Naruto: Mastered Your Strategy?

Ren opened his eyes to find daylight streaming through the window.

Looking outside, he saw Kurenai tending to her flower garden, which had grown into a well-maintained oasis.

Near the gate, a figure kept glancing toward the house nervously.

Stretching and yawning, Ren got up, dressed, and stepped outside.

"Master, I'm here to clean the room," Karin said softly, bowing her head.

"Go ahead."

Ren had never explicitly asked Karin to handle such chores. Whether it was Kurenai's suggestion or her own initiative, he wasn't sure.

Inside the bedroom, Karin surveyed the scene: tissues carelessly strewn on the floor, bed sheets and blankets tangled, faint traces of damp spots visible.

Pressing her lips together, she silently began tidying up.

…

By the time Ren finished washing up, his breakfast was waiting on the dining table.

"You're up," Kurenai said, stepping in from the garden to join him.

"Yeah."

"There's something I forgot to tell you yesterday," Kurenai said as she took a seat beside him.

"Meiko invited us to her house again."

Ren paused, glancing at her.

"Should we go?" Kurenai asked.

"Do you want to?"

"I'll follow your lead."

"Tomorrow," Ren decided. "Today, I'll be training Shikamaru and the others."

"Alright."

Kurenai propped her chin in her hands, watching Ren eat.

Without much thought, Ren used his chopsticks to feed her a bite of food. But instead of simply taking it, Kurenai playfully bit down on the chopsticks.

"What are you doing?" Ren asked.

Kurenai didn't reply. Instead, she licked the chopsticks clean before leaning in for a kiss.

Ren coolly blocked her with his hand.

"Didn't you get enough last night?"

Kurenai pouted. "No fun at all. Hmph!"

She stood and walked out of the dining room, leaving Ren to finish his meal in peace.

…

In the living room, Kurenai spotted Karin coming downstairs, holding a trash bag.

When she caught sight of the tissue balls inside, Kurenai's expression shifted slightly.

"From now on, don't clean the master bedroom," she instructed.

"Yes, ma'am," Karin replied quietly, quickly heading outside to dispose of the trash.

…

In the village streets…

"Perverted Sage, let's go eat ramen!"

"Get lost. Ramen's overrated."

"But if I eat ramen, I'll be supercharged for training!"

"You've been saying that every time, but all you summon are tadpoles. You've got no talent!"

"I just had a bad streak, that's all! Next time, I'll summon a frog with four legs for sure!" Naruto argued confidently. "Now take me for ramen!"

Jiraiya crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. Just as he was about to reply, something caught his attention.

"What's up, Perverted Sage?"

"For the last time, stop calling me that! I'm the Toad Sage, Jiraiya!"

"Yeah, yeah, Perverted Sage," Naruto said dismissively.

Jiraiya sighed, pulling out some cash and handing it to Naruto. "Go get your ramen. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Naruto eyed him suspiciously. "You're not sneaking off to peek at women again, are you?"

"Idiot! Don't lump me in with your dirty little fantasies!"

Naruto's expression remained unconvinced, but he eventually shrugged and walked off toward Ichiraku Ramen.

…

At a quiet tea shop, the Third Hokage sat sipping tea.

Jiraiya approached, taking the seat across from him.

"You returned to the village, but you didn't even come to see your teacher," the Hokage said, his tone calm but pointed.

"Guess I wasn't sneaky enough if you found out," Jiraiya replied, leaning back in his chair.

"Parading down the street with Naruto isn't exactly subtle," the Hokage said with a hint of amusement.

"This isn't about Orochimaru, is it?"

"No."

"Then it's about Naruto?"

"Maybe," Jiraiya said vaguely, staring out at the bustling street beyond the shop.

"I'm retiring soon," the Hokage said after a pause.

"Hmm."

"I want you to be the Fifth Hokage."

"I'm not cut out for that."

The Hokage sighed softly.

"Danzo is dead."

Jiraiya froze, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The tea shop grew silent.

After a long moment, Jiraiya spoke. "I wondered why the Uchiha seem to have such a prominent position now."

"You really had the stomach for it, huh?"

The Hokage cradled his tea cup, his thumb idly tracing the rim.

"Changes had to be made," he said quietly. "If it benefits the village, I'll do whatever it takes."

"Hmm." Jiraiya leaned forward slightly.

"I've chosen a young successor," the Hokage continued.

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow.

"They have the ability, but they're still building their reputation. I'm not sure I'll live to see it fully realized."

Jiraiya glanced at the old man sitting before him, his once-imposing figure now slightly hunched.

"Who is it? Kakashi?"

The Hokage shook his head.

"Asuma?"

Taking a sip of tea, the Hokage replied, "Do you remember Shisui Uchiha?"

"The one branded a rogue?"

The Hokage nodded. "This candidate once rivaled him on the battlefield."

Jiraiya furrowed his brow, searching his memory. He vaguely recalled someone who fit the description but couldn't pinpoint a name.

"If you chose them, I'm sure they're up to the task," Jiraiya finally said.

"You'll understand when you meet him," the Hokage replied.

"And the Fifth Hokage? Go find Tsunade."

The Hokage sighed. "How do we convince her to return?"

Jiraiya stood, giving a small wave as he exited.

…

At Ichiraku Ramen…

"What's with the long face, Naruto?" Teuchi asked, handing over a steaming bowl of ramen.

"Nothing," Naruto replied, smiling faintly as he stared at the broth.

For a moment, he seemed lost in thought. Then, with renewed energy, he downed the broth in one gulp and reached for his frog wallet.

"Thanks for the meal!"

"Yo, Naruto! There you are!" A heavy hand clapped down on Naruto's shoulder.

"Perverted Sage!" Naruto exclaimed, lighting up. "You're back!"

"I told you I'd only be gone for a few minutes," Jiraiya said, sitting beside him.

"You like this ramen joint too?"

"Of course! Ichiraku's is the best in the world!" Naruto declared, his hands gesturing wildly.

"Teuchi-san, two more bowls, please!"

"You just ate!" Jiraiya said, raising an eyebrow.

"I can always eat more!" Naruto grinned, pulling out cash.

"I'm treating you this time, Perverted Sage!"

"That's my money!" Jiraiya retorted, pointing at the bills in Naruto's hand.

"You gave it to me, so now it's mine!" Naruto said smugly.

Jiraiya chuckled, shaking his head.

"You really love ramen, huh?"

Naruto nodded enthusiastically.

"You ever notice your name sounds like something in ramen?" Jiraiya asked, smirking.

"Huh? Like what?"

"Fish cake. Narutomaki."

"Damn it! I'm not a fish cake!" Naruto shouted, fists clenched.

Jiraiya burst into laughter, his voice booming through the ramen shop.

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