Chapter 26: Making Money

"Then, we can start it," Naruto said with a confident smirk. "But it'd be better to do it outside the village."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "And why's that?"

Naruto crossed his arms, looking serious. "Because if we start profiting off you inside Konoha, people will catch on fast. Plus, I don't want Jiji sniffing around our business."

Shizune nodded in agreement. "That's smart. If we take it outside the village, we can expand more freely."

Tsunade sighed, rubbing her temples. "So, let me get this straight—you're planning to follow me around, bet against me, and make money off my unfortunate luck?"

Naruto grinned. "Exactly."

Tsunade groaned. "Why do I feel like I'm about to be scammed by a four-year-old?"

"What scam? I was just giving you an opportunity to make money. If you don't need it, then okay. Come on, Shizune, let's go," Naruto huffed, turning away dramatically. 

Shizune followed his lead, shaking her head in disappointment. "Tsunade-sama, you're accusing Naruto? I thought you were good and smart... I didn't know you'd stoop this low." 

Tsunade twitched, her eye slightly narrowing. 

Naruto and Shizune continued walking, their steps slow and deliberate, waiting. 

"Wait," Tsunade finally sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Okay, fine. I agree with you." 

The moment the words left her mouth, Naruto and Shizune turned to each other, grinning in silent victory. Their plan had worked.

Tsunade sighed in defeat, crossing her arms. "You two really ganged up on me, huh?"

Naruto turned around with a bright grin. "No, no, Tsunade-chan. We just helped you see reason."

Shizune nodded, her expression all too innocent. "Yes, Tsunade-sama. We only wanted what's best for you."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes at them, feeling like she'd been played. But seeing their victorious smiles, she couldn't help but chuckle. "Fine. But don't blame me if we end up broke instead."

Naruto smirked. "That's why I'm here—to make sure we don't."

As Shizune and Naruto high-fived each other, Tsunade shook her head, already regretting what she had just agreed to.

"Then, let's leave the village to make money!" Naruto cheered, throwing his fist into the air with excitement.

Tsunade, however, frowned as a thought crossed her mind. "Naruto, you know the Hokage would never allow you to leave the village."

Naruto tilted his head, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "You're talking about the thing sealed inside me, aren't you?"

Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't expected him to bring it up so casually. "Wait… you already know?"

Naruto chuckled. "Do you think I'm just a four-year-old child?"

Tsunade crossed her arms, her lips twitching into a smirk. "Yes. Yes, you are."

Naruto pouted, crossing his arms. "I may be four, but that doesn't mean I'm clueless."

Tsunade sighed, rubbing her temple. "Naruto, it's not about being clueless. It's about the danger."

"But if someone attacks me, that means they already know I'm a Jinchūriki," Naruto reasoned, his voice steady. "That means there's a traitor in the village—someone who leaked the information. And if that happens, we'll have proof. We can find out who they are and deal with them." His bright blue eyes locked onto Tsunade's. "And besides… I trust you. If anything happens, I know you'll protect me."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, studying Naruto's expression. His reasoning was sharp—too sharp for a four-year-old, but at this point, nothing about him surprised her anymore. 

"You're really something, brat," she muttered, crossing her arms. "You're saying that if someone attacks, we use it to sniff out the traitor?" 

Naruto nodded. "Exactly. If no one attacks, then it's safe. If someone does, we find out who leaked the info and deal with it. Either way, we win." 

Tsunade let out a low chuckle. "You're playing a dangerous game, kid." 

Naruto grinned. "Life's a gamble, isn't it, Tsunade-chan?" 

She smirked, shaking her head. "Fine. But if things go south, you better be ready to run." 

Naruto flashed his signature foxy grin. "You'll be running with me, won't you?" 

Tsunade ruffled his hair, sighing. "Yeah, yeah, you little troublemaker. Let's just hope this crazy plan of yours works."

With that, all three ordered the workers to continue their work and returned home to inform Kushina.

Kushina's eyes widened in shock, her hands gripping the edge of the table. "What?! You're leaving the village with Tsunade?"

Naruto met her gaze without hesitation. "Yes, Mom. I have a plan," he said firmly. "I'll hire a mercenary and put out a task to find any surviving Uzumaki. But before that, I need to make money. Some gambling houses outside the village are corrupt, and I can take advantage of that… clean them up and turn them into something better."

Kushina's heart clenched. She could see the determination in his eyes—the same fierce spirit that ran in their blood. He wasn't just a child playing around. He was serious. He was thinking ahead, making plans, and shaping his future.

She exhaled deeply, gripping her chest. "So much like your father…" she thought. A part of her wanted to stop him, to keep him safe within the village walls, but another part… another part was so proud it hurt.

"You really thought this through, huh?" she asked, her voice softer now.

Naruto nodded. "I have to, Mom. The Uzumaki are still out there. And if I don't move now… who will?"

Kushina closed her eyes for a moment before pulling him into a tight hug. "You're still my little boy, you know that?" she whispered. "Alright… but promise me, no matter what happens, you'll come back safe."

Naruto grinned, hugging her back. "I know, Mom. But I have a dream… and I won't stop until I make it real. "And I promise I'll come back safe."

Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement. "Then, I can leave, right?" he asked, barely able to contain his eagerness.

Kushina took a deep breath, her gaze softening as she looked at her son. There was worry in her heart, but also immense pride. He was still just a child, yet he carried himself with a strength far beyond his years.

"Yes," she said gently, her voice laced with both love and resolve. "You can go."

Shizune crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced. "Naruto, you're just a child. How do you expect them to even let you play?"

Naruto grinned mischievously. "That's simple!" He clapped his hands together and, with a puff of smoke, transformed into a striking young man in his twenties—tall, broad-shouldered, and undeniably handsome. His red hair framed his sharp features, and his confident smirk only added to his charm.

"With this, there's no problem," he declared, his voice now deeper and more mature.