Naruto: What Kind of Starter Pack is 13 Years Late?

"Didn't you say you wouldn't proctor my exam?"

"Did I?"

"Yes! You definitely did! I even treated you to ramen!"

"How come I remember that ever since I became a Ninja, I haven't let you treat me much?"

On Konoha's main street, Naruto's face was filled with agitation, clearly angered by Takemi.

Sasuke also looked helpless; he was currently troubled about whether he could graduate successfully.

He wasn't Naruto. He knew very well how terrifying someone like Takemi, who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy and was about to become a Jonin, truly was.

Although he felt very unwilling, he didn't harbor any jealousy.

Perhaps they had become familiar with each other?

But as soon as he thought about his terrible personality, if he really were to be the Jonin evaluating his graduation, he would panic.

If he really got stuck, how would he get revenge on Itachi?!

"Takemi, are you really going to be our examiner?" Sasuke asked cautiously, while Naruto was still agitated.

"Damn it, I clearly treated you!"

"You treated me my ass, I was the one who paid, alright."

Takemi looked at Naruto with displeasure, then turned to Sasuke.

"Also, you should ask Hokage-sama about this. How would I know who will be assigned to me, but I'm very curious about one thing."

"Wh-what?"

"Are you two so lacking in confidence that you're really no good?"

"…"

"Relax, relax, be confident. Even if you're under me, it's the same. The Genin graduation exam is very simple."

"…"

With you around, can it be simple?

Sasuke didn't dare to speak, thinking of Takemi's reputation at the Ninja Academy and his legendary experiences.

Especially his record of sending his teammates to the hospital and successfully graduating himself, how could such a person be associated with simplicity?

"So, you guys should go beg Hokage-sama about this." Takemi raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile on his face.

"And Naruto knows the method, it's the Jutsu I told you about last time, to have Hokage-sama appraise it."

"Huh?"

Naruto was stunned when he heard this, and his eyes immediately lit up.

He had thought about it last time but never had the chance to put it into practice. Now that it was brought up again, he was naturally a bit excited.

"And, this Jutsu is even more effective against stronger enemies." Takemi's smile grew wider.

"Look at Pervy Sage, he didn't have any resistance either."

"Looks like that's right! Yosh, it's decided!"

Naruto's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and he finally made a decision, but Sasuke looked confused.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing, nothing, hehe."

Naruto grinned mischievously, then immediately changed the subject, "Hey, Takemi, you're about to become a Jonin, so what's your dream now?"

"You bastard…"

Sasuke glared at Naruto, but Takemi seemed to be stumped by the question.

"A dream, huh?"

A dream seemed a bit distant, yet also very close. But this question wasn't much to him, after all, his goal was his dream.

That was to properly develop his bloodline and live the life he wanted!

He didn't think there was any conflict between the two, and even if there was, he could just grab it all.

As a growing Ōtsutsuki, if he didn't even dare to say 'I want it all,' then what was the point of struggling?

"My dream is very simple, to continuously get stronger, and then live the life I want." Takemi put his hands behind his head and spoke leisurely.

"Perhaps I can even open a shop, let's call it 'Odd Jobs Shop,' since I have a sword and white hair."

"What's an Odd Jobs Shop, and what does it have to do with a sword and white hair?"

Naruto and Sasuke were confused, unable to understand the meaning.

Takemi ignored them and continued, "Just do a little business to earn some money, then marry a beautiful wife, so I won't have to introduce myself as 'thirty-three and still unmarried' anymore."

"…"

"It would be best to find a four-eyed guy to help me watch the shop, especially one who can work for free, but I remember there's a four-eyed guy who doesn't seem very reliable."

"…"

"Well, I guess that's it."

"…"

Sasuke's eyes grew more bewildered. He understood every word Takemi said, but when put together, he seemed to not quite grasp it.

Naruto scratched his ear. He also felt that this conversation was off, and he even caught a key point.

"Huh? Is your goal that low? Aren't you supposed to be that…"

Naruto felt embarrassed to say it. He still remembered Takemi seemingly saying something like 'the days of the throne being vacant will end, from now on, it will be me…'

He didn't finish his sentence, but the general meaning seemed to be 'aiming for Hokage.' How did it change now?

"What is it?"

This time, it was Takemi who looked confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing, nothing!"

Naruto immediately denied it, while chuckling like a fox.

"I support your dream, absolutely support it! From now on, I'll definitely buy things from your shop every day!"

"Idiot…"

Sasuke clutched his forehead, he couldn't keep up with Naruto's idiotic thought process.

And it seemed Naruto wasn't going to say what he was planning, so he simply looked at Takemi and said, "Um, it's still early, can you continue training us?"

"Let him train us?"

Naruto almost had a stress reaction again; last time, running around the entire village almost killed him.

Naruto exclaimed, "Are you kidding me?"

Takemi said, "Training? That's enough. We should balance work and rest. How about we have dinner tonight?"

Takemi stroked his chin. He thought a small dinner gathering would be nice.

Although he was two years older than Naruto and his friends, they weren't that far apart in age, and thanks to Naruto, their relationship was quite good.

Especially when it was his birthday, he himself had forgotten, but they remembered to send gifts.

He had always remembered that, so getting together wasn't a bad thing. They were all friends, after all.

"Dinner?"

Naruto gasped, instinctively touching his pocket.

Before he could speak, Sasuke interjected, "No problem, but you also said 'balance work and rest,' so do we still have some time now?"

"You brat, you really are…"

Takemi stroked his chin, then his eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "Forget the training, but I can teach you a very interesting jutsu. From now on, no matter who you're facing, as long as you use your head, you can protect yourself and create opportunities."

"Jutsu?"

Sasuke and Naruto's eyes brightened.