"Could it be she's actually smitten with Lord Roshi? They've only met once."
"Just a normal question."
"Sounds suspicious to me."
"What is a ninja?" Roshi's voice drifted out from the kitchen, mingling with the sound of running water. "That's what she asked."
Tsunade popped another edamame into her mouth and leaned back, eyes wandering up to the ceiling.
"Even people from the Hidden Mist think questions like that are…"
"So?" Her voice rose a little. "Did Grandpa Roshi share any secret wisdom?"
The water stopped. Roshi stepped out of the kitchen, drying his hands on a towel.
"Didn't I tell you clearly enough when I found you and brought you back?"
Tsunade met his gaze—and suddenly broke into a bright smile.
For them, this wasn't a question that needed an answer.
To fulfill the dream left unfinished in the past, to carry on what those before them could not complete—that was all it meant.
——
During the Joint Combat Exercise, the team leaders from each village were treated as people of some authority.
After the initial coordination, Konoha summoned all the leaders for a meeting.
It was held in a plain conference room inside the village. Iwagakure's leader was Fūga, and Sunagakure's was still Baki.
Officially, the meeting was convened under the pretext of a "Joint Combat Exercise Phased Revenue Report and Distribution Proposal Discussion."
The first half went smoothly.
Konoha's finance staff used charts to lay out current ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, and merchandise profits, then presented a tentative distribution plan. The figures were clear, the ratios fair. No one voiced any objections.
"The above is the projected revenue and distribution draft for this Joint Combat Exercise. Since there are no questions, we'll proceed as stated."
Roshi raised his hand, gathered up the documents, and continued.
"Next, in order to ensure the Joint Combat Exercise can develop even better in the future—"
"Konoha proposes holding a Five Kage Summit next month to jointly discuss reforms to the competition system."
The representative from Iwagakure fell silent, sinking into thought.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Samui from Kumogakure raise her hand. "Kumogakure agrees."
They've already coordinated with Konoha… So those two have probably settled on the follow-up plan.
Next was Baki from Sunagakure. "Sunagakure agrees."
Fūga didn't look his way. Sunagakure was the easiest to read. He turned to Mei Terumī. Hidden Mist still seemed undecided, so he spoke up quickly: "This is beyond my authority. I need to report to Lord Tsuchikage, so if you could—"
"Hidden Mist agrees."
Fūga cut himself off.
He swept his gaze around the room. Samui of Kumogakure remained expressionless, Baki of Sunagakure looked composed, and Mei Terumī of Hidden Mist kept her eyes slightly lowered.
Konoha… has already reached an understanding with each of them? Only Iwagakure is left?
A heavy tightness settled in Fūga's chest.
Roshi's eyes rested on Mei for a moment before shifting to Fūga. His tone was calm. "If Iwagakure needs time to consult, Konoha understands."
"Then we'll end today's meeting here. The exact time and location of the Five Kage Summit will be announced once each village has confirmed."
Fūga stood up at once, his movements a bit rushed. He glanced around, only to find that aside from his own entourage, the representatives of the other four villages remained seated, unhurried, with no intention of leaving immediately.
He clenched his teeth, held his tongue, and turned on his heel to leave the conference room.
He had to send word back to the village and report to Lord Tsuchikage at once.
—
The Ninja Academy had its holidays too, though they weren't as long as those of ordinary schools.
Naruto was bored.
Vacation days were even harder to get through than sitting in class. Now that his holiday training was over, time just felt like a big empty space Naruto didn't know how to fill.
Shikamaru and the others were nowhere around. Naruto drifted out of the house and, before he realized it, his feet had carried him all the way to the Academy gate.
Classes were out, but the gate was unusually busy. Teachers gathered in small groups, some carrying scrolls, others checking their equipment.
Iruka was among them, fastening an armband around his upper arm. On it were the words "On Duty."
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto's eyes lit up and he bolted over. "Where are you going?"
"Naruto? What are you doing here?" Iruka turned to him. "How are your Clone and Transformation Jutsu coming along? Remember, once you master one of them, I'll test your Chakra nature."
Naruto's mouth opened, but no words came out.
Iruka sighed. "The three basic techniques are important, Naruto…"
"I'll definitely learn them! For sure! I'm almost done with the Transformation Jutsu!" Naruto yelled.
"Then go practice. I've already prepared the Chakra paper."
Instead, Naruto leaned in, staring at the armband. "Iruka-sensei, are you going out on a mission?"
"This?" Iruka adjusted it. "We're heading to the arena outside the village to help maintain order."
"Arena…" Naruto's voice jumped. "You mean that tournament where a bunch of ninjas fight each other!"
"Exactly."
"I'm coming too!" Naruto sprang forward and wrapped his arms around Iruka's waist. "Take me with you, sensei!"
"No."
"I can help! I can show people the way! Or help them find seats!" Naruto waved his hands, desperate.
"This assignment is for teachers only." Iruka placed a hand on Naruto's head. "I can't bring you."
He gently pried Naruto off and set him aside.
"When I get back, I'll treat you to ramen—double char-siu."
Naruto didn't answer. He slumped, dragged his feet over to the old swing by the gate, and dropped into it. The iron chains creaked. His blond hair drooped over his face along with his head.
Iruka watched him, something tightening painfully in his chest.
"Iruka, time to move out."
"Sorry, just a second." Iruka turned and hurried back into the building.
He burst into the teachers' office. Ebisu was sorting documents and glanced up.
"It's assembly time, Iruka-sensei," Ebisu said, adjusting his sunglasses. "Why are you loitering?"
"Well… Ebisu-sensei." Iruka took a breath. "Naruto is right outside. I want to take him to watch the matches. If he could see real ninja battles this early…"
"Iruka!" Ebisu cut him off. "The Venue District is overflowing with people. You know Naruto's situation, don't you?"
"And bringing a student on an official mission…"
"There's nothing wrong with that."
A calm voice came from the doorway.
Both of them turned. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood there, pipe in hand.
"As a teacher, that's perfectly acceptable."
"Sandaime-sama!" Ebisu stood up straight. "But—"
"Roshi is in the Venue District. Nothing will happen. Just notify Hiashi." Hiruzen stepped inside, his eyes settling on the visibly nervous Iruka. "You'll keep Naruto out of trouble, won't you?"
"Y-yes! I'll keep an eye on him the whole time!" Iruka nodded vigorously.
Outside, Naruto sat on the swing, his toe tracing random circles in the dirt.
The chains rattled—not from the wind.
He looked up. Iruka was standing in front of him, smiling.
"Let's go."
"…Eh?"
"We're going to watch the matches." Iruka held out his hand.
Light slowly returned to Naruto's eyes.
"Really?!"
"Really—but you have to promise me…"
"I promise everything!" Naruto jumped off the swing and grabbed Iruka's hand. "Hurry, sensei, we'll be late!"
——
Fuga would probably wait for the Village's response, and Roshi knew it. If Kitsuchi had come instead of Fūga, he could have made a decision on the spot.
As for Mei… "There's no downside to this for the Hidden Mist. The Fourth Mizukage won't refuse." She smiled. "And personally, I've also earned a favor from Roshi-kun."
"We only agreed to have tea next time." Roshi eyed the golden, fragrant grilled corn in his hand. "Seems I'm the one getting the better end of the deal."
"If you feel that's not enough…" Mei bit into her own cob. "Then later…"
"Roshi-nii!"
A loud, excited shout burst out beside him. A small blond figure skidded to a stop at his side, kicking up a breeze.
"Hey, Naruto. Enjoyed the matches?"
"Yeah! They were awesome! Ninja fights!" Naruto swung his arms around, hyped. "Earth Release…"
He scrunched up his face, trying to remember.
"…and Wind Release…"
He got stuck again.
"Anyway, they were super cool! Hey, hey! Can I enter when I'm a ninja?"
"If your level's suitable," Roshi answered.
"Huh… Then is Iruka-sensei not joining because he's not strong enough?" Naruto tilted his head.
Squeezing out of the crowd and still sweaty, Iruka nearly tripped at those words, his face flushing red.
"Na-Naruto, sensei… sensei is on… assignment…"
His flustered rambling cut off the instant he saw Roshi. Iruka straightened at once.
"Sorry to disturb you, Captain Roshi."
"Eh," Naruto finally noticed the woman beside Roshi. He stared at Mei for a few seconds, puzzled. "Um…"
"Naruto, let's go!" Iruka clamped both hands on his shoulders.
"Seems different…"
Iruka froze. "…Different how?"
"Last time it was a short blond sister; this time it's long-haired…" Naruto muttered.
Mei stopped chewing.
Iruka shot Roshi a quick glance—Roshi's expression hadn't changed, but Iruka still swallowed nervously.
"…Well, Naruto, are you hungry? Let's get ramen."
"I just had takoyaki, I'm not really—"
Before he could finish, Iruka grabbed him by the collar and hauled him into the crowd.
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