—Hm.
—Hmm.
—Hmmm.
—H—
—Enough!!— Takeshi growled as he dispelled his ice clones into crystalline pieces that dissolved in the air.
The brown-haired youth sighed and turned his attention to the corpses, which he was now sure were not Konoha Anbu.
Why? Because he detected a strange seal on their tongues that activated as soon as they died, and there was only one old bastard in this world capable of doing that to his own men.
Well, actually many, if you take into account the Hyūga Patriarch who installed the Branch Family Seal and all subsequent leaders who continued the tradition, but that is not the point.
These sinister and silent types were Root.
With no desire for Danzo to have information on him so soon, Takeshi took the bodies of the Root Ninjas with him, burning them that night until nothing was left but smoking bones.
It was risky enough allowing Suna to know his origins and some of his capabilities, but that little shit village didn't have the power to subdue him, unless they involve Rasa, and even then, Takeshi was confident in defeating the weakest Kage of this era.
After all, he countered him spectacularly. Water to impede his sand, Ice to freeze it, and Dark Release to steal his chakra.
—Ugh, I hope that imbecile doesn't ruin the deal for now. I really need that money if I want to hire Kakuzu one more time without him betraying me— Takeshi murmured.
Yes, it's not very convincing to offer more money to a dangerous, unscrupulous guy who loves money so that he doesn't stab you in the back.
But it turns out it does work, as long as it's done correctly, like Takeshi did, giving him the total sum in parts in exchange for completing tasks.
A little bit for meeting, a little more for listening, a little more of Asuma's bounty for doing the job, and a little less at the end for doing it as requested.
But there were still several years until that happened. Specifically, there were years to go before the ugly bug that Takeshi wanted as a means to become stronger was nourished.
If Rasa wanted to be funny, Takeshi would simply wander through the unexplored lands of the movies and study another entity of interest there, while also looting the Daimyos to raise funds.
Going back to Danzo, for that old bat to know about his double Kekkei Genkai or at least about his status as a possible last user of Ice Release, would be more than problematic.
The damned old man was much more annoying than all of Sunagakure. Takeshi definitely wouldn't want him chasing his tail.
***************************
After returning to the small city with the girls in his group, spending a day playing and exploring with Karin, and a night snuggling with his clingy and dangerous mother, whose respect for the sacred line called blood ties was nonexistent, Takeshi finally resumed his search for Tsunade throughout the Land of Fire.
They visited all kinds of places, ate decent food, although the omnipresence of rice and soup bothered Takeshi, who did not enjoy the white grain or soggy food.
Karin spent the best days of her life, seeing new things and, for once, not worrying about her mom's health.
Yumi also had fun, her former docile and timid behavior gradually fading away and adopting a more self-assured attitude, even going so far as to ask Takeshi for things like new items of clothing and some products for ladies.
That lit the fuse, and the young man was dragged into an entire day of shopping with the women.
As a consolation, his always helpful mother dragged him inside the fitting room to help her try on some quite daring outfits that almost made him falter, but a wave of icy chakra aimed at his crotch prevented him from committing any irreversible sin.
Even so, it did not prevent his eyes from enjoying the view, nodding with approval at his well-maintained progenitor.
It was at the end of the day that Yumi made an equally bold, but understandable, proposal.
—Master Takeshi, please allow me some money to work— she said during dinner that night, leaning over the table. —I appreciate your attention and generosity, but it doesn't seem fair to me that you take care of my daughter and me without me giving you something back.
—What are you talking about? Technically, you work for me every day. You wash my clothes, prepare my meals, and when Tsunade evaluates you and, perhaps, cures you, then you will be able to perform other activities. Yumi-San, the time you have spent with me is more than enough to cover all the expenses for today.
—Master Takeshi, don't take me for a fool. I know those clothes are expensive and the meals you usually invite us to are not cheap at all. I highly doubt a job as a cook and laundress allows me to spend so much- the Uzumaki replied with an intense look.
—Ugh, fine, but we'll discuss this once Tsunade takes care of you, okay?— Takeshi conceded.
—Thank you, Master Takeshi— Yumi replied with a dazzling smile.
After that, dinner continued normally. Later that night, Takeshi left Kimiko in charge of surveillance and protection while he went to explore the casinos.
As usual, he found nothing worthy of mention. He started to wonder if the damned old woman was even in the Land of Fire.
He didn't remember if it was mentioned that she only wandered through this nation, or if she crossed borders to other countries. Many years had passed since he last saw Naruto, and those kinds of details escaped him.
While walking through the streets bustling with activity and recalling events from the anime, his eyes lingered on the orange lanterns that dotted the rooftops.
Their particular light, the faded tone of some, and the flame markings painted on the signs of some establishments reminded him of a minor event in the story, and non-canonical in the manga, but which suited him perfectly.
—Sora... — he murmured, his eyes snapping open.
That's it! The brat who was implanted with Kurama's chakra in that filler arc where the hair witch kissed Naruto.
Where was he found? Some kind of temple dedicated to fire or some nonsense like that. But that was irrelevant.
The important thing was the chakra he had.
Although Takeshi didn't plan to meddle much with the plot, unless he wanted to, Sora was expendable for the story. And there was someone else more important than him who could use a power boost, however minimal.
Immediately he headed to the inn, took a quick shower, in which he planned how to get some necessary seals and recontact the always reliable Kakuzu.
Afterward, he entered his room and threw himself onto the bed, where Kimiko lay vigilant, just as he had asked.
—Hm, did something good happen?— she asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. Her mind obviously wandered to imagining strange results involving other women.
—Hehe, as a matter of fact, Mom. Although I still need to make some arrangements, so I'll tell you later— Takeshi said mysteriously, wrapping his mother in his arms and burying his face in her chest.
—Oh, alright— she said with a smile, not questioning her son.
Although strange and somewhat murky, their relationship was strong enough not to doubt each other.