The autumn night was slightly cool, with the moon hanging high in the center. Two figures were cautiously hiding in a dark alley. One of them looked in the direction of the Hokage building, his eyes filled with fanaticism.
"Teacher Mizuki, will this really lead to a smooth graduation?"
Naruto's voice interrupted Mizuki's fantasies. He smiled kindly at Naruto and said, "The Scroll of Seals contains Konoha's strongest ninjutsu, with the lowest being A-rank."
"If you can master one of them, Naruto, graduation will be a piece of cake."
Naruto glanced at the brightly lit Hokage building not far away and hesitated, "But… is it okay to do this? What if someone finds out…"
Mizuki's face darkened as he said, "Naruto, we made a deal. I'll give you ten thousand ryo if you hand over the Scroll of Seals to me, and I promise you'll graduate smoothly!"
"But…"
Mizuki said urgently, "Naruto! Don't you want to graduate?!"
Naruto shyly glanced at Mizuki's wallet and whispered, "Of course I want to graduate. I mean… what's the price! One million ryo!"
"What?!" Mizuki was shocked. This brat dared to bargain with him! And he increased the price by a hundredfold!
"Teacher Mizuki, think about it. That's Konoha's treasure. The difficulty of taking the Scroll of Seals out of the Hokage building is unimaginable."
Naruto continued, "Of course, I know you probably don't have that much silver on you, Teacher Mizuki. But it's okay. As long as you give me your wallet as a deposit first, the rest can be paid after I hand over the Scroll of Seals to you."
Mizuki was stunned by Naruto's words. He was very surprised where this brat learned such things, even mentioning deposits. It sounded like a shady deal.
Seeing Mizuki looking at him strangely, Naruto spread his hands helplessly. He had to start doing chores and earning pocket money since he was three years old.
He even had to occasionally support his "useless" father. He had to make money quickly.
Naruto was no fool; his mind was very agile.
Mizuki took out his wallet and looked hesitant. This was his salary saved for three months. He was very unwilling to give it to this blond brat.
"Hand it over!"
Seeing Mizuki being stingy, Naruto snatched the thick wallet. He then realized he had been too impulsive and quickly consoled him, "Ahem, don't worry, Teacher Mizuki. You have to give something to get something. I'll go and get the Scroll of Seals for you right now!"
"Naruto, you…"
Before Mizuki could finish speaking, he saw Naruto sprint towards the Hokage building, giving him a thumbs-up. He could only hide his figure and suppress his annoyance.
"Just wait. When this brat hands over the Scroll of Seals to me, I'll make him spit it all out!"
Mizuki gritted his teeth fiercely, "And I'll extort them for more!"
Meanwhile, Asuma, who had "spruced himself up," found Kurenai's residence, only to be told that Kurenai had gone out in the morning and hadn't returned.
Upon hearing this, Asuma immediately thought of Kurenai leaving with Hayate's arm. A man and a woman, not returning home late at night, what else could they be doing!
Things were not looking good!
Asuma immediately pressed his green fedora and jumped onto the rooftop, rushing towards the Konoha commercial street.
"Kurenai, please look at me before you make a decision! I, Asuma, have been reborn!"
…
"Mmm, I want more! Hayate, you drink some too!"
In a certain izakaya, Hayate held the flushed Kurenai, who was offering him a wine bottle, and said helplessly to the waitress, "Miss, the bill!"
*Snap!*
Kurenai misunderstood when she heard this. She weakly raised her hand and patted Hayate's thigh, pouting her ruby-red lips and saying unhappily, "She's a beauty, what about me! Am I not?"
"Yes! Both of you are!"
The waitress took the silver notes Hayate handed over, covered her mouth, and left with a light laugh.
Hayate hugged Kurenai's soft waist and smiled, "It seems you'll have to take leave tomorrow."
"Hmph!"
Kurenai let out a playful hiccup and idly drew something on Hayate's chest with her fair fingers, her eyes hazy. "Are you saying… Hayate, are you going to do something to me today?"
"…"
A female driver, I can't afford to provoke her, especially a drunk female driver. She's invincible.
Hayate maintained a straight face, half-carrying Kurenai out of the izakaya. As soon as they stepped outside, the cool breeze blew, dispelling some of Kurenai's drunkenness.
Hayate casually draped his windbreaker over Kurenai. Smelling the man's captivating scent, Kurenai leaned closer and said,
"Why aren't you speaking? If you're not going to do anything to me, then why should I take leave tomorrow~"
Facing the alluring lips so close, and smelling the intoxicating wine, Hayate was about to respond when a heart-wrenching voice reached his ears.
"Kurenai! What are you doing!"
It was Asuma, who had been searching the entire village for Kurenai, that interrupted them. Asuma was panting heavily, his face covered in sweat, and his green fedora was askew.
"Uncle, who are you? Why are you interrupting us?"
Kurenai glared unhappily at the sloppy uncle who had suddenly appeared. She was almost successful just now. This green-hatted uncle was so annoying!
The goddess finally replied to him!
Asuma immediately became excited, "Kurenai, it's me! I'm Asuma! I've changed now, look at me!"
Asuma struck a pose he thought was very cool, with his hands in his pockets and a full beard, exuding a rugged aura that made people know he had experienced many extraordinary things.
"Asuma?"
Kurenai squinted her eyes. Being drunk, she knew no humility. She laughed, "You're that thirteen-year-old who looks thirty, right? If you were my dad, I'd still find you too old!"
"And your fashion sense… Pfft! Honestly, it matches your green hat quite well!"
*Boom!*
Asuma was struck by lightning and froze on the spot. His proud, most masculine face was so despised. Fortunately, Kurenai still had good taste and realized his entire outfit was a good match!
"Ahem, Kurenai is drunk. I'm taking her home. Asuma, if you have something important, go take care of it."
Hayate stepped forward to mediate. If this continued, Asuma would be so ashamed he'd commit suicide. Hayate believed he and Asuma had no grudges. It was just that his father owed him wages, and he had repaid his kindness by giving him a son-in-law (daughter-in-law) from Jiraiya!
"By the way, Asuma, how is your relationship with Jiraiya?" Hayate suddenly became curious about how Asuma had lived with Jiraiya all these years.
"Ji, Jiraiya!"
Hearing Hayate mention Jiraiya, Asuma's speech became jumbled. Images unsuitable for children flashed through his mind, and he unconsciously put his hand behind him, but quickly took it back, angrily saying,
"What Jiraiya! I don't know him at all. Don't slander me! Jiraiya and I have no relationship whatsoever!"