"Eh? Gen-senpai, what brings you here?"
While the shinobi world roiled with shifting schemes, inside a flower shop in Konohagakure, Yamanaka Ino blinked in surprise at the sight of Kitagawa Gen.
But her astonishment quickly blossomed into delight, and she ran over with a bright smile.
"Welcome, welcome! Senpai, are you here to buy flowers again?"
"Mhm."
Kitagawa Gen gave a small nod, then helplessly gestured behind him at Naruto and Karin.
"These two managed to water my potted plant to death. So now I've got to replace it."
"…"
Ino blinked, stunned by the explanation. She hadn't expected something like that at all.
Naruto and Karin, meanwhile, looked thoroughly embarrassed. Fortunately, Yamanaka Inoichi stepped out just then.
"Oh, Gen? Here to buy flowers?"
The moment Inoichi saw Kitagawa Gen, his eyes lit up.
"It's been a while since you last came around."
"Can't be helped. Lately neither Kakashi-sensei nor Jiraiya-sama has ended up in the hospital."
Gen was bluntly honest as always, speaking in all seriousness.
"And not just them—even the Hokage hasn't either, so…"
"…"
The smile froze on Inoichi's face. Sure, what he said wasn't wrong, but did he really have to put it that way?
No wonder the Third kept grumbling about Konoha's education system being a problem—there really was some truth to it!
"Gen, take your time choosing."
Shaking his head, Inoichi let it go. He smiled at Gen and Ino, then turned toward Naruto and Karin.
"You two—feel like grabbing a bite? Come with me."
With that, he led the pair away, leaving only Gen and Ino in the shop.
"Inoichi-ojisan really is enthusiastic, isn't he?"
Watching the scene, Gen raised an amused brow and chuckled.
"Well, uh… let's take a look at the flowers first."
Ino felt a bit awkward, but she quickly composed herself.
"So then, Senpai, what kind of flowers would you like this time?"
"I'll leave that to your recommendation. Honestly, I don't have many requirements."
Gen rubbed his chin, thinking before he spoke.
"As long as they're easy to care for. Sometimes I don't have much free time."
"That's true. Senpai, you've already far surpassed what anyone ever imagined."
At his words, Ino gave a small nod, though she lowered her head as well.
Her father had never told her much about Kitagawa Gen. Only when she pestered him did she manage to learn fragments here and there.
But she wasn't clueless. She knew well that Kitagawa Gen had long since reached a place ordinary people couldn't even fathom.
And besides—she had Shikamaru as a friend, and that guy's intel was second to none.
Ino gave a faint shake of her head, sighing inwardly, before speaking again.
"Actually, Senpai, you could choose some finer flowers. After all, you're practically—"
"Forget it. No need to trouble yourself, Ino."
Gen tilted his head, smiling wryly as he shook it.
"Simpler is better."
"But…"
"Ino, you've cared for so many flowers. You must know that flowers and people are the same, don't you?"
"Eh?"
She froze for a moment, then nodded. Gen crouched in front of a pot, smiling as he continued.
"Flowers are like people. Some think too highly of themselves and naturally prefer those noble but delicate blooms. But others are different—they'd rather love the ordinary flowers, the ones that endure and keep on living."
"Like you, Senpai?"
"Just call me Gen. It's true—I prefer these flowers. In fact, I even think they're better."
Kitagawa Gen paused for a moment before continuing with a smile.
"They may look ordinary, but they never mind standing alongside other plants. They don't see themselves as noble, yet they seize every chance to bloom. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Is that so…"
Ino blinked, momentarily taken aback. Almost unconsciously, she glanced toward Naruto and Karin, who were still laughing and chatting with her father.
When she turned back to Gen, her gaze seemed faintly changed. But at that moment, Gen chuckled.
"Of course, they're also less of a hassle—not so easily drowned by those two idiots if they try watering them again. The last one had taken me years to raise!"
"…"
Ino was speechless at first, then couldn't help but laugh as well.
"Then, Sen—Gen, besides these kinds of flowers, are there any others you like?"
"Flowers, huh?"
Gen hesitated at the question. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly recalled something and gave a faint smile.
"If I had to say… perhaps the flowers that bloom on the edge of cliffs."
"Huh?"
Ino blinked again in surprise. Gen rose to his feet, still smiling as he explained.
"The reason I prefer them is because ordinary people stop at the edge of a cliff. But those fearless blossoms— they step forward, as though taking a step into the sky."
Into the sky… taking that step.
Hearing those words, Ino's eyes grew distant, her expression hazy. A faint flush crept into her cheeks soon after.
What puzzled Gen was how Ino suddenly seemed far less talkative than before.
"Please come again!"
Before long, Ino had helped Gen pick out his flowers, and the group prepared to head back.
Inoichi cast a curious look at his daughter, but in the end, he simply offered the farewell himself, greeting Gen and the others as they left.
"See you, Inoichi-ojisan!"
Naruto waved with extra enthusiasm, and Kitagawa Gen and Karin also raised their hands in farewell.
Once they had gone a fair distance, Naruto couldn't help but sigh.
"Never thought Ino's dad would turn out to be such an interesting guy."
"Hah."
Karin shot him a glance, then glanced at Gen.
Interesting? He was only that way because of Gen-senpai's presence!
"Inoichi-senpai really is impressive. He's something of an idol for quite a few intel shinobi, you know."
Gen nodded, replying with an easy smile.
"Every time I see him, he's gentle and kind. He's always looked out for me—though sometimes maybe a bit too much."
Like that time I went to see Kisame, and he cut the surveillance for me…
"I really envy Ino."
Naruto suddenly let out a sigh. Karin seemed to understand what he meant and joined him with a sigh of her own.
Gen, however, didn't dwell on it. He glanced at the two of them and couldn't help but sigh as well.
"She is lucky. The three of us together can't even piece together a full family."
"…"
"…"
Karin had no idea how to respond to such a hellish topic, while Naruto seemed entirely unfazed.
"You bastard, you really know how to hit where it hurts!"
But even after saying that, Naruto let out another sigh.
"It's such a shame… I've always wanted to know what it feels like to have parents."
"Well… maybe someday you will."
Gen gave a casual smile. But the very next instant, his expression froze—and the smile slipped away.
[Acquired Naruto Exclusive Side Quest 2]
[Home Visit of the Jōnin Instructor]
[Meet Naruto's parents, and point out Naruto's issues]
[Exclusive side quests do not affect normal side quests]
[Accept?]
"…"
This quest… wasn't it even more hellish than what I just said?
Home visits.
It was a very unfamiliar word.
At least, for Kitagawa Gen it was. After all, no one had ever made a home visit when he graduated.
He became a jōnin and kept coasting along with Kakashi. In a team of three, two of them didn't even need home visits.
Besides, with Kakashi taking the lead, he didn't have to worry about such things at all—Kakashi handled everything by himself.
That was also the reason why he was happy to stay in the current squad and keep drifting along. Kakashi was just too capable!
'So why not let me do Sasuke's home visit?'
Gen was a little annoyed. Sasuke's case was relatively simple—just dig up a grave, gather some material, and the summoning could be done.
But Naruto's side was a bit more troublesome. Uzumaki Kushina should be manageable, but his father's soul was trapped inside the Shinigami's stomach.
'Looks like there are only two ways. Either I do a home visit at the grave… or…'
Gen's gaze fell on Naruto's stomach, and that look instantly left Naruto bewildered.
"What's wrong? What are you staring at me for?"
"Nothing. I was just thinking about something else."
Gen withdrew his gaze, already turning over in his mind how he should handle this matter.
Right now, his control over chakra was unbelievably precise. Whatever he wanted to attempt with chakra, he could easily achieve.
'The only problem is… once I enter the spiritual world, what form will I actually take?'
Last time, when he went to meet the Nine-Tails, he had directly turned into an Ōtsutsuki!
'But I should be able to control it. Still, I'll put it off for later, because—'
When he lifted his head, Gen saw several ANBU appear before him.
"Jōnin Gen, the Hokage requests your presence in his office."
These ANBU were quite polite, only speaking after they had approached him.
"I understand. I'll head there right away."
Gen nodded. He had been back for quite some time and still hadn't submitted any sort of report.
And after the state he was in last night, reporting had been impossible anyway. Now was the best time.
But he hadn't forgotten Naruto. After thinking for a moment, he turned to Naruto and Karin and said: "Go back and help me with the planting. Don't water randomly, and wait for me at my house."
"Okay."
One blond and one red-haired Uzumaki both nodded at the same time. Only then did Gen turn and follow the ANBU away.
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