

Hearing Uehara Naraku's words, Hatake Kakashi's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. He shook his head and refused Uehara Naraku, saying, "Let's wait until your exams to talk about it. We don't want them to see you beforehand and lose confidence in participating in the Chunin Exams."

Uehara Naraku is too strong.

What if Sasuke Uchiha, the strongest member of Team 7, meets Naraku Uehara and wants to challenge him, only to get beaten to a pulp?

Team 7 probably won't have the confidence to participate in the Chunin Exams.

"Actually, I don't have much confidence either."

Uehara Naraku reached up and rubbed the back of his head, letting out a soft sigh: "This Chunin Exams must be the biggest in recent years, right? The hopes of the entire village are on my shoulders. I hope I can do well in the Chunin Exams..."

"Stop playing the victim!"

Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but adjust his headband and said, "Although there may be many interesting newcomers in this Chunin Exams, even the strongest might not be able to defeat a monster like you!"

Four years ago, after Karin and I left, I estimated my chances of defeating you, and even my own odds were pitifully slim.

"impossible."

Uehara Naraku quickly shook his head and analyzed seriously, "Your chances of defeating me are at least fifty percent, right?"

"You're really not being polite."

Kakashi Hatake's eye twitched slightly.

It must be said that Uehara Naraku's liveliness easily makes people feel close to him, and Hatake Kakashi gradually reduced his wariness of Uehara Naraku.

Faced with an opponent like Uehara Naraku who seemed harmless, Hatake Kakashi, who had been hesitant, finally made up his mind to let the three kids in his class truly experience the terror of the Chunin Exams.

After the two of them had talked all day, they parted ways in the evening. Uehara Naraku watched Kakashi Hatake's departing figure, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Kakashi is too wary. If we want to get close to Naruto, we'll really have to wait until the Chunin Exams..."

(End of this chapter)