Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others likely didn't understand what Kitagawa Minamoto meant by his cryptic comment about bread prices.
But his malice and intentions toward Kumogakure...
One only needed to glance at Tobirama Senju's excited expression to understand just how extreme Kitagawa Minamoto's plans were.
Every single one of his suggestions seemed designed to push Kumogakure toward a dead end.
Yet these plans were incredibly beneficial to Konohagakure's alliances.
Hiruzen could already foresee himself having to argue endlessly with Ōnoki and other allies over this.
"Finally, I'm done with this."
Fortunately, such disputes had little to do with Kitagawa Minamoto.
He wasn't the Hokage, so he didn't need to concern himself with such matters.
What intrigued him more at the moment was Tsunade's research—what changes might occur now that he had provided her with some key insights?
"After all, Kakashi's eye probably won't last much longer."
Ever since Kakashi learned of the extraordinary nature of his Sharingan, his usage of it had skyrocketed.
Who knew how much longer he could hold out?
Unfortunately, Tsunade's research progress wasn't promising, so Kitagawa Minamoto had to drop some hints to help her along.
"And the Akatsuki has also started making changes. Things are getting interesting."
This information came from Kisame Hoshigaki, which wasn't surprising.
The Akatsuki had been taking repeated beatings from Kitagawa Minamoto's various "identities." If they didn't adapt, they'd have no chance left!
"Still, I didn't expect the biggest victim to be Itachi Uchiha rather than Black Zetsu."
Kitagawa Minamoto chuckled to himself as he scratched his chin.
Thinking back, Itachi had been nothing but unlucky ever since their paths crossed.
And the Akatsuki's philosophy of "use them until they drop dead" certainly didn't help.
They kept pushing Itachi to the brink of death, only for him to rise again like a phoenix, over and over.
"This will only drain him further. But I suppose it's a minor buff in a way?"
Kitagawa Minamoto wasn't entirely sure how the White Zetsu cells would affect Itachi, but he doubted the man could hold out much longer.
That said, he was confident that no matter how much the Akatsuki strengthened themselves, it wouldn't matter.
As long as he didn't lose his mind or act as foolishly as the Ōtsutsuki, he'd be fine.
"Still, I should keep an eye on the others. For now, let's deal with Naruto's issue."
The home visit for Naruto was still on his mind.
Asura was really stingy.
For Sasuke, Kitagawa Minamoto had only completed one exclusive quest and had already been rewarded with some "special Yin Release Chakra."
But for Naruto, this was already the second exclusive quest, and he still had no idea what the reward would be.
"Once I get the reward, it's time to head to the moon!"
With that thought, Kitagawa Minamoto activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
In an instant, he was back in his room.
"Oh, Minamoto-senpai, you're back?"
No sooner had he landed than Karin's voice reached his ears.
Turning to look, he saw the two of them planting flowers.
Despite the fact that they had taken turns watering his flowers to death, their attitudes had always been commendable.
Especially Naruto, who was unusually earnest about the task.
"Hehe, we've finished planting them for you."
Naruto grinned, his face smudged with dirt.
"Thanks for your hard work. Dinner's on you tonight."
Kitagawa Minamoto plopped down on a chair, smiling at Naruto.
"Huh?!"
Naruto nodded reflexively but then seemed to realize something.
"Wait, me? Why me? Hey, hey, wasn't I the one helping you plant flowers?"
"Weren't you the one who killed them in the first place?"
"Even if... even if that's true, shouldn't Karin share the blame?"
"Her stipend isn't as high as your allowance. Besides..."
Kitagawa Minamoto watched as Naruto's face turned green and beckoned him over.
"Come here. There's something I need to test. Bear with it."
"What now?"
Grumbling, Naruto walked over and plopped down beside him.
Kitagawa Minamoto placed a hand on Naruto's stomach.
"Karin, set up a barrier. No matter what happens, don't be alarmed. And you, Naruto..."
"Huh?"
Naruto looked confused, but Kitagawa Minamoto flashed a mischievous grin.
"Tonight, you're definitely treating us to dinner."
As soon as he finished speaking, his Chakra surged.
Naruto immediately felt a burning sensation in his stomach.
In the next instant, a red Chakra erupted from his body!
"This is reckless..."
Karin had long since noticed the malevolent Chakra within Naruto.
As someone who shared the Uzumaki name, she had been curious but chose not to pry.
Everyone had their secrets, just like Kitagawa Minamoto.
"Still, what exactly is senpai trying to do?"
Though curious, Karin dutifully set up the barrier.
Since arriving in Konohagakure, she had learned a lot, including various sealing and barrier techniques!
"Well, there shouldn't be any problems."
She muttered to herself as Naruto began to feel increasingly uncomfortable.
His entire body felt hot, and in his daze, he seemed to see a massive, roaring fox.
"Focus and steady your emotions."
Kitagawa Minamoto's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Also, don't move or struggle. With me here, nothing will go wrong."
"You..."
Hearing this, Naruto slowly calmed down.
His trust in Kitagawa Minamoto was unshakable.
Although he often found Minamoto's personality insufferable, this was his first real friend—the first person to truly acknowledge him.
As Naruto worked to steady himself, Kitagawa Minamoto quietly entered his mental world.
The first thing he did upon arriving was glance at his reflection in the water below.
"Looks like I can control this well enough."
Satisfied with his appearance in the reflection, Kitagawa Minamoto nodded.
"It's not as convenient as entering with the Byakugan or Tenseigan, but it'll do."
He began walking forward.
From within the cage, the Nine-Tails stirred, its eyes snapping open as it let out a deep growl.
But Kitagawa Minamoto had no intention of wasting words.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique."
As he walked, he formed a single hand seal.
The roaring Chakra reverberated throughout the mental space.
"ROAR——"
The Nine-Tails let out an enraged roar, and the massive cage was instantly breached.
The Wood Dragon coiled around it, binding the beast tightly.
"Hashirama Senju? No, who are you?"
The Nine-Tails roared, but Kitagawa Minamoto didn't pause.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that I need your cooperation. Now, stay quiet for a bit."
"Wood Release: Wood Human Technique."
With a thunderous crash, a colossal wooden figure appeared.
Kitagawa Minamoto changed his hand seal once more.
"Wood Release: Kakuan Entering Society with Bliss-Bringing Hands."
The wooden figure's hand pressed down on the Nine-Tails' head.
As the kanji for "seat" appeared, the Nine-Tails froze.
Its massive body swayed, its tails drooping limply.
In mere moments, the fox was unconscious.
On the ground, two orbs of Chakra began to condense and float.
"Greetings to you both."
Kitagawa Minamoto smiled faintly at the floating Chakra.
Standing atop the wooden figure's hand, he allowed it to lower him gently to the ground.
At the same time, his Chakra pulsed lightly, and Naruto suddenly appeared beside him, dazed and confused.
"Huh? This is..."
Naruto looked around, startled.
He recognized this place—it was where the Nine-Tails was sealed!
But...
"You broke the cage? And you knocked out the fox?!"
Naruto stared in disbelief at the Nine-Tails, now bound by the Wood Dragon and subdued by the wooden figure.
"I'm doomed! With the cage broken, won't I—"
"Relax. It's just a seal. It can be repaired."
Kitagawa Minamoto dismissed his concerns, his focus remaining on the two orbs of Chakra.
"And besides, I told you—you're treating us to dinner tonight, no matter what. After all..."
As he spoke, the two orbs of Chakra began to take shape, forming into two human figures.
A blond-haired man and a red-haired woman appeared before them.
The moment Naruto saw them, he froze.
He couldn't believe there were people hidden within him.
Moreover, their sudden appearance stirred an inexplicable urge to cry.
"They... look so familiar."
After a while, Naruto awkwardly turned to Kitagawa Minamoto, only to receive a smack on the forehead.
"Idiot! You pass by the Hokage Rock every day and still don't recognize the Fourth Hokage?"
"The Fourth Hokage? Why is he here? Is it because of the fox?"
"Are you really this dense, or are you just pretending?"
"I..."
Naruto stammered, unable to find the words.
His eyes, however, were already tinged with red.
"Fourth Hokage-sama, Kushina-san, greetings."
Kitagawa Minamoto ruffled Naruto's golden hair before stepping forward.
"Hello..."
Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki appeared bewildered, their expressions dazed.
Their emergence was triggered by the breach in the seal and the surge of the Nine-Tails' Chakra.
They had braced themselves for the worst, but the scene before them left them stunned.
Especially when they saw Naruto.
Their emotions were impossible to hide.
"What... is going on here?"
After a long silence, Kushina couldn't hold back any longer.
"And who are you?"
"I am a Jōnin of Konohagakure, one of Naruto's supervising Jōnin, and also one of his friends."
Kitagawa Minamoto smiled calmly as he introduced himself.
"Congratulations. Naruto has become a ninja, and I'm here for a routine home visit."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. Please take care of me."
"..."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~ The story isn't over...🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters? 🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world? ✍ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?✨patreon.com/GoldenLong