When Kurotsuchi came out of the hot spring, she saw a familiar figure sitting at the entrance.
"Nar…?"
Kurotsuchi was startled and instinctively called out. Water droplets slid down from her wet hair.
But she reacted quickly, immediately shutting her mouth and stopping herself from calling Naruto's name.
She had already seen Naruto's strength.
It was better not to provoke him here, and even more important not to expose his identity.
If anything happened, Iwagakure would be put in a very difficult position.
Thinking of the reason Naruto might have come here, Kurotsuchi walked toward him with a bitter expression.
She glanced around, confirmed that no one was paying attention, and then quietly asked, "What are you doing here?"
Naruto looked at her calmly. "You should know."
Kurotsuchi pursed her lips and said, "Follow me."
She led him into a narrow, dim alley. Naruto, of course, wasn't afraid of her suddenly attacking him, so he followed without hesitation.
After reaching a secluded spot, Kurotsuchi carefully checked her surroundings. Only then did she take a deep breath and ask, "You mean why I didn't explain the reason to Grandpa, right?"
"Of course," Naruto said shamelessly. "This has caused me some trouble. I'm an unmarried man—what if my reputation gets ruined by you?"
How shameless!
Kurotsuchi's lips twitched slightly.
She was the one whose reputation had been ruined!
However… this matter did seem to be her fault.
Kurotsuchi wasn't an unreasonable person, and she didn't dwell too much on Naruto's words.
That said, she didn't think Naruto had much of a reputation to begin with.
Recalling Ōnoki's cheerful smile, Kurotsuchi said, "This is my fault, but I don't plan to correct it. Of course… if you're willing to cooperate with me in acting out a scene, that would be even better."
"A scene?" Naruto grew a little curious. "What kind of scene?"
Kurotsuchi explained, "Meeting Grandpa—as my husband."
Naruto shook his head slightly without saying anything, but his attitude was obvious.
However… he quickly thought of some of Iwagakure's secret techniques.
What if…
With that thought, Naruto said, "Alright, but I have conditions."
"What conditions?" Kurotsuchi crossed her arms over her chest and scrutinized Naruto from head to toe, her eyes filled with suspicion and caution.
This guy was definitely not a good person.
If he made some outrageous demands, she would have no choice but to—
Naruto chuckled. "I'm not that desperate for you. Besides, I already have—cough cough—"
"Let's not talk about that. I'm very interested in your Dust Release."
When Naruto mentioned certain things earlier, Kurotsuchi's heart skipped a beat.
But after hearing him bring up Dust Release, she couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"What are you talking about? Hahahaha! You actually want Dust Release?"
Naruto scratched his head in confusion. "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Kurotsuchi laughed loudly and shook her head. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Dust Release has been researched by countless people, but those who can actually learn it are one in a million."
For decades, no ninja in Iwagakure had been able to master Dust Release again.
Naruto wanted to take the cultivation method and practice it himself?
Where did he get that kind of confidence?
"Thanks for the reminder," Naruto said calmly. "Whether I can learn it or not is my business."
He stated his stance clearly. "So if you want me to cooperate with your act, you need to bribe me with Dust Release."
Kurotsuchi's gaze sharpened. "Even if you're extremely unlikely to learn it, Dust Release is still a treasure of our village. There's no way I'd give you information about it for such a flimsy reason. Change your condition."
"Then I want Tailed Beast Chakra," Naruto said.
"You…" Kurotsuchi rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "Can you change it again?"
"Again?" Naruto fell into thought.
He was planning to establish his own ninja village, and having some form of connection with Iwagakure wouldn't be a bad thing.
After a moment, he said, "Then Iwagakure owes me a favor."
"No, that won't work either," Kurotsuchi shook her head. "This is a private matter between you, me, and the old man. It shouldn't be raised to the level of the entire village."
Naruto sighed. "Is that so… Then I don't seem to be interested in anything else."
There were only a few things in Iwagakure that could interest Naruto.
Dust Release.
Tailed Beasts.
A favor only counted as half.
Because Naruto didn't actually need it that much.
Aside from things related to strength and power, there were only his personal preferences.
And Naruto didn't have many of those.
As for Kurotsuchi herself?
Tsk tsk~
Naruto couldn't say he was extremely familiar with her, but he could say he knew her quite well.
Karin's Transformation Technique was extremely sophisticated, with remarkably precise details.
Why?
Because Karin possessed Kagura Shingan, and her Transformation Technique was based on the detailed information she obtained through it.
As a result, Karin's transformations had a very high level of realism.
With this thought, Naruto said to Kurotsuchi, "I hope you explain the situation to Ōnoki as soon as possible. Don't let any more rumors spread. I'm a man with a fiancée."
After saying that, Naruto turned to leave.
He would find another way to obtain Dust Release and Tailed Beast Chakra.
After all, Iwagakure hadn't provoked him, so he couldn't simply resort to force.
And Naruto's usual approach was to try diplomacy first.
Seeing Naruto about to leave, Kurotsuchi instinctively called out, "Wait!"
"What is it now?" Naruto turned back to look at her.
Kurotsuchi narrowed her eyes slightly, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.
Her mind raced as she quickly realized the implications of the situation.
Naruto's strength was terrifying.
He wanted Dust Release and Tailed Beast Chakra.
If negotiations broke down, the consequences were obvious.
As a member of the village, Kurotsuchi certainly didn't want things to escalate to that point.
Since she already needed Naruto's cooperation, she might as well use that opportunity to give him some benefits.
That way, Naruto wouldn't need to use force to obtain what he wanted.
Iwagakure could also save face.
At the same time, they could establish a friendly transactional relationship with Naruto.
That would leave a good impression on both sides.
However, if it was just simple acting, Iwagakure would be at too much of a disadvantage.
What should she do?
Kurotsuchi's mind worked rapidly, desperately searching for a solution.
When facing someone of Naruto's level, Iwagakure really had no right to refuse outright.
And the fact that Naruto was still willing to negotiate was already good news.
Moreover, there were rumors that Naruto intended to establish his own power.
Although it was still just rumors, there was no guarantee he wouldn't actually do it.
At that moment…
Kurotsuchi truly lived up to her reputation. As someone who would eventually become Tsuchikage, she instantly grasped the stakes and began carefully weighing a solution.
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[Naruto: I Don't Want Recognition]
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