After Konan finished changing, she pushed the door open and walked out.
Kitazawa gave her a once-over.
Her cool, aloof vibe fit the Anbu perfectly—the only problem was that long blue-violet hair, which stood out a bit.
But he was the Anbu Commander. With that position, nobody except Tsunade would dare question him.
That was exactly why he'd put Konan into Anbu.
It's easier to keep a handle on things on your own turf.
And if you're putting on a show, you go all in.
Kitazawa had already told Konan he'd use her like a real Anbu operative.
She was at least jōnin-level; if she could be useful, why waste it?
Right now, Kitazawa was someone Konan couldn't afford to offend.
For Nagato's sake, taking on some missions was fine—part of the deal, really.
"Your day-to-day assignment is simple," Kitazawa said, looking at her. "Guard me from the shadows."
"Okay," Konan replied evenly.
She realized the job was basically the same as in the Akatsuki.
Only the person she shadowed had changed from Nagato to Kitazawa.
Though with either of them, her protection probably wasn't necessary.
Just then, a figure approached from a distance—it was the Anbu kunoichi Haru.
She stopped in front of Kitazawa and, almost reflexively, glanced at Konan.
Who… is this?
Haru didn't recall any Anbu with long blue-violet hair.
"She's 'Folded Flower,' a new addition to Anbu," Kitazawa said casually.
Folded Flower?
Konan blinked.
She guessed this was the codename he'd given her.
But it gave her a strange feeling.
Kitazawa seemed to know a lot about her.
"Kitazawa-sama," Haru reported without overthinking it, "everything passed at the jōnin council this morning has been circulated."
Plenty had been approved at that council.
Some items the whole village—civilians and shinobi alike—needed to know.
Like the members of the Hokage's Secretariat, and the fact that Uzumaki Naruto was the son of Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato.
"Mhm."
Kitazawa nodded. "Good work. You're dismissed."
Haru bowed slightly and left.
Kitazawa stepped up to the balcony rail and looked out over the training field.
If he was right, Sasuke Uchiha and the others had probably already seen the Anbu notices.
He was curious how they'd take it.
But not curious enough to go stare at their faces.
Kitazawa returned to his office.
He picked up pen and paper and started writing a prescription for Nagato.
Thanks to medical-ninja techniques, most injuries didn't need medicine at all—healing jutsu would do.
Only truly severe injuries called for drugs.
At its core, medical ninjutsu healed by accelerating the division and regeneration of cells and tissue.
In plain terms, it burned through the body's reserves.
Medicine was needed to make up for that deficit.
Minor injuries, of course, didn't require all that—your body could handle it on its own.
In Konoha, the Nara clan were famously involved with medicinal herbs.
Konan stood beside him and, without thinking, glanced at the prescription.
Two lines in and she went quiet.
She couldn't make heads or tails of it.
Medical ninjutsu was a whole specialized world.
For now, she could only trust Kitazawa.
Out on the Academy field.
On a normal day, Sasuke and the others would nap on the grass or in the trees after lunch.
Today, before they could doze off, a commotion rose from the front gate.
"What's going on?" Inuzuka Kiba yawned.
"Neji, use your Byakugan and take a look," Tenten said, eyes lighting up.
With the Byakugan's range and clarity, there was no need to walk over to see.
"There's a crowd at the bulletin board by the gate," Hyūga Neji said after activating his Byakugan.
"New announcement?" Nara Shikamaru thought of something. "Kitazawa-sensei and Kakashi-sensei went to the jōnin council this morning."
"Then it must be stuff from the council. With that kind of commotion, it sounds juicy," Kiba said, intrigued.
"Neji, can you read it from here?" Yamanaka Ino asked, now interested too.
"I can."
Everyone—Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Kurama Yakumo, and the rest—looked his way.
"First: the establishment of the Hokage's Secretariat," Neji said, then read out the names.
"Kitazawa-sensei isn't the head?" Ino blurted, surprised.
Kitazawa was on the Secretariat, but only as a regular secretary.
Given his status, you'd think he'd run it.
But he was too busy—Anbu Commander and Academy Vice Principal—so his slot at the Secretariat was mostly in name.
"Kitazawa-sensei probably has other assignments," Haruno Sakura guessed.
"Congrats, Shikamaru. Your dad's a Hokage advisor now," Kiba said, clapping his shoulder.
"Makes sense," Aburame Shino adjusted his glasses. "The Nara are known for their brains."
"When I become Hokage, Shikamaru, you'll be my advisor!" Naruto shot a thumbs-up.
"Just thinking about it sounds exhausting," Shikamaru groaned. "Pass."
"You really are lazy," Ino teased. "A Hokage advisor is second only to the Hokage!"
"He'll be my advisor," Sasuke said coolly, glancing at Naruto.
"…"
Shikamaru was baffled.
What did I do to deserve this?
Our friendship boat just capsized…
He suddenly felt his future dimming. With Naruto and Sasuke both likely Hokage candidates, he was doomed either way.
"Why Shikamaru every time?" Kiba protested. "I could do it!"
"There's more than one advisor," Sakura laughed, then looked at Sasuke with a grin. "I don't need to be an advisor, personally."
She planned to be the Hokage's wife—assuming Sasuke became Hokage.
"That look is… very… suspicious," Ino said, tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"Hold up!" Kiba straightened up. "My goal is Hokage!"
"Neji, keep going. Ignore them," Tenten sighed.
"Second: Kitazawa-sensei will represent Konoha in talks with Kirigakure," Neji continued.
"Told you he had other plans!" Sakura puffed herself up. "I'm right a lot too!"
"It's not that you're right. It's that Kitazawa-sensei is amazing," Ino corrected.
"…"
Sasuke fell silent.
So when Sakura was 'wrong' about him, it was because he wasn't amazing?
"Third…" Neji's gaze dropped lower—and his pupils tightened.
"Neji? What is it?" Tenten asked.
"Some earth-shattering news?" Kiba could barely sit still. "Spit it out!"
"Third: the Hokage has made Naruto's identity public—he's the son of the Fourth Hokage," Neji said, looking at Naruto and taking a deep breath.
"What?" Sasuke, Ino, Yakumo and the rest froze.
They were heirs of major clans, but even they hadn't known Naruto's true identity.
At most, their parents had told them to treat Naruto well.
Now they finally understood why.
"So that's why!" Kiba slapped his palm. "No wonder Naruto's strength is busted!"
He'd never understood why Naruto outpaced them.
They were prodigies from shinobi clans, after all.
Hearing he was the Fourth's son made it all click.
"The Fourth wasn't famous for having tons of chakra," Shikamaru shook his head. "Naruto's just gifted."
"Naruto, why aren't you surprised?" Sasuke asked when he noticed Naruto's calm.
"Kitazawa-sensei told me ahead of time," Naruto chuckled. "I was pretty shocked when I first found out."
"Why keep it secret before?" Sakura asked.
"The notice says it was Shimura Danzō's obstruction," Neji answered.
"If it's Danzō, that tracks. My dad says he was a real piece of work," Shikamaru nodded.
"Totally rotten," Naruto agreed.
"If even Naruto says so, how bad was he?" Rock Lee's eyes went wide.
"Not your garden-variety bad," Shikamaru sat up and started listing Danzō's deeds.
He only knew what Shikaku had told him, so it wasn't everything.
Even so, the others were stunned.
"Konoha had someone that vile?" Tenten felt her worldview wobble.
"Good thing he brought it on himself and got taken out by the Hokage and Kitazawa-sensei," Shikamaru said, patting Naruto's shoulder. "You'll have to look out for us from now on."
"Yeah!" Kiba joked. "You outrank us now!"
"Drinks are on you!" Akimichi Chōji said, excited.
"We really should celebrate," Ino chimed in.
They all knew how the villagers had treated Naruto.
No exaggeration—people repaid kindness with malice.
The Fourth died to save Konoha.
"Then it shouldn't be Naruto treating," Shikamaru shook his head, suggesting, "I think we can—"
"My treat," Sasuke cut in. "Yakiniku tonight."
Shikamaru blinked.
He'd been about to propose everyone chip in—except Naruto.
"As expected of Sasuke-kun!" Sakura's eyes sparkled.
"Pocket change," Sasuke said flatly.
"Thanks," Naruto scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
Even with his identity out, he could tell his friends weren't treating him any differently.
That meant a lot.
He didn't want titles messing with their friendships.
While Sasuke and the others were reeling, the villagers of Konoha were in disbelief.
They'd never imagined that the boy they'd scorned was the son of Namikaze Minato.
To speak ill of their savior's child—shameful didn't begin to cover it.
At Ichiraku Ramen—
"Naruto is the Fourth's son?" Ayame clapped a hand over her mouth.
"He's really been through a lot," Teuchi sighed.
A hero's child who never got a hero's due.
"Dad, you knew?" Ayame asked.
Back when everyone else looked down on Naruto, only her father treated him warmly.
"I didn't," Teuchi shook his head. "I'm a cook. I treat every customer fairly."
"They won't dare treat him like that anymore!" Ayame huffed, clenching a fist.
"Of course not," Teuchi smiled. "When Naruto comes by tomorrow, I'll make him an extra-large chashu and rib ramen."
"On me!" Ayame said at once. "The Fourth is one of my idols!"
Half an hour later—
While the Advanced Class was still on lunch break, Kitazawa set down his pen.
He'd finished the first draft of the prescription.
Nagato's legs had been crippled for years—the damage had piled up.
Kitazawa would need to adjust the formula constantly as he recovered.
All told, he might go through a dozen versions.
"That's it for now," Kitazawa said, handing the list to Konan. "Your side will cover the cost of the medicines."
"Okay," Konan nodded.
"Quite a few of these are rare. To save time, we'll work both angles." Kitazawa thought for a moment. "Have the Akatsuki start searching. If you can't find them, I'll ask the Nara to help."
The Nara had connections not just in Konoha, but across the Land of Fire.
Brains opened doors—even the feudal lord sought their counsel at times.
Konan looked over the page and nodded.
But she wasn't going to involve the Akatsuki. She'd use Amegakure's network instead.
Since Hanzō's death, Amegakure and the Land of Rain were, in practice, under Akatsuki control.
Even so, she didn't trust the other members.
If anyone tampered with the herbs, it would be a problem.
On that point, she trusted Kitazawa more.
"Once we have the ingredients, I'll prepare and blend the medicine," Kitazawa said, laying out his plan. "Take it for half a month, then I'll examine him and write a new prescription—until we can proceed with limb regeneration."
"Thank you," Konan said solemnly.
"Here's my authorization," Kitazawa said, standing. "You have two days' leave—go notify your people."
His token would prove her Anbu status.
Nothing more.
Konan watched him leave the office.
She lowered her gaze to the prescription in her hand.
She didn't know when she'd see Nagato stand again.
She straightened her shoulders.
Whatever it took—at least now there was hope.
Kitazawa headed to the Academy training field.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Ino jogged up to him, skidding to a stop, golden hair swaying in the air.
"We're taking Naruto out for Yakiniku tonight. Do you want to come?" she asked, eyes shining.
"And Sasuke-kun's paying!" Sakura immediately advertised for him.
"My mom gave me allowance," Sasuke said, meeting Kitazawa's eyes before turning away. "It's not like I'm treating him on purpose."
"If Sasuke's paying, I'm in," came a voice—Kosuke Maruboshi.
"Kakashi?" Kitazawa smiled. "You coming?"
"I'm free tonight," Kakashi said, glancing at Sasuke's awkward posture and suddenly thinking of his younger days—
Back when Obito and Rin were still alive.
"Great, we're all going," Kitazawa said, ruffling Ino's hair.
"Yay!" Ino beamed.
Hinata instinctively shuffled two steps closer to Kitazawa.
"Yakiniku's tonight. Right now, we train," Kitazawa said, pulling his hand back.
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!" Ino bounced away.
Kitazawa looked at Hinata.
"I-I'm going to train too," she said quickly.
"If anything confuses you, come ask me," he said, tapping her lightly on the forehead.
"Mm!" Hinata ran off, delighted.
"I should've realized sooner," Kosuke Maruboshi murmured.
"About Naruto, senpai?" Kitazawa asked.
"Yeah," Kosuke said, remembering. "The Fourth was a good man. He once bandaged a wound for me."
Kakashi fell silent.
Kosuke and Minato had only crossed paths once.
For Kakashi, Minato had been a teacher through a long, unforgettable stretch of years.
"What's done is done," Kitazawa said quietly. "The Fourth wouldn't want you stuck in grief. What matters is living in the present."
"You're right," Kosuke said, startled by the clarity. "You're better than me."
He'd never gotten over mistakes from his youth—that's why he was still a genin.
Kakashi opened his mouth, then closed it.
Some things aren't easy to let go.
Kitazawa knew that too.
But he didn't press.
Time had to do its work.
"You two teach the class. I need to step out," Kitazawa said suddenly, smiling. "We'll need one more guest for Yakiniku tonight."
He meant Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Perfect chance to ask if he'd teach at the Academy.
After saying goodbye to Kosuke and Kakashi, Kitazawa left the Academy and headed for the Sarutobi compound.
It was his first time there, but to his surprise, he was warmly welcomed.
~~~
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