"Who's making all that noise at the Hyūga compound?" A loud shout rang out.
Two guards materialized in front of Neji with the Body Flicker Technique, appearing in twin bursts of displaced air. Seeing Neji's bruised, swollen face, both guards startled backward.
"It's me!" Neji's voice came out bitter, barely recognizable through his injuries.
Hearing that familiar voice from such an unrecognizable face, the guards stood stunned. "Master Neji? Why do you look like this?"
The moment the guard asked, Neji's nose tingled with approaching tears. His composure finally broke, and moisture streamed down his swollen cheeks.
The two guards had never witnessed such an aggrieved Young Master Neji. They stood shocked, unsure how to respond. "Master Neji... you..."
Neji waved his hand weakly, clearly unwilling to discuss it. He ignored both guards and staggered toward the main house, still muttering under his breath like a broken record. "I just want to go home and have a meal..."
His entire bearing screamed existential crisis.
Watching Master Neji's distraught retreat, one guard sighed heavily. "Master Neji must have such a close relationship with Hokage-sama. Otherwise, his face wouldn't be so swollen."
The guard's body trembled as he spoke.
The other guard showed a flash of envy. "If only I had such a good relationship with Hokage-sama. Then I wouldn't have to stand guard here anymore."
As soon as those words left his mouth, his partner gave him the strangest look. He sighed deeply. "Do you really want to become like Master Neji?"
The reminder hit like cold water. The first guard suddenly trembled, waving his hands frantically. "Then I'll continue watching the gate! I don't want to become someone even my own mother wouldn't recognize!"
Neji walked deeper into the Hyūga compound. In the courtyard, his aunt Hyūga Saki was tending to young Hanabi. When she looked up and saw a bruised, swollen boy with disheveled clothing approaching, her brow furrowed slightly in confusion.
"Excuse me, are you here to see Neji?" she asked politely, clearly not recognizing him.
Neji looked at his aunt. His entire body trembled. Sadness welled up from deep within, and fresh tears began flowing down his face.
The reaction made Hyūga Saki's heart soften immediately. This child looked truly pitiful. "Oh, what happened to you? Neji hasn't come home yet. You can tell me what's wrong. Did Neji bully you? Which family are you from? It's too much for a child to be beaten this badly by Neji. Speak up boldly, and we'll help you get justice."
Her voice dropped to gentle reassurance. "In this world, there's no difficulty that truly cannot be overcome."
Saki whispered soft comfort to the strange boy before her. The young man radiated loneliness, weakness, helplessness. He looked like he had no support in the entire world.
Her kindness only made Neji cry harder. With tears streaming from his swollen eyes, he spoke bitterly. "Auntie... I am Neji!"
"What?!" Hearing this and recognizing the familiar voice beneath the damage, Saki reeled back in shock. "You're Neji? How did you become like this?!"
"Stop talking." Neji waved his hand weakly, his voice hollow. "Right now, I just want to be quiet."
After speaking, he ignored his aunt completely and walked silently toward his room, leaving Saki standing in stunned confusion.
Naruto remained blissfully unaware of Neji's suffering.
Pain in this world varied from person to person. Others would only find your complaints annoying.
At this moment, Naruto sat happily eating the lunch Kurama had prepared. A genuine feast spread before him with multiple courses. Those sharing the meal included Sasuke, Kurama, and of course, Orochimaru.
After finishing, Orochimaru addressed Naruto with barely contained eagerness. "Naruto, I have some ideas I'd like to discuss with you."
Naruto valued Orochimaru's contributions. The man possessed genuine talent, though he'd historically applied it in terrible directions. Now that Orochimaru had just assumed the position of farm biological consultant, showing proper attention would encourage full dedication.
So Naruto nodded and followed Orochimaru to the tea room. They settled onto the tatami mats facing each other across a low table.
Orochimaru launched into his grand vision, explaining detailed plans and promising that implementing his blueprint would dramatically expand the farm's scale and productivity.
The more Naruto listened to Orochimaru's proposals, the more feasible they sounded. He gave his full attention to the presentation.
Throughout the conversation, Orochimaru remained enthusiastic and active, continuously refilling Naruto's tea cup with practiced hospitality.
"However, Naruto-kun, as our scale grows larger, the land on the back mountain is becoming insufficient." Orochimaru sighed meaningfully, clearly hinting that Naruto should approve additional land allocation.
Naruto took a sip of the tea Orochimaru had just poured, nodding thoughtfully. "Don't worry about land. I can allocate as much as you need." As Konoha's Fifth Hokage, he possessed authority to distribute unused wasteland, though some taxes would need to be paid to the village treasury.
After speaking, Naruto suddenly felt pressure in his bladder. The urge to urinate struck urgently. He stood. "Excuse me, Orochimaru. I need to use the bathroom."
"Of course, Naruto-kun." Orochimaru's expression remained perfectly pleasant.
The moment Naruto left, a smile of victory spread across Orochimaru's face. Finally. Now everything depended on probability and luck.
After a few minutes, Naruto returned looking refreshed and relaxed. Orochimaru suppressed his smile immediately, but then stood himself. "I drank too much tea, Naruto-kun. I also need to use the facilities."
"Go ahead, Orochimaru." Naruto nodded casually.
Orochimaru's heart leaped with triumph. He walked from the tea room with measured calm, maintaining perfect composure. Just as he reached the bathroom door, he spotted Sasuke standing there, hand already reaching for the handle.
"Please wait a moment, Sasuke-kun!" Orochimaru moved with sudden urgency, appearing behind Sasuke in a single stride.
"Orochimaru, what's the matter? I need to use the bathroom. I'm in a hurry." Sasuke frowned with obvious impatience.
"Sasuke-kun, please do a good deed. I'm even more desperate. I've been holding it much longer. Let me go first." Orochimaru's expression twisted with genuine-looking distress.
Sasuke hesitated, then relented. "Fine. You go first."
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun!" Orochimaru's gratitude came out sincere before he ducked into the bathroom. Once inside, he remembered Sasuke was waiting just outside the door. Orochimaru would need to maintain his cover.
This was what being truly cautious meant.
He pulled out a test tube and worked quickly to collect his sample. Then he repositioned the sink's faucet over the toilet, lowering it as close as possible before turning on the water. The sound of running liquid filled the small space perfectly.
After a suitable interval, Orochimaru opened the door and addressed Sasuke waiting beside it. "Sasuke-kun, I'm finished. You can use the bathroom now."
Sasuke glanced at Orochimaru with slight distaste. "I'll wait a moment for the smell to clear."
Orochimaru's expression froze. I'm currently a beautiful woman. Even my waste should be fragrant! Despite his internal indignation, he maintained his pleasant facade. "As Sasuke-kun wishes."
He returned to the tea room, chatted with Naruto for several more minutes about farm expansion plans, then bid farewell.
After leaving, Orochimaru could no longer hide the ecstasy flooding through him. Time to conduct his experiments! Though Naruto had destroyed one laboratory, an experimental obsessive like Orochimaru naturally maintained multiple facilities.
As the farm's biological consultant, Naruto didn't restrict his working hours. The position offered complete flexibility.
Walking along the mountain path, Orochimaru spotted Zabuza ahead. He immediately suppressed the joy radiating from his expression, but Zabuza still caught a glimpse.
Zabuza asked with curiosity, "Consultant Orochimaru, what happened to make you so happy?"
Orochimaru laughed lightly. "I found a solution to a challenging academic problem. Now I just need to verify through experimentation whether it's the correct approach."
"Then congratulations, Consultant Orochimaru." Zabuza offered genuine acknowledgment.
"By the way, Zabuza, it's currently working hours. If you're not collecting manure, where are you going?" Orochimaru asked casually. He was in such a good mood today, otherwise he wouldn't bother making conversation.
Orochimaru held quiet disdain for manual laborers doing menial tasks.
Zabuza replied flatly, "I have business with Naruto. I'll go ahead, Consultant Orochimaru."
He continued toward Naruto's location. Orochimaru watched Zabuza's retreating back briefly before departing himself. He couldn't wait to begin his experiments.
Zabuza went straight to find Naruto. When he located him, he delivered his message directly. "Lord Naruto, Lady Terumi Mei is looking for you."
Hearing Zabuza's words, Naruto immediately understood. Two days remained before the planned action. With the operation scheduled for the day after tomorrow, Terumi Mei seeking him now probably meant she wanted to discuss final details.
Naruto replied simply, "Understood."
Zabuza looked at Naruto, clearly hesitant about something. His expression showed he wanted to speak but held back.
Naruto caught the look. "Is there a problem, Zabuza?"
After brief consideration, Zabuza shook his head. "No. I'm returning to work." He won't answer even if I ask, so what's the point? With that thought, Zabuza turned and left.
Watching Zabuza's departure, Naruto stood in place thinking for a moment. Then he stepped forward once, appearing in midair. A second step brought him directly to the courtyard of Terumi Mei's residence in Kirigakure Village.
Terumi Mei had been waiting for Naruto's arrival in her garden. When she looked up, Naruto stood suspended above her, wearing his Hokage robes with long golden hair flowing in the wind like liquid sunlight.
So attractive! Terumi Mei couldn't help admiring Naruto's appearance. She liked them powerful and handsome. Two specific conditions. Naruto just happened to meet both perfectly.
Naruto stood in the sky, looking down. He saw the charming mature beauty that was Terumi Mei and felt relieved. Fortunately, this was not the middle-aged aunt version Boruto had mentioned.
His gaze wandered briefly, taking in certain noteworthy features.
Feeling his stare, Terumi Mei covered her chest with both hands, looking up with a smile that mixed amusement and mock reproach. "Naruto, come down quickly. My neck is getting sore from looking up at you standing so high."
Naruto smiled and descended, landing gracefully before her.
"Well, well, well." Terumi Mei circled Naruto slowly, examining him from multiple angles before sighing. "Congratulations, Naruto-kun, on becoming Konoha's Fifth Hokage."
"The Hokage position isn't that important." Naruto shook his head dismissively. "In two days, Sister Terumi Mei will become Kirigakure's Fifth Mizukage as well."
"By the way, you didn't call me here just to congratulate me on becoming Hokage, did you, Sister Terumi Mei?"
"Of course not. Let's go inside and talk properly, Naruto." Terumi Mei's smile held knowing warmth.
An hour later, in Terumi Mei's tea room, Naruto sat on the tatami beside the low table, sipping tea with complete composure and no visible agitation.
Terumi Mei sat opposite, rolling her neck with both hands. Her voice came out slightly hoarse. "My neck really is sore this time. I held my head up too long."
Hearing Terumi Mei's complaint, Naruto remained perfectly calm. "The day after tomorrow marks my confrontation with Yagura. For the next two days, unless something urgent arises, don't seek me out. I need to focus on training."
Terumi Mei nodded with understanding. She wasn't a child. She knew when to advance and when to retreat. "Understood. But I have complete confidence in your strength, Naruto. I'm already looking forward to the victory celebration."
"After overthrowing Yagura, I'll probably need to leave Konoha for a while. Travel, make friends, and... find someone specific." The person Naruto intended to find was Uchiha Obito. Having already visited Boruto's world and confirmed the masked man's identity, settling that particular grievance took top priority.
"You have it easy." Terumi Mei sighed heavily. "When Yagura falls, I'll still have countless messes to clean up. He's left Kirigakure in complete chaos."
After chatting for a few more minutes, Naruto said his goodbyes. He still needed to train, after all. This visit had been purely for relaxation.
Training required balance between exertion and rest.
Kakashi arrived at the hospital again, carrying the weight of purpose.
"Jiraiya-sama, you asked for me?" Kakashi entered the ward and addressed the figure in the bed.
Jiraiya had grown noticeably more haggard. He no longer carried himself with that legendary confidence. He looked at Kakashi with exhausted determination. "Kakashi, I want to meet with Naruto."
"Looking like this? Naruto would never agree to see you." Kakashi spoke bluntly. Having heard Jiraiya's full story, he naturally knew Naruto had visited before and left in anger.
He understood Naruto's character well. If you weren't his friend, Naruto showed no courtesy. But if you were his friend, everything became negotiable.
Jiraiya persisted. "Since Naruto won't come see me, then I'll go see Naruto."
Kakashi looked at Jiraiya lying in bed, capable of moving only his mouth. He spread his hands with pointed emphasis. "But Jiraiya-sama, in your current condition, you can't actually walk to Naruto, can you?"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Jiraiya's face immediately darkened. He spoke with clear irritation. "That's exactly why I sent for you! Look, there's a wheelchair right there beside the bed. You can push me to see Naruto."
Kakashi's gaze fell on the wheelchair positioned against the wall. He understood Jiraiya's intentions now. This visit would be an attempt at reconciliation with Naruto. Kakashi approved of those intentions, so after brief consideration, he agreed. "Alright."
Immediately, Kakashi maneuvered Jiraiya into the wheelchair and pushed him out of the hospital, heading toward Naruto's farm in the mountains.
"That's the farm Naruto created ahead." Kakashi navigated the mountain path, pushing Jiraiya's wheelchair over the uneven terrain while providing context.
Jiraiya nodded, beginning to observe their surroundings with careful attention.
Occasionally a goat would run past. Each time, Jiraiya's expression softened slightly, but the guilt in his heart grew heavier.
After some time, Kakashi pushed Jiraiya to a stop outside the courtyard gate.
At that moment, Naruto had already returned from Kirigakure. He'd exchanged a few words with Kurama inside the house, then opened the door, preparing to head to the waterfall for training.
The moment he pushed open the gate, Naruto spotted Kakashi and Jiraiya standing outside.
Naruto automatically ignored Jiraiya's presence, addressing only Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, did you need something from me?"
"Naruto..." Being completely ignored stabbed Jiraiya with bitter pain. He opened his mouth to speak.
But a small fox burst from the house, interrupting before Jiraiya could form words.
"Naruto! I sense malicious intent approaching Konoha!" Kurama' voice carried urgency. "The malice matches the one who captured me and killed your parents!"
Hearing Kurama' announcement, Naruto's expression shifted to predatory satisfaction. He laughed. "I was planning to hunt you down myself. How convenient that you've come to my doorstep instead."
He turned immediately to Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, I need your help with something. Come with me."
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