Chapter 9: Living with a Smile

"Kid, you've paid all of your debts from me." Tsukikanami handed Naruto a piece of paper that clearly recorded Naruto's income and debt situation.

"Oh, oh, the debts are cleared. That's great!" Naruto happily raised the bill. After a year of hard work, he finally paid off his debts.

"Then we're even now. You don't need to come to my shop anymore."

"Can't come anymore, boss? I still want to continue." Naruto felt a bit disappointed. He had already gotten used to this kind of life, and most importantly, being able to eat ramen with his own hands felt great.

"If you want to continue, you'll have to undergo an assessment. Tonight, I will go outside the village to gather herbs. If you have the courage, come to the village entrance."

"No problem, I'll definitely come!"

...

"This is my first time leaving the village. What will be out there?" At midnight, Naruto arrived at the village entrance with his backpack, eagerly looking at the world outside the gate. Tsukikanami was already waiting at the entrance, and the two gatekeepers had received orders not to stop Naruto, allowing him to leave with Tsukikanami . "Boss, you look cool in that outfit, like a ninja." Naruto noticed that Tsukikanami's attire had changed. He was wearing a black short-sleeved combat uniform, and the metal on his clothes emitted an ominous and peculiar light under the moonlight.

"Really? Today is the last time I'll wear it."

"Huh, don't you like it?"

"Not really." The two of them chatted aimlessly as they gradually walked deeper into the forest. The outskirts of Konoha were covered in dense forests that extended all the way to the borders of the Fire Country. At this point, Naruto was completely lost and could only follow Tsukikanami.

"Swish, swish, swish, swish." Suddenly, four black-clothed individuals wearing animal masks appeared ahead of them on the road. Each of them had a short knife strapped to their back, and as soon as they saw Naruto, they drew their knives and assumed an attacking stance.

"What, what, what, are these bandits? The Grandpa Hokage is too lax." Naruto exclaimed in surprise. He had only vaguely heard about the bandits outside the village, but he didn't expect them to be so close. He couldn't help but worry about the village's security.

"Kid, hide behind me." Tsukikanami pulled Naruto behind him, shielding him with his sturdy body.

"Tsukikanami, this isn't what we agreed upon." The man who seemed to be the captain had a very gloomy voice, and his gaze at Tsukikanami seemed as if he wanted to tear him apart.

"Nothing has changed. I'm just protecting my employee as a boss should."

"You're betraying 'Root'!" The captain seemed unwilling to waste time with Tsukikanami. He unsheathed his knife and attacked his head.

"Hahaha, you're really funny. I haven't been part of 'Root' for a long time." Tsukikanami laughed heartily and gathered chakra in his arms, easily blocking the attack.

"Tsukikanami has betrayed us. Execute Plan B." The captain didn't underestimate Tsukikanami and chose not to engage him alone. He called his three subordinates to attack together, and for a while, the forest resounded with the clash of swords.

"You really are a killer. With this kind of strength, why bother protecting a monster? You should understand Danzo's intentions."

"Monster? I don't see it like that.

Tsukikanami sighed and said that even if he followed the plan, he would be killed by the enraged Naruto. If he continued to protect Naruto like this, he would be dealt with by "Root." Therefore, his best fate was to die here, so that Danzo wouldn't send anyone to approach Naruto, who knew the truth.

"This damn ninja world is hell, an irredeemable hell. I've been surviving in hell without any hope. One day, I saw a glimmer of light, and that was you. The original plan was for me to appear when you were pushed to the brink by the villagers, drive them away, and take care of you as you grew up, becoming the pillar in your heart. And in the end, betray you. But I was wrong. You managed to gain the recognition of the villagers with your own strength, although you're still immature. But you've really come a long way."

"I've always wondered what drove you to do those things. This world is filled with hatred, and children should have more clearly defined loves and hates. But you don't harbor any hatred towards the village. It's like... a flower blossoming in hell, completely out of place. You're too naive."

"Even if I scolded and beat you every day, the next day, you would still work diligently as if nothing happened. I've never encountered someone like you before. You've even made me abnormal."

"I had already prepared myself for death. When my wife died during the Third Great Ninja War, I lost all meaning to live. But since I was going to die, I wanted to make my life a gamble. In you, I saw another possibility, the possibility to change this world. I wanted to help you protect that possibility. But I don't think you would have lost your emotions and become a weapon even if the original plan was carried out, because you're an idiot."

"Why are you so sure that I couldn't do it?"

Naruto shook his head, still not understanding what Tsukikanami was saying. He only knew that this person who was rough but cared for him was about to leave him.

"Kid, come to think of it, I never called your name, did I? What's your name?"

Tsukikanami looked up at the sky, his tone gradually becoming weak.

"I'm called Uzumaki Naruto, just call me Naruto..."

"Naruto, huh? It's a good name. Naruto, remember, no matter what happens, keep living with a smile. Your smile is the most infectious."

After saying that, Tsukikanami peacefully closed his eyes, devoid of hatred or resentment, calmly departing.

...

Naruto didn't cry. He just followed the trail of fluorescent powder left by Tsukikanami and returned to the village. He wanted to go and see if he could find Orochimaru and ask for his help, but when he arrived at Orochimaru's underground laboratory, he found it completely empty. The equipment was all smashed and in disarray.

"Naruto, my research has been discovered. I have to leave Konoha. It's better if you keep our relationship a secret. You've learned everything you needed to. Let me see how far you can grow on your own. I hope the next time we meet, it won't be through the Reanimation Jutsu. Hehehe."

The shinobi on the wall sensed Naruto's chakra and gradually formed into a small black snake, opening its mouth to convey some information to Naruto before disappearing into black smoke.

"Even Uncle Snake has left..."

...

It had been three days since Tsukikanami passed away. No one knew where the grocery store owner had