Chapter 181 – Target: Hidden Cloud
Kakashi wasn't sure if Naruto still had a chance.
But he was certain of one thing—after what just happened, Gaara might actually have a sliver of hope.
"So… Gen's choice is that Jinchūriki?"
In the ANBU laboratory, Tobirama Senju rubbed his chin after hearing Kakashi's report.
"If a Jinchūriki has such obvious emotional weaknesses, then yes… that's something we can exploit. His special status is a factor, but still worth considering."
"Hey, can you not be so cold and calculating? You don't have to turn everything into some scheme."
Hashirama Senju looked displeased at his younger brother, whose manner was as frigid and mechanical as ever.
"Where's Gen? Why isn't he here?"
"Lord First, Gen went to check in on Naruto and keep an eye on Gaara. He told me to come alone."
Kakashi scratched his head, looking a bit helpless.
"He's never been fond of these kinds of meetings."
"Heh… what a coincidence, neither am I."
Hashirama crossed his arms and nodded. Tobirama, however, shook his head.
"That's a problem. As a Kage, he needs to listen to more reports to stay on top of developments. This habit has to change."
"Oh, so you want him to become an ice-cold machine like you?"
Hashirama's frown deepened, his irritation obvious.
"You've been insufferable since childhood. Always so damn unlikable."
"I don't need to be 'likable.' Back then, my job was to ensure our clan's survival. Now it's the village's."
Tobirama's voice grew sharper as he set down what he was working on.
"Don't think my way is bad. If the village had stayed in your hands, it would've collapsed faster. I'm the one who can make it stronger."
"Oh? And wiping out our comrades is your idea of making the village stronger?"
Hashirama shot to his feet, but Tobirama remained composed.
"You can blame that on the fact I died too early."
"…What?"
"You think I didn't understand their strength? Why do you think I handed the Police Force to them? You think I did nothing?"
"Uh… you—"
"Don't be ridiculous. My goal was to integrate the Uchiha into Konoha, to make use of their power. I didn't even kill Uchiha Setsuna."
"…!"
"Face reality—they won't be swayed just by you shouting about love and peace. That only worked because you were strong enough, not because they believed in you."
Tobirama's blunt words shut Hashirama up instantly.
The truth was… he did despise Madara, but he was never blind to the Uchiha's capabilities. Giving them control of such a massive organization as the Police Force had been a deliberate strategy—to divide, absorb, and eventually stabilize them.
But all it took was one war, one negotiation, and one sneak attack… and all his work crumbled.
He had no intention of bringing up the fact that his own students couldn't even handle the aftermath—no need to make himself look like a failed teacher.
Hashirama opened his mouth again, but closed it in frustration, while Kakashi stood there awkwardly—two Hokage, brothers, arguing right in front of him. What was he supposed to say?
"Good work, Kakashi."
Tobirama, seeing that his brother had gone quiet, looked satisfied and turned to Kakashi.
"You're Gen's teacher. Try to help adjust his mindset when needed."
Kakashi rubbed his silver hair, unsure how to respond. Adjust Gen's mindset? The guy was probably worse than Tobirama himself…
"…I understand."
"Also, bring Hiruzen here. Since Gen's decided on that kid, let's give it a try."
"…Got it."
"Oh, and about the Daimyō—tell Gen to sound him out."
"…Right."
You two really have no bottom line, huh? Kakashi thought to himself.
---
Konoha Training Field
"Ugh, why hasn't this started yet?!"
Naruto sat by the riverbank grumbling, while Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Idiot. Someone's here to train us and you're acting like this?"
"Hey! He's been making me do weird stuff all day. You've got no right to talk."
Naruto snapped back, only for Sasuke to glance sideways at Kitagawa Gen.
"Whatever. I think it's worth it. If I can just—"
"Don't give me that look. I've already told you the trick to Purple Lightning."
Gen smirked, easily catching Sasuke's meaning.
"Chakra control is key—master both quality change and shape change to the limit. If you can't do that, I can't teach you any further."
Sasuke had already approached him before, asking for guidance so he could one day take down Itachi. Gen found the request a bit absurd, but… considering Sasuke now had little interest in Orochimaru (thanks to Gen's interference) and that Orochimaru himself had been kept far away from him, Gen didn't see a reason to refuse.
Besides, Sasuke had a knack for Lightning Release—and with Indra's chakra inside him, there was potential for… new developments.
"I understand, Gen-senpai. I'll work hard."
Sasuke's tone was serious. He was completely set on following Gen now.
That day, he had been taken away, but not before seeing firsthand just how terrifying Gen's strength really was—Orochimaru, the Fourth Raikage, the Fourth Kazekage, and even a massive monster…
The devastation that beast caused was unforgettable.
And yet, Gen had defeated all of them—killing two in the process—while fighting them all at once.
"To be that strong… no wonder he could drop Uchiha Itachi with a single blow."
Sasuke's only goal now was to train under Gen until he was strong enough to kill Itachi himself.
"I won't disappoint you, senpai."
Gen just gave him a wordless look. Naruto, pouting at the side, piped up again.
"Hey! You're not even gonna teach me? And how the heck are you so strong anyway?"
"Learn Pervy Sage's stuff first."
Gen rolled his eyes, but Naruto wasn't done.
"And another thing—you're strong, fine. But why are you so popular?!"
"…What?"
"Seriously! You're not that special looking, so why do all the girls like you?"
Gen just stared at him in silence.
Gen looked a little confused, while Naruto leaned in with a pout, giving him an openly curious look.
That was enough to make Gen crack—he reached out and pushed Naruto's head away.
"Stay back. It's normal for people to like me—after all, I'm good-looking and strong. What, you think they'd prefer you?"
"Ugh, how come no one notices how awful your personality is?!"
"If you dare spread rumors, I'll make sure you're a Genin for life."
"…."
Naruto instantly deflated. He honestly couldn't understand how a person's personality could be this bad.
For some reason, he really wanted to punch Gen right now.
Unfortunately, he couldn't win.
Sasuke, standing nearby, nodded slightly. Seeing Naruto take a hit might have been a bit much—but it was strangely satisfying.
"And if we're talking about popularity," Kitagawa continued, tilting his head toward Sasuke, "isn't he even more popular at school than me?"
Sasuke froze when Gen pointed at him.
"Senpai… all I think about is revenge. Nothing else."
"Tch. Shouldn't have bothered asking."
Naruto scowled, looking just as annoyed as Sasuke.
"You two…" Gen shook his head, then glanced around as if making sure no one else was listening. Lowering his voice, he said,
"Actually… when it comes to attracting the opposite sex—or handling relationships—I've got some special tricks."
"Huh?!" Naruto's eyes lit up, while Sasuke frowned but still leaned in with interest.
"Take a look at this."
Gen reached into his ninja pouch and pulled out a small, orange-covered book, placing it on the ground.
The bold title across the front read: Icha Icha Paradise.
"This is—" Naruto's eyes went wide. Sasuke's expression also shifted to disbelief.
"Kakashi-sensei's Icha Icha Paradise?"
"Mm-hmm." Gen nodded, grinning.
"Kakashi-sensei may still be unmarried—okay, fine, still a bachelor—but his charm in the Leaf is unmatched."
"…"
"Guess how he keeps that charm?"
"…"
"All the secrets are right in here."
Naruto's breathing quickened. Something about the book felt suspicious—Kakashi had never let him see it, and even Jiraiya never mentioned it to him.
But at this moment, his curiosity was overwhelming.
Even Sasuke, despite the disdain on his face, couldn't stop his eyes from drifting toward the book.
"Hey, Gen!"
A voice suddenly called from a distance, making the two boys snap their heads up in alarm.
They looked across the river to see Deidara and Mei Terumī waving at them. Both boys relaxed.
"What do they want now?" Gen muttered, standing up.
"You two keep training—I've got something to take care of."
"Okay." Naruto nodded. But Sasuke noticed the book still lying there and started to say,
"Senpai, your—mmmph!"
Before he could finish, Naruto clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Don't say a word, idiot! Don't you want to see the book Kakashi-sensei and Gen swear by?"
"…." Sasuke hesitated, then gave a small nod.
Naruto smirked and released him. Watching Kitagawa leave with Deidara and Mei, he quickly grabbed the book and opened it.
"I want to see exactly what they've been reading!"
"Less talking, more turning the pages," Sasuke said, leaning in.
But after only a few pages, both boys found their breathing turning shallow and their faces heating up.
"What the heck is this?!"
"Hey… why are you grinning like that?"
Across the river, Gen was already with Deidara and Mei, a sly smirk on his face.
That alone made Deidara curious and Mei suspicious.
"Nothing," Gen said, shrugging. "Just a little prank. Harmless, really."
He'd left Icha Icha Paradise there on purpose. Sure, he'd read it himself—and honestly, he didn't get what the big deal was.
How could a lifelong bachelor like Jiraiya write something Kakashi would obsess over?
After finishing it, Gen was more disappointed than anything. There wasn't even a "taste test" scene in the whole thing—no wonder Naruto could ghostwrite it better.
But he supposed it made sense. Jiraiya had spent half his life chasing Tsunade with zero success. Hardly someone to take romance advice from.
"Anyway, enough about that. What did you two want with me?" Gen asked.
Mei gestured toward Deidara. "He's the one who called me out here. I'm just tagging along."
"Heh-heh. I called you because I'm ready!" Deidara said with a grin, laying several scrolls on the ground.
"I've prepared for everything you were worried about!"
"Huh?" Kitagawa and Mei exchanged glances. This guy was that motivated?
"What exactly did you prepare?" Kitagawa Gen asked, picking up one scroll.
"Clay," Deidara said proudly. "Tons of it—perfect for explosions. Plus, I 'borrowed' a bunch of top-grade soldier pills from the old man."
"Borrowed?"
"Yep. Special-made stuff—trust me, they're amazing."
"…."
"And I also used the old man's name to get loads of intel on the Hidden Cloud!"
"…."
"You know, back when the Third Raikage died in the Land of Earth, we almost went to war. We prepped a ton of materials back then—now it's all mine to use!"
Gen and Mei stared at him. Was this guy raiding Iwagakure's entire supply vault?
"Oh, and I've stocked up on exploding tags, ninja tools—you name it, I've got it."
Deidara kept grinning, totally oblivious to how insane this all sounded.
"As for the rest, we'll just hit them hard first. Show them we're not to be messed with.
Once they're rattled, the rest will take care of itself."
[New Side Quest Unlocked]
[Operation: Hidden Cloud Collapse]
[Punch first, ask questions while punching]
Gen went silent for a moment, then turned to Mei.
"What do you think?"
"I'll follow your lead," Mei replied after thinking. "You're the strongest, and we'll be counting on you if we have to retreat."
"Then let Gen be team leader!" Deidara said immediately, eyes fixed on Gen. "Well? What do you say?"
"In that case…" Kitagawa paused, then looked toward the distance.
"We'll make some quick preparations, leave a clone behind, and head out. Our target—Hidden Cloud."
"Yeah!" Deidara cheered.