158: Chapter 158 The Beginning of the AcademySunlight dappled through the gaps in the curtains.
Black Soil woke up first.
Her eyelids trembled slightly before she slowly opened them.
She found herself still nestled in Naruto's arms, clinging to him like a koala.
My body felt like it had been disassembled and reassembled, with every joint protesting.
She remembers everything from last night.
She remembered how she took the initiative, how she trembled in the dark, and how she whispered those disgusting sweet nothings in his ear.
Kurotsuchi propped herself up and sat up, gently moving out of Naruto's arms, the thin blanket slipping off.
She looked down at the marks on her body, some deep and some shallow, and her eyes darkened.
The floor was cold, and my feet felt weak.
She walked barefoot to the wardrobe, took out a clean bathrobe, and wrapped herself in it.
It's time to serve him.
Kurotsuchi entered the bathroom, quietly prepared warm water and a towel, and then took out the clothes Naruto was going to wear today from the wardrobe.
When she returned to the bedside with the warm water, Naruto was already awake.
He lay on his side, propping his head up with one hand, watching her busy herself with great interest.
"You're up so early, Black Earth."
Good morning, President.
Heitu knelt by the bed, wrung out a towel, and said, "I'll help you wash up."
She first wiped his face with a warm towel, then his neck and arms.
The water temperature is just right, and the pressure is precise—neither too heavy to cause discomfort nor too light to ensure proper cleaning.
Naruto cooperated throughout, holding Kurotsuchi and tilting his head slightly to make it easier for her to move.
After washing up, Heitu turned around to get his clothes.
The dark-colored stand-up collar robe, paired with a dark gold waist belt, is simple in style and made of exquisite materials.
She spread the clothes out one by one by the bed, then knelt on the edge of the bed and reached out to help Naruto up.
Naruto obediently sat up, letting her do as she pleased.
Heitu first helped him take off his bathrobe, her movements gentle and careful.
She lowered her eyes, focused on picking up the white shirt, helped him put it on, and fastened the buttons at the collar.
She pursed her lips, her fingers deftly fastening the buttons—one, two, three…
Her movements were so practiced that even she felt sorry for herself.
"You've been doing really well lately."
Naruto suddenly spoke, a smile on his face.
Hei Tu's hands slowed down a few beats before he continued to button the fourth button.
"I'm glad the president likes it," she said softly, her expression gentle.
He reached out and gently pinched her chin with his index finger and thumb, making her lift her head and look into his eyes.
Hei Tu looked up at him.
Her eyes held a gentle smile.
"Kurotsuchi," Naruto said, his voice hoarse from just waking up, "you've been getting better and better lately."
He rubbed his thumb against her chin.
"I really like you like this."
Black Earth's heart pounded wildly in his chest.
She smiled so hard her eyes curved into crescent moons, and her cheeks flushed red.
"I'm willing to do anything as long as the president is happy."
She spoke sweetly and softly, but the fire in her heart was burning so badly that it hurt her insides.
humiliation.
Hatred.
There was also a kind of damned depravity that made her feel cold.
All these emotions were suppressed deep within her, hidden behind that sweet smile.
Naruto stared at her for a while before finally letting go and standing up.
Hei Tu quickly stood on tiptoe and draped the dark robe over his shoulders, smoothing out every wrinkle.
The whole process was quiet and harmonious.
They look just like intimate lovers.
"Let's go," Naruto said, walking towards the door."We're going to check out the academy construction site today."
Black Soil quickly followed.
————
Tianqi Academy construction site.
Just a few months ago, this place was a barren wasteland, but now several magnificent buildings stand here.
The main teaching building is a three-story white building with simple and elegant lines and spacious, bright windows.
The student dormitory building next door has been topped out, and workers are installing the last few windows.
The construction site was well-organized, with chakra-powered transport vehicles shuttling back and forth, carrying building materials.
Naruto stood atop the slope, overlooking the infrastructure construction scene before him.
Heitu followed half a step to his side, already dressed in a smart, form-fitting long dress, her hair neatly tied back.
She was holding a whiteboard with today's inspection list clipped to it.
"The interior decoration of the teaching building is 70% complete and is expected to be finished by the end of next week."
"The water and electricity lines in the dormitory building have all been laid, and the bathroom facilities are being installed."
"The base of the training ground's barrier has been poured, but Lord Deidara says it still needs further adjustments."
She reported on each item one by one, her voice steady and professional.
Naruto listened and nodded.
In the distance, several young people dressed in various ninja village uniforms were gathered together, curiously looking at the construction site.They were the first batch of prospective trainees who had passed the initial screening and had come to familiarize themselves with the environment in advance.
There were ninjas from Kirigakure, kumogakure, and even two genin wearing Konoha headbands.
"Progress is good."
Naruto said, "The academy will open next month, and we will invite representatives from all the ninja villages to visit."
"Yes." Heitu quickly wrote it down.
She lowered her head slightly as she wrote, revealing a small patch of skin on the side of her neck with a red mark.
Naruto looked away."Where to next?"
"Hospital sanatorium".
Kurotsuchi flipped through the list."You said you were going to visit Mr.Nagato today."
Nagato was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, holding a book in his hands.
His complexion was much better than before; his face had regained color, and his thin body looked much stronger.
His signature red hair was simply tied back, and he wore an ordinary gray robe.
He looked up when he heard footsteps.
When he saw Naruto, he paused for a moment, then slowly closed the book and stood up.
"President."
"sit."
Naruto waved his hand and sat down on the stone bench opposite him."How's the recovery going?"
"very good."
Nagato sat down again and placed the book on the stone table."I feel much more relaxed now, and my Sharingan feels much lighter."
As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily drifted into the distance, where the [unclear text - possibly referring to a specific location or event] was being implemented.At the construction site of the college, the shouts of the workers could be faintly heard.
After a while, Naruto suggested, "Shall we take a walk and talk?"
Nagato was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
The two walked slowly along the path of the sanatorium.
Black Soil followed a few steps behind them, keeping a certain distance.
"What you did is somewhat similar to what Yahiko did," Nagato suddenly said, her voice soft, "but Yahiko was more passionate and more idealistic, so we fell very hard.I once thought that this path was a dead end."
He walked to the fence of the sanatorium, from where he could see the crowds on the street and the merchant ships docked in the harbor.
Children can play in the street without worrying about kunai or explosive tags suddenly flying at them.
He suddenly looked at Naruto.
"The academy you built.will it really accept ordinary people?"
"Yes," Naruto nodded."As long as you pass the basic character test, you can enroll regardless of your background."
"And what happens after graduation?" Nagato pressed."They learn ninjutsu, and then what?They go on missions?They go into battle?"
"That's fine too."
Naruto said, "But I hope even more that they can choose for themselves what they want to do in the future."
"Ninjutsu can also be creativity, and it can be the power to change the world."
Nagato remained silent as a gentle breeze lifted the red hair on his forehead.
He reached out and caught a falling leaf, watching it tremble slightly in his palm.
"I'd like to stay and see."
Naruto smiled.
"That's perfect."
"The academy is almost finished and needs teachers.Jiraiya-senpai said that you are a genius who has mastered all the nature transformations of chakra, and I think you are very suitable."
"Okay, I'll go."
"Welcome to the team, Nagato-sensei."
After leaving the sanatorium, Naruto went to the Chamber of Commerce residential area.
Itachi Uchiha and Konan were placed in a quiet, secluded courtyard not far from the main building.
As Naruto reached the courtyard gate and was about to knock, a startled cry suddenly came from inside.
"Hey!Itachi, you.you stop messing around!"
Was that Xiao Nan's call, tinged with an unusual shyness?
Then came the soft rustling of fabric, followed by Itachi's low chuckle, "What's wrong?Just now."
"Shut up!"
Naruto's raised hand froze in mid-air.
He raised an eyebrow, turned around and was about to leave; it was really inappropriate to bother them at this time.
"The.the president?"
Xiao Nan's voice came from inside the courtyard, clearly indicating that she had seen him through the curtains.
Naruto stopped and said somewhat awkwardly, "Um.I was just passing by.You guys are busy.I'll come back another day."
"Wait!" Xiao Nan called out hurriedly, "Just a moment!It'll be ready soon!"
A flurry of activity came from inside.
Naruto had no choice but to stand at the door and wait.
About five or six minutes later, the gate was opened.
Xiao Nan stood behind the door, her cheeks still flushed, her hair a little messy, and her collar not neatly arranged.
Behind her, Itachi had regained his usual composure, though his ears were suspiciously red.
"President, please come in." Itachi stepped aside.
Naruto walked into the courtyard, where a faint, sweet scent still lingered in the air, like some kind of aromatherapy, but not quite.
Xiao Nan had quickly tidied her hair and collar, but the blush on her face wouldn't go away anytime soon.
She brought over the tea, moving much faster than usual.
"Is there something you need, Chairman?" Itachi asked, his tone calm and composed.
"I've come to see you all."
Naruto sat down on the stone bench."By the way, I was wondering if Konan would be interested in becoming a teacher after the academy is completed?"
Xiao Nan was taken aback."Me?"
"Yes." Naruto took the tea she offered."You can teach us how to use Paper Release, or how to gather intelligence, or… well, arts and crafts courses would be good too."
"I.can I?" Xiao Nan asked uncertainly."I used to."
"You used to take care of the orphans in Kirigakure."
Xiao Nan paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes.I took care of him for a while."
She instinctively looked at Itachi.
Itachi smiled and nodded at her.
Xiao Nan bit her lip and thought for a moment, then said, "Okay, I'm willing!"
"Then it's settled."
Naruto picked up his teacup."Welcome to the team, Konan-sensei."
After chatting for a few more minutes, Naruto got up to say goodbye.
As he walked out of the courtyard gate, he glanced back and saw Konan leaning against Itachi's side, the two of them talking very close to each other.Konan's face quickly turned red again.
——
Meanwhile, in the land of hot springs, there are underground caves.
This place is completely different from the sunny weather of the Land of Waves.
Deep within the cave, where sunlight never penetrates, Obito's glow-in-the-dark tattoos provide illumination, giving the cave a nightclub-like atmosphere.
Orochimaru stood in front of a makeshift laboratory table, holding a test tube in his hand, looking focused.
The liquid in the test tube was an eerie purplish-black color, and it writhed slightly under the light, like a living thing.
Not far behind him, Obito sat leaning against a stone platform.
Compared to a few months ago, Obito's changes are clearly visible.He still wears that vortex mask, but his overall demeanor has become much more effeminate.
The sitting posture is no longer casual, but reserved and restrained.
His hand was unconsciously stroking his chin.
The areas that should have had some stubble are now abnormally smooth.
Obito suddenly froze.
He looked down at his fingers, then touched half of his cheek and neck.
Her skin is smooth and delicate, even softer than that of many women.
The face beneath the mask began to contort little by little.
"I." he began, his voice filled with surprise and uncertainty, carrying a uniquely high-pitched quality, "Where's my beard?"
Prev Next