Little Flying Stick is Here!!
Naruto lay comfortably in the hot springs, feeling his skin relax bit by bit as he closed his eyes and sighed with pleasure.
It was pouring outside. After yesterday's impulsive behavior, the Anbu had resumed monitoring the Jinchūriki, so Naruto decided to just soak in the hot springs.
All he did was knock over a mask vendor's stand. Was that really such a big deal?
Plus, didn't he already pay for it? Didn't the money he tossed in the air count? Didn't the vendor even catch it with his face in the end?
On the rooftop across from the hot spring, an Anbu ninja sighed in frustration. He tried to avoid the rain, but it was pouring so heavily his underwear was soaked. His mood was as damp as his clothes; after all, as an Anbu, enduring hardship was expected.
But the subject he was monitoring was lounging in the hot spring, blowing bubbles, sipping water, and even enjoying a snack right there in the spring.
Just as the Anbu ninja started feeling life was hopeless, another Anbu ninja appeared through the rain.
"Shift change, Mountain."
The Anbu codenamed Mountain turned around, and his vacant expression startled his partner.
"Mountain! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Mountain muttered, exhaling into the rain, "Maybe I should take a hot spring too, but the captain never gives us any days off."
The Anbu scheduled for the shift noticed Mountain's downcast figure and swallowed hard.
"Mountain... his soul has been tainted by the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki!"
Such is life in the Anbu; even they can't avoid the awkwardness of middle age. After all, Konoha has no idle hands—ninjas over thirty are urged to either "retire" or transition into other roles.
Usually, those from prominent families would start taking up clan affairs in their late twenties, transitioning from fighting on the battlefield to becoming responsible and loyal administrators in Konoha, upholding the Will of Fire.
There are many examples, like Neji's father, Hiashi, and the old trio of Ino–Shika–Cho.
"Will of Fire, huh?" Naruto mused aloud, "No wonder they call the Third Hokage the greatest. It's true."
He stood up from the hot spring, slowly heading for the shore, a smile breaking out on his face.
The Will of Fire.
…
The downpour continued into the afternoon as Naruto, without his headband and wearing a loose black robe, trudged through the puddles on his way back to his apartment.
In the rain, he saw a young boy dashing by, pants legs rolled up, splashing half a meter of water with every step.
"Hey, Hashirama! Forgot your umbrella again?" an elderly man called from a nearby shop.
"Grandpa, you don't need to worry! I'm gonna be the man who becomes Hokage!"
Naruto's eyebrow twitched at this, wondering if the boy meant becoming Tsunade's man or the Third Hokage's.
Then, the boy slipped, crashing into a puddle and splattering mud everywhere.
[Offer your umbrella to the boy, letting him feel warmth and kindness from others. Reward: Full-level Sealing Jutsu - Four Symbols Seal.]
[Indifferently walk away, leaving the boy to feel disdain. Reward: Shukaku's Favor.]
Naruto was dumbfounded at these bizarre options.
Sighing, Naruto walked over with his black umbrella and held it over the boy, showing kindness.
The boy gasped in surprise as he struggled to get up, blood seeping from his pants leg. Even so, he had a sunny smile.
When he was about to speak, he realized Naruto had already taken back the umbrella and walked away.
"Wait… what?!" the boy's face turned red as he watched Naruto disappear.
"Jerk!"
[Ding! Four Symbols Sealing Technique acquired. Auto-upgrading to full mastery.]
Naruto walked away. The umbrella handle still felt warm in his hand—having an umbrella on a rainy day sure was nice.
The reason he chose the Four Symbols Seal was simple: to control the Nine-Tails physically.
The ticking time bomb inside him wasn't comfortable. First, he'd try negotiating; if that didn't work, he'd restrain it with the seal.
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