"That's true. Takemi-senpai, you've already surpassed everyone's imagination."
Ino nodded slightly when she heard this, but her small head also drooped.
Her father had never told her much about Takemi, and she only got some answers when she pressed him.
But how could she not know that Takemi had already reached a level unimaginable to ordinary people?
Besides, she also had her friend Shikamaru, and he had plenty of information.
Shaking her head, Ino sighed inwardly, then said, "Actually, Takemi-senpai, you could choose some better flowers, after all, you're probably about to…"
"Forget it, no need to make it so complicated, Ino." Takemi tilted his head, shaking it amusedly.
"Simpler is better."
"But…"
"Ino, you've raised so many flowers, you should know that flowers and people are the same, right?"
"Huh?"
Ino was stunned for a moment, then nodded, and Takemi squatted in front of a pot of flowers, smiling.
"Flowers are like people. Some people are arrogant, and they naturally prefer more noble but delicate flowers, but some people are different, they prefer these ordinary but resilient flowers."
"Like, Takemi-senpai?"
"Just call me Takemi. Indeed, I prefer these flowers. In fact, in my opinion, these flowers are better."
At this point, Takemi paused, then continued to smile.
"They seem ordinary, they don't mind being accompanied by other plants, they don't consider themselves noble, yet they seize every opportunity to bloom. Isn't that good?"
"Is that so…"
Ino was momentarily stunned. She subconsciously turned her head to glance at Naruto and Karin, who were chatting and laughing with her father.
She then turned back to look at Takemi, and her gaze seemed to hold a subtle difference, but at this moment, Takemi laughed.
"Of course, it's more convenient. They won't be easily killed by those two idiots overwatering them. I've been nurturing this one for many years."
"…"
Ino was speechless for a moment, but after a while, she laughed too.
"So, Takemi, besides these kinds of flowers, do you like any other flowers?"
"Flowers, you ask?"
Takemi hesitated at this question, pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of a saying and smiled slightly.
"Actually, if I had to say, perhaps it's the flowers that bloom on cliffs."
"Huh?"
Ino was stunned for a moment, and Takemi stood up, smiling.
"The reason I prefer these flowers is because ordinary people stop at the cliff, unlike those fearless flowers that can take a step towards the sky."
Take a step towards the sky…
Ino's eyes became a little dazed when she heard this, but after a moment, her face began to flush slightly.
What puzzled Takemi was why Ino seemed to have become less talkative.
"Please come again next time!"
Not long after, Ino helped Takemi choose the flowers, and they were ready to leave.
Inoichi gave his daughter a strange look, and in the end, he had to personally greet Takemi and the others.
"Goodbye, uncle!"
Naruto was particularly enthusiastic, and Takemi and Karin also waved to Inoichi.
After they had walked some distance, Naruto exclaimed, "I never thought Ino's dad would be such an interesting person."
"Ha."
Karin glanced at Naruto, then at Takemi.
Is he interesting? He's being nice because of Takemi, alright!
"Inoichi is indeed quite good. He's an idol to many intelligence Ninja, you know."
Takemi nodded, casually replying with a smile, "Every time I see him, he's kind-faced and takes good care of me, though sometimes he's a bit too caring."
For example, when I went to see Kisame, he even helped me cut off the surveillance.
"I really envy Ino."
Naruto suddenly sighed. Karin seemed to know what Naruto meant and also sighed.
Takemi, however, didn't mind. He glanced at the two of them and sighed as well.
"It is indeed enviable, after all, the three of us can't even put together a complete family."
"…"
"…"
Karin didn't know how to respond to such a morbid topic, while Naruto was impervious to such things.
"You're really quite the bastard!"
However, after saying that, Naruto couldn't help but sigh.
"It's such a pity. I've always wanted to know what it feels like to have parents."
"Well, you might find out in the future."
Takemi smiled casually, but the next moment he suddenly froze, and then he couldn't smile anymore.
[Received Naruto Exclusive Side Mission 2]
[Jonin Instructor's Home Visit]
[Meet Naruto's parents and point out Naruto's problems]
[Exclusive side missions do not affect normal side missions]
[Accept?]
"…"
Is this mission even more morbid than what I just said?
Home visit.
This was a very unfamiliar term.
At least it was for Takemi, as no one had done a home visit when he graduated.
He became a Jonin and continued to muddle through with Kakashi. There were two people in their team who didn't need home visits.
Moreover, with Kakashi handling things, he didn't need to worry or exert himself. Kakashi took care of everything alone.
This was also why he was happy to remain in the current squad and continue to muddle through. Kakashi was simply too versatile.
"So, why can't I do Sasuke's home visit?"
Sasuke's situation was still manageable. As long as he dug up a grave and got some materials, he could summon him.
But Naruto's side was a bit troublesome. Kushina should be fine, but his father's soul was in the Shinigami's belly.
"It seems there are only two ways: either a home visit in front of the grave, or..."
Takemi's gaze fell on Naruto's belly, which immediately made Naruto feel inexplicably confused.
"What's wrong? What are you looking at?"
"Nothing, I'm thinking about something else."
Takemi withdrew his gaze, pondering in his heart how to do this.
Now, his control over Chakra was incredibly easy. He could do anything he wanted concerning Chakra with ease.
"The only trouble is probably what form I'll take once I enter the spiritual world."
The last time he went to see the Nine-Tails, he transformed into an Ōtsutsuki.
"But I should be able to control it, but let's talk about this later, after all..."
Looking up, Takemi saw several Anbu appear before him.
"Jonin Takemi, Hokage-sama requests your presence at the Hokage Office."
These Anbu were very polite, speaking only after seeing Takemi.
"I understand, I'll go now."
Takemi nodded. He hadn't made any reports since his return.
Moreover, given how things were last night, he clearly couldn't make any reports. Now was the best time.
However, he didn't forget Naruto. After thinking for a moment, he turned to Naruto and Karin and said, "You two go back and plant it for me. Don't water it randomly, and wait for me at my house."
"Oh."
The two Uzumaki, one yellow and one red, nodded simultaneously. Only then did Takemi turn and leave with the Anbu.
Before long, they arrived outside the Hokage Office.
The two Anbu consciously left, while Takemi entered the office.
"Takemi, you're here."
Hiruzen's wrinkled face was full of smiles. Beside him stood Koharu and Homura.
Besides them, two people dressed as Anbu stood with Tsunade.
"Hello, everyone."
Takemi smiled and nodded, and Hiruzen immediately laughed.
"Takemi, this time I wanted to understand your actions, as it was too incredible."
"Indeed, there are some things I'm very curious about."
Tobirama also nodded. He and Hashirama had both released their Transformation Technique.
"Did you use big brother's technique?"
"Yes, I used it."
Takemi knew what they were surprised about, so he simply nodded.
"Actually, with the First Hokage's data, Wood Release isn't difficult for me, although the data is a bit messy..."
"..."
Not difficult?
The data is messy?
Takemi's words simultaneously left both Hashirama and Tobirama somewhat speechless.
However, Tsunade, Hiruzen, and l Koharu all appeared very calm.
After all, the First Hokage's data was indeed very messy, and Takemi was someone who had used Dust Release right in front of them.
It's just...
"Takemi, Wood Release is extraordinary. There are people in Konoha who can use Wood Release, but their Wood Release..."
Hiruzen asked in a low voice, and Takemi immediately understood what he meant.
"Is the power not enough? That's not strange. Perhaps that person's Wood Release lacks some special characteristics."