Meanwhile, in the operations conference office at Kumogakure.
Tsunade smashed a table with one palm and roared, "That idiot Jiraiya! Why did he bring Naruto and Fū back now? Isn't that just making trouble?!"
Raikage A, Gaara, Mei, Ōnoki, and the others all rubbed their foreheads helplessly.
The closer it gets to the critical moment, the easier it is for problems to pop up.
Right now shinobi from all the villages are on the move; the ones left behind to guard their villages are few, and overall combat strength is thin. At a time like this, Jiraiya actually brings two jinchūriki back to the village.
Isn't that practically creating an opening for the enemy?
Adviser Shikaku quickly said, "Tsunade-dono, please don't get angry yet. Let's just have Natsuki go bring them here right away."
Tsunade nodded and had someone notify Natsuki to return.
The only reason there was even time to be mad was because Natsuki existed. He could blink back in an instant, and bringing them here would also take just an instant. There would be no problem at all.
Still, being mad was warranted. Jiraiya deserved a chewing-out this time.
Natsuki was in the middle of eating with Tenten when the notice came. He picked up his bowl and flashed straight back to Konoha—locking onto Naruto—and appeared right behind him.
To his surprise, Jiraiya, Naruto, and Fū were all together at Ichiraku Ramen.
What caught Natsuki off guard was that Konan was there too, and judging by the mood, she was on good terms with them.
So… what happened?
Jiraiya was smiling as he introduced things to Konan. "Konan, this is Konoha's most famous and most delicious ramen stand. Today your teacher specially brought you to try it. You'll love it."
Konan nodded. The inviting aroma stirred her appetite.
At that moment, Teuchi set a bowl down for Konan, but called out, "Natsuki, you're here! Want a bowl?"
"N-Natsuki?!"
They nearly jumped out of their seats. No one had noticed when Natsuki silently appeared behind them—with a big bowl in hand no less. To someone who didn't know better, it looked like he'd come to eat them instead.
Natsuki ignored their shock and called out loudly, "Teuchi-ojisan, make fifty bowls. I'm taking them to go!"
"F-Fifty?!"
Teuchi and Ayame both looked over. "Natsuki, are you taking them over for Tsunade-dono?"
Natsuki nodded. "Yeah. Tsunade-dono and the others are working hard. If they can have a bowl of super-tasty Ichiraku, they'll be full of energy. And all the village leaders are there, too. Perfect timing to promote Ichiraku Ramen!"
Teuchi and Ayame's eyes lit up. The father and daughter flexed their "cooking muscles." "Leave it to us! These fifty bowls will be top-notch. We guarantee the Kage will want seconds!"
Natsuki nodded, found a seat, shoveled a few bites from his bowl, then pulled out pen and paper to write a note to Tenten—asking what flavors she liked so he could put in a special order.
Only then did Naruto find his voice. "Natsuki! You could at least say something when you show up. You almost scared me to death!"
Natsuki gave him a sidelong look. "You're not dead, are you?"
"Uh…"
So it only counts if I actually die?
Fū giggled. "Natsuki, were you literally eating when you came? You actually showed up still holding your bowl!"
Natsuki nodded. "Yep. Tenten and I were being all lovey-dovey, feeding each other. Then I got assigned to 'retrieve a few idiots.' Tsunade-dono is very angry. The consequences will be severe."
Gulp. Jiraiya, Naruto, and Fū swallowed in unison.
Natsuki offered first aid for the situation. "But if Jiraiya-dono treats everyone to ramen, Tsunade-dono will definitely calm down. Ah, I came too fast and didn't bring money. Any lecherous white-haired uncle willing to foot the bill?"
Jiraiya's mouth twitched. He knew he could only spend money to avert disaster today. "I'll pay."
Natsuki gave him a look of enlightened approval and immediately raised his voice. "Teuchi-ojisan, Jiraiya-dono is paying! Add all the good stuff—make every bowl the deluxe!"
Teuchi laughed. "You got it! All deluxe!"
Hey! That brat!
Jiraiya could only grin and bear it. The money didn't matter.
Konan watched the way they interacted and found it strangely endearing. A soft laugh escaped her; perhaps it had been a very long time since she'd laughed.
Still, she asked curiously, "Natsuki, you don't seem surprised to see me here."
Natsuki dipped his chin. "You wouldn't leave Nagato's side. If you came alone, it means Nagato is… gone. And if Jiraiya can sit with you peacefully, that says plenty by itself. No need to ask more."
Konan understood and felt even more respect for Natsuki.
Before, she only thought Natsuki was strong—even strong enough to defeat Tendo Pain. Now she realized he was also meticulous. Someone like him would make a terrifying enemy. Luckily, she no longer stood against Konoha. The one who should be worried was Obito.
Then Natsuki said, "You'll be joining the fight too, right? Perfect. We're planning to seal the Gedō Mazō (Demonic Statue of the Outer Path). If you can share intel, that'd help."
Konan's eyes brightened. "The Gedō Mazō has always been at Akatsuki's main base. It's only summoned when a new Bijū is captured so it can absorb the Tailed Beast. After absorbing, it returns on its own. So right now, it should still be there!"
Natsuki gave a thumbs-up. "Excellent. Then before Obito can summon it away, we'll go seal it!"
"I'll lead the way," Konan said at once.
Worried for his student's safety, Jiraiya immediately spoke up. "I'll go too. There will definitely be tough enemies guarding it. If I'm there, everyone will feel more at ease, right?"
Natsuki didn't argue. This wasn't his call anyway.
But when he saw Naruto and Fū about to raise their hands, he shot them a glare so fierce they froze and put their hands down.
Konan quickly added, "You two absolutely can't go. The Gedō Mazō will go berserk the moment it senses jinchūriki—like a wolf smelling meat. If you go, you're just throwing your lives away!"
The two finally deflated and gave up.
Kids. Not afraid of danger in the slightest. It makes people's heads hurt.
Natsuki couldn't be bothered to scold them. He blinked over to the ninja tools shop to say a quick word to his father-in-law, then returned just as Teuchi finished the ramen and, very thoughtfully, packed it in food boxes. After Jiraiya paid, everything was sealed into a scroll.
"Alright, let's go!"
Natsuki had them place their hands on his shoulders, said goodbye to Teuchi and Ayame, then flashed away—arriving in moments inside the operations conference office.
The Five Kage and their advisers were in the middle of discussion. At the sound, they all looked over.
Tsunade's anger flared back to life. "Jiraiya! You've got a lot of nerve coming here!"
Jiraiya shrank his neck and jabbed Natsuki in the back.
Natsuki promptly produced the ramen. "Tsunade-dono, everyone—Jiraiya-dono knows you're working hard and is treating you all to Ichiraku Ramen. Please, have some!"
(End of Chapter)
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