Naruto drinking makes me stronger-Chapter 18: A Drunkards Negotiation

Youyu looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with dissatisfaction.

"Why are you yelling? What's with all the fuss?"

Sarutobi sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Forget it, forget it... why am I getting worked up over a drunk kid?" he muttered to himself.

He looked at Youyu, feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

The most powerful prodigy of Konoha's younger generation—and this was him.

If only he didn't drink so much...

After calming himself, Sarutobi decided to start over, introducing himself properly.

"I am the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen."

He expected a respectful acknowledgment. Maybe even admiration.

Instead, Youyu tilted his head.

"Oh, you're the guy with the crystal ball in the women's bath?"

Sarutobi choked.

His eyes widened, his entire body tensed, and he almost bit his tongue.

"Who told you that?!"

His voice came out in a strangled shout.

How in the world did this brat know about that?!

"Yeah, Youyu, who told you this?" Sarutobi asked carefully, trying to maintain some dignity.

Youyu scratched his head, thinking for a moment.

"Not sure... I think I heard some white-haired guy say it when I was buying wine at a bar?"

Sarutobi's face darkened immediately.

"Jiraiya!"

That idiot! His own disciple running his mouth like this!

Sarutobi ground his teeth. The next time he saw Jiraiya, there would be consequences.

"Ahem! Youyu, that was nonsense. As the Third Hokage, I would never do such a thing," Sarutobi coughed awkwardly, trying to change the subject.

Before Youyu could say anything else, he quickly moved on.

"Let's forget about that. I called you here to ask a few things."

Youyu shrugged, giving a lazy nod.

"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead."

Sarutobi cleared his throat, regaining some composure.

"Do you love this village?"

"Of course!" Youyu answered immediately.

There was wine, meat, and plenty of people to cut down—what wasn't to love?

Sarutobi smiled, relieved by the answer.

Drunks tended to speak the truth, and this was a good sign.

"In that case, there is something Konoha needs your help with," Sarutobi said seriously.

Youyu blinked, looking mildly interested.

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Then Sarutobi told him.

"You want me to enter the Chūnin Exams?"

"Yes, Youyu. I—"

"Not going."

Sarutobi's words froze in his throat.

His face stiffened.

"...What?"

"Too much trouble. Not going." Youyu waved a hand dismissively, already looking bored.

Sarutobi stared at him.

In all his years as Hokage, he had convinced stubborn clan heads, war-hardened shinobi, and even political leaders from other villages.

Yet here he was, getting shut down by a drunk nine-year-old.

"Youyu," he tried again, his tone more serious. "The village is in a difficult position right now. Don't you want to protect the place you love?"

Sarutobi leaned forward slightly, eyes filled with expectation.

He had already sent invitations to every major shinobi village—not just their allies, but even their rivals.

This was part of his larger strategy.

Right now, Konoha was weaker than it had been in decades.

The Second Shinobi War had left them scarred. The Senju Clan had suffered great losses, with even Nawaki, Tsunade's younger brother, dying in battle.

Tsunade had left the village, and without the Senju, Konoha had lost a massive pillar of strength.

Then there was the death of Sakumo Hatake, the "White Fang."

To the outside world, Konoha was beginning to look vulnerable.

Sarutobi couldn't let that stand.

The Chūnin Exams would be an opportunity to showcase Konoha's new generation.

And Youyu?

Youyu was their ace.

Even the most talented genin—including Kakashi—stood no chance against him.

If Youyu participated, it would send a clear message to the other villages.

It was the perfect plan.

But there was just one problem.

"Youyu, don't you want to prove Konoha's strength?" Sarutobi pressed.

"Nope," Youyu replied instantly.

Sarutobi's eye twitched.

The stubbornness of this kid—!

Negotiation wasn't working.

Maybe... intimidation?

No, that wouldn't work either.

Threatening a drunk swordsman was just asking for trouble.

Sarutobi took a deep breath. If reason wouldn't work... then bribery.

"Ahem. Youyu, if you take part in the Chūnin Exams and win, I will give you a bottle of good sake."

Youyu's eyes lit up.

Sarutobi smiled.

Hook, line, and sinker.

But just as he thought he had won, Youyu leaned forward and smacked his hand on the desk.

"Alright! I'll do it!"

Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.

Then Youyu continued.

"But you have to give me an entire house filled with sake!"

Sarutobi's smile vanished.

His eye twitched violently.

"Youyu," he said slowly, "I said a bottle. Not an entire house."

Youyu crossed his arms.

"Old man, I heard you loud and clear. You promised a house of sake. I've been drinking for decades—I never mishear things when I'm drunk!"

Sarutobi's expression twitched even harder.

Decades?

This brat was nine.

Even if he had been drinking since birth, it wasn't decades.

But... technically, it had been nearly a decade...

He groaned, rubbing his face.

There was no way Youyu was going to budge.

"Fine!" Sarutobi finally snapped, grinding his teeth. "If you get first place in the Chūnin Exams, I will give you a house filled with sake!"

Youyu grinned.

"Deal! Now, let's make it official. Pinkie promise!"

Sarutobi stared at him.

This brat just scammed the Hokage himself into buying him an entire stockpile of liquor.

But at this point?

Sarutobi was too tired to argue.

With a long sigh, he held out his pinkie.

"You brat... you better win."

"You kidding? This is the easiest bet I've ever made!"

As the two locked their pinkies together, Sarutobi prayed to the heavens.

How did this kid make him feel more exhausted than a war?

Word Count: 970

Author Notes:

Sarutobi: "Let me use diplomacy to convince Youyu."

Youyu: "Give me a house of booze."

Sarutobi: "...I hate this kid."

Next Chapter: Youyu vs. The Chūnin Exams!