Nightfall, dotted with stars.
The classmates who had come to visit gradually bid farewell to Yuto and set off on their journeys home.
"Unbelievable!" Ino tugged at her best friend's sleeve, whispering excitedly, "Who knew Yuto-kun could cook so well too? He's practically the ultimate catch—talented at everything!"
"Yeah," Sakura nodded in agreement before sighing. "Too bad he's already been on a bunch of blind dates."
"So what?" Ino shot her a fiery glance, eyebrows wiggling suggestively. "None of those matchmaking candidates could hold a candle to a childhood friend like me, right?"
"Ch-childhood friend?!" Sakura blinked.
'Wait, hold up!'
"We didn't even drink at dinner—how are you this delusional? Since when were you two childhood friends?!"
"We've been in the same class since first grade, right?" Ino grinned smugly. "That counts as growing up together. Why wouldn't that make us childhood friends?"
"Your definition of 'childhood friends' is way too loose!" Sakura couldn't help but facepalm. "Wake up! You barely even spoke to him the first two years at the academy!"
"Sakura," Ino suddenly turned serious. "Are we best friends or not?"
"Y-yes?" Sakura stammered, caught off guard.
"Then do you support me in pursuing Yuto-kun?" Ino slung an arm over her shoulder, her voice dripping with temptation. "This way, you can focus all your energy on chasing Sasuke without me getting in your way..."
"Stop with the sweet talk!" Sakura swatted her hand away, exasperated. "Even if I did support you, what good would it do? I've barely spoken to Yuto either!"
"Oh, it'll help," Ino smirked, her expression screaming "Just as planned.You'll need to come over to his place with me—under the guise of studying!"
"Wait, me too?" Sakura pointed at herself, horrified. "But I can't make heads or tails of those test papers! They give me a headache!"
"I bet Sasuke will be dropping by often too," Ino added, eyebrows dancing suggestively. "Sakura, dear… you wouldn't want to be left out of our little group, would you?"
"You—!"
Sakura's eye twitched violently.
Meanwhile, at the street intersection...
"You can leave me here. Thank you for walking me home, Naruto-kun, Shikamaru-kun!" Hinata bowed shyly.
"No problem! Yuto asked us to, after all," Naruto grinned, winking like he knew something she didn't.
"R-right!" Hinata's face instantly flushed crimson before she bolted down the street like a startled rabbit.
"We should head back too, Naruto," Shikamaru said flatly, eyeing the Hyūga maid waiting for Hinata at the corner.
"Man, that was the best dinner ever! And I got to sit next to Sakura-chan…" Naruto sighed dreamily, hands behind his head. "Would've been perfect if that jerk Sasuke wasn't there!"
Shikamaru stayed silent, his expression troubled.
"Hey, Shikamaru!" Naruto finally noticed, tilting his head. "What's up with you?"
"Naruto, about Yuto…" Shikamaru started before shaking his head. "Never mind. Let's split here. See you tomorrow."
"Tch. Always so cryptic," Naruto scratched his head, watching him leave before heading home.
*Deep beneath Konoha…*
Yuto, Mikoto, and Kushina sat before a bank of monitors, observing everything unfold.
"Seems my prediction was right. Shikamaru won't snitch," Yuto mused, smiling faintly.
"Or maybe Naruto's just too dumb for it to matter?" Kushina crossed her arms. "I'm still reserving judgment."
Mikoto sighed. "Kushina, isn't that a little harsh on your own son?"
"Facts are facts. That boy's a blockhead," Kushina groaned. "I still can't figure out who he takes after."
"I wouldn't call Naruto dumb. He's just… selectively oblivious," Yuto offered diplomatically.
"Grey Feather's here," Mikoto pointed at the screen, where the Root operative stood outside Yuto's house.
"Come in, Grey. Feather," Yuto called out, the door swinging open on its own.
Descending into the hidden base, Grey Feather froze, stunned by the scale of the operation her leader had built 'right under Konoha's nose.'
"Let's go meet Danzō," Yuto said, stepping out of the surveillance room.
Kushina and Mikoto had already retreated into his body—neither was keen on meeting outsiders yet.
"Understood." she nodded, unsurprised that he'd anticipated her purpose. To her, Yuto was practically omniscient.
*Root Headquarters*
"Lord Danzō." Yuto bowed respectfully.
"Yuto. What do you make of that Uchiha brat?" Danzō's single eye gleamed coldly.
"Sasuke is exceptional," Yuto replied neutrally. "Given time, he'll become a formidable shinobi."
"Hmph. High praise," Danzō sneered. "And if I told you he'll one day threaten Konoha?"
"I'd eliminate him myself."
"Good. I knew you wouldn't disappoint." Danzō's tone softened marginally. "But first, another task. The S-rank rogue Uchiha Itachi hides in Amegakure, among Akatsuki. I can arrange for you to earn his trust—then kill him."
Yuto bowed again. "It will be done."
As he left, Danzō's arm pulsed grotesquely, bandages snapping to reveal a monstrous limb—pale, segmented bone protruding like jagged spines.
"Congratulations, Lord Danzō. Your 'enhanced form' lasts even longer now," Grey Feather praised.
"Not enough. Not nearly enough," Danzō muttered, though his smugness was palpable. "Tell Hanzō to prepare ten more vials of the serum."
"Perfect. Another hefty payday for The Land Of Wave.'
On the way home…
"Is Danzō insane?" Kushina ranted. "What's his obsession with wiping out the Uchiha? Did they dig up his ancestors' graves or something?"
Yuto nearly choked. 'This woman's metaphors are getting wilder by the day.'
Outwardly, he remained calm. "The Hollowfication is corroding his judgment. He'll only grow more extreme."
"Don't let him die too quickly, Yuto," Mikoto said softly—but her usual warmth was gone, replaced by something icy. No mother could stay composed hearing threats against her child.
A simple nod. "Understood."
"Wait, how does Danzō even know Itachi's in Akatsuki?" Kushina frowned.
"Because Itachi told him." Yuto smirked. "You didn't forget, did you? Itachi's a willing spy in Akatsuki—and his direct handler is probably Danzō. Why else would he claim he could get me close?"
Kushina's fists clenched. "That bastard! He only targets the most loyal people in Konoha!"
_____
_______
Show your support with Power Stones guys!
For every 10 Power Stones I'll drop 1 Bonus Chapter as Thank-You
Every 10 Power Stones =1 Bonus Chapter
[email protected]/Raven_scroll (30+ Advance Chapters)