"I told you not to come to me again!"
"You reek of cigarettes!"
"Let's go."
Yuhi Kurenai and Anko Mitarashi pulled a reluctant Yugao Uzuki away.
Yugao had been called by Anko—there was something important they needed to discuss.
Asuma Sarutobi remained frozen in place, watching their retreating figures. After a moment, he sighed and turned away, shoulders heavy with dejection.
Hong… You've never spoken so harshly before. Have I changed that much?
"If I catch you smoking again, I swear it'll be the end of me!"
Half an hour later, Asuma lay sprawled on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I feel... an itch in my philtrum…"
"Half a cigarette won't even reach the lungs, it's just the taste that lingers…"
"A bit like inhaling mist… Damn it."
"Even a turtle needs to smoke…"
He muttered to himself, flicking the last bit of ash into an ashtray before closing his eyes. Just as he began to drift off, something whizzed through the air above his house.
A green blur streaked past, moving with incredible speed. The wind howled, pages fluttered open, and a golden shimmer briefly illuminated the darkness.
Woosh—
A small book tumbled from the sky, landing neatly on Asuma's balcony.
"Huh?"
His gaze snapped toward it, recognition dawning as he read the title.
Icha Icha Paradise.
From above, the green blur hesitated, then sighed.
"Ah, forget it… If I go back to pick it up, someone might see me."
Asuma smirked.
"Looks like it's my lucky day."
Elsewhere, in a quiet inn, Tsunade and Shizune leaned back, rubbing their full stomachs.
"So stuffed…"
They glanced at each other before bursting into laughter.
Naruto, standing nearby, crossed his arms, eyes brimming with resentment.
"You two ate all the food…"
Tsunade ignored his sulking. Instead, she stretched and cracked her neck before standing up.
"I haven't been back to Konoha in years. Let's take a walk—see how much worse it's gotten."
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.
She had unfinished business in this village. A plan had already been set in motion, one that would secure her position as the Fifth Hokage.
The wrongs suffered by her beloved disciple would not go unanswered.
Additionally, it was time to reestablish connections with several key ninja clans. Minato and Kushina had already paved the way once before.
Even if she didn't reach out to them directly, her mere presence in the village would be enough to stir rumors.
As Tsunade and Shizune left, Naruto locked the door behind them.
"Don't bother locking it," Tsunade's voice called back. "We'll need a place to sleep."
Naruto rolled his eyes before vanishing in a flicker.
At a hidden storage location, he was greeted by two familiar voices.
"Naruto-sama~!"
"Naruto!"
Two figures rushed to his side, their excitement barely contained.
"Did you have a tough time during the Chunin Exams?"
"Let me give you a shoulder massage~"
Naruto sighed, sinking into the offered comfort. His eyes had been feeling strained lately. Perhaps it was time to absorb a bit of Uchiha nutrients…
Meanwhile, Tsunade and Shizune strolled through the village streets.
Tsunade touched her belly, smiling in satisfaction.
"My dear disciple… your cooking skills are truly remarkable."
Shizune chuckled. "Yes, Lady Tsunade, and now we'll never have to—"
Ahem!
Tsunade's sharp glare cut her off.
"Right, right. The future Hokage doesn't owe money."
The streets of Konoha hadn't changed much. Most villagers failed to recognize Tsunade, though a few older ones gave her second glances.
It didn't matter. The important ones would know soon enough.
Inside a dimly lit tavern, Tsunade sat across from Shizune, a cup of sake in hand. Her expression had grown cold.
Shizune hesitated before speaking. "Tsunade-sama, perhaps you shouldn't drink too much…"
Tsunade exhaled sharply. "I knew the village had changed, but I never expected this."
She clenched her fist, memories swirling. The village's leadership had quietly reshaped Konoha after the Uchiha Massacre and the Nine-Tails' attack. Those who opposed them had been removed, one way or another. Even the once-feared Konoha Military Police had been replaced by ninjas from the Sarutobi and Shimura clans.
And the villagers accepted it all.
Shizune tried again. "Lady Tsunade, please. You have a talented, handsome, and adorable apprentice now. Do you want him to see you like this?"
Tsunade sighed. "…Fine."
But even as she placed the cup down, she hesitated. Her fingers tightened around it.
"Just one more drink…"
Shizune shook her head and gently took the bottle away.
Just as Tsunade downed the last drop, a voice interrupted them.
"Tsunade, if you want to drink, I'd be happy to join you."
The tavern fell silent as an elderly man entered, wearing the unmistakable Hokage robes.
"Ah…! It's the Third Hokage!"
The shopkeeper exclaimed in awe.
Shizune's expression turned frosty. Still, she controlled herself. Now wasn't the time to act. She stood, offering a polite nod.
"Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly, waving off the shopkeeper's flustered reaction.
Tsunade scoffed. Of course, he's still playing the kindly old man act.
Unlike her, he had been instantly recognized.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed villagers watching with admiration. They still believe in him…
Hiruzen took a seat, setting his hat aside. "You haven't been back in so long. I must be a terrible teacher if my student doesn't even greet me."
Tsunade's gaze turned icy.
He took a sip of sake before continuing, "Tell me, why have you returned this time?"
Tsunade slammed her hand on the table, shattering it.
"What's wrong? Did you come running just to make sure my return isn't a threat to your position?"
Shizune lowered her head, gripping her sleeves tightly. Normally, she would have tried to calm Tsunade down, but right now… she could barely restrain herself from lashing out.
Hiruzen chuckled, unfazed. "Why would I think that? If you wanted the seat, I'd support you wholeheartedly."
Tsunade sneered. What a joke.
She grabbed the sake bottle, uncorked it, and dumped its contents over Hiruzen's head.
"I wouldn't dare lose my temper with the great Hokage-sama."
Her voice dripped with mockery. "Enjoy your drink."
Then, without another word, she turned and walked away, Shizune following close behind.
Hiruzen sighed, wiping his soaked face.
"She hasn't changed at all."
But his smile didn't reach his eyes.
After a long silence, his face darkened, but then Shinobuma smiled gently. "Haha, I really don't know how to talk, old man."
"Hokage-sama... are you alright?"
"It's nothing."
...
After Tsunade and the others returned home, Shizune reached for the light switch but froze in place.
Tsunade also stopped, her expression unreadable.
Across the room, Yuhi Kurenai and Mitarashi Anko, seated at a low table with skewers and sake, turned to stare. Next to them, Uzuki Yugao, who had been dragged over for some training, blinked in confusion.
The five women and the pig locked eyes for a long moment.
"Tsunade-sama?!"
Tsunade waved her hand, a silent signal that no explanation was needed.
Without hesitation, she and Shizune joined the drinking session.
Shizune pressed a hand to her stomach, realizing she was still full from dinner. Well... maybe just a little sake.
After Tsunade finished explaining the recent events, Anko slammed her hand on the table, her sharp features twisted in anger.
"Those damn elders...!"
Alright, time for a few more bottles.
After three rounds of drinks, Shizune suddenly asked, "Kurenai... why are you three even here?"
Gah—
An awkward silence.
"That question's a bit redundant," Uzuki Yugao responded, the fastest to recover.
"Who here isn't disgusted with those old men running the village?" She paused, then silently added to herself, Well... not yet.
But she knew it was only a matter of time.
The full moon cast a soft glow over the village.
...
On a high rooftop near the Konoha Guesthouse, a lone figure gazed up at the sky.
"Lord Orochimaru, you must be in a good mood to be admiring the moon."
Whoosh—
A figure landed soundlessly beside him.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, their lenses reflecting the moonlight. "Is it done?"
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. This is Konoha's security layout for the official Chunin Exams next month."
Orochimaru accepted the scroll, skimming it briefly before a grin spread across his face. "Danzo really can't wait."
"And? How's the investigation going?"
Kabuto gave a small nod. "I've sent agents to the Land of Waves. It won't take long to gather full intelligence on Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Good. Look into Hyuga Neji as well."
Kabuto hesitated for a moment before saying, "Lord Orochimaru, once you eliminate the Third Hokage, Konoha will be yours. Why go through all this trouble when you could seize what you need right away?"
Orochimaru smiled, his voice almost playful. "Sarutobi-sensei's head must be very heavy by now, don't you think?"
Kabuto studied him carefully, then sighed, a bitter smile forming on his lips. "I see... Lord Orochimaru, you still don't fully trust me."
Orochimaru turned to him, his golden eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "As my right-hand man, you shouldn't think that way. If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't let you hear these words at all."
After a moment of silence, Kabuto left quietly.
Tonight's battle had left Gaara unsettled.
He sat alone on the rooftop of another guesthouse, staring at the full moon, lost in thought.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
A figure approached, stepping onto the rooftop.
Gaara heard the footsteps but didn't bother to look.
It was Dosu from Otogakure.
"I'm really impressed. Don't you sleep at night?"
Buzz—
The words irritated the One-Tail Jinchūriki, who had never truly slept.
The evening breeze ruffled Dosu's clothes and his spiky hair.
"Heh, if I defeat you, my chances of fighting Sasuke will improve."
"And... I want to see which is faster—my sound or your sand."
He rolled up his sleeve, revealing his sound-amplifying ninja tool.
Gaara glanced at him, eyes narrowing.
Dark winds whispered across the rooftop.
His shadow in the moonlight twisted.
And then, the rage consumed him.
"Aaaah—!"
A bloodcurdling scream echoed in the night.
Blood splattered across the rooftop.
Gaara's mutated body slowly reverted to normal.
Dosu had been killed in a single strike.
Not far away, Kabuto stepped forward, approaching a Sand Village ninja who had watched the battle unfold.
Maki, his face half-covered by a scarf, turned his head slowly.
"Why is it you?" he asked. "Why didn't Orochimaru come himself?"
Kabuto smirked. "For something like this, there's no need for Lord Orochimaru to come in person. I'm more than enough."
Maki's face darkened.
Finally, he exhaled. "So, when does Orochimaru plan to start the Konoha Crush? Gaara is struggling more and more to control the monster inside him."
Silence.
Behind a stone pillar, a figure listened intently.
Sent by the Third Hokage, Gekkou Hayate had been tracking Kabuto.
He followed the moonlit breeze here.
Hearing Kabuto and Maki discuss taking Sasuke and destroying Konoha, Hayate's eyes widened in shock.
'Orochimaru... One of the Legendary Sannin… the Third Hokage's former student…'
'And he's working with the Sand Village to attack Konoha during the Chūnin Exams?!'
Hayate stood frozen, overwhelmed by the revelation.
Then, he realized something.
The conversation had stopped.
"There sure are a lot of rats in Konoha," Kabuto muttered coldly.
"Indeed," Maki agreed, eyes narrowing as he looked toward the stone pillar.
'Damn it!'
Hayate's heart pounded. He needed to retreat and report to Lord Third.
But he had lingered too long.
Kabuto and Maki had already noticed him.
"This stench is unbearable," Maki muttered. "Let me handle it. Consider it a favor to our allies."
Hayate, knowing escape was impossible, drew his sword.
"Konoha Style: Crescent Moon Dance!"
Whoosh—
He leapt forward, his form splitting into three illusionary clones.
Maki remained unfazed.
A mere shadow trick.
Slash!
Hayate's blade cut into Maki's shoulder.
Blood spattered onto his face.
He looked up—and his expression changed instantly.
Maki sneered and, without another word, unleashed a Wind Release technique.
Hayate didn't even live to see the dawn of Shippuden.
—
Midnight.
Naruto returned home.
The moment he stepped inside, the strong scent of alcohol hit him.
Five women lay sprawled across the floor in the most ungraceful positions.
Naruto sighed at the sight.
Shaking his head, he began carrying them to bed, one by one.
His cot was bearing more weight than it should have.
After cleaning up the mess, he settled down.
Not long after, Yūhi Kurenai stirred awake.
Opening the door, she found Naruto tidying up the 'battlefield.'
A mischievous thought crossed her mind.
She tiptoed toward him, preparing to strike.
—
Later, after a shower, Naruto lay down on the couch, half-dozing.
Then, his senses sharpened.
Kagura's Mind's Eye activated.
A powerful chakra signature had entered Konoha.
And it was heading straight for him.
"Right on schedule…"
At the same moment, the plants he had empowered whispered to him.
"Naruto-sama! A white-haired man has sneaked into Konoha!"
"Yes! That old guy looks suspicious!"
"Wait… He's carrying Kakashi and Acorn's favorite books!"
"Eh? Naruto-sama, he changed direction… He's going to the bathhouse!"
"Hmph! You gave me power, Naruto-sama! This kind of man is worse than a pig or a dog! He defiles people's innocence and records their births! Let me punish him!"
Naruto: "…"
On one hand, the plants weren't wrong.
On the other…
Naruto silently channeled a bit more natural chakra into them.
And so, under the early morning sky of Konoha, the chrysanthemums of the bathhouse bloomed.