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

"Tsunade... I didn't expect you to be back so soon..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was still somewhat awkward, and he couldn't help but feel a little dissatisfied.

'What kind of people are these? Why didn't they tell me Tsunade was arriving?'

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't guarantee that Tsunade wouldn't suddenly punch him in a fit of anger.

Given his current physical condition, if Tsunade were to suddenly deliver a punch to him, he could probably hand over the Hokage position to her the very next day.

"Hmph! Old man, you're really getting worse as you get older! You've even started using these petty tricks."

Tsunade spoke through gritted teeth, only because she still cared about the teacher-student relationship, seeing the other party's "frail" appearance.

She would have thrown a punch long ago.

Reflecting on her experiences over the past few days, she was using her transformation magic to become her younger self and dominate the casino when suddenly several men in black appeared, demanding repayment of a debt.

She could only slink away.

In the days that followed, no matter what disguise she wore or how many casinos she changed, someone would always recognize her and demand her money back.

Tsunade knew with her two great lightning bolts that someone was definitely up to no good in the dark.

Considering the incident with the Anbu a few days ago, she must be that old man, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Upon hearing Tsunade's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed slightly. After regaining his composure, he wore a melancholy and sorrowful expression.

"Tsunade, you know the situation in Konoha isn't optimistic right now. Each generation is worse than the last, and I'm getting old too. I won't be able to hold on for many more years. Konoha still depends on you young people. You should..."

boom!

"Enough, old man!"

She was tired of hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, so she slammed her hands heavily on the table, interrupting his endless rambling.

"I only came back this time to see the Baiyun Qingye you mentioned. I hope he really exists. Otherwise, I'll leave now, and please don't bother me anymore."

"Haha, of course it's true."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave an awkward smile, then activated the crystal ball again, revealing the image of three children inside.

"Why don't you come and see for yourself how this little guy is doing?"

"This is?"

After seeing the scene clearly, Tsunade was stunned, not because she saw Shirokumo Aoba, but because she saw the little blond guy next to him.

Although Naruto's hair color and eyes resembled Minato's, his face was exactly the same as Kushina's.

This also brought Tsunade back to her past memories.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face also showed a look of reminiscence.

"Aoba's personality is somewhat similar to Minato's, and the two of them have now become good friends."

-

"Forgive me, Sasuke, maybe next time!"

Itachi Uchiha poked Sasuke's forehead with his index finger, then turned and left with Shisui Uchiha.

Sasuke watched Itachi's departing figure, wanting to call out to stop him, but he also knew that Itachi Uchiha had more important things to do.

In the end, he could only pout and give up the idea of ​​practicing with the other person.

"Sasuke, do you need Mom to practice with you?"

At the kitchen door, Uchiha Mikoto walked out, wiping her slender hands, a gentle smile on her face.

Sasuke puffed out his cheeks and said, "Mom will definitely have something to do later, so she won't be able to practice for long."

With that, Sasuke grabbed his ninja tool bag and ran off, shouting loudly as he went.

"I went to practice by myself."

"This child..."

Mikoto Uchiha leaned against the door frame, her right hand supporting her delicate face, her expression somewhat disappointed.

Sasuke came to a river in the forest alone, where it was very convenient and safe to practice shuriken or fireball techniques.

But when he arrived, he saw the guy who often secretly watched him practice again, and this time there was another person with him.

"Huh? Why are they walking towards me?"

-

Shirokumo Aoba also felt quite strange seeing Sasuke; these two brothers really are destined for each other.

However, he only glanced at it before looking away, since Sasuke didn't seem to be there to see them.

Although he looked away, Naruto was still looking at the other person, with a hint of expectation in his eyes.

They didn't even notice when another fish got caught on the rope.

I just don't know what's so attractive about that rope; the fish just wouldn't let go.

"Naruto, do you want to be friends with him?" Shirakumo Aoba directly pointed out the other party's thoughts.

Naruto's face fell, and he became somewhat awkward again.

"I... I just felt sorry for him because he was all alone, so I wanted to keep him company."

"But he seemed a bit cold, and I was afraid of causing him trouble, so I didn't dare to go over."

Shirokumo Aoba was speechless and simply pulled Naruto over there.

He thought it would be good for Naruto to have more friends, so that Naruto wouldn't have to come to visit him so often.

After all, besides his training, he also needs to spend time with Tenten, Ino, and Sakura.

As for Naruto...

She's neither a sweet and soft little girl, nor can she generate gold coins now; I'll just keep her company occasionally.

"Blue...Blue Leaf?"

Naruto immediately understood the other party's intention and felt a little nervous.

"You'll never know the outcome if you don't take the initiative to try!"

The two quickly approached Sasuke, who had just taken out the shuriken he was practicing with.

Seeing the two people who suddenly walked over, he asked with a cold face.

What do you want?

Shirokumo Aoba smiled slightly and said, "My name is Shirokumo Aoba, and his name is Uzumaki Naruto. We want to be friends with you."

"I don't need friends!"

Sasuke showed no respect for Shirayuki Aoba; he had no desire to be friends with someone who looked so weak.

To discourage his opponent, Sasuke swung his arm and threw the shuriken in his hand toward a large tree in the distance.

Swish!

Clang!

Before the shuriken could hit the tree trunk, a pebble deflected it with even greater speed.

Sasuke's eyes widened instantly as he stared blankly at the shuriken that had been deflected.

"Amazing!"

Naruto's surprised and exclaiming voice brought Sasuke back to his senses.

He turned his head and looked coldly at Baiyun Qingye and Naruto standing beside him.

He admitted he had misjudged the guy; the man in front of him looked terrifyingly strong.

Baiyun Qingye is currently tossing pebbles, a faint smile still on her face.

"How about we have a skipping stone competition? If you lose, you have to tell us your name and become our friend!"

Shirokumo Aoba's words caused Sasuke's mind to freeze for a moment. Shouldn't it be a shuriken throwing competition?

But then he suddenly felt that it was quite reasonable for the competition to be a flop at this age.

Naruto's eyes lit up. When it comes to skipping stones, he's an expert. He used to do it every day without any problem.

"What? Are you scared?"

Seeing that Sasuke was still hesitating, Shirokumo Aoba provoked him again.

Sasuke fell for the trap as expected, his eyes filled with anger.

"Hmph! It's just a piece of trash, the Uchiha clan fears no challenge!"

Even if it's a waste of time, the Uchiha clan must be number one.

Invisible sparks flew through the air.

"Heh, then I hope you won't go back on your word. Naruto, you go first!"

Shirokumo Aoba naturally noticed Naruto's confident gaze and decisively gave the opportunity to Naruto first.

"okay!"

Naruto happily searched for suitable stones on the shore.

They immediately found a flat, smooth stone, no more than six millimeters thick and four or five centimeters in diameter.

This is the best stone in the whole village for skipping stones.

"Then I'm going to start!" Naruto shouted excitedly.

Shirokumo Aoba quietly watched the show, while Sasuke observed with indifference.

Naruto immediately swung his arm, and the small stone was flung away.

After bouncing six times on the river, it actually flew directly to the other side.

"Haha, I threw it to the other side!"