Chapter 9: Without making money, I can’t afford to feed her

(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 20 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)

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Inside the Hokage Administration Building office, smoke lingered as usual.

The Third Hokage listened silently to the ANBU's report.

As the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki host, Naruto's movements were naturally a top village priority.

A three-person ANBU team maintained covert surveillance around him day and night, not just to guard against foreign threats, but to monitor the seal containing the Nine-Tails.

Any situation would be immediately reported to the Third Hokage.

Like now.

"As observed by my team, it appeared a purely coincidental meeting when young Colt approached the Jinchuriki to speak. However, the action itself seems somewhat suspicious."

After reporting, the Cat-masked ANBU lowered his head, awaiting the Hokage's judgment.

He was but a tool, responsible only for relaying full details objectively.

No trace of personal feelings mixed in.

The Third was not in a rush, taking out his crystal ball and weaving hand seals.

Immediately an image appeared above, showing the situation inside Ichiraku Ramen.

Colt and Naruto were each devouring a huge bowl of ramen, their free hands gesturing animatedly as they laughed happily together.

The Third's eyes held a complicated look.

It was he who owed an apology to Minato and Naruto.

Colt's appearance was quite timely, able to fill an important void well.

He would often visit Naruto anyway, lecturing about the Will of Fire and giving guidance.

But he was the Hokage, an elder. What Naruto lacked was the company and peer acceptance of those his own age.

Colt was very well-suited, from a decent background with good character and outstanding talents.

With the future potential to even become Hokage himself, Naruto would make a good ally.

Yes, at this time Hiruzen Sarutobi was already envisioning Colt becoming the Hokage someday.

He had made that conclusion after a while of surveillance.

Since joining the hospital staff, Colt had gradually revealed more of his talents little by little.

The chakra within his body visibly increased at an astounding rate.

Recalling Colt's mother Mieko, the Third had already vaguely guessed the reason.

Boom!

The Hokage office door burst open as Danzo strode in with a blank expression.

"Danzo, you did not knock again."

The Third waved for the ANBU to withdraw, then chided Danzo unhappily.

Not that Danzo cared about such a mild rebuke.

"Hiruzen, this Colt suddenly contacting the Jinchuriki seems suspicious to me."

"I suspect he may be a spy from an outside village, intending to attack the Jinchuriki."

"Hand him over to my Root for a thorough interrogation."

The Third scoffed at the flimsy pretext and high-handed words.

Did Danzo really take him for a fool?

Didn't Danzo simply want to recruit Colt's unique talents into Root after discovering them?

As friends for decades, the Third completely saw through Danzo's aims.

At this moment, Danzo felt some regret for not paying closer attention to Colt earlier.

The only person who could make Hiruzen defer to them, aside from the Jinchuriki, was Colt, wasn't it?

It was no secret Colt treated patients daily at the hospital, it was some information that Danzo quickly obtained.

But it was not ordinary medical ninjutsu as first assumed, but rather some special healing-type bloodline limit.

Not only far more effective than standard Healing Jutsu, but it could even treat lingering old injuries.

If Root obtained Colt, they could study this bloodline limit and gain an additional medical ninja on par with Tsunade herself.

He was simply too valuable to pass up!

So, when he learned of today's incident, Danzo wasted no time in seeking him out.

As for the excuse of being an outside village spy attacking the Jinchuriki?

Even Danzo didn't believe that himself!

The Third's aged face turned stern, a faint look of anger appearing.

"Danzo, Colt is the child of a noble family, and he is an heir to the Will of Fire. I will not hand him over!"

Finally hardening his tone, he turned away without hesitation.

Danzo's ruse had been seen through, yet he persisted shamelessly:

"Hiruzen, Colt's medical abilities have great research value. Giving him to me will contribute to Konoha's strength."

"Impossible!" The Third interrupted, "Danzo… Don't forget, I am the Hokage! My decision is final."

At those words, Danzo's very DNA seemed to rebel.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

After speaking, Danzo stormed out of the office without another word, realizing he could not obtain Colt.

The Third had made his stance crystal clear with just those two sentences.

It didn't matter if he couldn't get Colt temporarily. Danzo could have Root agents pose as ordinary ninjas to receive treatment from him at the hospital.

Although unable to study the bloodline limit directly for now, it was best not to provoke the Third further.

Inside the office, the Third let out a long sigh, expressing helplessness towards his old friend.

This Danzo, his reach grew too long.

If not for knowing Danzo truly did everything for Konoha's sake, he would never allow such terrifying power to accrue unopposed.

However, now it seemed he really should impose some restrictions.

With that thought, several new policies to rein in Root rapidly took shape in the Third's mind.

...

Meanwhile, at Ichiraku Ramen, Colt and Naruto each had three huge empty ramen bowls stacked in front of them.

Naruto rubbed his bulging belly with difficulty, looking at Colt who also seemed fit to burst, refusing to admit defeat.

"I was off my game today, but I'll definitely beat you next time!"

Colt waved it off nonchalantly.

"Sure, sure"

What was the point of defeating Naruto? If he wanted a true eating challenge, he should take on his cute Hinata instead.

The last time Colt took Hinata out for ramen, his drive to make money instantly skyrocketed countless times over.

If he didn't start earning, how could he ever afford to treat his future bride?

"I'm a little embarrassed having you cover three bowls for me this time. I'll take you for barbecue another day."

Hearing Colt's invitation, Naruto agreed without hesitation.

Don't even mention it being Colt's treat, even if Naruto had to cover everything himself, he would still accept eagerly.

Before parting ways, Naruto looked at Colt about to head in the opposite direction.

"That...Colt, does this mean...are we friends now?"

Seeing Naruto ask, Colt tilted his head and shook it.

"No, but after I treat you to dinner next time, we should be good."

"You have to give and take for us to be real friends."

Naruto, briefly disappointed at the denial at first, suddenly jumped up with excitement.

"I'm gonna have a friend!"

Torn between extreme happiness and sorrow, Naruto lost his footing and went tumbling face-first into the dirt.

Colt smiled unsympathetically at the scene.

Looking at the fresh scrape on Naruto's palm from the rocky ground, he instinctively performed a healing technique.

[Healing Uzumaki Naruto: Gain Constitution +1, Chakra +5, Points +20, Pure Asura Chakra]