Naruto: SSS-Rank Romance System

"Well, the ice cream was still pretty good," Kidomaru said. "Do we really have to wait for him here?"

"Our mission from Orochimaru-sama is to disguise ourselves as orphans and infiltrate Konoha, then execute the Konoha Crush Plan during the Chunin Exams."

"But it seems there's still some time before the exams start, and Konoha has apparently provoked someone formidable these past couple of days."

"I'm done waiting; I can't keep this up," Sakon and Ukon said. "I'm going for a stroll."

"Don't leave; without him, we really might starve!" Kidomaru called out as he ran after them.

The only ones left were Jirobo and Tayuya in their child forms.

"Hey, Tayuya," Jirobo looked at his departing teammates. "Are you really going to wait for him?"

"Shut up!" Tayuya muttered grimly, walking off in another direction.

---

On the other side, Naruto returned to class at the Ninja Academy, using the Transformation Jutsu to mark Sasuke and Sakura as present.

On the platform, the female instructor Shizune was lecturing on the Will of Fire. Even her lovely voice couldn't mask the decaying ideology, which was putting Naruto to sleep.

Drowsily, he lay on the desk and dozed off. By the time he woke up, the classroom was empty, and a crimson sunset was filtering in through the windows.

Naruto groaned. He had made plans to go out for barbecue with those four people but had slept through it. He'd been so idle lately that even simple meals with company felt enjoyable.

Training was off the table; he didn't need to do D-rank missions anymore and was just waiting for the Chunin Exams. He had already planned how to waste the remaining time.

But now, it was a little embarrassing. He'd overslept.

"Great, overslept, real smooth," Naruto muttered, wiping drool from his mouth and hurried out the door. "I don't know why I've been so sleepy lately."

As he rushed out of the academy, he arrived at their planned meeting spot. The place was empty by then; no one would wait from noon until dusk. They'd probably think he didn't care about the agreement.

Naruto sighed. His newly found meal buddies were gone. But since he was here, he might as well eat.

Right on cue, his stomach growled—and then he heard another grumbling sound coming from a nearby stack of boxes.

Naruto froze.

A shy girl emerged from behind the boxes.

---

At the barbecue shop, the sizzling meat released a mouth-watering aroma as it touched the hot grill. Naruto cooked while placing the meat into his and the girl's bowls.

"Eat up." He couldn't help but start eating himself.

The girl took a few bites, then looked up at him, puzzled. "Isn't barbecue expensive?"

"Not really," Naruto replied with his mouth full. "Don't worry, I can totally afford it."

After eating, Naruto asked if she needed food to take back for the other three.

"No need. They probably found something on their own," she said with a smile.

"Alright then. If you're here again tomorrow morning, just wait here. I'll get there early; today was just a mishap."

"Okay!" she nodded sincerely.

After they parted, Naruto walked home leisurely. Tayuya slipped into an alley, quickly vanishing into the darkness.

---

The next day, after waking up, Naruto didn't post his usual update on the God of Shinobi. The Anbu had come to find him.

"The Hokage wants to see you."

"Alright."

On the way, Naruto remembered yesterday's promise and felt a bit anxious. He hoped the meeting wouldn't take too long, or he'd break his word again.

In the Hokage's office, Naruto met the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. The old man was smoking his pipe, his gaze fixed on Naruto.

"Naruto, the village has encountered some unusual events recently," Hiruzen said. "What's your take on it?"

"Doesn't feel any different to me," Naruto replied indifferently. "With you around, the village should be safe enough."

"I saw your name on the Chunin Exam list," Hiruzen continued.

"Considering the village's current state, and your importance to it, I'd like you to skip this exam."

"Alright." Naruto agreed without hesitation. "Can I leave now?"

"Don't you want to know why?" Hiruzen asked. "I thought you'd be upset; the Chunin Exams are a valuable stage for any ninja."

"No need to ask," Naruto said coolly. "The village must have its reasons. I don't really care."

"A ninja's essence is obedience, right? It doesn't matter to me."

Hiruzen looked at him, troubled, unable to respond. He wanted Naruto to be more than a weapon for the village, but this Naruto didn't have such a bright outlook.

Naruto sensed the village's attitude toward him, and he didn't want to risk his life for Konoha.

With the system he had, he didn't need anyone to teach him jutsu or help him control the Nine-Tails. If he wanted, the system could bypass the fox entirely and draw out its power.

It was just a fox within him, hardly worth his caution.

Someday, he would crush the Nine-Tails with a single punch.

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