"Mr. Kimimaro, Hokage-sama has requested your presence. He hopes you have time to meet with him today."
After spending the night at the Hyūga compound, Kimimaro encountered a Konoha Anbu operative shortly after breakfast the next morning.
"Why does Hokage-sama want to see me?" Kimimaro asked.
"He merely wishes to meet you formally."
Hyūga Hiashi approached, arms folded. "Go. As a guest with your influence, it's proper etiquette to greet the Hokage during your visit to the village."
"Alright," Kimimaro agreed, "but I promised Hanabi we'd tour the village this morning. I'll go see the Hokage in the afternoon."
"I'll relay that to Hokage-sama." With a nod, the Anbu vanished.
Hiashi, noting Kimimaro's prioritization of time with Hanabi over the Hokage, was secretly pleased. He handed Hanabi a sizeable pouch of ryo. "Show him around properly."
Hinata, who had overheard everything, remained quiet as she recalled Hanabi's words from the previous night.
"Is this what love is supposed to be? To be seen, to be prioritized... not to be invisible. Was I mistaken all along? Hanabi said I only like the idea of him. Was she right?"
"Sister, why don't you come with us?" Hanabi offered brightly.
Hinata smiled faintly. "No, I think I'll rest a bit."
Kimimaro and Hanabi strolled into Konoha's central district.
This wasn't the training field where Kimimaro had previously encountered Hanabi, but the true heart of the Hidden Leaf—the inner village where many key figures resided. This area often appeared in the anime and manga, and had been a battlefield more than once: Orochimaru's invasion, Pain's assault, even the Nine-Tails attack years ago.
Hanabi explained that the inner village housed the larger clans like the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and of course, the Hyūga. Prominent non-clan ninja, such as Jonin or Chunin from strong bloodlines or military families, also lived here. Some civilians with important functions—like those running ninja tool or supply shops—were allowed to stay too.
"Take Tenten for example," Hanabi said. "She's not from a big clan, but her family owns a weapon shop, so they live here too."
While the inner district included some civilians, any non-ninja residents who didn't show chakra potential by a certain age would typically be relocated to outer zones. Unless they married into a shinobi household, they rarely returned.
Hanabi also told Kimimaro about minor clans stationed at the borders of the Fire Country. "There's an Amber Clan out there. They serve as border patrol and reconnaissance—low-profile but loyal to the village."
"For lunch, let's get barbecue, and for dinner we'll have ramen. Ichiraku Ramen's a must—it's a classic!" Hanabi listed cheerfully, counting on her fingers.
"Ah yes, Ichiraku Ramen," Kimimaro mused. "I remember now. During that mission to the Land of Vegetables, a few Konoha Genin came through. One of them—a pretty blonde—offered to treat me to ramen."
"You mean Ino-neechan, right? Let's go see if she's at the Yamanaka flower shop! Barbecue's more fun with more people. It's a pity Tenten-neechan and Neji-nii-san's team are out on a mission. Otherwise, we could've all gone together." She giggled. "Big Brother, I heard Neji-nii-san's gotten close to Tenten-neechan lately."
"Really? Guess I gave them a helpful nudge back then. Sometimes people just need a little push."
Hanabi blinked thoughtfully. Then I should push my sister too...
They soon arrived at the Yamanaka flower shop.
"Ino-neechan! You're really here! Guess who came with me!" Hanabi called out as she entered.
Ino turned with a grin. "Back already, Hanabi? Let me guess—your so-called husband, right?"
"You guessed it!"
"You're hopeless, little girl," Ino scolded playfully, hands on her hips. "A girl should have some modesty, you know."
"Hmph! Big Brother is mine! Don't think you can steal him!"
"Say that again and I'll spank you!" Ino threatened teasingly.
Hanabi darted back and hid behind Kimimaro just as he stepped in.
"Hi, Ino. It's good to see you again."
Ino's cheeks pinked. "Hey, handsome... what brings you here? Buying flowers for someone?"
"Sure. How much to buy the whole shop?"
"Wha—? Who are they for?"
"Can I give them to you?"
"Oh, stop joking," she laughed, flustered.
Something about Ino's lighthearted nature made Kimimaro enjoy teasing her. Maybe it was her open personality, or maybe it was just the memory of their last encounter that sparked familiarity.
"Last time you said you'd treat me to ramen," he said. "You wouldn't back out, would you?"
"Tonight then!" Ino grinned. "But for lunch, someone else is treating."
"Me!" Hanabi announced. "I said I'd treat Big Brother to barbecue, and Ino-neechan, you're coming too!"
"Well, if someone's buying, I'm there!" Ino dashed to the back to change. "Give me a minute—I'll lock up."
"Don't you need to mind the shop?" Kimimaro asked.
"Please, I'm the heiress of the Yamanaka Clan. I only help out at the flower shop because I enjoy flower arranging. If something important comes up, I'm not obligated to stay."
"Do you have any close friends? Feel free to invite them along—I'd like to meet more of Konoha's promising young shinobi."
"Unfortunately, none of my teammates are available today. Shikamaru is swamped with missions from the Hokage, and Choji just started another diet. There's no way he'd break it for anyone—not even you."
"Alright then, I'll settle for a meal with two beautiful ladies, one grown and one not quite there yet."
Ino smirked. "I love the way you talk. Those two—Shikamaru and Choji—never bother to compliment me."
The three of them chatted and laughed as they strolled through the streets of Konoha. Eventually, they settled on a popular yakiniku restaurant that had been a favorite of Team 10 for years.
Kimimaro found the cuisine in this world lacking compared to the refined dishes of his previous life, but he had to admit Konoha's barbecue was among the better meals he'd had here.
After they finished eating, the three stepped out into the afternoon sun.
"So, where to next?" Ino asked. "I still owe you a bowl of Ichiraku ramen tonight."
Kimimaro patted his stomach. "First, I'll walk you back to the shop. I need to digest all that meat before I head over to meet the Hokage—our appointment is this afternoon."
Ino laughed. "Wow, you're putting me before Hokage-sama? I'm honored!"
"Honored enough to marry me?"
"No way! Your little fiancée is right here, and you're still flirting?"
Hanabi huffed and clung to Kimimaro's arm. "Big Brother only needs Hanabi to like him. I won't get jealous just because someone else does too."
Ino shook her head, teasing, "Ugh, Karin's rubbed off on you, you cheeky little thing."
The three continued walking toward the Yamanaka flower shop. But as they turned a corner, Kimimaro suddenly stopped. His eyes sharpened.
"Get behind me," he said quietly, extending an arm in front of Ino and Hanabi.
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Author's Note:
Hinata is very popular, but her transformation will be a gradual process—no rush.
As for Tsunade, I do think she's beautiful, but the age gap is pretty significant. I can't realistically pair every young male character with every prominent female character, after all.
I had been considering a Tsunade x Jiraiya pairing later on, but if there's enough interest in Tsunade ending up with someone else, feel free to raise your hand—I'll give it some thought.
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