Naruto's living allowance—
Even if he tried—
He couldn't spend it all.
Mostly because—
He had nowhere to spend it.
Aside from Ichiraku Ramen—
No shop in Konoha would sell him anything.
So right now—
Naruto needed someone…
To help him spend that money.
Shenyue Yuan didn't mind being that person.
Unfortunately—
He was about to leave Konoha.
So before he left—
He might as well help Naruto out a little.
Spend some money.
Ease his burden.
Better than letting the kid waste it on limited-edition ramen…
Or hoarding junk food and ruining his stomach.
"Yuan-senpai… you're injured?"
After slurping his noodles—
Naruto Uzumaki finally noticed the faint scratches on his face.
Shenyue Yuan replied casually:
"On the way home, I handled an S-rank mission."
"Got scratched a bit by the enemy."
"My clothes got a little dirty."
"No big deal."
Naruto's eyes widened.
Sparkling.
"S-rank mission?!"
"Isn't that something only the Hokage can do?!"
He had just entered the Academy.
Still forming his worldview.
And since he never paid attention in class—
Most of his understanding came from imagination.
"As expected of Yuan-kun!"
Ayame's eyes lit up with excitement.
She corrected him gently:
"Only jōnin are qualified to take S-rank missions."
"But I'm sure Yuan-kun will become a jōnin easily."
"Wow… that's amazing!"
Naruto looked at him with pure admiration.
"You're still a genin, right?!"
A genin—
Touching S-rank missions.
Even a child knew—
That future would be extraordinary.
And someone like that—
Still brought him out for ramen.
Naruto felt…
Deeply moved.
His mind drifted.
Someday—
He would become a ninja.
Yuan-senpai would become Hokage.
And after he retired—
Naruto would take over.
Under the two of them—
Konoha would become great again.
Shenyue Yuan shook his head.
Honestly—
Compared to Naruto becoming Hokage as a genin—
Him doing an S-rank mission was nothing.
"By the way, Naruto."
He set down his chopsticks.
"I need a favor."
Naruto straightened immediately.
Serious.
"Say it, senpai!"
"If I can do it—I'll give it everything!"
This friendship—
Hard-earned.
Precious.
Shenyue Yuan nodded.
"I'm going on a long trip."
"Not sure when I'll be back."
"…Senpai…"
Naruto's excitement faded instantly.
His shoulders slumped.
Without his only friend—
Life would return to loneliness.
Something he didn't want.
"My house… and my pets—"
"I've entrusted them to my teacher."
"But she's often away on missions."
"So…"
Shenyue Yuan looked at him.
"I need you to take care of them when she's not around."
"Can you do that?"
Naruto didn't hesitate.
Not even for a second.
He nodded hard.
"I can!"
"I'll take great care of them!"
"Good."
Shenyue Yuan smiled faintly.
"Think of it as a D-rank mission."
"When you graduate…"
"When you become a real ninja…"
"I'll come back."
"And I'll pay you."
Naruto hesitated.
Then asked quietly—
"…Senpai…"
"My grades… aren't good."
"Can I really become a ninja?"
Shenyue Yuan looked at him.
Calm.
Certain.
"Of course."
"In my eyes—"
"You're someone who'll become Hokage."
…
Naruto froze.
Then—
His vision blurred.
Tears welled up.
Hokage…
Senpai believes I can become Hokage…
Right now—
People shouted at him in the streets.
Avoided him.
Feared him.
To be trusted—
Was his deepest wish.
His voice trembled.
"Senpai…!!"
Shenyue Yuan nodded.
"Mm."
"I'm full."
A pause.
"Then let's celebrate in advance—"
"For the future Hokage."
"This meal… is on you."
"…!"
Naruto instantly snapped back.
The emotion—
Gone.
Even the snot about to drip—
Was forcefully sucked back in.
He glared.
"Senpai…"
"You have no shame."
"This is the 25th time I've treated you."
But—
He couldn't help it.
Shenyue Yuan always knew how to cheer him up.
And Naruto—
Fell for it every time.
After eating—
Naruto pulled out his bulging frog wallet.
Paid.
They said goodbye to Ayame and Teuchi.
Then stepped out.
"Senpai—"
"When are you leaving?"
"I'll skip class and see you off!"
Naruto asked eagerly.
Shenyue Yuan reached out—
And patted his head.
"You're already seeing me off."
"…Huh?"
"So soon?"
Naruto froze.
Then—
Quietly slipped his hand into his pocket.
Touching his wallet.
As if making a decision.
…
Hokage Office.
Watching through the crystal ball—
Hiruzen Sarutobi was fuming.
"Scamming an orphan's money?!"
"Shenyue Yuan—you have no shame!"
Then—
He paused.
Wait.
That kid…
Is also an orphan.
…
An orphan scamming another orphan?
That's even worse!
And more importantly—
Naruto's money…
Came from him.
Which meant—
Shenyue Yuan was basically scamming his money.
A direct slap to his face.
Still—
At least the boy truly treated Naruto as a friend.
No ill intent.
Sure enough—
In the crystal ball—
Shenyue Yuan and Naruto parted ways.
He put on his cloak.
And walked—
Alone—
Toward the village gates.
…
Moonlight filtered through the leaves.
Scattered across the forest floor.
Late autumn night—
Silent.
At Konoha's massive gate—
Shenyue Yuan stopped.
Turned back.
And spoke softly—
"Goodbye, Konoha."
"Farewell… cage."
From this moment—
On the surface—
He was a rogue ninja.
A target.
Hunted by Konoha.
In the shadows—
He was a spy.
Enduring everything—
To infiltrate Akatsuki.
Only the Hokage knew this truth.
For now.
Good thing—
He dealt with Root in advance.
Not because he wanted trouble—
But once labeled a rogue—
Root and ANBU would swarm him like flies.
Better to cripple one early.
Less trouble later.
…Sigh.
Making money is hard.
Life is worse.
Even after transmigrating—
Still working.
To survive in this world—
To gain true freedom—
To never be controlled—
There was only one path.
Grow stronger.
Strong enough to—
Crush Kaguya.
Trample the Ōtsutsuki.
Fortunately—
He had a system.
He was on the right path.
In a world ruled by bloodlines—
Without a cheat—
You don't stand a chance.
With that—
He stepped into the forest.
His figure blurred.
Leaping between trees—
Heading toward Amegakure.
And along the way—
He began reviewing the rewards he had obtained