I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

At 8 p.m., after drinking a glass of hot milk, Naruto chose to go to sleep so as not to carry the fatigue into the next day.

Such a regular life naturally caught the attention of the Third Hokage. He was very satisfied with Naruto's performance and was glad that he had not placed Naruto in the Anbu for training, but instead let him grow up like a normal child.

If things continue like this, Naruto will become the next Minato Namikaze, bringing glory and prosperity to the village.

The villagers were curious about the fox spirit's regular life, but that was all they were curious about. They dared not get too close to it, partly because the fox spirit was considered unlucky, and partly because of the three generations of prohibitions.

With both factors combined, they simply ignored Naruto as if he were invisible.

The only one dissatisfied with this was the old fox who stayed behind in the sealed space. It had been waiting for Naruto to give in first, and then using that to gradually control Naruto and ultimately achieve its goal of escaping from the prison.

But Naruto did not back down, and their cold war lasted from winter until spring.

At this moment, the Nine-Tails felt empty and lonely.

As a tailed beast sealed within a jinchūriki, it was originally able to endure loneliness, but Naruto's appearance made it accustomed to bickering and scheming.

Dissatisfied with the status quo, Kurama (the Nine-Tails) began to deliberately control its overflowing chakra, using it to interfere with Naruto's training and attract his attention, and it seemed to be working quite well.

Bang!

Affected by the Nine-Tails' chakra, Naruto even failed to use the Transformation Technique.

Defeated, Naruto squatted on the ground, holding his head, looking on the verge of collapse and extremely impatient.

This scene greatly encouraged Nine-Tailed Fox, who began to increase its efforts.

However, what Kurama didn't know was that Naruto always had a faint smile on his lips.

Kurama thought it was interfering with Naruto's training, but little did it know that its interference had become part of the training.

The "Gentle Fist Training Manual" contains Hinata's training memories from her years as a genin to a chunin, and the Hyuga clan itself is one of the ninja clans in the ninja world that is most skilled at controlling chakra.

Although he had only mastered some basic skills, his control level was already comparable to that of a genin, and he could easily handle ordinary water-walking and tree-climbing.

In order to achieve chakra control at the Chunin level, in addition to practice, there must be external pressure.

The best way to cultivate is to counteract the interference of the Nine-Tails' chakra.

After practicing a few more times, Naruto finished his training in the Three Bodies Technique and focused his gaze on the wooden stake not far away.

These simple wooden stakes were made by Naruto based on the 'Key Points of Taijutsu Training'. In addition to using them to practice some simple taijutsu, they were also used to practice Gentle Fist.

Naruto, who possesses the 'Gentle Fist Training Insights,' has no reason not to train in Gentle Fist.

However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Naruto only practiced a few basic stances and did not delve into the core Eight Trigrams Palm technique, or the more crucial 'main family' secret techniques.

After all, although he cultivated alone, he was constantly under the surveillance of the third-generation elder, and there were countless secret agents around him. These secret agents were there to protect him and also to prevent him from going berserk.

A few days later, Naruto and Kurama continued their cold war, neither of them wanting to talk to the other.

Upon meeting, they exchanged cold stares and several sarcastic remarks, seemingly reverting to the normal relationship between a Jinchuriki and a Tailed Beast, a relationship of irreconcilable enmity.

As time went by, the Nine-Tailed Fox gradually came to its senses.

It is the intelligent Kurama, not the simple-minded Niu-demon or the arrogant Shukaku, and is born with the ability to sense malice.

Naruto did harbor some malice towards it, but not much. However, the way Naruto looked at it was always strange, with a bitter and resentful expression.

However, it could not find a specific reason, so it had to suspend all unnecessary actions and wait and see.

Several more days passed, and Kurama looked at Naruto outside the cage, seemingly realizing something: "Kid, you're using my chakra to train your chakra control, aren't you?"

"What did you say? I don't understand..."

Kurama said quite seriously, "Kid, you think you've hidden it well, but the amount of chakra I've been using to interfere with your chakra lately has been a fixed amount. You should be able to adapt easily and successfully cast your ninjutsu..."

At this point, Kurama stopped, because Naruto grinned mischievously: "Big fox, you said you weren't intentionally interfering with my ninjutsu, but you just admitted it!"

Nine-Tailed Fox looked slightly embarrassed, but there was no blush on the fox's face.

"What do you know? I'm training your chakra control. After all, a useless ninja is not qualified to become my jinchūriki."

"I understand that, which is why I've been quietly practicing my chakra control, right, Kurama-sensei?"

"Nine-Tails Master? What did you call me? I have no human disciples."

"You must have misheard me..."

Naruto didn't tolerate Kurama's behavior and left the sealing space, leaving Kurama in the cage, constantly repeating Kurama-sensei's words.

Clearly, Naruto's joke had touched Kurama's heartstrings.

A moment later, Kurama's voice rang in Naruto's ears: "Human brat, I will not acknowledge you as my human disciple, nor will I interfere with your training. You can rest assured."

"However, I have something to remind you. Every time you go out, there are ninjas secretly following you. They are probably the Third Hokage's spies. You should be careful..."

Kurama didn't say anything, but its meaning was clear: Naruto should be careful.

Whether it's Naruto's ability to control chakra or his previous act of deliberately using mushrooms to embarrass the Third Hokage, once exposed, it will have a significant impact on Naruto.

Naruto knew what Kurama wanted to say and tacitly agreed with Kurama's statement.

But he had no way to deal with the surveillance from the shadows, just as he couldn't counter the telescope technique.

However, since Kurama has told me, he should be willing to help. Maybe I can get rid of the Third Hokage's surveillance and become a truly free person in the future.

Naruto glanced at the bushes not far away, then suddenly sensed something and said to Kurama, "Big fox, is the ninja watching me hiding somewhere?"

After sensing it, Nine-Tailed Fox was somewhat surprised: "Kid, you're lucky... you actually guessed right."

Chapter 11 Naruto Scroll and Dried Bamboo Shoots

Good luck? Naruto doesn't think so.

That wasn't luck; it was probably one of the many abilities of the Uzumaki physique. Although the Uzumaki clan doesn't have a clear bloodline limit, they possess characteristics such as a large amount of chakra and rapid mastery of sealing techniques.

They also have a significant advantage in terms of perception.

A fully grown Uzumaki ninja, with the secret technique Kagura Mind's Eye, can even lock onto enemies within a range of several kilometers, making it comparable to the Hyuga clan's Byakugan.

However, he did not master Kagura's Mind's Eye; he could only sense the general direction of the ninja.

Right now, what he cares more about is the fact that the Nine-Tails is willing to share information with him.

After exchanging some words, Naruto asked Kurama, "Big fox, can you sense their exact location?"

"sure……"

Kurama opened its eyes and looked at Naruto with curiosity: "What, are you planning to take action against these ninjas who are monitoring you? If you are willing to accept my power, none of this will be a problem."

"No, I still want to live..."

Even a fool could guess what Kurama was up to.

It's nothing more than making him give up resistance, then letting him control his body to wreak havoc, and finally, after going berserk, being severely suppressed by the Konoha Jonin, and becoming a prisoner, just like Gaara next door.

This fox, despite being sealed inside its own body, is unexpectedly reckless.

Even though its thoughts were seen through, Kurama wasn't angry. It was just talking nonsense, knowing that Konoha had the ability to suppress it.

After sensing the location, Kurama accurately stated the distance to the Anbu members and their exact number, demonstrating the professionalism of a radar.

So it wasn't a standard three-person team after all; they only sent two people to protect me?

Naruto secretly grumbled to himself, still wanting Kurama to tell him the amount of chakra these two had, but ultimately gave up on the idea. With his current strength, which was below that of a genin, the strength of the ANBU was irrelevant.

Time always flies when you're immersed in training.

Naruto wiped the sweat off his body with a towel, drank some salt water to replenish his electrolytes, and left the outdoor training ground.

On his way home, Naruto observed the surroundings for possible hiding places while asking about the location of the Nine-Tails' ANBU, thus training his sensory abilities.

Nine-Tails answered patiently at first, but then became impatient: "Kid, the two people monitoring you have become one. The other person has already left."

That person must have gone to report to the Third Hokage… Naruto thought to himself.

Naruto knew that the Anbu's surveillance of him was actually a form of protection, but he still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

These secret agents only protected their own personal safety, but disappeared when the villagers glared at them.

However, they can't be blamed. The real reason is the three generations of old men's laissez-faire attitude. They didn't want to change the situation of being discriminated against by the villagers and chose to ignore it.

In that case, I should consider things from a longer-term perspective...

However, Naruto suddenly stopped in his tracks. The shop sign in front of him had the words "Ichiraku Ramen" in big letters.

Feeling the hunger rising in his stomach, Naruto decided to change things up and try some local cuisine.

The moment the curtain was lifted, Naruto's appearance caused the surrounding diners to frown. Teuchi and Ayame's gazes also focused on Naruto, seemingly surprised by his arrival.

"Uncle, give me a super-sized bowl of ramen!"

After saying that, Naruto sat down at the table as if he were a familiar face, and called out to Teuchi while holding the menu.

The man who was wiping the noodles was clearly taken aback for a moment, then said, "Alright, here's a super-sized portion of ramen. Please wait a moment, it will take about ten minutes to prepare."

The other diners frowned even more deeply, and the atmosphere became subtle.

They didn't want to share a room with the fox spirit, feeling it was unlucky, but they couldn't mention the word "fox spirit" in front of him, which made them feel quite uncomfortable.

Seeing the villagers' distress, Naruto's mood improved considerably. He watched as he kneaded dough and talked to Kurama.

"Big Fox, can those ninjas still see me now?"

"No, from your current position, they can't see you at all?"

“But I always feel like there are other people watching me. I’ve had this feeling ever since I entered the village.”

Nine-Tails was silent for a few seconds, then said, "You're right, someone is watching you. That person is the third-generation old man who often comes to your house..."

"Big fox, when the three generations of old men observe me in the future, can you tell me?"

Kurama remained silent, seemingly hesitant about whether to help Naruto. Naruto's voluntary escape from the Third Hokage's surveillance was a good thing for Kurama.

While Kurama hesitated, Tezuka had already prepared steaming hot ramen and placed it on the table in front of Naruto.

Looking at the steaming ramen, Naruto suddenly felt a surge of appetite.

After taking a sip of the salty ramen broth, I picked up a Naruto roll from the noodles with my chopsticks. It was sweet, soft, and had a subtle seafood flavor. It was a great side dish and also the origin of Naruto's name.

However, after eating too much, it can get a bit cloying.

At this moment, Naruto picked up the dried bamboo shoots, which were one of the complimentary side dishes.

Compared to Naruto Maki, the dried bamboo shoots have a much stronger flavor, with a slightly sweet and sour taste that is perfect for cutting through the saltiness of the ramen and suits his taste better.