In the Land of Waves, Tazuna finally compromised.
If he wanted to continue living there with his family, he had no choice but to follow the will of the people.
One man alone couldn't go against everyone else.
But his grandson, Inari, had already lost hope.
The little flame of courage Naruto had ignited in him was crushed by cruel reality.
He completely shut himself off, retreating into despair.
Naruto wanted to drag him out of it—and maybe even give him a good beating—but Kakashi stopped him.
Inari was broken, and Naruto acting recklessly wouldn't help.
The mission ended abruptly, leaving everyone in Team 7 heavy-hearted.
After a quick adjustment, they set off back to Konoha.
Meanwhile, Itsuki sought out Zabuza and Haku, tentatively inviting them to join his cause.
Zabuza refused outright, but agreed to stay temporarily as Itsuki's subordinate—something like a guest ally.
Of course, Itsuki would have to pay him wages, with mission expenses covered separately.
After some thought, Itsuki handed Zabuza a sum of money and asked him to secretly lay the foundation for a Hidden Village in the Land of Waves.
But Zabuza's heart still yearned for Kirigakure. He agreed only to help establish it, not to join permanently.
Itsuki merely smiled and accepted. After all, how could he abandon someone he'd already invested in?
After cleaning up Gato's businesses and dismantling the darkest, most dangerous parts of them, Itsuki regrouped with Tenzo and followed Kakashi and Team 7 back toward Konoha.
"Come out. You've been following us the whole way."
While resting in a forest within the Land of Fire, Kakashi suddenly spoke. His tone was calm but firm.
"Now that the mission is over, there's no need for you to hide anymore, right?"
Tenzo and Itsuki exchanged a glance. Both knew Kakashi was calling them out.
The two appeared in front of Team 7 without much surprise.
"Waaaaah!" Naruto yelped, nearly drawing his kunai in panic.
"Calm down. They're allies," Kakashi stopped him with ease.
"Konoha ANBU?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes, then looked at Kakashi.
"Why were ANBU following us? From what you're saying, they were in the Land of Waves the whole time?"
"If I'm right, they've been shadowing us since we left Konoha." Kakashi stayed composed.
He had his suspicions, but couldn't say them in front of his students.
"Itsuki! Itsuki!" Sakura greeted warmly.
The failed mission hadn't discouraged her.
She'd learned a lot from Itsuki during the trip, improved her strength, and even managed to defeat two enemy fighters by herself. That gave her confidence.
"What? Itsuki?" Naruto and Sasuke were both stunned.
The name belonged to a former classmate.
"Really? Don't reveal my identity so casually when I'm masked." Itsuki sighed, removing his ANBU mask reluctantly.
He saluted Kakashi with a respectful smile.
"Hello, Senior Kakashi. My name is Itsuki. My ANBU codename is Dragon."
Then he turned to the others. "Naruto, Sasuke—long time no see."
"Ah! I kinda remember you!" Naruto pointed, though his face showed confusion.
Clearly, Itsuki hadn't made much of an impression back at the Academy.
Sasuke, however, remembered. His gaze hardened as he studied Itsuki.
ANBU…
A former classmate, once unnoticed, now standing here as an elite operative.
Was Itsuki really stronger than him?
"Sakura, how do you know he's Itsuki?" Sasuke asked, suspicion lacing his tone.
"Ah—this…that…" Sakura flailed nervously, waving her hands. "Sasuke-kun, don't misunderstand! There's nothing between me and Itsuki…"
"I'm not interested in that," Sasuke cut her off coldly. "I asked if you knew about ANBU following us before. Did you meet him in secret?"
Sakura wilted a little at his tone. She was used to Sasuke being blunt, but it still stung.
"Itsuki?" Kakashi muttered.
He'd heard the name before. His eyes flicked to Tenzo. "Then you must be Tenzo, right?"
"Long time no see, Senior Kakashi." Tenzo removed his mask as well, smirking. "Come to think of it, you really screwed up on this mission."
"Well, what can you do? Our opponent was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist." Kakashi shrugged it off casually.
He then turned back to Sakura.
"If I'm not mistaken, your mysterious behavior lately… You've been training with Itsuki, haven't you? Did he teach you taijutsu and genjutsu?"
"Ah! You figured it out." Sakura stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Kakashi-sensei, you never taught me anything. I didn't want to be dead weight, so I found a way to improve on my own."
"What?!" Naruto jumped up, pointing at Itsuki furiously. "Sakura-chan, are you stupid? You went to someone weaker than me for training? You should've come to me instead!"
"Idiot!" Sakura smacked him on the head. "Don't talk about Itsuki like that! He's way stronger than you, Idiot!"
"Impossible!" Naruto barked, glaring at Itsuki. "A guy like him? I could take ten of him at once!"
"ANBU aren't chosen lightly." Sasuke's tone was cold, his eyes sharpening with determination.
Fighting spirit burned in his gaze as he sized Itsuki up.
"ANBU? Isn't that the same as Haku?" Naruto thought aloud, then quickly shook his head. "No—Haku was a fake."
Itsuki had imagined his first meeting with Team 7 would be interesting.
Instead, it was chaotic. He couldn't get a word in.
Seeing Sasuke's fighting intent, Itsuki decided retreat was the smarter move.
"Oh, I just remembered—I have other business to take care of. I'll be going."
Without waiting for a response, he vanished in a flash.
"That speed…" Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
He reluctantly let it go. Just from Itsuki's movement alone, he knew he couldn't win—yet.
He wasn't the type to lose control just because someone was stronger.
"It's all your fault!" Sakura smacked Naruto again.
"Waaaah!" Naruto howled, clutching his head. "Sakura-chan, why'd you hit me again?!"
"Because you're too noisy! Itsuki hates noise the most." Sakura huffed. "I was going to ask him to teach me more techniques, but you ruined everything!"
"What? Why do I feel like you know him really well?" Naruto muttered, but didn't dare argue further.
Sasuke, however, pressed again. "What exactly is Itsuki's identity?"
Sakura hesitated. Truthfully, she didn't know much herself. And the parts she did know weren't hers to share.
But since Sasuke asked, she couldn't stay silent. "All I can say is this. Itsuki is talented. Strong. He's not the same person we knew back at the Academy."
Kakashi sighed. His students were too noisy.
Taking Tenzo aside, he lowered his voice—there were things to discuss that the kids couldn't hear.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Konoha Harem Chat Group: I Can Fabricate the Future (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you for your support! 💙