The next day, as soon as he finished his classes, Shinji was informed by Anbu that Hiruzen wanted to see him.
"Old man, what's going on? So urgent?"
As long as he was at the Academy, under normal circumstances, they would wait until after school to call him. But today, Anbu was sent directly to inform him.
Without overthinking it, Shinji left the Academy and headed towards the Hokage Building.
Just as he pushed open the door, Shinji heard a voice.
"You idiot, that bastard Shinji, he's still not here after all this time."
Shinji: "..."
Is it too late for him to leave now?
Hiruzen, who had long been annoyed, brightened when he saw Shinji.
"Shinji, Bee is looking for you. Take him around Konoha, will you?"
Seeing Hiruzen's expression, Shinji could only helplessly walk in.
His gaze swept over Samui, who was sitting on the sofa. These two really weren't shy, sitting so brazenly in the Hokage Office.
"Yo, you bastard Shinji, it's been so many days, and you've never come looking for me." Bee said, putting an arm around Shinji's shoulder, sounding very displeased.
"Hehe, I've been busy." Shinji's lips twitched, making an excuse.
Although he was a bit fed up with Bee's constant mumbling and strange behavior, he truly was busy.
Seeing Hiruzen motion for him to quickly take Bee away, Shinji could only helplessly say, "Let's go, I'll show you the sights of Konoha."
"Good! GO! GO! GO!"
Hearing this, Bee excitedly gestured, while Samui stood up and bid Hiruzen farewell.
— — —
On the streets of Konoha, Bee looked around curiously, eating a bowl of dango.
His skin tone and height, uncommon in Konoha, drew curious stares from villagers along the way. Some people, who had seen him that day, told others that he was from Kumogakure.
Fortunately, everyone remained restrained, and there were rumors circulating that Kumogakure was about to form an alliance with Konoha.
With Shinji, a well-known figure, leading the way, there were no particularly strange looks. It was just a bit uncomfortable for Shinji, as villagers would come up to greet him every so often. And he couldn't just ignore them.
"Yo, Shinji, I didn't expect you to be so popular in Konoha."
Bee said to Shinji beside him after another wave of villagers had greeted them and left.
Shinji glanced at Bee. If he were to answer now that his fame was all thanks to defeating him...
Never mind.
"It's alright, at least not as much as you." Shinji shrugged.
This wasn't a joke. At least in recent years, as Bee gradually gained control of the Eight-Tails, coupled with his activity on the battlefield, which secured some victories for Kumogakure, the villagers of Kumogakure wouldn't be so hostile, and as the Fourth Raikage's adopted brother, he had a certain level of recognition.
However, his frequent concerts and the demonic music were quite bothersome.
Samui, following behind, observed everything around her and couldn't help but marvel that it truly was a ninja village worthy of occupying the best location.
Along the way, various resources were almost all-encompassing. This kind of disparity simply couldn't be solved by having more money.
"How do you feel, Samui-san?" Shinji turned his head to look at Samui behind him.
He had taken in all the observation gestures of the Fourth Raikage's strategist along the way. However, since it was just ordinary streets, he wasn't worried that this aloof woman would observe anything significant.
"It's alright." Samui replied indifferently, as it did indeed look alright, each having its own advantages.
"By the way, since we're out, why don't I take you to eat?" Shinji nodded, not continuing the conversation, and invited Bee.
"Yo, is it good food?" Bee immediately asked curiously.
"It's considered quite good in our Konoha. I originally planned to take you to Ichiraku Ramen." Shinji nodded.
He thought that Ichiraku Ramen was always bustling with people, so a place with private rooms might be more secure.
"Ichiraku Ramen?" Bee stroked his chin, quite curious about this.
"Next time. This time, I'll take you to a barbecue restaurant. They have special grade pork supplied exclusively by the Akimichi clan." Shinji said, then walked towards their destination.
—
"Whoa! It's comparable to the beef in our village!"
Inside the barbecue restaurant, Bee exclaimed in admiration.
As the Fourth Raikage's adopted brother, he naturally wouldn't be short on Kumogakure's super-premium cloud beef. But this was the first time he had tasted pork that could rival it.
Even Samui, who was beside him, didn't refute it, as it was indeed very good.
"Pretty good, right? After all, this is special pork raised by the Akimichi clan, and the taste is not bad at all." Shinji chuckled.
This was also his disciples' favorite. They often managed to completely empty his wallet, and that damned cat, Mimi, too.
"Mmm. Indeed, it makes me want to sing a little—"
Bee was just brewing it, but Shinji interrupted his ultimate move.
"Hold on for a moment!"
Shinji turned to the window. A ninja hawk flew by at an extremely fast speed, letting out a cry.
A Jonin meeting, and judging by the frequency, it was an emergency one.
"Alright, Bee, that's enough for today. I need to go to the Hokage Building."
As Shinji's words fell, a figure appeared outside the window. It was Itachi.
"Shinji-sama, I will lead them back to the guesthouse."
Seeing Itachi, Bee and Samui were not surprised. After all, Itachi had been following them these past few days, and just now as well.
"Good, then I'll trouble you." Shinji nodded, then instantly disappeared from the spot.
"You two, please get going." Itachi then looked at Bee and Samui.
"Bee-sensei, let's go back first." Samui said to Bee, who was still eating.
Konoha was currently holding a meeting. As people from another ninja village, they should be somewhat discreet.
"Ah! Let's go."
Bee stood up and walked out of the private room.
Itachi gave him a dangerous feeling, even Gyuki told him not to act rashly. Konoha truly was full of hidden talents.
Arriving at the meeting room, Shinji saw Hiruzen sitting at the head of the table and Jiraiya accompanying him.
After a simple nod of greeting, he went and sat down next to Kakashi.
"What's going on?" Shinji asked Kakashi beside him.
"I don't know, I just came back from a mission and came straight here." Kakashi replied lazily, looking tired.
Shinji then nodded. After all, Kakashi had always been the king of tardiness, and while he wouldn't be late for meetings, he was often the last to arrive.
(End of Chapter)
Read 50 Chapters ahead on
patreon.com/astralicity