Chapter 6: Did You Bring Money?

Chapter 6: Did You Bring Money?

Early morning.

The sky brightens.

The Leaf Village, after a night of deep sleep, gradually regains its usual bustle.

One by one, shops open their doors, villagers carrying hoes wake up to work, and a certain individual with a watermelon-sized head dressed in green tights bursts out of his home, full of passion, to start his day's morning exercise.

"What a splendid sunrise! Before breakfast, let's run 100 laps around the village on my hands! If I can't do it, I'll do 1000 push-ups!"

By the 15th lap.

Might Guy spots someone.

A girl.

She appears young, probably around twelve or thirteen. With delicate features, fair skin, and long black hair slightly disheveled at the back like a little hedgehog, she wears a deep blue, Warring States-style dress... Although not bizarre, such attire and appearance seem out of place in the Leaf Village of this era.

When Guy notices her.

The girl also stops and looks back, a hint of surprise flashing through her eyes, as if...

(Do I know her?)

Guy instinctively thinks this but quickly shakes his head—he's never been good at remembering names, except for those he's known since childhood like Kakashi Hatake. There's no need to dwell on it.

Yet, the girl suddenly speaks: "Excuse me, is the residential area of the Leaf Village in this direction?"

"Yes, it is! How about it, young lady, interested in joining me to burn the flames of youth?"

Guy, still in a handstand, gives a thumbs-up with a dazzlingly bright smile.

"..."

The girl's mouth twitches slightly before asking another question: "Did you bring money?"

"?"

Even someone as thick-skinned as Guy is momentarily taken aback by this abrupt question, shaking his head: "No!"

"…Alright then."

The girl glances at his green tights, especially around the waist where a wallet might be, seemingly confirming he indeed didn't bring any money, then sighs and walks away, somewhat disappointed.

Guy scratches his head in confusion but then dismisses this brief interlude, continuing to immerse himself in his youth.

...

Half an hour later.

In the Leaf Village, central residential area.

Uchiha Hikari stops by a flowerbed, sitting down while massaging her calves and ankles, surveying her surroundings. Within a hundred meters, broad streets and bustling shops abound. Among them, "Ichiraku Ramen" stands out, clearly visible at a crossroads a hundred meters away.

"Finally here."

Since midnight yesterday, Uchiha Hikari has been walking for six hours, mostly on the uneven dirt roads through forests.

Despite wearing sports boots given by Bulma, the long walk has left her feet sore and her stomach growling with hunger.

But...

She has no money.

As a relic from the Warring States period, Uchiha Hikari is essentially undocumented in this era, with pockets emptier than her stomach. Earlier on the road, she had considered knocking Might Guy unconscious to take his wallet, but ultimately decided against it.

Not to mention the uncertainty of Guy carrying money, defeating him would likely require the use of the Sharingan's powers. All that for a meal seemed unnecessary.

"Let's eat first."

"Uncle Ichiraku is probably easy to talk to. Worst case, I'll negotiate to run a tab..."

Uchiha Hikari rubs her face, stands up, and heads straight into Ichiraku Ramen.

In the chat group.

[Bulma@Nameless:] How's it going, Hikari, did you find that village called Leaf?

[Bulma:] No reply yet, hope nothing's wrong.

[Eternal Sister:] Should be fine, Leaf Village is quite welcoming to outsiders, as long as you don't forcefully intrude. Even ninjas from other villages can enter... But Miss Hikari isn't from this era, she might encounter many incomprehensible things. If needed, feel free to ask me.

[Bulma: ]Hope so.

[Bulma:]] By the way, @Iron Head Kid Kiyoshiro, are you still chopping stones? Can humans even do that?

[Iron Head Kid: ]Uh, my name is Tanjiro...

[Iron Head Kid:]Though I also think this stone is a bit too big, if Sakonji-sensei says it can be done, then it must be possible! Besides, Yoroi Sister and Miss Hikari also said it can be cut, right?

[Bulma:] Sometimes I wonder if you're really human, not some alien monster disguised as one...

[Nameless:] Is it possible... that your world has the most alien monsters?

Back in Ichiraku Ramen's kitchen.

Uchiha Hikari stacks the washed dishes, wipes her hands, and starts checking the group messages.

Hmm... Since she didn't bring money, she negotiated with the noodle chef to wash dishes for an hour in exchange for a bowl of pork bone ramen.

Now, with a full stomach, she's ready to leave the ramen shop and fulfill her promise to Minato Namikaze.

"Wait, young lady!"

As she's about to leave, the chef calls out from behind, handing her a bag with a puzzled look from Hikari:

"Take this with you."

The chef explains with a smile: "These are cup noodles for delivery, not as good as dine-in, but they keep well. You can have them for dinner... If you have nowhere else to go, you're welcome to work here for a few days. The pay might not be much, but meals are covered."

Uchiha Hikari pauses, then smiles and accepts the bag: "Thank you. I'll come back if needed."

Waving goodbye.

After leaving the ramen shop, Uchiha Hikari contacts Minato Namikaze.

[Nameless@Eterinal]Sister: Fourth Hokage, I'm at the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen, could you tell me how to get to your place?

[Eternal Sister:] Alright, first figure out your surroundings, then head east... There should be a place called "Grilled Meat Q" that opened during the Third Great Ninja War, it should still be there. Once you see it, go south, then turn left at the crossroads...

[Nameless:] ...No need for directions, Fourth Hokage.

[Nameless:] I think I've already seen your son.

Near the crossroads by Grilled Meat Q.

Uchiha Hikari stops, looking across the street.

There, in front of a toy store, a tall shopkeeper is using a broom to shoo away a blond-haired child. A few passersby are pointing and making faces.

(End of Chapter)