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Chapter 45 - Chapter 45 : Poor Masato

In the forest, Naruto and Sasuke were competing to see who would reach the top of the tree first.

It had been some time since Kakashi had taken Sakura away for water-walking training, and by now, Naruto was actually surpassing Sasuke in tree climbing.

Sensing the perfect opportunity, Naruto decided it was time for payback.

With a smug grin, he said,

"Oh my, Sasuke—the number one in the academy—can't even beat the dead last? What a shame."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

That signature Uchiha-style laugh coming from Naruto made Sasuke's eyebrow twitch in irritation.

But what came next after that laugh was An imminent beating.

Sasuke clenched his fists.

"Damn it… I've never been this humiliated."

Cough!

Well, maybe except that one time with Itachi…

Naruto, on the other hand, was feeling unstoppable.

Ever since he had awakened his Uzumaki bloodline, he had been experiencing subtle changes.

Even though his Uzumaki physique was still in its early phase, it gave him a noticeable boost in stamina and chakra reserves.

Most importantly, it helped him suppress the Nine-Tails' chakra, making his chakra control training much easier.

Still grinning like a maniac, Naruto was basking in his small victory.

Sasuke had had enough.

With a sharp breath, he activated his Sharingan.

In an instant, his jet-black eyes turned crimson red, with a single tomoe spinning in each eye.

Naruto hadn't noticed it yet.

Sasuke stepped up to the tree again and started climbing—this time, faster, more controlled, more fluid.

He passed Naruto in seconds.

He almost reached the top…

…almost.

Right before the final step, he slipped and dropped back down.

Naruto, who had been all smug and satisfied until a moment ago, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

His face darkened.

He was speechless.

Sasuke had nearly made it to the top in one go… and he himself was still stuck halfway.

Then Sasuke stood up again—and this time, Naruto noticed his eyes.

'Sharingan?!'

"Hey! That's cheating, you bastard! You're using the Sharingan!"

Sasuke smirked.

"How is using the Sharingan cheating? It's a kekkei genkai of my clan. If you don't have one, just say so."

"Y-You…!"

Naruto stammered.

He couldn't even argue—Sasuke technically wasn't wrong.

But accepting it? Not happening.

'Hmph… Just wait. One day, I'll awaken the Sharingan too. And when I do, I'll make you regret ever mocking me!'

Fueled by his competitive spirit, Naruto prepared to climb again.

But to his despair, Sasuke, now fully focused with his Sharingan active, climbed straight to the top on his second try.

Once he reached it, he looked down arrogantly and smirked.

"See you later, last one."

That sentence hit Naruto like a punch on abdomen.

And with that final blow, Sasuke turned and left the area, leaving Naruto to stew in silence.

╰(ɵ̥̥ ˑ̫ ɵ̥̥ ╰)

"Why, God… why didn't you let me show off just once…"

Though devastated, Naruto was nothing if not persistent. He pulled himself together, knowing he still had training to do.

Meanwhile, Masato—now officially Naruto's secretary—had just arrived near Tazuna's house, searching for his new boss.

But he didn't even make it past the treeline before he was stopped—cold.

A kunai pressed against his throat.

"Who are you?"

A calm but deadly voice came from the side.

Masato froze.

To his right stood a silver-haired ninja, one eye exposed, the rest of his face hidden behind a mask.

Why me again…?

I just survived Zabuza and Haku yesterday—now this?! Is my luck nosediving these days?!

Kakashi didn't strike—yet.

The man clearly wasn't a shinobi. He had no chakra—and no killing intent.

But with Gato gone, Kakashi wasn't about to take chances. There could still be enemies lurking.

Precautions were necessary.

Masato's voice trembled as he raised his hands.

"S-Sir! I swear I'm not here for trouble! I'm just looking for someone!"

Kakashi's blade didn't move.

"Who?"

"A blond-haired boy… Naruto Uzumaki!" Masato blurted, voice cracking.

Kakashi's eye narrowed.

Now he was even more suspicious.

Masato, seeing Kakashi's deadly silence, felt his life flashing before his eyes.

What did I say?! Was it the 'Naruto' part? Am I getting stabbed for saying a kid's name?!

Seeing the kunai inch closer, Masato did the only thing he could do—panic ramble.

"Gato is dead! Some of his lands and assets were handed over to Naruto! I'm his secretary now! I'm just here to deliver his monthly earnings and business reports! I swear I'm not making this up!!"

Kakashi blinked.

Masato stood still, arms raised, wheezing slightly.

His hands were up, but his soul was gone.

He was a man running purely on instinct and fear.

"…You're Naruto's what?" Kakashi asked, baffled.

"His secretary!" Masato said, almost like he was confessing to a crime.

Kakashi stared at him for another long moment.

Finally, the kunai disappeared into his sleeve.

Kakashi sighed and stepped back. He had already heard Naruto's side of the story—how Haku took him to Gato's estate before returning him.

It wasn't too hard to guess.

Haku probably gave Naruto some property as a reward for that ridiculous "just rob Gato instead" idea.

It was unusual, yes—but not impossible.

In the ninja world, anything could happen.

What Kakashi didn't know, however, was the scale of the reward… and honestly, he didn't want to.

"…Fine. But I'm watching you."

Masato collapsed a little—not physically, but spiritually.

He had never been this close to death and survived.

Again.

Being Naruto's secretary is hazardous work. I better ask for a raise.

After two more hours of intense training, Naruto finally reached the tree top.

"Haha! I finally did it!" he exclaimed proudly, standing high in the tree and enjoying the full view of the forest.

"Man… that was exhausting…" he muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Grrrrrrgllgghhh…

His stomach let out a monstrous growl.

"Right! First I eat, then I train more!"

With that, Naruto quickly made his way back to Tazuna's house.

As he entered the house, the first person he saw was Masato.

Naruto blinked in surprise.

He remembered this old man from earlier—he had seen him with Haku.

Masato gave a polite, professional smile.

"Good to see you again, Mr. Naruto."

Naruto looked around, confused.

"Uh… are you talking to me?"

Masato nodded.

"Yes, sir. I'm talking to you."

Naruto blinked again.

It was the first time someone had talked to him so respectfully.

He wasn't sure how to feel.

"Uhh… Uncle, what can I do for you?" he asked shyly, secretly feeling a little happy.

Masato smiled gently.

"Mr. Naruto, my name is Masato Takami. I'm your secretary from today onward. I've come to deliver your monthly business reports—and transfer your monthly profits."

Naruto tilted his head.

"Huh? What business? What profits? What are you even talking about, Uncle Masato?"

Masato blinked.

'…He doesn't know?'

Haku hadn't told him?!

'Sigh… ninjas are truly strange creatures.'

So Masato patiently explained everything—the land deeds, the shipping empire, the closure of illegal businesses, and the fact that Naruto now owned assets worth more than some nations.

Naruto's eyes sparkled.

"Uncle, how many bowls of ramen can I buy with that kind of money?"

Masato froze.

"…..."

'should I just jump off a cliff at this point.'

You can buy the entire Ramen store, kid. You could buy all the ramen in the Five Nations and still have change.

But Masato took a deep breath and resumed his professional demeanor.

There was No use yelling at Naruto.

One: Naruto is an Ninja he can't beat him even if we wanted to.

Two: Naruto was His boss now.

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