C5 Finding a Way to Make Money!

While Russell took a break at dawn, Might Guy had already finished his warm-up and was off running laps around Konoha.

Don't let Guy's age fool you; even at fourteen, he's been a Chunin for quite some time.

If he really pushed himself, his combat prowess could even surpass Kakashi's.

Russell figured that Guy was on the brink of becoming a Jonin!

These thoughts zipped through Russell's mind.

Once his energy returned, he dusted off his clothes, his thoughts turning to the Minato family.

With the sun dipping low in the sky, evening was upon him, and it was time for Russell to head home.

If not, Kushina would surely have a lesson ready for him about the deep red of flowers!

The fourth training field was on the outskirts of Konoha, a good distance from the village center.

And now, with nightfall approaching, Russell realized he was the only one left.

"Tsk tsk, if this were a novel, I'd be due for an assassination attempt right about now!"

He scanned the surrounding woods, his eyes brimming with excitement.

He was yearning for the hero's experience, eager to see if he could get a taste of it.

"Tap! Tap! Tap!"

Footsteps echoed as Russell moved farther from the training field.

Just a few more steps and he'd be completely out of the forest.

Russell, ever alert, couldn't hide the disappointment in his eyes.

"Am I really not cut out to be the main character?"

Russell made it home without a hint of danger, sinking into a bout of dejection.

From the now distant forest, a voice mused, "Are all Konoha's kids this cautious?"

"Russ, the Ninja School starts in a few days. Minato and I have signed you up."

Kushina dropped the news just as he picked up his bowl of rice.

"Okay, I know!" he replied.

Minato struggled to contain his amusement at Russell's deflated reaction, teasingly piling on.

"Russ, the war's over. You've got to complete the full six years at Ninja School now!"

Confronted with Minato's barely suppressed grin, Russell felt utterly resigned. He muttered a few words before retreating to his bedroom.

"Is this some kind of joke? Kakashi and the rest have graduated, and Uchiha Itachi is only three. What's the point of me going to Ninja School now?"

As the realization dawned on him, Russell's gaze turned vacant, and he sprawled out on the ground, lifeless.

Kakashi, Asuma, and Yuhi Kurenai were all his seniors, having graduated due to the war, while the Twelve Geniuses hadn't even come into the picture yet.

At this time, the only notable figure from the original story was a three-year-old Uchiha Itachi, still toddling around in split-bottom pants!

This meant that all of Russell's would-be classmates were nothing more than expendable troops!

"Damn it!" The frustration built up as he dwelled on it, until Russell couldn't hold back his expletives any longer.

"With no geniuses around, they're just fodder. What's the point in collecting cards?"

But there was no way around it; the customs of Konoha weren't easily swayed by any one individual, especially not with the Sandaime Hokage in charge.

Besides, Minato and Kushina were keen on Russell attending school, so he had no choice but to comply.

"No way!" Russell suddenly sat up, stroking his chin as he murmured, "The Nine-Tails incident is just two years away. I can't stand by and watch Minato and Kushina meet their fate. I need to find a solution!"

"Combat! Combat! But with no war, and no leaving Konoha, where's the fight going to come from?"

"Snap!" In a flash of inspiration, Russell clapped his hands together, exclaiming with a burst of excitement, "That's it! Time to sleep on it!"

Content with his epiphany, Russell drifted off to sleep, a contented smile on his lips.

Before long, he was deep in a dream.

There, in his dream, Russell was flush with cash, hosting the inaugural Konoha Plaza Martial Arts Tournament!

The grand prize was a hefty ten million, enough to buy a third of Sarutobi Asuma's bounty.

Eager for the money and the title of Konoha's strongest, ninjas from all over scrambled to sign up.

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage himself, couldn't resist joining the fray.

Russell lounged in the sun, collecting attribute cards as they showered down like golden rain.

By the time the final showdown came around, Russell was unbeatable in the Ninja Realm, effortlessly knocking both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Minato out of the competition!

Back in the quiet of his room, a serene smile played across dreaming Russell's face, drool pooling beneath him.

The next morning, Russell woke up and, without even pausing for breakfast, dashed out to explore Konoha.