[After Team Seven returned from the Land of Waves, they submitted their mission report and said their goodbyes before heading home.
However…
Knock, knock…
"Nagi! Nagi! Nagi, are you home?"
Instead of returning to his own apartment, Naruto ran to Nagi's house and began calling out.
Nagi had just finished training. Drenched in sweat, he had stepped into the bath for a quick rinse (something the viewers naturally couldn't see).
As he was finishing up, he heard Naruto shouting from outside.
Still damp, he casually used Fire Release chakra to dry the water from his body, then a gust of Wind Release to dry his hair.
After dressing neatly, he walked to the door.
The moment he opened it, he saw Naruto standing there, brimming with excitement.
"Phew, you finally opened the door."
"Haha, sorry about that. I was in the bath and didn't notice."
Only then did Naruto catch a faint, pleasant scent coming from Nagi. His face turned slightly red.]
It wasn't just Naruto. The viewers in the live broadcast had only caught a glimpse of Nagi after he finished dressing.
Loose clothes draped over him, damp and glossy hair framing his face, bright eyes gleaming, and skin as fair as polished jade—it was like a painting of a beauty fresh from a bath.
The image left a deep impression on the audience.
The boys were manageable. The girls, however…
[Tsunade: Ahem. Not bad, kid. You clean up well.]
[Ino Yamanaka: Th-this… I-I…]
[ Kūrenai Yūhi: Ahem… Nagi has very nice skin.]
[Mei Terumi: Ara ara, handsome boy. Nice build.]
[Ao: Cough. Maybe wipe the drool first. He's still just a kid.]
In the classroom, several young girls squealed excitedly. Nagi adjusted his glasses and subtly stepped closer to Shino Aburame, trying to reduce his presence as much as possible.
["Ahem."
Naruto hurriedly slapped his cheeks, shaking away any inappropriate thoughts.
"Ah, sorry. I didn't realize you were bathing."
"It's fine," Nagi replied casually. "Looks like your mission just ended."
Naruto immediately grew animated, eager to share everything about the Land of Waves.
Nagi smiled faintly. "Let's talk inside."
"Oh! Right!"
Naruto followed him into the house.
On the way to the living room, Nagi asked,
"By the way, what do you want for dinner?"
Naruto froze for a moment, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Eh? I couldn't possibly trouble you…"
"You might want to wipe your drool first. No need to be polite—consider it a reward for completing your mission."
"Hehe, then I won't hold back! I want the braised pork ribs and fish you made last time!"
"Sure. Oh, and invite Iruka-sensei as well."
"Got it!"]
…
During dinner, Naruto vividly recounted Team Seven's adventure in the Land of Waves.
Iruka Umino and Nagi sat quietly nearby, listening with smiles.
From time to time, they offered praise or concern. Naruto scratched his head shyly, grinning from ear to ear. The atmosphere was warm and gentle.
For Naruto, being able to share his success and joy with others was perhaps the greatest luxury of all.
[ Kūshina Uzumaki: Sob… sob… Thank you for taking care of our Naruto, Nagi and Iruka.]
[Minato Namikaze: Yes. Thank you both for giving Naruto the warmth of a home in our absence.]
[Iruka Umino: N-No, Fourth Hokage-sama! It's we who should thank you for your sacrifice for Konoha. Caring for Naruto is only natural.]
[ Nagi: No need for thanks, Naruto's father. Naruto and I are friends—that's what friends do.]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Hehe, that's right! Dad, Mom—besides Nagi and Iruka-sensei, there are lots of people in Konoha who care about me!]
[A few days later…
Nagi appeared to be taking a casual stroll through the streets, though in truth he was searching for shinobi from SunagaKūre.
At a street corner, he spotted Naruto, Kūra Haruno, and the Konohamaru Corps.
"Speak of the devil," he muttered.
He walked over to greet them.
"Playing a game, Naruto?"
"Oh! Nagi!" Naruto greeted enthusiastically.
"Hello, Nagi- Kūn," Kūra replied politely. They weren't particularly close at the Academy—like Shino, Nagi tended to fade into the background.
Konohamaru ran up excitedly. "Yo, Big Bro Nagi! Long time no see, kore!"
Nagi chuckled and ruffled Konohamaru's hair.
"It has been a while. You've grown a lot. Are these your friends?"
In the past, when Nagi and Tobirama visited the Sarutobi Clan compound to see the Third Hokage, he had encountered Konohamaru—back when the boy was still toddling around in diapers.
"I'm Udon!"
"I'm Moegi!"
"I'm Nagi. Nice to meet you."
Nagi crouched down and shook their hands, treating them seriously rather than as mere children.
While doing so, he subtly sensed their chakra.
Udon possessed strong Water Release affinity.
Moegi displayed notable Water and Earth Release affinity, and the quality of her Yang Release chakra was remarkably high.
"No wonder she'll be able to use Wood Release someday," Nagi thought. "Though not at an extraordinary level."
He then looked at Konohamaru. The boy's talent was equally impressive—he would practically develop the Rasengan on his own.
"You three are impressive," Nagi praised.
"Hehehe!" ×3
At that moment, Naruto noticed several oddly dressed shinobi passing by.
Kūra also spotted them and stared at their forehead protectors in surprise.
"Why are shinobi from Sunaga Kūre here?"
"The Chūnin Exams are approaching," Nagi explained. "This time, they're being jointly hosted with other villages."
"I see."
"Huh? The Chūnin Exams?!"
"That's right. You can ask Kakashi-sensei whether he'll allow you to participate."
Naruto immediately imagined himself wearing a Chūnin flak jacket, looking proud while Sasuke stared in shock and Kūra leapt into his arms.
"Hehehe…"
"Let's go, Kūra! Kakashi-sensei will definitely let us enter the Chūnin Exams! I can't wait!"
After saying their goodbyes, Naruto and Kūra hurried off to find Sasuke.
Nagi reminded the Konohamaru Corps to behave and listen to their teachers over the next few days before departing as well.
He stepped into a shadowed alleyway.
"You can come out now."
Moments later, a figure emerged from the darkness.
"I have been waiting for you, Nagi-sama."]
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