"Got it! Don't worry, I'll definitely study hard!"
[Pfft! Study Hard? Even if I work hard for six years, I'll still be at the bottom of the class. Might as well take it easy, enjoy these six years, and focus on winning over my future wife first.]
At the bottom of the class? Naruto is at the bottom of the class? That won't do! Since I'm going to be Naruto's teacher in the future, I might as well start teaching him early. Besides, spending more time with him might help me uncover some information about Rin and Obito!
Once Kakashi made up his mind, his gaze toward Naruto gradually grew more determined, leaving Naruto utterly confused.
"Big Brother Kakashi? What's up with you?"
"Huh? Oh! It's nothing. I just suddenly thought of something. Naruto, I've got some business to take care of, so I'll head out now. Take this."
With that, Kakashi pulled out a 1,000-ryo banknote from his wallet and handed it to Naruto. Naruto's eyes lit up, and he snatched the note immediately, afraid Kakashi might change his mind.
Is 1,000 ryo a lot? Not really. The most expensive bowl of Ichiraku ramen Naruto just ate cost over 300 ryo, and the regular bowl Kakashi had was over 70 ryo. So, 1,000 ryo would only cover two or three meals like that.
But for Naruto, 1,000 ryo was a significant amount. The monthly allowance the Third Hokage gave him was only 1,000 ryo, which was why he could only afford instant noodles and expired milk every day.
"Thanks, Big Brother Kakashi!"
[Hehe! Calling him 'big brother' wasn't in vain. At least I'll have a better few days ahead. I'll grab some groceries on the way back.]
Kakashi nodded with a smile, then vanished in a flash. Naruto also left Ichiraku Ramen, buying some instant noodles, bread, and milk to stock up at home.
In the evening, inside the Hokage's office, Kakashi knelt respectfully on one knee. The Third Hokage, usually kind, now looked stern and even slightly angry as he stared at Kakashi.
"Kakashi, why did you disobey orders and approach Naruto? Danzo has already confronted you about this. If you can't provide a reasonable explanation, you're going to be in serious trouble."
Kakashi slowly raised his head and handed over his ANBU mask with both hands.
"Lord Hokage, I wish to temporarily resign from my position in the ANBU."
The Third Hokage didn't take the mask. Instead, he furrowed his brow, staring intently at Kakashi. After a long while, he took a puff of his pipe, and his expression softened slightly.
"You're not giving me an explanation for why you approached naruto. I know Naruto situation is special, but you need a legitimate reason to approach him."
"A reason? Lord Hokage, what kind of life is Naruto living right now? It's only halfway through the month, and he's already run out of food. His fridge has nothing but a few boxes of expired milk he scavenged! He's the Hokage's son! The hero who sealed the Nine-Tails! Yet he's worse off than the orphans in the orphanage. I can't imagine how you'll face my teacher later with this on your conscience."
Kakashi almost scolded the Third Hokage to his face, leaving the Third Hokage staring at him in disbelief. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal, eventually letting out a sigh of guilt.
"Sigh—I did this to protect Naruto. Fine, from now on, Naruto's living allowance will be increased from one thousand ryo to three thousand ryo. That should cover his basic needs. put away your mask this isn't your fault. You may leave."
The Third Hokage slumped into his chair, waving his hand, his aged face looking even more worn.
However, Kakashi didn't put away his mask. Instead, he stood up and placed it on the Hokage's desk, then bowed deeply to the Third Hokage with great solemnity.
"Lord Hokage, I wish to resign from the Anbu, but not because of this."
The Third Hokage was taken aback, looking at Kakashi with confusion.
"Not because of this? Then why?"
"I plan to focus on training and won't have much time for Anbu missions, so I want to temporarily step down from the Anbu."
The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow, took a deep puff from his pipe, and appeared thoughtful.
"What kind of training? The Sharingan?"
"No! Swordsmanship! I plan to inherit my father swordsmanship!"
At these words, the Third Hokage's hand holding the pipe trembled slightly. He stood up abruptly, his voice shaking with excitement.
"I never thought you'd make such a decision. The White Fang of konoha was once so formidable. After his death, I thought I'd never see his swordsmanship again. But you... Good, good, good! I approve!"
The Third Hokage's earlier displeasure vanished, and he immediately sat down to draft Kakashi's resignation papers. But before he could put pen to paper, Kakashi spoke again.
"Also, Lord Hokage, I hope to take Naruto with me for training. I want to repay the Fourth Hokage's kindness by guiding Naruto. Moreover, if Naruto can gain strength sooner, it will ease the pressure on you."
The Third Hokage paused, his brow furrowed in deep concern.
"This won't be easy. Even if I agree, the two elders and Danzo won't. Naruto's identity is too sensitive."
"You don't need to worry about that. Just tell them I will surpass the White Fang of konoha."
........
With money, worries lessen, and with fewer worries, sleep comes more soundly. Naruto slept in late, and by the time he woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. But he didn't mind. After washing up, he prepared a "lavish" breakfast of instant noodles, milk, and bread.
Looking at the "lavish" breakfast spread on the table, Naruto couldn't help but rub his hands together in anticipation.
[Though it's not as good as Ichiraku Ramen, it's still pretty decent.]
Just as Naruto reached for the bread, a knock on the door interrupted him. Though annoyed, he went to open it.
Upon opening the door, he saw the Third Hokage and Kakashi standing there. The Third Hokage stood in the center, smiling warmly at Naruto, while Kakashi stood behind him, this time without his Anbu mask.
[Strange, why is the old man here today? It's not the day for my allowance yet, and Kakashi isn't wearing his mask.]
Naruto was suspicious in his heart, but he showed no sign of it on his face. Instead, he put on a concerned expression.
"Ah! Hokage... Grandpa, what brings you here today? And Big bro Kakashi is here too! Please, come in, come in!"
After letting the two of them into the house, Naruto casually returned to the table to continue eating his breakfast. After all, he was still hungry, and he couldn't just skip breakfast to entertain them, especially since the instant noodles were already prepared.
As soon as Naruto sat down, he started devouring the bread in big bites. The Third Hokage, smoking his pipe, sat down across from Naruto with a warm and kindly smile.
"Having breakfast, Naruto?"
"Yeah, I am. Have you eaten yet? If not, you can have some of my bread."
With that, Naruto handed the bread he had just taken a bite from to the Third Hokage, while his other hand grabbed the milk and took a big gulp.