“Think carefully before you speak. I’ll give you one more chance.”
Kawakaze was baffled. He could feel every hair on his body stand on end, yet somehow, he’d fallen for such a simple trick.
“My wife has the sharpest wits,” he said, suddenly acting like a child. With a single motion, he pulled Tsunade into his arms.
“We're not done yet. Don't get handsy,” Tsunade warned, pushing his wandering hands away.
“That was nothing,” Kawakaze said, growing mor...
2025-02-09 15:39:18 +0000 UTC
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“In that case, let's just change her eyes. It's no big deal.” Konan thought the simpler the better, and changing her eyes seemed like no big deal.
“What Konan is saying is that the worst that can happen is that we find her some similar eyes to replace them with,” Tsunade added, though she couldn't quite understand Nonō's thinking.
“I'll have another go at persuading her,” Nagato lied. He had no intention of forcing Nonō to change her mind. It looked like he would hav...
2025-02-09 15:38:45 +0000 UTC
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Gradually, Nonō's entire body pressed down on Nagato.
"Okay, I was wrong. You can definitely do it," Nagato reached out and grabbed Nonō's hand, bringing the two of them face-to-face, just a punch apart.
"Hmph, that's more like it, I'll let you off this time." Nonō pretended to be calm as she shook off Nagato's grip, though her face was already aflame with embarrassment.
"Thank you, Lady Nonō, for not killing me," Nagato quipped, trying to ease her discomfort.
The ...
2025-02-09 15:38:15 +0000 UTC
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"Sorry, we'll be more careful," Nagato said, stepping in to handle the situation so Nonō wouldn’t have to.
They weren’t in the right, so it was only natural to admit their mistake.
After this brief incident, neither of them chatted anymore, quietly waiting in line.
About twenty minutes later, the person in front of Nagato had started ordering.
“What are you having? I'll order it together,” Nagato asked without turning around, his attention fixed on the menu at...
2025-02-09 15:37:21 +0000 UTC
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Once Nagato was out of the front door of the Hatake Clan, he slowed his pace, running a hand over his flushed face. Scrubbing his hands together vigorously, he continued walking toward the commercial street.
The words of his elders echoed in his mind, stirring his mood into a restless whirl. He had assumed it would be a normal dinner, but now he wasn’t sure how to face Nonō. Perhaps she really just wanted to thank him for saving her life—that might be all there was to it.
Wal...
2025-02-09 15:36:50 +0000 UTC
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"Alright, hurry up and finish cleaning up the battlefield and head back to the village," Minato said, breaking the ice between them. If he hadn’t, it was hard to tell how long this group would keep chatting.
"Alright," Nawaki responded, his tone firm. "Pain, take care of her. The rest of you hurry up. We'll leave in half a quarter of an hour."
"Yes," came the unanimous reply.
With that, everyone got to work. It didn’t take the full allotted time to clean up the battlefie...
2025-02-09 15:36:18 +0000 UTC
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“Okay.”
Nagato finished off the three bandits and immediately turned around, crouching down to stop Nonō's bleeding first.
If the wound continues to bleed like this, he'll have saved her for nothing.
“I'm so sleepy.”
Nagato adjusted Nonō into a flat lying position. Now that the crisis was over, her spirit had relaxed, and she was already struggling to stay conscious.
“Don't fall asleep, hold on a little longer.”
Nagato's face beneath the mask ...
2025-02-09 15:35:48 +0000 UTC
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The next day, before dawn, Nawaki and the others had already positioned themselves for an ambush along the path the bandits would inevitably take.
They had arrived early, unsure of when the bandits would leave the town. Hours of patient waiting left them drenched in dew, but their focus remained unbroken.
As the sun began to rise, they spotted a large group marching towards them in a steady, unbroken line. Their movements were orderly and swift—evidence of their competence, enou...
2025-02-09 15:35:08 +0000 UTC
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"Everyone, you've won enough today. Why don't you go home and rest first?" The dealer suppressed his displeasure, addressing the group politely.
"Are you saying a gambling house can’t handle losing? This is nothing," one of the large men replied arrogantly, his tone dripping with nonchalance.
"It’s better for everyone if we stop now," the dealer continued. "Leaving a way out for each other allows for future encounters."
This gambling den, at least, adhered to a certain c...
2025-02-09 15:33:26 +0000 UTC
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"What are you daydreaming about? I'm asking you a question!"
In an unknown forest in the Land of Fire, Minato patted Nawaki's shoulder.
"Huh?"
"Sorry, I was daydreaming," Nawaki admitted as he snapped back to reality. It had only been less than a week since he left the village, but he already missed Misaki.
"You're so weak, always thinking about girls," Minato said with a look of disdain.
"Senior Brother Minato, you were just talking about Sister Kushina," Konan ...
2025-02-09 15:32:51 +0000 UTC
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"Very well, that's exactly what I was thinking."
"Although it's our duty to contribute to the village, the personal wishes of the students should still take priority."
"It’s a blessing for the students to have a vice principal like you who truly puts them first."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down, the brainwashing at the Academy regarding the Will of Fire disappeared. Kawakaze placed greater emphasis on human rights, believing that students should have the right to make ...
2025-02-09 15:32:17 +0000 UTC
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“Okay, okay, it’s over there,” Minato said, stepping forward to ease the tension. The battle in question had indeed concluded.
Jiraiya descended from the sea of trees, carrying the exhausted duo in his arms. The timing was impeccable, as Nawaki’s Light-Weight Rock Technique was just about to wear off.
“Kawakaze, restore the training ground,” Sakumo instructed, his tone calm. The transformation of the training ground into a forest wasn’t a significant concern, but it ...
2025-02-09 15:31:42 +0000 UTC
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“Are you okay?” Nagato glanced at her pale face, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth.
“Thank you.”
“It seems like I've sustained some internal injuries.” Medical-nin were more attuned to their own bodies, and she likely already sensed the extent of her injuries.
“Let me take a look.”
As expected, Nagato offered to treat the Kunoichi. To him, an injured person deserved immediate care. He quickly identified the precise spot where she had been st...
2025-02-09 15:31:00 +0000 UTC
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After a period of sparring, it became clear that these ten individuals were not specialists in swordsmanship. Their skill levels were relatively even, making it difficult to determine a clear winner solely through their blade techniques.
Realizing this, the participants began gradually incorporating other techniques into the fight.
“Hey, the person I bet on is actually a Medical-nin,” Nagato remarked with some surprise. Medical-nin were rare, and those proficient in combat wer...
2025-02-09 15:30:28 +0000 UTC
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“You have been summoned today for an important matter,” Sakumo announced firmly.
“Jiraiya, you should all know him—a fellow student of Lady Hokage.” He walked to the front, gesturing toward Jiraiya standing beside him.
Jiraiya gave a slight nod to the group.
“By order of Lady Hokage, Jiraiya is to establish a new department,” Sakumo continued. “It will work with our Anbu in the future, and some of you will be selected to join it. I won't go into too many deta...
2025-02-09 15:29:52 +0000 UTC
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“I've finished reading it. Can the personnel from this department gather for a meeting now?” Jiraiya placed the two sets of documents separately on Sakumo's desk.
“Not many people,” Sakumo remarked as he picked up the thinner stack, noting there were only ten copies.
“It’s the quality, not the quantity!” Jiraiya replied with a silly grin. “I’m also a bit embarrassed to poach too many of your people.”
Sakumo chuckled, aware of the situation. “Haha, we’...
2025-02-09 15:29:23 +0000 UTC
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Jiraiya walked out of the Hokage Building brimming with confidence. With determined strides, he made his way toward the Academy.
His first focus was on the students—they were young, adaptable, and ideal for training as reserve spies. These young talents would one day form the backbone of Konoha’s Intelligence Division. However, for spies who could be deployed on missions in the near term, Jiraiya had other plans in mind.
Knowing the Academy’s headmaster, Kawakaze, personally...
2025-02-09 15:28:50 +0000 UTC
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Jiraiya moved quickly. The wedding took place less than a month after the relocation.
Although it wasn’t as grand as the one held for Kawakaze and Tsunade, it was still a rare and joyous event in Konoha. The Clan Heads and Jōnin of the village were all in attendance.
Jiraiya was admired not only for his strength but also for his reputation. Without the backing of a clan or entangling alliances, he had no conflicts of interest with most people. This made him someone everyone was...
2025-02-09 15:28:11 +0000 UTC
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The moonlight hung like a hook, casting a seductive glow over the night.
“Jiraiya is moving tomorrow.”
“Let’s go join the fun,” Tsunade said, leaning on Kawakaze’s shoulder. Her hair was disheveled, her eyes unfocused, and she had yet to fully recover from the battle.
“That’s good. It’s been a long time since we last got together.”
Kawakaze had no objections. Moving to a new home was a joyful occasion, and this custom was also common in their land.<...
2025-02-09 15:25:49 +0000 UTC
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Kawakaze had no idea where the two little ones had picked up their endless chatter. They didn’t stop talking the whole way, despite being too young to fully articulate their thoughts. Instead, they gestured animatedly with their hands, leaving Kawakaze thoroughly confused while the two burst into laughter.
Too lazy to question them, Kawakaze decided to let it go. If they could explain it clearly, they wouldn’t need all the gesturing anyway.
After a while, the group arrived at ...
2025-02-09 15:25:13 +0000 UTC
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Red hair, a youthful face—Kazuyama never expected to see this person standing before him.
Chiyo's grandson, Sasori of the Red Sand!
How could it be him?!
Kazuyama felt his mind struggling to keep up. Sasori was a few years younger than him, yet his face was already clouded with darkness and hatred.
He finally understood where the anger and resentment that Chōmei had sensed came from.
Sasori's parents had been killed by Sakumo Hatake—how could he not...
2025-02-09 14:18:21 +0000 UTC
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Leaving the group, the three of them ran straight toward the Land of Wind.
After all, Sunagakure's operation was on a massive scale, and even the Vanguard's advance would take time.
Before long, they arrived at the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind, where they saw a vast army stretching across the desert.
“Wow, this is spectacular.”
“It looks like Sunagakure is going all out for this.”
Kazuyama Gekkō immediately activated his Hive Mi...
2025-02-09 14:17:28 +0000 UTC
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“Lady Hokage, you’re looking well today,” Shōta remarked as soon as Tsunade entered the office.
“No, I look like this every day,” Tsunade replied, briefly touching her flushed cheeks before walking briskly to her seat.
“Today is exceptionally good,” Shōta joked, their familiarity making such a joke harmless.
“Get to work,” Tsunade shot back, glaring at him while muttering something under her breath about Kawakaze.
"Heh," Shōta snickered before bury...
2025-02-09 14:13:45 +0000 UTC
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Dinner was particularly lively that evening.
Kawakaze retold his exploits in Kirigakure, crafting a story far more thrilling than Nagato’s brief, two-sentence summary. Even Kakashi was captivated, listening intently and clapping his hands with excitement during the most exhilarating parts.
Naturally, with such a cheerful atmosphere, sake was a must at the table. Now that Kakashi had been weaned, Nayuki was free to drink with everyone again. Drinking milk constantly didn’t suit...
2025-02-09 14:13:09 +0000 UTC
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“Well, if you want to call it a big deal, it is quite big,” Nagato said, deliberately pausing to pique everyone’s curiosity.
“Oww~” Onimaru pricked up his ears and barked in dissatisfaction. It was as if he couldn’t stand Nagato dragging things out.
This kid’s such a buzzkill—who on earth taught him that?
Nagato coughed awkwardly, feeling even the dog’s judgmental gaze on him.
“What’s the matter? Just say it,” Yahiko urged, unable to ho...
2025-02-09 01:30:55 +0000 UTC
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“Well, you're right,” Tsunade said, calming down. There were still many masters in Konoha. Madara Uchiha alone couldn’t cause too much trouble.
“Although Grandpa is gone, I’m still here,” Kawakaze added, patting Tsunade’s shoulder. He believed that even if he were to face Madara Uchiha at his prime, he would now be more than a match for him. Besides, he still had time to continue improving, while Madara was merely hanging on.
“Yes, there’s you,” Tsunade replied...
2025-02-09 01:30:09 +0000 UTC
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A rare period of peace and quiet lasted until the New Year. The five major ninja villages were in tacit agreement, maintaining an eerie silence during this time. It felt as though they were all making final preparations for the inevitable war. The tension was palpable, and even the air seemed charged with the smell of gunpowder.
Finally, as the New Year arrived, Sunagakure made the first move.
Hokage Building
Hiruzen was studying the intelligence report in his hands, his exp...
2025-02-08 15:14:55 +0000 UTC
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Soon, Orochimaru shook his head helplessly and sighed.
"Unfortunately, the Hokage has ordered me to be ready to head to the battlefield in the Land of Rivers at any time," he said.
"Otherwise, I would have loved to study this matter carefully."
He turned his sharp gaze toward Kazuyama and asked, "Kazuyama, do you want to go to the battlefield in the Land of Rivers with me? After all, the mission involves going up against Rasa. Do you want to fight him again?"
Kazuyama sho...
2025-02-08 15:14:05 +0000 UTC
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“Shōta is off today, saying he has a headache,” Tsunade replied to Kawakaze nonchalantly as she carefully examined Nagato.
“You’re the Medical-nin. Aren’t you going to check on him?” Kawakaze teased, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Obviously, he's just messing with you, you idiot Hokage.”
The two began bantering, their camaraderie lightening the mood. Kawakaze knew full well that with the heavy workload, Shōta deserved a day off now and then.
“You’r...
2025-02-08 14:58:05 +0000 UTC
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Genji’s face stiffened for a moment before he forced himself to relax.
“Fine,” he said through gritted teeth.
Kawakaze felt a surge of joy at seeing Genji struggle to maintain his composure.
You’re a smart guy! he thought to himself.
“Thank you so much. If there’s anything else in the future, you can find me in Konoha,” Kawakaze said, his tone dripping with faux politeness.
He reveled in the sense of control and the satisfaction that c...
2025-02-08 14:57:32 +0000 UTC
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