By evening, Kakashi stood hesitantly outside Minato's house, frozen in indecision. He lifted his hand to knock, paused, then lowered it. He repeated this awkward ritual several times before letting out a deep sigh.
Suddenly, the door swung open.
Naruto's face popped into view, eyebrows furrowed with annoyance.
"Kakashi sensei! You're late again! Everyone's been waiting!"
He stepped aside, gesturing impatiently for Kakashi to come in.
Still dazed, Kakashi blinked. "Naruto… is someone else here tonight?"
"Yeah, of course! Chiga senpai is here!"
"…Nani!?"
The moment he heard Chiga's name, Kakashi instinctively turned to bolt—but before he could escape, an invisible force yanked him backward. He flew straight into Minato's living room and landed on the floor with a thud.
Lifting his head, he saw Uchiha Chiga sitting comfortably on the sofa.
Chiga looked at him with a faint smirk. "Late, I can excuse. But trying to flee? That's another matter, Kakashi."
Kakashi's thoughts scrambled in panic. He finally stammered, "Captain Chiga, I suddenly remembered I left something at home… just ran out for a bit—"
"Oh, you mean this?" Chiga's eyes flicked to Kakashi's chest, and with a flick of his fingers, a small orange-yellow book materialized in his hand. A red circle with a diagonal slash was printed across the cover.
Kakashi's visible eye widened in horror. He immediately began patting himself down. But the book was gone.
At that moment, Naruto strolled into the living room. Spotting the book in Chiga's hand, he exclaimed, "Huh? Isn't that Make-Out Paradise—Kakashi sensei's favorite?"
"…"
Kakashi had intended to deny it, but Naruto's words destroyed any hope of escape. He slumped in defeat, eyes hollow.
Chiga, ignoring Kakashi's visible agony, cracked open the infamous book.
Naruto curiously leaned over to sneak a look.
As the pages turned, Naruto's cheeks began to redden. Chiga's expression, however, turned more and more unimpressed. He eventually scoffed, "This… is what you call spicy?"
Kakashi felt like his soul was being roasted. This was public humiliation on an elite level.
Fortunately, salvation came.
"Is that Kakashi?"
Minato's voice called out from the kitchen.
Kakashi jumped to his feet as if electrocuted. "Sensei! I'm here!"
"You're late again, huh?" Minato emerged from the kitchen still wearing an apron. But instead of saving Kakashi, he walked over to Chiga and peeked over his shoulder.
"Huh? That's Jiraiya sensei's book, right? Which volume?"
"…!"
Kakashi wanted to cry. Why did I even bring that book today!?
Chiga lost interest. Compared to what he'd seen on Earth, this "literature" was child's play. He tossed the book at Kakashi, who caught it and hugged it to his chest like precious cargo.
Naruto, still curious, leaned forward. "Senpai, why'd you stop? I was just getting into it!"
"What's there to see? If you really want it, ask Kakashi."
Naruto turned instantly. "Kakashi sensei—"
"No!" Kakashi snapped, eyes pleading with Minato for help.
Minato sighed, smiling wryly. "Chiga, Jiraiya sensei's books are decent, but some content's just not suitable for Naruto right now. He's still a kid."
Chiga gave him a dramatic Byakugan glare. "Yeah, yeah. But did you know your precious son developed his own Ninjutsu? And he actually beat Jiraiya with it."
"Nani!?" Minato's eyes sparkled with pride. "Naruto created a Ninjutsu? That's amazing!"
He smiled smugly to himself, "As expected of my son. Must've gotten that from me."
Then, turning to Naruto eagerly, he asked, "What's the technique? Can I see it?"
Naruto froze. He knew exactly which jutsu Chiga was talking about… and he was proud of it. But showing it to his father?
Could he really risk Minato seeing that?
What if Minato… reacted?
(Yooooo)
"What's wrong?" Minato asked, confused. "Is it too destructive?"
"…No," Naruto replied. Seeing his father's anticipation, he didn't want to disappoint him.
Taking a breath, he formed a series of hand signs and shouted, "Dad! Watch closely! This is the Ninjutsu I created myself—Sexy Jutsu!"
Poof!
With a puff of smoke, Naruto transformed into a stunning young woman with golden pigtails and very little else.
Kakashi, prepared for this, already had a hand over his eyes.
Minato's mouth twitched as he stared. Blood trickled from his nose.
"…Now that's a powerful technique," he muttered, wiping under his nostril.
---
Meanwhile, in a distant forest path…
Itachi and Kisame walked side by side. Itachi's face was unusually serious, shadows of reflection in his eyes.
Kisame tilted his head. "Itachi san, the Leader said not to provoke Konoha right now. Are we really ignoring that?"
Itachi narrowed his eyes. "You don't need to follow me. If you want to turn back, do so now."
"Haha, come on. We're partners, remember?" Kisame grinned.
Itachi didn't respond. He simply walked faster.
He had heard that Chiga was not only alive, but now Hokage.
That changed everything.
He still remembered the night of the massacre, wondering again and again—if Chiga had been there… would it all have been different?
A flicker of pain crossed his expression.
Kisame noticed. "You alright, Itachi san?"
"I'm fine." Itachi's voice was low. "When we get near Konoha, don't come in. Our presence would draw too much attention. I'll go alone."
"But the Leader said Uchiha Chiga is extremely dangerous. You sure you'll be okay?"
"I'll be fine. Just stay nearby and be ready to assist if anything happens."
"…Alright. Be careful."
---
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