Chapter 236: The Bizarre Version of Nagato
One month later.
"Yuna, what's the date today?"
For the past few days, Masahiko's life had been a cycle of sleeping, eating, making explosive tags, and practicing the Gentle Fist, to the point where he had forgotten the time.
"Grandpa Masahiko, today is September 30th."
Masahiko paused, nodded, and looked at the sky; it had already completely darkened. He then looked at Konan, who was sitting and resting, and said, "Konan, let's stop making explosive tags for now. Tomorrow is National Day, so I'm giving you a holiday."
Although Konan didn't understand what "National Day" was, she still breathed a sigh of relief. Even though she had taken breaks throughout the month and was physically fine, she was truly mentally exhausted.
"Yes, Teacher."
"By the way, Yuna, where is my cat?" Only then did Masahiko remember Huamao.
Ten minutes later, the corner of Masahiko's mouth twitched as he looked at Huamao, who had grown two sizes fatter. Yuna giggled and said, "Such a small cat eats quite a lot. It eats however much I feed it every day."
Masahiko sighed. Yuna, if you want revenge on me, just do it. What did Huamao do to deserve this?
"Forget it. I'm going to find Yoriko to deal with the explosive tags." Masahiko took the fat cat, turned around, and left. "Konan, go back and rest. You don't need to train tomorrow either; take two days off."
"Okay, Teacher."
...
In the Uzumaki settlement, Masahiko met a worried-looking Yoriko.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Yoriko sighed and shook her head. "Teacher, recently Nagato has become... a bit strange."
"Nagato?" Masahiko realized he really hadn't seen Nagato in the past month.
"What happened to him?"
Yoriko shook her head. "It's hard to explain in a few words."
Masahiko didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What, puberty troubles? If it's hard to explain, then explain it later. First, tell me the situation with the Cloud Village."
Yoriko nodded. "The Cloud Village has returned to normal. They seemed to be looking for something before, and now they've found it."
Masahiko was startled. "Looking for something... Oh, no wonder they sent out so many scout ninjas. I wonder what treasure they found."
Masahiko was a bit tempted, suppressing the urge to go and take a look.
"What about other countries? Konoha? Any movement from the Sand Village?" Masahiko was more concerned about Sasori's defection and whether the Third Great Ninja War would unfold.
Yoriko's expression became more serious. "We don't know about the Sand Village; they have entered a state of martial law. We can't get any news from them. Consequently, Konoha has also entered a state of combat readiness."
"Is that so..." Masahiko pondered for a moment. Based on their behavior, the Third Kazekage must have gone missing.
"Now it depends on whether the Sand Village chickens out or not," Masahiko muttered.
"Teacher, how is your production of explosive tags going?" Seeing Masahiko pondering, Yoriko took the initiative to ask.
"We made double the amount compared to the first time." Masahiko smiled with satisfaction. Thanks to Konan's improvement, their efficiency had increased.
"Then how much should we sell?"
Masahiko frowned; this question stumped him. In his heart, he wanted to sell them like last time to maximize profit, but that was then, and this was now. With the ninja world in such a tense state, doing so would be a bit excessive.
"Send someone to ask Hiruzen how many he wants. Keep the rest for now and wait to see how the situation develops."
Other countries could potentially become Konoha's enemies. Even if Masahiko didn't fear Hiruzen's complaints, selling explosive tags to other countries at this critical juncture wouldn't sit right with his conscience.
Yoriko nodded in understanding. "Then Teacher, I'll go arrange for someone."
"Go..." Masahiko was about to answer when he remembered Nagato.
"You haven't told me what's wrong with Nagato yet?"
Yoriko smiled bitterly. "A month ago, Nagato met a wandering singer and became obsessed with singing."
Masahiko was stunned. The profession of a wandering singer was really rare in this ninja world.
"Isn't that good? Our family is finally going to have someone with artistic cells. Nagato likes singing? I really didn't expect that... As long as it doesn't delay his training, let him be," Masahiko replied.
Yoriko looked even more bitter. "You... Sigh!"
Another long sigh.
"Why have you become an old fogey restricting a child's comprehensive development, Yoriko?" Masahiko laughed.
"It's not that I'm restricting him." Yoriko didn't know how to put it. "Let me put it this way: Nagato organized a concert for his singer teacher right here in the Land of Whirlpools, and it caused a riot."
Masahiko's eyes widened. "That powerful? A soul singer?"
Yoriko didn't know whether to laugh or cry, nor did she understand what a "soul singer" was. "Many clansmen knew Nagato organized it, so they went to watch. As a result, after watching... they drove that wandering singer out of the Land of Whirlpools."
Masahiko paused, finally understanding a little. "That wandering singer sang very poorly? Nagato just hasn't seen the world. I'll teach him personally later."
Masahiko liked to hum a tune when he had nothing to do.
"It wasn't just poor..." Yoriko was about to continue when she was interrupted by an elite member of the Whirlpool Patrol who suddenly entered.
"Great Elder, Clan Leader, ships from the Mist Village have been spotted around the sea routes."
Masahiko was startled. "Did they attack us?"
After so much time, it wasn't surprising to be discovered by the Mist Village.
"In reply to the Great Elder, no."
Masahiko's expression turned strange. Not because of the answer "no," but because of the phrase "In reply to the Great Elder"... it sounded so awkward, like something a subject would say to the Emperor.
Not dwelling on this, Masahiko exchanged a glance with Yoriko and shook his head. "If they found us, they found us. Strengthen the security on the ships. If attacked, retreat immediately and give them the cargo. I'll personally go and demand a hundred times the amount back." Masahiko really didn't believe they dared to attack.
"Yes!"
After sending away the patrol elite, Masahiko looked at Yoriko again. "Continue. What happened to that wandering singer?"
Yoriko sighed. "You'll understand when you go see Nagato."
Masahiko shook his head and walked out. "What the hell is going on?"
Sensing as he walked, he soon found Nagato in the training ground. He was doing weighted Taijutsu training, muttering something while he practiced.
"Singing while training?" Masahiko wanted to get closer to hear exactly what he was singing.
"Teacher!"
Nagato's shout startled Masahiko. Although he hadn't paid attention to hiding his presence, he didn't expect to be discovered so easily.
"You really have improved a lot, Nagato."
Receiving Masahiko's praise, Nagato scratched his head.
"I heard you learned singing from a wandering singer recently? If you like singing, why didn't you ask Teacher to teach you?"
Nagato was stunned. "Teacher, you know how to sing?"
"Of course. Sing a couple of lines for me; let me see how your talent is."
Nagato blushed and prepared himself...
"Yo~
Teacher, one month no see~
Really missed thee~
Training all alone~
Is so boring (to the bone)~
Oh yeah!"
Masahiko: "..."
Damn it, where did this Bizarre Version of Nagato come from?
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