The parents of the Ino–Shika–Choji families, for some unknown reason, decided that since their children were about to graduate and become Genin of Konoha Village, they would cut off their allowance, claiming it was to foster their independence.
Shikamaru was only one day older than Ino; both were twelve. Being ordinary students was fine, but once they started cultivating their family's Secret Technique, refining Chakra, and undergoing various trainings, the expenses became substantial.
Especially since they also had to bring along Choji, the glutton, and sometimes Ino would even bring Hinata; money flowed like water!
With only about two months left until graduation, they were so broke that they had no choice. The two discussed how to get some money, if nothing else, at least to get through these two months without income.
They were future clan heads, not current clan heads. Even current clan heads couldn't order their Ninja to pull carts for work. After much thought, only renting out houses seemed suitable for their 'low-income' situation.
"Will Uncle Shikaku agree?" Ino asked.
Shikamaru thought for a moment: "They only said they'd cut off our allowance, not that we couldn't get money from other sources. And we're not Ninja yet, so we can't take missions. We can only find ways from these avenues. I think it's worth a try."
Ino had a similar idea. The parents' original intention was probably to make them realize that earning money wasn't easy, not to starve them. Bringing up the house rental idea when they returned should work.
Their constant 'I'm poor' act greatly displeased Sakura. Are you really poor? She, who spent all her allowance and could only eat one rice ball a day, was the truly poor one!
She couldn't help but grumble a few words.
Ino didn't humor her and immediately retorted with a look of disdain: "Always 'Sasuke, Sasuke.' Is that really liking Sasuke? You're just lusting after his body!"
Their voices weren't loud, so people nearby couldn't hear clearly, let alone those further away. However, Sasuke, sitting in the distance, heard very clearly because his five senses were greatly enhanced due to his impending Sharingan activation.
He frowned deeply, disgusted! These women were all idiots, and the worst part was that he had been defeated by one of them!
After school, Sasuke roughly pushed away several girls who wanted to play riddles with him. He wanted to try activating his Sharingan again. Sakura, with her tree-climbing technique, tried to get closer to him, but Sasuke ran too fast, and she only saw a blur.
Sasuke ran all the way to the river, using the cold water to calm himself down and think of a solution.
What could he, nicknamed Erzhuzi, do? His parents were dead, no elders remained, and his older brother was far away and a mortal enemy. There was no one around to discuss things with; he could only charge forward blindly!
He once again gathered Chakra and pushed it towards his eyes, but the more he pushed, the more his head hurt. When he stopped his reckless action, he was horrified to find that a part of his Chakra remained in his eyes and wouldn't leave!
His eyes burned with pain, every second was agonizing, seemingly without end.
"Ah—!" After enduring for only three seconds, he screamed in pain, covering his eyes with his hands and wailing in agony.
Naruto, passing by on the distant riverbank, happened to see this scene. After a slight hesitation, he rushed down.
"Sasuke, what's wrong? Is this... a stomach ache? Did you drink expired milk?"
With Naruto's meager knowledge at 12 years old, he certainly couldn't figure out the problem. Sasuke's pain intensified, and Naruto frantically scratched his ears and cheeks, completely at a loss.
"Sasuke, what in the world is wrong with you? Tell me! Uh, wait here, I'll be right back! Right back! Never mind, I'll carry you!"
In a moment of desperation, he thought of Iruka-sensei. Perhaps his teacher would have a solution?
Naruto carried Sasuke, not even hearing Sakura-chan's shouts from afar. He moved swiftly and quickly found Iruka, who was still in the school office preparing lessons.
Iruka examined him and found that Sasuke's Chakra had a problem, but he wasn't sure what exactly was going on.
"Sensei, what should we do now?" Naruto asked anxiously.
Iruka looked troubled; he was just a Chunin, what solution could he have?
He had been on the battlefield and had some decisiveness. He estimated that Konoha Hospital wouldn't be able to solve such a tricky problem.
"Let's go, we'll find Hokage-sama."
Iruka had attended "Yuan Guidance" and was a legitimate inheritor of the will of fire, recognized by the Third Hokage. Naruto also received living expenses from the Third Hokage every month, so neither of them felt uncomfortable about meeting the Village's big boss.
The two rushed out of the campus, with Sakura panting as she chased after them, but she was still a step too late.
Iruka led the way, with Naruto carrying the unconscious Sasuke behind him. They arrived at the Hokage Building and soon met the Third Hokage, who was working in his office.
"Third Grandpa, you must save Sasuke!" Naruto said anxiously.
The Third Hokage raised a hand: "Don't rush, Naruto, let me see."
He first used a small Sealing Technique to seal the Chakra in Sasuke's eyes. In just that short time, Sasuke was almost in enough pain to wake up.
Once the Sealing Technique was applied, Sasuke's expression immediately calmed, and his breathing gradually slowed.
The Third Hokage frowned in thought. His insight was far superior to Iruka's. The situation was somewhat complex, but he still saw through to the root of the problem at a glance.
He thought for a moment, then said to Iruka: "Please find Kakashi for me. I need some of his professional advice."
"Yes, Third Hokage-sama."
Kakashi wasn't on a mission today and was at home reading a perverted book. Soon, he arrived at the Hokage's office.
"Kakashi, come take a look at this child. His Chakra seems to have some issues," the Third Hokage said.
Kakashi knew Sasuke and also knew why the Third Hokage had called him. He ignored Naruto, who was standing nearby, and lifted his eye patch, revealing a Three Tomoe Sharingan.
The Three Tomoe slowly rotated. He observed seriously for a while and then said: "Indeed, there's a Chakra problem. Strictly speaking, it's a Dojutsu Power problem, mainly because... hmm, I suspect it's due to some unknown change that occurred when the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Body Switch Technique collided with the Dojutsu Power left by Itachi. This change has created a certain disparity and has already integrated with Sasuke's Chakra. The Uchiha Clan's spiritual energy is very powerful. If the Sharingan had activated normally, Itachi's Dojutsu Power could have been converted into Sasuke's Dojutsu Power, and there wouldn't be a problem today. But his Sharingan activation is still in a state of not being fully open, which..."
Kakashi scratched his head as he spoke. He summarized: "This Dojutsu Power, originating from Itachi's Sharingan, seems to be stuck right now, stuck between Sasuke's own body and the Sharingan, like a sudden wall has appeared."