Chapter 194 – Ino and Flowers, Naruto's Special Mission!
The Moon – Hamura's Temple
"The change in the Tenseigan… you all felt it, didn't you?"
Within the ancient temple on the moon, the three elders gathered after sending Toneri off to rest.
The massive Tenseigan pulsed before them, shimmering with golden light. Its brilliance painted their faces in grim solemnity.
"I felt it," the Second Elder sighed, his expression twisted in unease. "Someone… is watching us."
"Exactly!" The Third Elder clenched his jaw in anger. "That bastard has been siphoning the Tenseigan's power for himself all along. And this—this is supposed to be a 'Heavenly Descendant'?!"
The First Elder shook his head, voice heavy. "Whether he truly is one of the Celestial People remains to be seen. What troubles me more… is his intent."
Silence fell between the three. That was their greatest fear.
If it was merely energy theft, they might have looked the other way. After all, the thief technically held some authority, and they could endure being 'sliced piece by piece.'
But now, the thief's gaze had turned directly upon them.
"It seems the day we dreaded has come sooner than expected," the First Elder said quietly. "That man is already seeking a way to reach us."
The Second Elder gave a bitter smile. "We always knew it was inevitable. We just didn't want to face it."
The Third Elder, hot-blooded as always, slammed his fist into his palm. "Hah! Talking like we've lost already? Even if he reaches us, even if he breaks our barrier—what of it? I'll face him head-on!"
He straightened, eyes blazing with defiance.
"Let him covet the Tenseigan. I'll make sure he dies beneath it!"
The other two elders exchanged looks but remained silent.
They all knew the truth: even if they sacrificed themselves and unleashed the Tenseigan's full might… victory was far from certain.
But one thing was clear—no matter the cost, Toneri's life had to be safeguarded. He was their last hope.
---
Mount Myōboku – The Great Toad Sage's Palace
"Urgh… what is it this time, old man?"
Jiraiya shuffled into the chamber, rubbing his bleary eyes. He still reeked faintly of last night's sake. The celebrations had been long—after all, one enormous crisis had just been resolved.
But the Great Toad Sage's tone was grave.
"Little Jiraiya… I wouldn't call you unless it was important."
Jiraiya straightened. The seriousness in the sage's voice sobered him more than any hangover cure.
"What happened?"
The Great Toad Sage's golden eyes narrowed.
"In the direction of Kumogakure… Ōtsutsuki Genshiki has appeared."
"What?!" Jiraiya froze.
"I sent my kin to investigate. The village lies in ruins, casualties beyond measure. And… I heard you were preparing for war against them."
Jiraiya's face darkened. He hesitated, then muttered, "Wait. You said Genshiki destroyed Kumo? That doesn't sound right…"
The sage blinked. "Not Genshiki? Then who?"
"It was Gen." Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly, then explained.
"Kid sneaked out, used Mokuton, and attacked Kumogakure directly."
The sage's eyes widened. "Mokuton… Senju Hashirama's bloodline?!"
"Yeah. And not just any Mokuton. Tsunade told me—he used the First Hokage's strongest technique. The True Several Thousand Hands."
Even as he said it, Jiraiya's voice trembled with awe. A towering Buddha of a thousand arms, crashing down upon the battlefield… the image itself was enough to make his skin crawl.
The Great Toad Sage fell silent. "True Several Thousand Hands… Kitagawa Gen…"
Could it be…? Was this boy, not anyone else, the true savior foretold in prophecy?
---
Outside Konoha –
From the edge of the ruined landscape, Black Zetsu stared at the village still standing tall amidst the wreckage.
"Tch… even after all that chaos, Konoha remains untouched. That kid… he's a monster."
Flying Thunder God barrier—if not for that, Konoha would've been wiped clean from the earth.
Black Zetsu's muttering grew darker. "Defeated Nagato, mastered Ice Release, Dust Release, and even Wood Release… and now, the True Several Thousand Hands. Indra's and Asura's reincarnations combined aren't this terrifying. Just… what is he?"
White Zetsu tilted his head. "So, do we still sneak into the village?"
"Not yet. Konoha's on high alert." Black Zetsu's tone was calm, calculating. "But their archives… they hold knowledge we need. We'll bide our time. Hide in the shadows… and use Kitagawa Gen as our blade against Genshiki."
His yellow eyes gleamed with ambition. "And when the time is right, Mother will return."
---
Konoha – The Yamanaka Flower Shop
"Eh? Gen-senpai, you're here?!"
Yamanaka Ino blinked in surprise as Kitagawa Gen stepped into the shop. But surprise quickly turned to joy as she hurried over with a bright smile.
"Welcome, welcome! Looking for flowers again?"
Gen nodded helplessly, then jerked his thumb at the two sheepish figures behind him.
"These idiots drowned my bonsai. I need a replacement."
"…Huh?" Ino gawked.
Naruto and Karin both rubbed the backs of their heads, embarrassed beyond words.
At that moment, Yamanaka Inoichi emerged from the back.
"Gen? Buying flowers again, eh? Been a while."
"Couldn't help it," Gen said honestly. "Lately, Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sama haven't been hospitalized… not even the Hokage. So my visits here dropped off."
"…Right." Inoichi's smile froze. Did he really just say that out loud?
Was it any wonder the Third Hokage grumbled nonstop about Konoha's failing education system?
Clearing his throat, Inoichi quickly turned to Naruto and Karin. "You two hungry? Come with me. I'll fix you something."
With that, he ushered them away, leaving only Gen and Ino among the rows of flowers.
Gen raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Your dad sure knows how to clear a room."
Ino laughed nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "S-so, um… maybe start by picking a flower first?"
Ino felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment, but she quickly regained her composure.
She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and asked softly:
"Then… what kind of flower would you like this time, senpai?"
Gen stroked his chin in thought before answering.
"I don't really have many requirements. Something that's easy to take care of will do. I don't always have the time."
Ino nodded faintly at his words, though her gaze dropped.
"Right… I suppose you're already someone far beyond what the rest of us can imagine."
Her voice was quiet.
Her father rarely told her much about Kitagawa Gen unless she pressed him, but she wasn't blind. She knew very well—Gen had already reached heights ordinary people could never dream of.
And with Shikamaru as a close friend, she had access to far more information than most.
She sighed, then spoke again, her voice tinged with a complicated feeling.
"Actually, you could choose something more… special, senpai. For someone like you, ordinary flowers might be—"
"Forget it," Gen interrupted with a wry smile, tilting his head. "No need to make things troublesome, Ino. Simple is better."
"But…"
"Ino," he said gently, "you've raised so many flowers—you know better than anyone that flowers and people aren't all that different, right?"
"Eh…?" Ino blinked, caught off guard. She gave a small nod as Gen crouched before a pot, smiling softly.
"Flowers are like people. Some put on airs, choosing only the rare and delicate blooms. But others… prefer the ordinary ones. The ones that survive."
"…Like you, sen—um, like you, Gen?"
"Just call me Gen," he chuckled. "And yes. These plain flowers… I like them more. In fact, I think they're better."
He paused for a moment, then continued, his smile deepening.
"They look unremarkable, but they never mind standing beside other plants. They don't act superior. And when the chance comes, they bloom with everything they have. Isn't that beautiful?"
"Beautiful…"
Ino's breath caught. She glanced briefly toward Naruto and Karin, laughing happily with her father. Then her gaze returned to Gen—this time, her eyes held something different, something new.
Gen, however, only laughed and added playfully:
"Besides, they're tougher. Harder for those two idiots to drown with overwatering. Do you know how many years I've kept this one alive?"
"…"
Ino couldn't help but roll her eyes, but soon she was smiling too.
"Then… Gen, is that the only kind of flower you like? Don't you have another favorite?"
"Another, huh?" Gen hesitated. He thought for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Maybe… the flowers that bloom on cliffs."
"Cliffs?"
"Yes," Gen said, standing as he looked toward the window. "Most people stop at the edge of a precipice, afraid to step forward. But cliffside flowers… they don't stop. They grow where no one dares, always reaching a little closer to the sky."
Reaching toward the sky…
Ino repeated the words in her heart, her gaze going distant, her cheeks warming. She didn't even notice how quiet she'd become.
Before long, she had chosen a flower for him, carefully wrapped and ready.
"Please… come again soon," she said, her voice a little softer than usual.
Gen and the others prepared to leave. Yamanaka Inoichi gave his daughter a strange look before stepping forward himself to see them off.
"Take care, all of you."
"See you, old man!" Naruto shouted cheerfully, waving. Gen and Karin also offered polite farewells.
Once they were gone, Naruto couldn't help but sigh aloud.
"Man, I didn't expect Ino's dad to be that interesting a guy."
"Ha…"
Karin glanced at Naruto, then at Gen. Interesting? Please. The man was only acting that way because it was Gen.
Gen chuckled lightly. "Inoichi-senpai is indeed impressive. He's something of an idol among Konoha's intelligence corps. Every time I meet him, he treats me kindly. Too kindly sometimes."
He gave a pointed look, remembering. "Like the time I went to face Kisame… he even cut off surveillance for me."
"…Tch. Lucky Ino," Naruto muttered enviously. Karin sighed too, realizing what he meant.
Gen's expression softened. "It really is enviable. After all, the three of us can't even put together one whole family between us."
"…"
"…"
Karin had no idea how to respond to something that heavy. Naruto, at least, had developed immunity to dark jokes.
"You really are a first-class bastard, you know that?"
He forced a laugh, but soon his voice dropped, carrying a weight that made both of them pause.
"…Still. It sucks. I've always wondered what it'd feel like… to have parents."
"Who knows," Gen replied with a faint smile. "Maybe you'll find out one day."
But even as he said it, a cold shiver ran down his spine. A notification appeared before his eyes.
---
[Naruto's Exclusive Side Quest #2]
"The Jōnin-Sensei's Home Visit"
Meet Naruto's parents
Point out Naruto's weaknesses
(Exclusive side quests do not affect normal progression.)
[Accept quest?]
---
Gen froze. His smile died on his lips.
"…This quest… is even more hellish than what I just said."