"Huh? What did you just say? All the genin in Kusagakure have to participate in Konoha's Chunin Exams?"
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, choked on a mouthful of smoke when he heard Itsuki's report.
As far as Hiruzen knew, Kusagakure had over a thousand genin.
Other villages usually sent a few elite teams—maybe a dozen teams at most if they were eager. But Kusagakure was sending thousands of genin?
To those in the know, it sounded like an exam delegation. To outsiders, it looked like an invasion force.
This report was completely different from what Might Guy's Team had given earlier!
Did something happen after they left Kusagakure?
Itsuki had expected this reaction. He suppressed a smirk and instead wore a serious expression.
"Not only the genin," Itsuki continued, "they're also bringing thirty jonin as leaders and over two hundred chunin for experience. But the one truly in charge of leading them is their village leader, Mujira."
Each sentence made Hiruzen's mouth twitch harder.
What's wrong with Kusagakure? Do they plan to move their whole village to Konoha and crown themselves king?
"What on earth happened?" The Third rubbed his eyebrows, his cigarette suddenly tasteless.
Itsuki straightened up slightly, then gave his mission report—blending truth with lies.
He explained that he had infiltrated Kusagakure by ambushing an Anbu and taking his identity. Soon after, he witnessed an attack on their hospital. A group of masked, black-robed elites had abducted a red-haired girl from inside.
The Kusagakure forces tried to stop them but were completely crushed.
In Itsuki's version, these kidnappers had also attacked him on the outskirts of Konoha earlier.
It was the perfect opportunity to throw shade.
Danzo had disgusted him once, and while Itsuki couldn't move against him openly, he could still repay the favor with disgust of his own.
Hiruzen frowned deeply. Guy had once reported that Kusagakure treated Uzumaki survivors like tools.
Unfortunately, Guy hadn't been able to intervene at the time and never learned what happened to them.
The Hokage had always regretted that. If they had found an Uzumaki survivor, they could have trained them as a potential backup jinchūriki for the Nine-Tails.
But now… hearing from Itsuki that one had fallen into Danzo's hands?
Hiruzen's expression turned grim. He trusted Itsuki's loyalty and had no reason to doubt his words.
Danzo wanted Itsuki, who had awakened Wood Release, and an Uzumaki survivor at the same time. What was his goal?
To cultivate a jinchūriki entirely loyal to himself?
If so, Hiruzen had no doubt that Danzo would attempt it.
Suppressing his thoughts, the Hokage gestured for Itsuki to continue.
Itsuki described how he avoided the battlefield to gather intelligence, while Kusagakure's leader, Mujira, had been too preoccupied with their village's losses to properly host Team Guy. He had brushed them off and sent them away.
But after the incident with Ryūzetsu, Mujira decided the safest choice was to cling to Konoha's power—thus making the outrageous decision to send thousands of genin to take the Chunin Exams.
"So they're actually seeking asylum?" The Hokage let out a breath, realizing he'd been overthinking.
I nearly scared myself half to death. Maybe I really am getting too old.
Hiruzen forced himself to calm down.
He looked at Itsuki with a gentler expression. "You did well. This mission will be graded as excellent. As Hokage, I now officially permit you to join the Anbu. Rewards will be distributed through them—you'll report to Tenzo for assignments."
It had already been decided: Itsuki would join the Third Anbu Squad as a direct subordinate of Tenzo.
"Yes, Lord Third!" Itsuki replied respectfully.
The Hokage, still unsettled, skipped his usual speech about the Will of Fire and simply dismissed him.
Outside, Tenzo had been waiting eagerly. He was even more excited than Itsuki at his disciple joining the Anbu.
He quickly began showing Itsuki around, introducing him to the unit and their procedures.
Itsuki's head was spinning by the end of the day. Still, he met many people—most were impressed by his youth and ability and treated him kindly.
Unfortunately, he couldn't remember anyone's face. He'd been hoping to spot a certain purple-haired kunoichi, but she wasn't in his squad.
By evening, finally free, Itsuki opened the system chat group.
Anko had already told the others that the Third Hokage had arranged a new house for Itsuki and that he'd moved in. She hadn't told them the address, though—keeping it to herself.
As a result, the girls had spent the entire day trying to butter Anko up in exchange for the location.
Itsuki chuckled to himself and was about to return to his old place to tidy up when he noticed something—he was being followed.
Activating his Sharingan, he observed carefully and was stunned when he confirmed the stalker's identity.
He opened the chat group.
[Hinata Hyuga: Um… didn't sister Anko say yesterday that we should all stand together? Itsuki-kun belongs to everyone, so he can't be monopolized.]
Itsuki checked again with his Sharingan. No mistake—the one following him was Hinata.
She says in the group chat he can't be monopolized, but then stalks me alone like some kind of pervert?
Interesting.
Hinata's mask had cracked—she was even learning to play tricks.
"Ale?" Distracted by the chat, Hinata suddenly realized Itsuki had vanished.
Panicked, she raised her fingers to activate her Byakugan.
"Looking for me?" Itsuki's voice came from directly behind her.
"Ahhh!" Hinata shrieked and ducked behind a tree trunk.
She hadn't expected to be caught. In the instant she hesitated, Itsuki had circled around and appeared at her back.
He leaned against the tree, watching her like a frightened rabbit. He didn't rush her, only smiled.
Her real-life image was so different from her online persona.
In the chat group, she sometimes argued fiercely—even PUA-ing Anko yesterday. But in reality, she was still a timid, soft girl, flustered into steaming in seconds.
"Hm? Hinata, why are you following me?" Itsuki asked gently.
"U-um… I-I…" Hinata fidgeted, staring at her fingers. "I didn't…"
"Didn't what?" Itsuki suddenly leaned in, their faces barely two or three centimeters apart.
Swish!
Her pale face flushed instantly, turning bright red like a shrimp shell in boiling water.
In less than a second, steam literally rose from her forehead. Her eyes swirled, and she toppled backward in a faint.
So it turned out there really were "steam princesses" in this world!
Amused, Itsuki caught her by the shoulders before she could fall, propping her gently against the tree trunk.
"Stop! Let her go!"
A sudden voice rang out, followed by a figure rushing quickly toward them.
Itsuki turned his head and saw—a little girl in a kimono!
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Konoha Harem Chat Group: I Can Fabricate the Future (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you for your support! 💙