Three years had passed, and Kitagawa Minamoto's home had undergone significant changes.
Though its location remained the same, his elevated status had prompted him to thoroughly refurbish his humble abode.
All furniture and decor had been replaced, and to prevent Naruto from repeatedly falling from the second floor, he had even added a balcony.
After all, Naruto wasn't the only one who occasionally jumped onto his windowsill these days. Such modifications were undoubtedly necessary.
"Next time, don't jump through the window. That's hardly befitting a proper lady."
Kitagawa Minamoto stepped aside to make way for Ino, flashing her a smile that left her slightly embarrassed.
"Senior, I just came to check on the flowers."
Perhaps it was due to Naruto and Karin's antics—those two had somehow managed to overwater and kill the flowers Kitagawa Minamoto had carefully nurtured.
Over the past three years, Ino had occasionally visited under the pretense of tending to those flowers.
"Come on in."
Kitagawa Minamoto called out, turning back into the house, while Ino smiled and slipped off her shoes before jumping inside.
"Senior, it seems you've been on another mission recently. Even Naruto isn't around, and Karin appears to be busy. So I came to check, but I didn't expect you to be back."
"I went to the Land of Waterfalls. Just returned yesterday."
Kitagawa Minamoto casually appraised Ino. She had shed the youthful innocence he remembered from years ago.
Her golden hair was tied into a ponytail, her features were refined, and her light blue eyes were clear and bright.
Her figure had grown taller, and her fair skin was captivating.
But none of this particularly impressed Kitagawa Minamoto—after all, he was even paler than Ino.
"You've worked hard, Senior."
Ino carried her shoes barefoot to the entryway, leaving Kitagawa Minamoto amused by her actions.
"It wasn't too exhausting. But you—why not just use the front door? Why go through all that trouble?"
"I noticed you rarely use the front door yourself, Senior."
Ino stuck out her tongue playfully, her face full of mischief.
"Could it be that I don't even need to open doors? I can just teleport home with Flying Thunder God."
Kitagawa Minamoto sighed inwardly, realizing that these young shinobi hadn't changed their "bad habits" even as they grew older.
Konohagakure's education system truly needed improvement.
"Enough about that. I should thank you. If it weren't for you, Naruto and Karin might have killed my flowers again."
"But that's because they care about you, Senior."
Ino sat across from Kitagawa Minamoto, blinking before smoothly changing the subject with a smile.
"Senior, did you undertake another impressive mission this time? I noticed outsiders in the village. Of course, if it's confidential..."
"It's nothing special. We went to the Land of Waterfalls because of their Seven-Tails Jinchūriki."
Kitagawa Minamoto didn't mind sharing and responded with a smile.
"However, this mission wasn't particularly smooth—we encountered members of the Akatsuki."
The Akatsuki's activities were no longer a secret in the ninja world. Their existence posed a significant threat to everyone.
But thanks to Kitagawa Minamoto's "sustainable scorched-earth strategy" and decisive interventions, their danger had been somewhat contained.
Of course, there were still unfortunate victims—like Kirigakure.
Thus, there was no need to conceal information about the Akatsuki, especially from someone like Ino.
As a member of the Yamanaka Clan within the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, she was privy to many sensitive matters, making secrecy unnecessary.
"I never imagined so much could happen."
After hearing Kitagawa Minamoto's explanation, Ino sighed in amazement.
"And Sasuke actually managed to defeat Itachi Uchiha? That's truly remarkable."
"Indeed, it's quite impressive."
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded in agreement before curiously asking,
"How have you all been lately?"
"We're doing well—mostly the same as before."
Ino rested her chin on her hand, her golden hair brushing against her cheek as she spoke with a smile.
"Our missions aren't too troublesome, but Shikamaru still likes to complain. Chōji spends his days eating non-stop, and Asuma-sensei often hands off missions to us while he goes to meet Kurenai-sensei..."
As Ino recounted amusing anecdotes about her team, Kitagawa Minamoto listened with genuine interest.
Having lacked teammates early in his career, he hadn't experienced much of this camaraderie himself.
Instead, he had been stuck with Kakashi, whose simple missions always seemed to escalate into life-threatening situations.
Later, when Naruto and Sasuke joined his team, while there were plenty of amusing moments, as the Jōnin leader, he couldn't fully immerse himself in the fun.
"But Asuma seems to have avoided Hidan and Kakuzu. That crafty Sarutobi—you owe me another favor!"
Kitagawa Minamoto thought to himself, though Ino had already paused, smiling sheepishly.
"Sorry, Senior—I got carried away."
"It's fine. I found it quite entertaining."
Kitagawa Minamoto chuckled, dismissing her apology. But Ino shook her head lightly.
"Compared to you, these stories are nothing. You've far surpassed all of us, leaving us in the dust. I heard you might become the Fifth Hokage soon, and I—"
"Ino, it seems you've forgotten what I told you before."
Kitagawa Minamoto tapped the table, shaking his head to interrupt her.
"Do you remember what kind of flowers I like?"
"Flowers?"
Ino tilted her head, glancing at the flowers blooming on the windowsill alongside the grass.
Kitagawa Minamoto's voice rang out again.
"Yes, just like flowers—whether they're impressive or not, whether I become Hokage or not, it makes no difference to me."
As he spoke, Kitagawa Minamoto stood up and walked to the window.
Looking at the vibrant flowers before him, he smiled warmly.
"Naruto, that fool, dreams of becoming Hokage to earn everyone's recognition. But I once told him—"
"'It's not the Hokage who earns recognition; it's those who earn recognition who become Hokage.'"
Though the remark was somewhat playful, it felt perfectly fitting now.
"I'm the same. Instead of standing high above, I'd rather have the companionship of other flowers and plants. So, Ino—"
Turning around, Kitagawa Minamoto looked at Ino, who had followed him to the window.
"Don't say such things anymore. And haven't I told you many times? Just call me Minamoto."
"Is that so..."
Ino gazed at Kitagawa Minamoto, her light blue eyes suddenly sparkling with a hint of mischief.
"But I remember you also said your favorite flowers are those that bloom on the edge of cliffs."
"Ah..."
Kitagawa Minamoto froze, while Ino leaned on the windowsill, her golden hair swaying in the gentle breeze.
"Because those fearless flowers can take a step toward the sky."
Watching the young woman's smile and her clear blue eyes, Kitagawa Minamoto suddenly realized—
He had been outmaneuvered!
Just then, his gaze sharpened, focusing on something in the distance.
"What are the Senju doing?"
Deep underground in Konohagakure, Black Zetsu received shared information from White Zetsu, his expression turning peculiar.
"They've seen the Uchiha stone tablet and are now wondering if the Senju have any relics?"
Indeed, Black Zetsu, ever the cunning manipulator, quickly deduced the situation.
"This is excellent news!"
Black Zetsu was thrilled. Originally, he had been pondering how to reveal his planted items to Kitagawa Minamoto.
Now, with the Senju actively searching—this couldn't be more perfect!
"Dig, dig! Just a bit more effort, and you'll find it!"
Black Zetsu was ecstatic, while White Zetsu looked on with a strange expression.
"Black, what are you so excited about?"
"You wouldn't understand. Just know that something good is about to happen."
Black Zetsu dismissed White Zetsu, who, despite participating in the "Chronicles of Time" operation, remained oblivious to the specifics.
"This is perfect!"
Black Zetsu preferred keeping others in the dark to avoid unnecessary complications.
"Keep digging. Soon, you'll uncover it..."
Black Zetsu muttered to himself. While he had initially considered planting a stone tablet, he realized its conspicuousness made it unlikely to be "lost" by the Senju.
Instead, he opted for something more easily misplaced—tree bark, inspired by Hashirama Senju's Wood Release.
"Although Wood Release isn't a symbol of the Senju, they've used it before. And the likelihood of bark being lost is much higher than a stone tablet."
Using White Zetsu's chakra and his own Yin-Yang Release capabilities, he had carefully prepared the bark.
Though lacking combat prowess, his other abilities were formidable.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to manipulate Obito and converse intimately with Madara Uchiha.
"It's a pity I couldn't emphasize Hamura Ōtsutsuki's significance more."
Black Zetsu felt a twinge of regret. While he had long suspected Kitagawa Minamoto's lunar origins, the Senju bark was primarily meant to divert attention.
Thus, he had only included vague references to the Ōtsutsuki surname and concept, along with some Senju history.
Writing too much risked inaccuracies!
"But this should suffice. The rest can be tied to the Hyūga Clan's relics."
After all, fabricating history—whether once or multiple times—made no difference.
With the original figures long gone, he could say whatever he pleased.
"Alright, let's head to the Hyūga Clan. I need to figure out how to handle this."
Having sorted his thoughts, Black Zetsu spoke, prompting White Zetsu to retort,
"The Hyūga Clan? Are you planning to help Orochimaru or continue fabricating things?"
"Shut up!"
Black Zetsu snorted coldly, disliking White Zetsu's tone.
"What fabrication? If you keep talking nonsense, I'll deal with you!"
"But, Black..."
"Just remember—we're doing the right thing. You wouldn't want Madara-sama to remain absent due to our inaction, would you?"
"..."
"Remember, everything we do is for Madara-sama!"
Given the current situation, Black Zetsu felt it was imperative to bring Madara Uchiha back.
Otherwise, many plans would soon collapse.
However, "reassembling Madara" required Orochimaru's involvement.
The technique was his, and reconstructing Madara's complete state also depended on his expertise.
Though Black Zetsu disliked it, he had no choice but to cooperate.
Besides, obtaining a suitable Shikotsumyaku user could prove useful.
"While it might be ineffective against Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki, it should suffice for others."
At the very least, it could help capture a Tailed Beast—or even just its chakra.
As Black Zetsu pondered, his figure appeared in a corner of the Hyūga Clan's territory.
But he failed to notice—he had already been spotted.
(End of Chapter)
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