60Preparations before departureAI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 60: Preparations Before Leaving
In the following days, undercurrents surged within Konoha.
As Root was being purged, various factions were restless, hoping to get a piece of the pie.
On the surface, Danzo didn't offer any resistance.
But in the shadows, he was also uniting other forces, preparing for a confrontation with Sarutobi.
However, Naruto's life was not affected by any of this in the slightest.
He still spent his days sparring with Jiraiya and his nights at home researching Medical Ninjutsu.
With the assistance of Kagura Minds Eye, Naruto's combat strength had reached a new level.
Now, even without activating Sage Mode or Tailed Beast Transformation, he could still hold his own against Jiraiya.
Even Jiraiya was amazed by this terrifying rate of progress.
One day, after the two finished their sparring session, Jiraiya proactively approached Naruto.
"I heard that the reason Danzo is being purged recently is related to you. Is that true or false?"
The kidnapping case that night had been ordered to be kept strictly confidential by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Aside from a few people involved, outsiders had no idea what had actually happened.
"For that kind of thing, you should go ask that old man."
Naruto wiped the sweat from his face and spoke casually.
Jiraiya gave a sheepish laugh, and his expression began to turn somewhat serious.
"You have to be careful. That old fellow Danzo is like a venomous snake in the shadows; you never know when he'll suddenly crawl out and give you a nasty bite."
"...How about this? After the Chunin Exams end, I'll take you out for training. That way, you can improve your strength and avoid him at the same time—killing two birds with one stone. What do you think?"
"By the way, why are you even participating in the Chunin Exams?"
"What's the fun in playing with those little brats? It's a pure waste of time. Why didn't the old man just send a Jonin certificate to your house?"
Naruto shook his head. "It's enough. You have nothing left to teach me."
"Eh, what do you mean? Wait a second, who said I have nothing left to teach? Naruto, have you heard of Sage Mode? It's what the legendary Six Paths Sage..."
Jiraiya wanted to boast some more, but Narutointerrupted him.
"Thank you for the past two weeks of sparring, Teacher Jiraiya."
"I'll be leaving the Village for a while. If there's a chance in the future, we'll meet again."
As he spoke, he handed Jiraiya a Kunai with a Flying Thunder God Mark.
With his increasing strength, the number of Flying Thunder God Marks Naruto could maintain simultaneously had increased from ten to thirty.
Jiraiya took the Kunai, somewhat confused. "Where are you going?"
"To take care of some business."
Naruto chose to be a riddler. "You can continue your journey as well. The Village might not be very peaceful soon."
Soon, Orochimaru would launch the Konoha Crush Plan.
On one hand, Jiraiya's presence might have an immeasurable impact on the upcoming plot.
On the other hand, as old classmates who knew each other inside out...
If Orochimaru found out Jiraiya was in the Villageand specifically brought in reinforcements to deal with him... just thinking about unknown enemies gave Naruto a headache.
The two talked for a while longer.
In the end, Jiraiya decided to accept Naruto's suggestion.
Back at home.
Kurenai Yuhi had already prepared dinner.
Tonight's main course was a large pot of steaming beef ramen.
Perhaps out of some kind of 'consideration' from the Third, she hadn't received a single mission these days, and even Asuma hadn't proactively looked for her again.
During the day, Hinata would arrive on time to Cultivate with her, surrounded by a large group of Hyuga Clan guards.
Before evening, these guards would urge Hinata to go home early.
This wasn't just because of the friendly exchange between Naruto and Hyuga Hiashi that night.
Clearly, the Hyuga Clan had heard more rumors and made their judgment early.
Consequently, Kurenai Yuhi had no choice but to pour all her restless energy into the kitchen.
Cutting vegetables, boiling soup, seasoning—she was meticulous.
Now, she felt like she had been completely turned into a housewife.
Waiting for Naruto to come home every day felt like a wife waiting for her husband's return.
Unconsciously, her mindset had also gradually undergone a subtle change.
"...How is it? Does it taste good?"
Watching Naruto pick up the bowl and stuff the beef noodles into his mouth, Kurenai Yuhisubconsciously held her breath.
A moment later.
"Mhm."
Naruto nodded. "Better than last time."
Although this evaluation wasn't flowery, it made Kurenai's tense shoulders visibly relax.
She turned her head and said in a nonchalant tone, "Then eat more. There's still more in the pot."
The two sat at the dining table, eating ramen quietly.
After a while, Naruto spoke up: "I'm leaving the Village tomorrow morning for a bit."
Kurenai Yuhi's movements paused.
Her chopsticks stopped in mid-air, and the soup noodles swayed slightly.
"...Leaving the Village? When will you be back?"
"Probably before the final round of the Chunin Exams starts. But don't worry, I've found a bodyguard for you. He'll be here in a moment."
Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi felt inexplicably disappointed.
Over these past few days, she had just started getting used to this plain and warm rhythm of life.
Many words came to her lips but were swallowed back down.
In the end, Kurenai just said softly, "Be safe."
Naruto nodded.
"Yeah, you too."
The two continued to eat their noodles in silence.
A few minutes later, sensing someone had arrived outside the courtyard, Naruto put down his chopsticks and went to greet them.
Kurenai remained in the dining room, and after a short while, she heard the conversation coming from outside the door.
"Wow! Naruto, is this your new home?"
"Yeah, my house is quite big, and there are specialized facilities for Cultivate in the backyard. You're welcome to stay here."
"Is it really okay? Naruto-kun, you healed my leg before, and I haven't had the chance to thank you yet. Now..."
"It's just a small matter."
"Yosh! Naruto, don't worry! Even if I have to risk my life, I will definitely complete the mission perfectly! By the way, where is the person we need to protect? Are they inside?"
...Kurenai Yuhi's face darkened.
With this familiar voice, she knew who had arrived without even turning around.
Sure enough, the next second.
A figure in a green jumpsuit walked in first.
Following closely behind him were a male and a female.
Guy, Lee, and Tenten all stared at Kurenai Yuhi by the dining table.
Lee's eyes widened bit by bit.
Tenten's expression changed from curiosity to shock.
And Might Guy simply overloaded.
"...Kurenai? Why are you here?!"
His gaze swept across the dining table and then over the scene that clearly showed they had just finished dinner.
It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck Might Guy's mind.
"Naruto, you... you've already reached that age?"
"Don't misunderstand, Teacher Guy."
Naruto shrugged. "As I said before, there's a group of very, very bad Guys who want to harm those close to me. Teacher Kurenai is just staying here temporarily."
"...Why did you find this Guy?"
Looking at her classmate, Kurenai Yuhi was somewhat speechless.
"I issued a targeted S-rank Mission to hire Team Guy to protect you," Naruto explained.
"Be grateful to me."
Since obtaining a large inheritance, he felt that many things had become much more convenient.
Without a doubt, Guy was currently Konoha's strongest combat power.
As for the remaining member of Team Guy, Neji, he didn't come because he had to prepare for the Chunin Exams.
Of course, it didn't matter whether he came or not.
"Grateful my foot!"
At the thought of living under the same roof with these three Guys who burned with the passion of youth at any time and place, Kurenai Yuhi felt her head throb.
"Oho! So that's how it is!"
Might Guy gave a thumbs up, revealing his sparkling white teeth.
"Naruto, you truly are a youth with hot blood of youth flowing through you! To protect your comrade, you didn't hesitate to spend a fortune to issue an S-rank Mission! I have felt your heart!"
"Teacher Guy! Is this the power of bonds?!"
Lee was also moved to tears. "To respond to Naruto-kun's trust, tonight I will perform five hundred laps around this courtyard walking on my hands as training!"
Tenten held her forehead, looking at Kurenai Yuhiwith a helpless expression.
"Teacher Kurenai, sorry for the intrusion. Please take care of us in the coming days..."
"However, we will set up the Defensive Barriers and Ninja Tool Traps so that not even a drop of water can leak through!"