Whatever decision Danzō made, it didn't have much to do with Kitagawa Gen.
Gen's days were still going rather well. He had even taken the time to test out his technique, Puppet-Cursing Sphere.
"The results are pretty good. Even though Kisame's will is firm, this jutsu depends mainly on the strength of chakra."
Taking part in Kisame's interrogation wasn't such a big deal anyway. Yamanaka Inoichi treated him quite well.
Probably because Gen was something of a regular at the Yamanaka Flower Shop.
Besides, he had been the one to crush Kisame. That made the whole thing even simpler. When he requested to speak with Kisame alone, permission was granted.
"But why did they even go as far as to switch off the monitoring equipment for me?"
The technology in the shinobi world was honestly a little absurd. Somehow, it had taken a crooked turn, producing all kinds of strange and unnecessary things.
Take surveillance equipment, for example. If memory served, the Uchiha clan compound had once been surrounded by it.
Gen might have wanted to avoid being monitored while speaking to Kisame alone, but the fact that someone had gone out of their way to switch the monitors off for him was absurd in itself. Just what did they take him for?
"But still… a sharp read of the situation."
Without the constraint of being watched, things became much easier for Kitagawa Gen. He effortlessly sent the Puppet-Cursing Sphere into Kisame's body.
He could feel it clearly—the man's will had indeed come under his control.
As for whether this jutsu counted as genjutsu, even Gen couldn't say for certain.
"Either way, as long as I will it, I can control Kisame… maybe even access his thoughts?"
This technique was far more interesting than puppet control. Though he didn't yet know its range, so far it presented no problems at all.
"Akatsuki really are something—planning to stir up trouble in Konoha. All the better, though."
Gen rubbed his chin.
"Although… Uchiha Obito was still very cautious. He didn't reveal much, only that they had set their sights on Danzō?"
Using Danzō as an excuse was baffling, but Konoha had been making preparations on all fronts anyway.
"And besides… the planetary chakra is becoming clearer. I can start making moves too."
That planetary chakra had always been on his mind, but extracting it was far more difficult than he had imagined.
He had even tried drawing it out through the Chakra Edible Creation, yet it had hardly responded at all.
"Maybe it's a matter of how far I've developed my bloodline. Maybe it's tied to the God Tree's source. Either way, it won't be long now."
Gen brimmed with confidence. But a few weeks later, that confidence began to fade.
"…What exactly are you two doing here?"
At his home, staring at the uninvited Naruto and Sasuke, Gen felt a headache coming on.
"Aren't you supposed to either be on missions with Kakashi-sensei, or training with the Pervy Sage?"
"Tch, don't even bring up that Pervy Sage. That old geezer is annoying as hell."
Naruto pouted, clearly displeased.
"All he ever does is drag me around, poking and prodding at my chakra. It's driving me nuts—and he still hasn't figured out a damn thing."
"Since you've stepped back for now, Kakashi-sensei's missions with us have been very simple."
Sasuke, unusually well-behaved in front of Gen, spoke seriously.
"There's no challenge at all. Today he even gave us the day off. So we thought we'd ask you to hang out with us."
"Huh?"
Gen froze, staring blankly at them.
"Today? Hang out? For what reason?"
"It was our first mission. We never even celebrated. You and Kakashi-sensei just went off to handle other business."
Naruto muttered unhappily, lips pressed tight. Sasuke nodded quietly beside him.
"So, Naruto and I decided to call up the rest of our classmates. And we want you to join us too. They'll be coming by later."
"So that's how it is. Not bad."
Kitagawa Gen nodded knowingly—so that was the reason.
After completing their first mission, it was customary to have a team dinner.
But back then, Gen had other matters to attend to, and Kakashi, having just been scolded, naturally hadn't arranged anything.
Afterward, Naruto had his own affairs, and Gen had temporarily left the team. As a result, the gathering had been postponed until now.
'Naruto's side… should be about studying the chakra of his parents inside him, right?'
Gen hadn't forgotten that he had mentioned it once to Sarutobi Hiruzen. He hadn't expected them to act so quickly.
"Alright, fine. But why gather here at my place?"
"Tch, Karin's coming too, isn't she? And since she'd stop by here anyway, it just makes sense."
Naruto muttered unhappily, clearly annoyed. He and Karin were always quarreling. But soon enough, his curiosity got the better of him.
"Hey, Gen, could you tell us about your missions?"
"Huh?"
Gen looked baffled. He had no idea why they were asking, but Sasuke's wide, curious eyes were fixed on him too.
"I heard from the Pervy Sage that you're insanely strong. But when I asked him for details, he just told me to come ask you myself."
Naruto scratched his head, speaking earnestly.
"So… could you tell me?"
"And also… how do you actually train, Senpai?"
Even Sasuke couldn't hold back—he asked in a low voice.
"I've always longed to kill Uchiha Itachi. I—"
"I've always just trained under Kakashi-sensei. If you don't believe me, you can ask anyone else."
Before Sasuke could finish, Gen cut him off without hesitation.
"Honestly, Kakashi-sensei is reliable. Training under him, you won't go wrong. You two just graduated—how long has it been since I graduated?"
These weren't secrets. It was common knowledge that Gen had spent years "idling" under Kakashi's guidance.
"As for my track record… go ask Hokage-sama. Even I've nearly forgotten what it looks like."
He had gone through so much over the years that even he couldn't recall all the missions he had completed.
Anyway—none of them had really seemed all that difficult.
"Is that so…"
Both Sasuke and Naruto looked a little disappointed. But soon they perked up again.
Gen wasn't wrong. They had only just graduated. Who knew how much stronger they would become later on?
And besides, Gen was part of their team.
"Just sitting around like this is boring. Oh, that's right—"
Gen stroked his chin. Suddenly, an idea came to him.
"Karin's washing machine broke. She left a few outfits here. Want to try them on?"
"Wh-what?"
"Hey! That's way too creepy!"
At once, the boys recoiled in protest. This wasn't something they were willing to do. But Gen simply pulled out three skirts and grinned.
"What? Sometimes a shinobi has to rely on disguise, not just the Transformation Technique. Didn't they teach you that in school?"
"I can't help feeling you've got something bad in mind."
Naruto didn't buy it, and Sasuke looked troubled too—but Kitagawa Gen didn't care in the slightest.
"Come on, all together now. Don't feel pressured. Besides, learning to wear these is the best way to understand how to disguise yourselves as girls."
"No way."
"You sure? Don't you want to see Sasuke in one?"
"Eh?!"
Naruto froze, then his eyes lit up instantly, while Sasuke's face went dark.
He realized—this senpai was indeed strong, but also truly nasty.
"Alright, fine! Let's do it together!"
This time, Naruto jumped in eagerly. He snatched up a skirt with a grin.
"I always wanted to see Sasuke use the Sexy Jutsu, but he never manages it. Guess this will be good practice instead!"
"You idiot."
Sasuke's face turned red. He hesitated at the short skirt Gen handed him, then took it with a sharp motion.
"Go find a room and change."
Gen rose and walked toward the washroom. Naruto, grinning ear to ear, glanced at Sasuke before heading to the other side.
Sasuke sighed, staring at the skirt in his hand. In the end, he got up and slipped into a random room.
A breeze stirred the curtains in Gen's house, making them sway gently.
"Are you done yet?"
Gen's voice rang out. Sasuke's embarrassed voice quickly answered.
"More or less, yeah."
"Then come out!"
Naruto was the most excited. Hearing the sound of doors opening, he yanked his own door wide open.
In an instant, all three of them stepped out.
Only… Naruto had actually changed. Gen and Sasuke stood there, staring at him intently.
For a moment, the whole room went dead silent.
"Go to hell!"
Face flushed, Naruto grabbed a stool from Gen's house and swung it at the two of them with a shout. He felt completely tricked!
"Calm down, calm down. I just didn't think it suited me."
Gen tried to pacify him, chuckling as he watched. Sasuke, meanwhile, nearly burst out laughing.
"Gen! I'm here!"
But just then, a voice suddenly came from outside the window—followed by a rush of footsteps.
Turning their heads, they saw Deidara standing at the window, with several Anbu behind him.
"Ah-reh… what are you all… hmm."
The moment he saw the scene inside Gen's home, he fell into silence.
And not just him—the Anbu behind him as well. For a long second, everyone just stared wide-eyed at each other, speechless.
Only Gen's expression turned odd. He let out a helpless sigh.
"Damn it… this blond again."
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