Naruto drinking makes me stronger

Chapter 17 - The Hokage’s Headache

"Teacher, Youyu is too tired today. What's the matter?"

Kurenai and Rin called out, but when they looked closer, they realized Youyu was sleeping unnaturally deeply.

They hesitated to wake him up, exchanging glances before Rin softly asked, "Is something wrong?"

Tanaka twitched at the question, his lips curling in exasperation.

Too tired?

All Youyu had done today was drink and sleep.

Oh, right—he also swung his sword at some dirt in the corner of the training field.

Was that supposed to be exhausting?

"Lord Hokage wants to see him," Tanaka finally said with a sigh.

If this were anything less important, he wouldn't have gone through the trouble of disturbing Youyu's nap. But the summons came directly from Hokage-sama, and there was no avoiding it.

"H-Hokage-sama?!"

Kurenai and Rin's eyes widened in shock.

"Yes. Don't worry—it shouldn't be anything bad," Tanaka reassured them, seeing their worried expressions.

That much, at least, he was certain of. If Hokage-sama were upset about something, he wouldn't have been so calm in his summons.

Besides, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been keeping an eye on Youyu for a while now. Even after Youyu had nearly crippled his instructor during a spar, there had been no punishment.

Would someone like that really be in trouble over something trivial like hacking at dirt?

No chance.

Still, Kurenai and Rin exchanged nervous glances. Then, without hesitation, they each grabbed one of Youyu's arms and hoisted him up.

Tanaka's eye twitched.

The way they did that so smoothly—had they carried him like this before?!

He sighed. Normally, if students pulled something like this, he would have scolded them. But Kurenai and Rin?

Yeah. Not happening.

"Fine. Let's go," he said, leading the way.

The group made their way to the principal's office, Youyu still completely unconscious, his weight fully supported by the two girls.

Tanaka felt a headache forming.

The Academy was supposed to produce disciplined, hardworking shinobi. And yet, here they were, carrying a deadweight drunkard to meet the Hokage himself.

If anyone else saw this, they'd think it was some kind of joke.

When they reached the door, Tanaka knocked twice.

"Enter."

Kurenai and Rin tensed up slightly at the voice from inside.

This was the Hokage—the leader of Konoha.

They had only ever seen him from a distance at the Academy's entrance ceremony.

Tanaka pushed open the door and stepped inside.

"Hokage-sama, we've brought Youyu."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been reviewing documents at his desk, looked up with a kind smile, prepared to make a good first impression on the boy he had been observing for so long.

Then, he saw him.

Being carried.

By two girls.

Snoring.

His smile froze.

A vein bulged on his forehead.

"Youyu! You little brat!"

"Huh? Who's yelling?"

Youyu lazily rubbed his eyes, looking around in confusion.

Sarutobi inhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He was starting to regret summoning this kid.

This was supposed to be a proper introduction—a formal meeting to gauge Youyu's potential and discuss his future.

He had even prepared a kind, grandfatherly smile.

But now, that same smile was twitching on his face, barely held together by decades of political experience.

"Youyu, this is the Third Hokage! Show some respect!" Tanaka whispered urgently.

Youyu blinked blearily at the old man sitting behind the desk.

"Old man? Who are you?"

Sarutobi's eyebrow twitched.

He wasn't exactly young, but at this point in time, he still had some vitality left.

"Old man?!"

His fingers twitched as he resisted the urge to rub his temples.

He had heard rumors about this brat's mouth, but experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.

"Youyu, this is the Third Hokage," Tanaka whispered again, his voice tight with panic.

Youyu finally lowered his arms from Kurenai and Rin's shoulders and stumbled forward, swaying slightly.

He stood there for a long moment, staring directly at Sarutobi's face.

Just as the Hokage started to feel slightly uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Youyu finally raised a hand in greeting.

"Yo."

Silence.

Sarutobi's eye twitched.

"You... stared at me for that long just to say 'yo'?"

"Hokage-sama! Please forgive him, he drank a little too much today!" Tanaka blurted out, internally panicking.

He regretted saying it the moment the words left his mouth.

Drank?

A student? In the Ninja Academy?

This was basically a confession that he, as an instructor, had completely failed in maintaining discipline.

Tanaka's face turned pale as he realized the implications.

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow but remained calm.

"Cough. It's fine, Tanaka. Kurenai, Rin—you may leave for now. I'd like to speak with Youyu alone."

Tanaka nearly collapsed in relief.

"Understood, Hokage-sama."

Kurenai and Rin exchanged uncertain looks but obeyed, exiting the office.

Now alone with the boy, Sarutobi sighed and looked at him properly.

"Youyu, right? I am Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage of Konoha."

"Uh-huh."

Sarutobi waited for something more. Maybe a 'Nice to meet you' or at least some kind of respectful response.

Nothing.

Youyu just stood there, looking half-asleep, as if he couldn't care less.

Sarutobi exhaled slowly.

Why did it feel like he was talking to a drunkard at a bar instead of a student at the Ninja Academy?

Shoving aside his irritation, he continued.

"Youyu, you have caught my attention. I have been observing you for some time now."

The boy's half-lidded gaze didn't change.

Sarutobi pressed on.

"Where the leaves fly, the fire burns bright. The village is sustained by the will of its people. That is the—"

A soft snore cut him off.

Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly.

He slowly turned his gaze toward Youyu.

The brat was asleep.

While standing.

Sarutobi's lips parted slightly in disbelief.

This kid just fell asleep in the middle of his speech.

He actually fell asleep.

A heavy silence filled the office.

Sarutobi's eye twitched. His legendary patience, forged through years of diplomacy and war, began to crack.

"Youyu! Wake up!"

The boy jolted, blinking in confusion.

"Eh? Old man, why are you yelling?"

Sarutobi took a slow, deep breath, calming himself.

Shrewdness? Wisdom? Political finesse?

None of that mattered in the face of this brat.

At this rate, even Danzo would have an easier time dealing with him.

Word Count: 1,120

Author Notes:

Youyu continues his streak of making Sarutobi regret life decisions. How long before the Hokage loses his patience completely? Also, Tanaka might need therapy after today.