Not to mention Jiraiya, Kakashi Hatake, and some of Minato Namikaze's friends were also keeping an eye on things.
He had the Sarutobi Clan's support, and he was the Hokage himself, so getting money was just a matter of a word.
He wanted to be a 'white moonlight' for Naruto and never truly intended to mistreat him; he just didn't handle some details well.
He had always kept this bankbook, waiting for a crucial moment to use it.
"Hmph, it's settled then." Kushina was too lazy to argue with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Just as Lin Mo said, he might not be entirely evil, but some stains could never be washed away.
She would settle this score when she was truly resurrected.
"Get someone to lead the way. I'll take Naruto to get familiar with the surroundings first."
"I might be returning to the Land of Whirlpools soon."
Kushina urged impatiently.
Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't annoyed; instead, he was delighted.
The current Kushina was exactly as he envisioned her.
Impetuous, impatient, generous, and unwilling to back down.
"Kakashi." Hiruzen Sarutobi put away his pipe and called out.
Whoosh—
A white shadow flashed into the office.
"Bang!"
As soon as he appeared, he took a hard punch to the stomach from Kushina.
It hurt so much that he grimaced, but he didn't utter a sound, enduring it.
"Kakashi, how did I treat you before?" Kushina asked angrily.
Kakashi remained silent, his eyes full of guilt.
To be honest, ever since he became Minato Namikaze's subordinate, Kushina had been good to him and Obito, like a caring big sister boss and a loving mother.
But he had indeed handled the Naruto matter poorly.
"Hmph!"
Seeing Kakashi's demeanor, Kushina didn't want to waste words with him either.
Actually, Minato Namikaze, as Naruto's father, was like this.
Having such a disciple was normal.
It's just that comparisons are odious.
Compared to these people, Lin Mo, who had no direct connection to Naruto, was so good to him and even got angry for him, which was countless times better.
"Naruto, let's go."
She didn't even greet Hiruzen Sarutobi, grabbing Naruto and heading out.
As she reached the door, she saw Lin Mo standing there and immediately smiled: "Lin Mo-kun, come with me. You and Naruto will move to a different place to live from now on."
Her meaning was clear: the new house Hiruzen Sarutobi had someone build for the Fourth Hokage, she intended for Lin Mo and Naruto to live in together.
Kakashi Hatake unconsciously glanced at Lin Mo, his gaze carrying a peculiar scrutiny.
"Sister Kushina, who is this?" Lin Mo feigned ignorance, pointing at Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi was a well-known figure, but not many people actually recognized him.
"Kakashi Hatake, an unpromising disciple." Kushina's tone couldn't hide her anger and disappointment.
Kakashi immediately lowered his head, not daring to look at Lin Mo.
He felt he had no face to see anyone; he didn't deserve it!
"Oh, it's the famous Copy Ninja of the Ninja World, Kakashi of the Sharingan." Lin Mo looked enlightened.
"Your reputation isn't small, is it?" Kushina's expression immediately changed.
She was angry at Kakashi and also thought of Obito Uchiha, who was behind the Sharingan.
"Hurry up." Kushina urged.
"Yes!"
Kakashi Hatake immediately complied obediently.
Lin Mo watched this scene, shaking his head inwardly.
[Kushina is truly angry with Kakashi.]
[I think her anger is quite normal. After all, as Minato Namikaze's disciple, Kakashi received many favors from Kushina in the past, but once she was gone, Kakashi couldn't even go see Naruto, letting Naruto foolishly eat expired food. How could she not be angry?]
Lin Mo recorded bits and pieces in his diary as he walked.
Kushina silently agreed in her heart. Yes, her anger was justified.
But from a different perspective, while Kushina's anger was reasonable, Kakashi's actions also seemed to have a hint of understanding.
Understanding?
What was there to understand?
Kushina felt that this matter was simply indefensible.
After all, Kakashi was Konoha's White Fang's son. He skipped grades and graduated from the Ninja Academy at five, became a Chunin at six, and was promoted to Jonin at twelve. He was truly a genius among geniuses.
"Pfft!"
In the Yamanaka Clan's courtyard, Ino suddenly spat out water, her eyes full of surprise.
"What's wrong with you?" Mrs. Yamanaka, who happened to be passing by, asked.
"Mom, do you know Kakashi Hatake?" Ino asked.
"Of course, I do." Mrs. Yamanaka nodded and said, "He's the dream man in many women's hearts."
"You just heard that Uzumaki Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son, and Kakashi is the Fourth Hokage's colleague, as well as Konoha's White Fang's son."
"You can find out about Konoha's White Fang's deeds by looking through the archives in the library."
"But Kakashi's prowess isn't based on these connections; it's his own true ability."
With that, Mrs. Yamanaka began to recount Kakashi's legendary experiences.
It was exactly as Lin Mo had said, which stunned everyone present.
Being a genius from a young age, he was naturally extremely proud, even a bit arrogant, until the incident with Konoha's White Fang... Lin Mo then described in detail how Kakashi gradually descended into a dark life.
His father, Konoha's White Fang, died, and he first fell into darkness.
He was awakened by Obito, but soon after, Obito "sacrificed" himself in the Ninja World War. Then he personally killed Rin Nohara, completely falling into depravity.
When Minato Namikaze and Kushina died in the Nine-Tailed attack, his darkness reached its peak.
If not for that, he wouldn't have been incited by Danzo Shimura to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Old Monkey was truly skilled in persuasion and had powerful methods, which made Kakashi betray him.
But from then on, no matter the reason, the Old Monkey never allowed Kakashi to approach the Jinchuriki, even if that Jinchuriki was the Fourth Hokage's son.
Could Kakashi still resist Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangements?
...Besides dying, what good would resistance bring Naruto?
It was all that Old Monkey's fault!
Kushina was speechless: ...Looking at the words in Lin Mo's diary, she had to admit that Kakashi was indeed quite miserable.
"Kakashi."
At this moment, he happened to walk in front of the Hokage Tower.
Kushina slowly turned around and said seriously, "The Third Hokage told me that from now on, you will be Naruto's instructor."
"Teach him well, protect his safety, do you hear me?"
Kakashi Hatake's body trembled violently, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice was low and hoarse: "Big sister boss, please rest assured, I will do my best to teach Naruto, and I will risk my life to protect him during missions."
That "big sister boss" made Kushina's heart tremble slightly. This child actually still remembered her forcing him to call her that back then.
Sigh, never mind, she would forgive him this time.
Just then, she saw Lin Mo update his diary content again.
[Mentioning Kakashi taking Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura Haruno on missions.]
[Apparently because Kakashi has the Sharingan, he can both suppress the Nine-Tailed and guide Sasuke.]
[Of course, his relationship with Minato Namikaze and Obito Uchiha is also one of the reasons.]
[But later, this guy became a bit biased, giving Sasuke special training and even teaching him his self-created Chidori, but letting an unreliable, snobbish Jonin teach Naruto.]
Kushina: "??"
Forgive him? No way!
"Bang!"
Kushina swung a punch at Kakashi's stomach, and Kakashi flew backward like a broken kite, his face filled with bewilderment.
He was completely unprepared and didn't even have time to use the Substitution Jutsu.
What was Kushina playing at?
However, I suspect this might be related to Naruto having Wind Release Chakra.
As for the Rasengan, Naruto is learning it a bit slowly, and Kakashi might not have figured out how to teach him yet; Jiraiya might be more suitable.
Later, Kakashi also found Asuma to teach Naruto Wind Release Chakra nature transformation and Shadow Clone training methods.
Kushina was about to hit Kakashi again when she saw Lin Mo update his diary.
She instantly froze.
"Can you stop writing so much at once in your diary, can't you take a breath?" Kushina suddenly looked up, glaring at Lin Mo.
"Sister Kushina, what's wrong?" Lin Mo feigned a look of fear of being scolded.
"Nothing!"
Kushina forced a kind smile and shoved the bankbook into Lin Mo's hand.
"People are afraid of comparisons."
"Kakashi is far inferior to you."
"From now on, this bankbook will be in your keeping."
What?
Lin Mo opened the bankbook and glanced at it. When he saw the long string of zeros, his heart skipped a beat.
[Several Asumas, Kushina wants me to latch onto her!]
The girls: ???
"You're still too green to latch onto my Kushina's leg." Kushina suppressed the urge to argue with Lin Mo.
"You are Naruto's guardian, these funds are for you to keep. I'm afraid he'll spend them recklessly."
"When I return from the Land of Whirlpools, you can give them back to me."
"Alright, Sister Kushina." Lin Mo pocketed the bankbook.
Are you kidding? Money that entered his pocket, did she think it would come out?
"Kakashi, stop playing dead, continue leading the way for me!" Kushina yelled at Kakashi.
Although she knew in her heart that she might have wronged the white-haired youngster again.
But what did that matter?
When have I, the big sister boss, ever been wrong?
"Yes, big sister boss Kushina is right."
Kakashi ran over with his head down, continuing to lead the way for everyone, feeling incredibly aggrieved.
This was just getting a new junior and leaving the old one out in the cold, wasn't it?
He got beaten, but Lin Mo got to manage the money.
"Several Asumas, what does that mean? A new code?"
The girls holding the diary unconsciously frowned, pondering.
For a while, they couldn't connect "several Asumas" with "being a kept man."
If the Old Monkey's youngest son really had several, how inconspicuous would he have to be?
"Could it be some special unit of measurement?"
These girls were no longer the ignorant young maidens they once were. Thinking of Lin Mo using Kakashi as a unit of Chakra measurement before, they immediately made a connection regarding Asuma.
Speaking of being a kept man, it must be Kushina throwing money and resources at Lin Mo.
So, could Asuma be a unit of money?
"Asuma!"
Walking on the road to Konoha's bustling residential area, Kurenai Yuhi suddenly stopped and looked back at the distance, asking, "Do you know in what aspect you are connected to money?"
Anko Mitarashi, next to Kurenai Yuhi, also perked up her ears, looking curious.
As soon as things at the Hokage Tower were done, Asuma Sarutobi went up to Kurenai Yuhi, saying he wanted to walk her home.
She really didn't want to be alone with this "second prince," nor did she want to be seen and misunderstood, so she used the diary to find Anko and arranged to stay together tonight.
Who would have thought that Asuma Sarutobi was still following behind, looking like he intended to escort her home as a bodyguard?
Wasn't this a classic case of self-move, when the other person didn't care at all?
If Konoha really had such dangers, how chaotic would the public order be?
That old man, the Third Hokage, should just off himself sooner!
Now, Kurenai Yuhi finally felt that Asuma was somewhat useful.
"What?"
Asuma, who was trying to quit smoking to maintain his image, looked confused.
"I mean, do you know in what aspect you are connected to money?" Kurenai Yuhi asked seriously, "The kind that's particularly noticeable, that could spread throughout the Ninja World."
Asuma Sarutobi: "..."
He didn't know.
Or rather, he didn't truly know how to answer.
"Does bounty count?" Asuma asked.
A few days ago, when he returned to Konoha after leaving the Guardian Ninja Squad, his friend Chiriku, the monk, in order to ease the sadness of their parting, made a rare joke with him, saying they should compare who was "worth" five million Ryo more.
At the time, Asuma wondered what the standard for this "worth" was. Chiriku, the monk, then produced two bounty posters.
The papers clearly listed their identities, some combat achievements, and portraits, with the bounty amount written at the end: a full twenty-five million Ryo.
Asuma, this guy, was actually "worth" more than Chiriku, the monk, with a bounty of thirty million Ryo.
"Bounty, thirty million Ryo?"
Kurenai Yuhi and Anko exchanged glances, both thinking this might be the answer.
Did Asuma's worth refer to his head being worth thirty million Ryo?
Not necessarily.
Many people in Konoha had bounties, including Kakashi Hatake and even Hiruzen Sarutobi, and their prices were even higher.
Given Lin Mo's personality, if he specifically remembered Asuma's bounty price, it must be because this guy had some special story in "Hokage's Story."
It's highly likely that Asuma Sarutobi sacrificed himself during a special bounty mission.
But according to Lin Mo, Asuma still had to teach Naruto Wind Release Chakra changes, which meant he wasn't dead yet and would only get his 'bento box' (die) after some time.
So, this bounty might even increase.
But overall, that was the meaning.
If several Asumas were added together, that would be over a hundred million Ryo.
"No wonder Lin Mo-kun thought Kushina wanted him to be a kept man."
"Who wouldn't be tempted by someone who can casually give out over a hundred million Ryo?"
Kurenai Yuhi and Anko were both in good spirits after knowing the answer.
They held hands, turned around, and walked into the two-story house next door.
"Asuma, it's getting late, so I won't invite you in."
Kurenai Yuhi didn't even look back, taking Anko into the house and leaving Asuma alone outside.
Why did he suddenly ask about the bounty just now?
"Could it be that Kurenai thinks people with higher bounties are more attractive?"
Asuma lit a cigarette and began to ponder.