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**Chapter 21: Senju Momoki**
After finishing his conversation with Sasuke, Rubik left the training grounds, intending to buy some meat from the nearby streets. However, just as he stepped out the gate, a slender figure shadowed him like a ghost.
"Tch." Rubik's body flickered, leaving only an afterimage in place while his real form shifted several steps away. Almost simultaneously, his elbow struck the "stalker's" soft abdomen with precise speed.
"Urgh!" A muffled grunt escaped. Momoki's eyes flashed with brief shock and pain, but her ninja instincts kicked in instantly. She used the momentum from the elbow strike to retreat and drop into a prone position with uncanny flexibility. Her right hand lightning-fast drew a kunai from her pouch, aiming for Rubik's lower body.
But remembering Danzo's orders, her wrist stiffened imperceptibly.
That split-second hesitation was her flaw. Rubik's foot precisely kicked the kunai's handle. "Clang!" The metal hit the ground with a sharp ring before it settled. Rubik's large hand clamped onto Momoki's slender neck, lifting her entirely off the ground until their noses nearly touched.
The cold Sharingan stared down emotionlessly at her face, flushed red from choking.
"I told you," Rubik said expressionlessly, "don't follow me anymore. Looks like your mission matters more than your life."
Rubik considered himself an ordinary guy with little resistance to beautiful women—but only if they posed no threat. No one enjoys being tracked by someone with ulterior motives, even a beauty. Since gentle warnings failed, harsher methods were necessary.
His grip on her throat didn't budge, but his other hand moved straight toward her tightly pursed red lips. She shook her head in terror, clenching her teeth in resistance. Ignoring her, Rubik roughly pried open her teeth and thrust his fingers deep into her warm mouth, stirring wildly.
"Mmph...!" The intense foreign sensation and suffocation made Momoki's body tremble violently. Her struggles weakened quickly, her cheeks flushing unnaturally. Seizing the moment, Rubik pinched her soft, slick tongue and yanked it out into the cold air. His scarlet Sharingan focused instantly, the tomoe spinning slowly as it coldly examined the exposed secret.
There it was! At the base of her tongue, twisted black curse marks writhed like living things.
*"Tongue Disaster Root Seal..."* Rubik thought. *"Danzo's handiwork, that old dog."*
He released her abruptly. Momoki collapsed like a puppet with cut strings, one hand propping her up, the other clutching her stinging mouth. Her eyes—once feigning gentle affection—now dropped the mask, revealing only humiliation, confusion, a hint of disgust. She glared stubbornly up at him.
Rubik casually wiped his saliva-coated fingers on his clothes and smiled at her. "That's a much more honest look. Pretending to gaze lovingly at someone you've known for days—tiring, isn't it? Let's both save energy. I don't want to offend Danzo because it's a hassle, not because I'm scared."
"Your mission? I don't care. But if you want to carry it out, it's simple—drop the fake mask. The Senju bloodline shouldn't be like this."
Momoki stared deeply at Rubik, then pushed herself up without a word. She staggered once before vanishing around the street corner without looking back.
Rubik didn't stop her. He knew she'd return. Missions were a ninja's life. To Danzo, a tool that failed was worse than trash. If Momoki didn't want "Root" to discard her, she'd come back.
Though Jiraiya and the Third Hokage seemed keen on him befriending her, Rubik doubted sweet words would pierce her thick facade—like a doll. Sometimes, brutal force tore masks away faster.
He lifted the hand that had just ravaged the girl's mouth and yanked her tongue—his fingertips still held a faint, sweet stickiness. Like... red bean mochi?
*From her reaction, basic shame and resistance remain. Danzo's brainwashing isn't fully rooted yet—there's hope to save her... But the Tongue Disaster Root Seal is still troublesome,* he mused.
*Whatever. Leak this intel to the old pervert; let him tell the Third. As for me, just wait for Orochimaru's "Konoha Crush Plan" to kick off soon.*
Thinking of Orochimaru's imperfect Edo Tensei summons—First Hokage Hashirama Senju and Second Hokage Tobirama Senju—a surge of irrepressible excitement rose in Rubik. That was his main goal in coming to Konoha! Risks came with it, but "the bigger the waves, the pricier the fish"—he knew that well. For the long-coveted Wood Release and Flying Thunder God, some danger was worth it.
After buying meat for dinner, Rubik returned to Naruto's house. Pushing open the door, a familiar figure surprised him.
Jiraiya lounged sprawled on the living room sofa, flipping through a photo magazine of women with relish. Hearing the door, he glanced up lazily and waved. "Hey."
Rubik approached, his gaze subtly scanning the magazine cover—yep, the one he'd bought.
Jiraiya smoothly tucked it into his voluminous robe, cleared his throat, and struck a masterly pose. "Back so late, kid? Don't tell me you were peeping at girls in the bathhouse. I taught you the Ninja Three Prohibitions are the foundation of integrity! A strong man without self-control faces dire consequences!"
"Which foot spa did you hit today? Your time as a 'sage' lasting this long?" Rubik shot back mercilessly.
"Of course, the 'Cherry Bath' at Konoha's east gate... *cough cough!*" Jiraiya nearly spilled it, covered with violent coughs.
"Business time! I've officially taken Naruto as my apprentice. Hey, his head's a bit thick, but his talent's solid—lots of potential. Bright future!"
"If you dropped that lecherous look, it might be convincing," Rubik deadpanned.
"I've got news for you." Rubik shifted tone, growing serious. "Senju Momoki has the Tongue Disaster Root Seal planted by Danzo. If I'm right, her brain's got some sealing jutsu too. If you really want to win her over, it'll take effort. Tell the Third Hokage."
Just then, the photo mag Jiraiya had pocketed reappeared in Rubik's hand like magic. Ignoring Jiraiya's reluctant stare, Rubik calmly sealed it into his left hand's storage space.
"Got it—I'll tell the old man." Jiraiya smacked his lips, eyes turning sly. "But... How'd you spot the Tongue Disaster Root Seal? Don't tell me you..."
Rubik fought the urge to slap the lewd grin off Jiraiya's face. "Cut the filthy thoughts! She's just a kid. I'm not a beast!"
"Hey, I didn't say you did anything!" Jiraiya chuckled, winking. "At your age, puppy love's normal! Back in my day, I was already chasing Tsunade hot and heavy! Need some master techniques?"
"Pass."
"Prude!" Jiraiya smirked knowingly. "I've seen that girl—already a knockout young. In a few years, total babe! Admit it—you're tempted?"
"...A bit," Rubik said honestly.
"See? Then why not—"
"I'm not desperate enough to use a doll for my needs," Rubik cut in flatly.
"A doll, huh..." Jiraiya's playfulness faded, his gaze heavy as he sighed. "Didn't think she'd end up like that... Konoha's debt to her."
"Hm?" Rubik caught the undertone, eyes lighting up. "Backstory? Spill!"
He yanked over a stool at blinding speed, sitting eagerly before Jiraiya like he was primed for gossip.
"Hey hey!" Jiraiya laughed helplessly. "You never get this hyped for my legendary tales!"
"Those are laced with 'artistic' BS—call 'em tabloids, not history," Rubik jabbed.
"Brat..."
"No dodging! Key details—now!" Rubik pressed.
"Fine, fine—chill!" Jiraiya waved helplessly, sobering up. "Her family's story... Sigh, starts way back in the First Great Ninja War..."
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