Asuma quickly confirmed that the leader of the Wave Ninja had consumed a forbidden drug.
The medicine granted explosive power, but at the cost of overdrawing his own vitality.
Once the effect wore off, the leader withered away and died not long after.
His vitality wasn't just gone—even his body's nutrients had been completely consumed.
Still, even a dead body could yield intelligence. The Intelligence Division would analyze it later.
For now, the mission was complete.
The bandits had been wiped out, and the next step was cleanup, intelligence gathering, and aftermath work.
Those responsibilities no longer involved Itsuki.
After agreeing with Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi to meet for dinner back in the village, Itsuki took Tsubaki and left first.
Ino and Hinata wanted to ask Itsuki where he lived, but Anko Mitarashi's earlier words had silenced them.
Before leaving, Itsuki approached Kurenai Yuhi and asked her to teach him genjutsu.
Although surprised, she neither agreed nor refused.
Instead, she told him to come find her once they were back, so she could first test his talent for illusions before deciding.
Hinata and Ino exchanged glances. This development lined up exactly with what they had seen in the future video.
"So… what about my ability in that video?" Hinata wondered inwardly.
She had been deeply inspired after seeing her own future strength, especially the way she enhanced her Gentle Fist with new techniques.
Hinata had even started practicing in secret.
She could fight decently, but there was always something missing—something that kept her from breaking through.
It was the same as when she tried to learn the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms.
She could perform half of it, but she would always stall before completing the full technique.
If she could uncover the reason why, she might be able to push her abilities to an entirely new level.
Hinata didn't crave power for its own sake, but she wanted recognition from the people around her. For that, she needed strength.
"Chun, Chun, you've already seen what I look like. Why don't you take off your mask and let me see you too? Fair's fair!"
On the way back, Itsuki teased Tsubaki as usual, reaching toward her mask.
Tsubaki quickly dodged and said sharply, "Captain, don't forget the rules of the Anbu! You already broke them by removing your mask. Don't drag me into this too. And I'm reporting that you revealed your identity on this mission!"
"Chun, you're so heartless!" Itsuki clutched his chest dramatically. "I thought of you as a friend, but you actually use rules against me and even betray me? That's cold. Truly chilling!"
"That's not betrayal," Tsubaki said helplessly. "If I know and don't report it, we'll both be punished. But if you report it honestly, considering your contributions, the village will likely overlook it. At worst, your merit will cancel out your violation."
"I don't wanna hear it!" Itsuki clapped his hands over his ears, shaking his head like a child. "Excuses! All excuses! I won't listen to your sophistry!"
Tsubaki couldn't help laughing. The man who had saved the battlefield just hours ago now looked like a sulking brat.
"Alright, alright, Captain," Tsubaki said, humoring him. "Once this mission ends, I'll invite you to my home."
"Really?" Itsuki's eyes sparkled.
If he visited her home, he'd finally see her face—and maybe even catch her in casual clothes. Jackpot.
Tsubaki was Itsuki's first true teammate and partner, and their personalities meshed well.
He didn't want their bond to fade into nothing after one mission.
Even though they were both Anbu under Tenzō, cooperation wasn't guaranteed.
But to Itsuki, actively chasing bonds felt entirely different from passively waiting for them.
"Really, I promise," Tsubaki said, laughing at his enthusiasm. "Actually, I have a very cute younger sister. I'll introduce you. I bet you'll get along."
"Oh, and she's a new Academy graduate this year. You might even know her already."
Itsuki froze for a moment. "Wait… if she graduated this year, then she's one of my classmates. What's her name?"
As soon as he asked, he regretted it. There had been too many girls in his class—what if he didn't recognize her name? Embarrassing.
Luckily, Tsubaki didn't answer. She just smirked playfully. "Guess for yourself. You'll find out when the time comes."
Although he avoided the embarrassment, Itsuki still pouted.
He thumped his chest and complained, "Chun, this isn't right. Not right at all! If you're trying to make me your brother-in-law, then don't hide things from me."
"And what about the dowry? If it's too little, I won't accept it!"
Tsubaki blinked in disbelief.
What the hell?
When did she ever say she wanted him as a brother-in-law? And now he was demanding a dowry?
Good guy. What a good guy!
Finally, she burst out: "Shame on you!"
She stomped toward his foot, but Itsuki hopped away with a grin.
"Can't catch me, can't catch me!"
"Get back here!"
The two chased each other down the forest path until their laughter faded into the trees.
By the time they returned to the village, half a day had passed, mission included.
After reporting in, they were free to rest.
"Ahhh!"
A figure stepped out of the changing room and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Itsuki waiting outside.
After recovering, she slapped her chest in relief and glared at him. "Captain! You scared me half to death! What were you doing sneaking by the door? Don't tell me you were trying to peek at me changing?!"
It was Tsubaki. She stood about 1.6 meters tall, in her early twenties.
Hearing her voice, Itsuki was sure it was her. She had been alone in the changing room, so there was no doubt.
Yet when he saw her face, a strange sense of familiarity struck him—as if he had seen her somewhere before.
Maybe she had appeared in the original story?
But if so, she must not have been important. In the anime, iconic characters were instantly recognizable, and Tsubaki didn't fit that.
"Ahem!" Itsuki coughed into his hand, guilty. "Of course not. How could I be that kind of guy? I'm not interested in women. Women will only slow down my cultivation."
"Really?" Tsubaki raised an eyebrow. "I don't know who was just asking to be my brother-in-law. Not interested in women, huh?"
"Ah, that's not important!" Itsuki said quickly. "Chun, Chun—"
He reached a hand toward her chest, grinning.
This time, Tsubaki was ready. She stepped back immediately, clutching her vest and glaring daggers at him.
She had changed out of her Anbu armor, but was still wearing a green Chunin vest.
The vest was thick and flat, so even if he touched it, he wouldn't really feel anything. But she definitely would.
And that was enough for her to warn him with a murderous glare.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Konoha Harem Chat Group: I Can Fabricate the Future (Completed) is now on Patreon!
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