Naruto: I, who didn't want to be hacked to pieces, saved the ninja world.

"Green...green leaves..."

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, you can just call me Naruto!"

Naruto's eyes lit up. This was the first time someone had told him his name. In the village, he finally had his first friend.

"It's nice to meet you, Naruto."

Considering that she might be surrounded by a lot of people if she went outside the hospital, Shiraku Aoba sat down on a recliner in the hospital corridor.

Naruto, who was sitting next to him, was still in the midst of his excitement.

"Ao...Aoba, I'm happy too, but...why are you in the hospital? Are you injured somewhere?"

Naruto seemed to have thought of something, and his expression began to turn very worried.

Baiyun Qingye shook his head and explained with a smile, "I have a pretty good talent for medicine, so I'm learning from a medical ninja at the hospital."

"Wow, that's amazing! So you're a ninja now?"

"A ninja is only considered a true ninja after graduating from the Ninja Academy. Right now, I only know a little bit of ninjutsu."

"That's amazing! I saw one that could breathe fire by the river before, it looked really cool."

"Ah, that should be..."

……

The two chatted casually, perhaps because they had never interacted with anyone else before.

Naruto's mouth barely stopped all morning. He even kept mentioning how many fish cakes were in his ramen and how many days past the expiration date of his milk.

Shirokumo Aoba is also incredibly emotionally engaging, responding to every single thing Naruto says.

I was just out to relax and clear my head; I wasn't really in the mood to study. But with Naruto around, it's a good way to unwind.

By noon, Skui's surgery had also ended.

She changed her clothes, walked out of the dressing room, and was just about to go downstairs when she saw two little ones sitting in the hallway.

"Little Green Leaf, you want to go eat with your sister..."

Skui had originally planned to invite Shirakumo Aoba to dinner, but when she got closer, she saw the face of the child sitting next to her.

The sound suddenly stopped.

She naturally recognized him; in fact, there were very few people in the entire Hidden Leaf Village who didn't know Naruto.

She didn't have any problem with Naruto, and whether the blond-haired boy was a fox spirit or something didn't affect her life.

She was simply curious why Baiyun Qingye and the other person were chatting and laughing together in the hospital.

Skui's voice was naturally heard by both Shirakumo Aoba and Naruto.

Hearing the other person suddenly stop talking, Naruto thought that the other person had a problem with him, so he lowered his head timidly and didn't dare to speak.

Baiyun Qingye, her expression unchanged, looked at Skui, who was approaching with a surprised look, and asked, "Sister Skui, was your surgery successful?"

Skui casually ruffled Shirokumo Aoba's hair, looking quite confident.

"It's naturally a piece of cake for my sister to take action."

"But what are you all doing..."

"This is Naruto Uzumaki, a friend I just made."

Shirokumo Aoba's introduction was also very natural, and at the same time, he nudged Naruto with his elbow and said.

"This older sister is called Skui, and she's the one who taught me medical ninjutsu."

Naruto hesitated for a moment before standing up and said to Skull somewhat nervously.

"Y-you...hello, my name is Naruto Uzumaki, please...please take care of me."

Skui paused for a moment, then patted Naruto's spiky head and said with a smile, "Hello, little Naruto, it's nice to meet you."

"Do you want to go eat with your sister?"

-

At noon, both Shirakumo Aoba and Naruto got a free lunch at the hospital from Skui.

During lunch, many people cast strange glances at them because of Naruto's presence.

But with Skui around, who could soon become a big shot at Konoha Hospital, no one dared to utter a word of mockery.

Overall, the meal was quite enjoyable, since it was free and always tasted better than something you had to pay for.

Leave Konoha Hospital.

Baiyun Qingye looked at Naruto and asked.

"Naruto, is there anything else? If not, I'm going back now."

Naruto, who was initially excited about having dinner with his friends, froze on his face upon hearing this, his expression turning sour.

"Aoba, can you play with me a little longer? I can take you to see my secret base."

Seeing Naruto's expectant look, Shirokumo Aoba glanced at the sky, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.

"Sure, but you can only play for a little while, because I have to practice this afternoon."

"Uh-huh!"

Naruto happily grabbed Shirayuki Aoba and ran off, explaining as he ran, afraid that they wouldn't have enough time.

"Aoba, my secret base is in the forest. I often fish there to eat."

"fishing?"

Shirokumo Aoba remembered that there was indeed a scene in the original story where Naruto grilled fish when he was a child, but he was still very curious as to why Naruto said "fishing" instead of "catching fish".

"Naruto, what did you use to fish?"

"You just take a stick, tie a rope to it, and you can fish. Sometimes I can catch several at once!"

"..."

The two ran all the way.

"The grove...the riverside, is this the place?" Baiyun Qingye was slightly out of breath.

“Yes, this is it. I’ll take you there.” Naruto nodded, his face beaming with joy.

It's called a secret base, but it's actually just a small fire pit enclosed by stones, except the fire inside isn't burning yet.

This must be the place where Naruto grilled fish.

"Qingye, wait a moment, let me tie the rope, then we can go fishing."

After saying this, Naruto indeed picked up the wooden stick on the ground and began to tie a rope.

No, buddy—

Do you really fish like that?

Then Shirokumo Aoba witnessed what true luck EX looks like.

Baiyun Qingye sat next to him for less than ten minutes.

Naruto has already caught several fish.

Without bait or a hook, the fish simply died of its own stupidity.

Baiyun Qingye also fell silent, watching with a stick and a rope...

What are those fishing enthusiasts who have thousands of dollars worth of equipment supposed to do, even if they're just trying to get away with it?

At that moment, Naruto's exclamation rang out.

"Huh? It's that guy who can breathe fire."

While fishing, Naruto suddenly exclaimed in surprise and looked away.

Bai Yun Qingye followed the gaze and looked over...

Black hair, black eyes... cold... fire-breathing...

Isn't that Sasuke?

-

Inside the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the crystal ball in front of him with a satisfied expression.

The scene above reflects the harmonious interaction between Shiro and Aoba.

But when he saw Sasuke suddenly appear, he frowned.

He didn't expect any Uchiha people to come.

Just as he was about to ask someone about it.

With a bang.

The door was kicked open.

"Danzo?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled. "How many times have I told you, next time you come to my place, you must... eh."

To his surprise, it was not Shimura Danzo who appeared before him, but Tsunade, who was travel-worn and disheveled.