"Nope."
"If you haven't, then why say I'm just like the rumors?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "If you've got something to say, just say it. I've got stuff to do, don't have time to mess around."
"Ahem."
Konohamaru cleared his throat and said, "It's just... I think you're really different, not like anyone else! That's why I want to follow you!"
Even though Naruto hadn't used the Sexy Jutsu to defeat the Third Hokage this time, his unique personality still caught Konohamaru's attention.
After all, as the Third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru had always been treated with care, respect, fear—or jealousy.
But Naruto was the first person who didn't care about his status at all!
With Naruto, he felt the joy of being treated like a normal person.
That said, when it came to being treated differently, Konohamaru and Naruto were total opposites.
One was loved and protected by the whole village. The other was hated and feared by everyone.
Naruto looked at Konohamaru and, at first, didn't plan to take him in as a follower.
To him, playing "boss and follower" was just kid stuff.
But then he suddenly remembered he only had two boxes of instant noodles left at home, and he changed his mind.
So what if it's just playing around?
Pride doesn't fill your stomach.
And honestly, bowing your head for food isn't that shameful.
"I can take you as a follower, but I have one condition."
"No matter what it is, I agree!"
Seeing how excited Konohamaru looked, Naruto felt pretty satisfied.
Having a respectful and obedient follower like this wasn't so bad after all.
"Don't worry, it's nothing crazy. Just give me your monthly allowance, and we're good," Naruto said casually.
"My allowance?"
Konohamaru tilted his head, a bit embarrassed. "But I don't have one."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, starting to doubt him.
The grandson of the Hokage doesn't get an allowance?
"Don't you ever buy stuff?"
"I don't need to spend money on anything."
Konohamaru scratched his head and chuckled, leaving Naruto speechless.
So this is what being the Hokage's grandson gets you?
Like having a black credit card with no limit in Konoha?
"Forget it. Just treat me to two big meals every month instead," Naruto waved it off and changed the deal.
And that kind of deal? Way too easy for Konohamaru.
"If it's just food, no problem at all! Don't worry, big bro, I got this!" Konohamaru patted his chest and promised.
"Perfect. I'm hungry right now. Let's go eat," Naruto said to Konohamaru calmly.
It's all that stingy old man Hiruzen's fault!
I mean, come on—I'm the Fourth Hokage's only son and the hero who sealed the Nine Tails.
If you're not going to give me my dad's inheritance, at least give me some more spending money every month!
Instead, I eat instant noodles every day. No wonder I'm not growing taller!
Even though he had come from another world, Naruto still had a big problem with his height.
He measured it last night—at twelve years old, he was only a little over 140 cm!
This was just too hard to accept.
And that was exactly why he couldn't wait to solve his food problem.
Make money!
"Hehe, I'm hungry too. Big bro, come to my place for a meal, okay? Our maid's cooking is pretty good!"
A maid, huh…
"Sure."
Naruto nodded casually and followed Konohamaru toward the Sarutobi compound.
On the way—
Konohamaru kept asking Naruto questions.
"Big bro."
"Yeah?"
"Do you know any powerful jutsu?"
"Jutsu?"
Naruto thought for a moment and said, "I guess I do."
Light Release was still a jutsu, right?
"Really? Can you teach me?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because all my jutsu rely on talent. You can't learn them just by training. But… if you really want to beat your grandpa, I can teach you a special jutsu."
"A jutsu that can beat my grandpa? Really?"
"Yeah. But I need to eat first before I teach you."
"No problem, big bro! I promise I'll feed you well!"
Konohamaru patted his chest to show how serious he was and unconsciously started walking faster.
Before long, they arrived at the Sarutobi clan's compound.
The Sarutobi territory was big, and the clan had a lot of people!
Naruto's arrival quickly drew attention from many of the clan members.
But it wasn't a friendly kind of attention—Naruto could clearly feel their disgust and fear toward him.
If Konohamaru hadn't been walking beside him, these people probably would've tried to kick him out already.
"It's hard to believe my past self survived in this village for twelve years," Naruto frowned, clearly unhappy with how these people were acting.
Still, he came here to eat. As long as they didn't start something, he didn't want to either.
Ignoring the hateful stares around him, Naruto followed Konohamaru into Hiruzen Sarutobi's yard.
Hiruzen wasn't home. Or more accurately, he rarely stayed at the clan residence—he was usually at the Hokage's place.
So it was unlikely Naruto would run into him here.
But even though he didn't see Hiruzen, he did see Konohamaru's maid.
She was a young woman with black hair.
Her face and outfit made her look like she wasn't even twenty yet. It was hard to imagine someone like her was a maid.
"You're back, young master!"
Sarutobi Magpie happily ran over to greet Konohamaru. But when she noticed Naruto, her smile froze.
Why is this kid here?
Magpie was clearly surprised and on guard at Naruto's presence.
Like most people in the village, she didn't like him at all.
Still, since Konohamaru was here, she didn't say anything.
"Magpie, me and Naruto bro are hungry. Go make us something to eat!"
This kid is going to eat here too?
Magpie hesitated for a moment, but quickly snapped out of it. She gave a small bow and smiled, "I'll start right away, young master Konohamaru~"
After saying that, she jogged off, but Naruto noticed that she kept glancing back at him.
Her look clearly said she was very cautious around him.
The old Naruto might've felt hurt by that, but the Naruto now—didn't care at all.
Like he said before, he was just here for a free meal. He didn't want to cause any trouble.
Besides, he couldn't control whether people liked him or hated him.
As long as they didn't come looking for a fight, he just wanted to do his own thing.
"Big bro Naruto, come with me, we're going to the dining room!"
"Alright."
Naruto nodded and followed behind Konohamaru.
Compared to the others in the village, Naruto found this kid more and more likable.
How one person feels about another really depends on how you look at it.
Some people might seem average at first, but if you compare them to someone really awful, they'll suddenly seem much better.