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Chapter 18: Drunk People Are Hard to Handle
Obito calmly praised both Oborotsuki and Konan without showing any emotion.
He said nothing more.
Konan tactfully turned to leave, signaling Oborotsuki to follow.
Once outside the small chamber, Oborotsuki immediately asked with curiosity, "Konan-senpai, hasn't Uchiha Madara been dead for ages? How is he in our organization?"
"And why doesn't he go on missions?"
"The way you acted earlier… it feels like he's the real boss of Akatsuki."
"Stop complaining, Oborotsuki."
"Madara has acknowledged you now."
Konan felt genuinely happy for him.
This mission had allowed Oborotsuki to pass all the tests perfectly.
From now on, she believed "Madara" would no longer send him on such dangerous assignments or secretly arrange powerful Kage-level opponents to target him.
She had no idea that the so-called "Lord Uchiha Madara" was already brewing an even larger plan—one that would drag Oborotsuki into it and ultimately use him as a disposable pawn to die in the scheme.
"Why should I care about his acknowledgment?"
Hearing Konan's words, Oborotsuki curled his lip, pretending to be indifferent.
Inside, however, a chill ran through him.
As expected, his guess had been correct: Uchiha Obito had never trusted him.
The Land of Water mission had genuinely been intended to use Yagura to kill him.
Now that he had returned alive and kicking, Obito hadn't turned hostile on the spot—instead, he pretended to accept him.
But Oborotsuki would never believe the man truly trusted him.
He simply didn't know what new conspiracy Obito was cooking up.
"Let's go eat something."
Konan changed the subject, and Oborotsuki let it drop.
…
The next few days passed peacefully in Amegakure.
With no one watching him, Oborotsuki was free to move around the village.
He activated Flying Thunder God and headed to a nearby town.
As usual, he picked out small items suitable for young, beautiful women—cosmetics, rouge, and the like.
He also didn't forget the baby still growing inside Mayumi.
By his calculations, the child would be born in two or three months at most.
So he carefully selected baby clothes, supplies, and other necessities.
After buying everything and packing it up, he returned to the Hōzuki clan grounds.
Seeing him arrive, both Kurenai ("Red") and Mayumi were overjoyed and immediately began preparing dinner.
Red had somehow gotten hold of a bottle of sake.
One of her great hobbies was drinking—especially late-night drinks.
It turned out this habit hadn't developed later in life; she already had it now, even without remembering her origins.
Oborotsuki himself enjoyed a good drink, so the two began toasting each other.
Mayumi, being pregnant, could only sit beside them and serve.
"I never knew you could drink so much!"
"Come on, another cup for you, Oborotsuki!"
Red drank boldly, continuously refilling his cup.
Oborotsuki naturally accepted every pour.
As they drank and chatted, Oborotsuki clearly noticed Red's frequent, affectionate glances—her eyes full of undisguised admiration.
The more they drank, the more they lost track.
"Come on… one more…"
Red raised her empty cup toward him, then slowly slumped forward onto the table.
Clink!
Her cup fell and rolled.
"She's drunk."
"I'll take her back to her room to rest…"
Mayumi, holding her swollen belly and supporting her back, slowly stood up.
Oborotsuki was also a little tipsy but still steady on his feet. Seeing her try to rise, he quickly helped her sit back down. "You stay put. Be careful with the baby. Let me handle it."
He turned, gently patted Red's shoulder. "Red, can you walk on your own?"
"Mmm…"
Red mumbled incoherently and slid off the table, sprawling face-up on the tatami mat.
Girls in the Naruto world matured early. Despite her young age, Red already had an impressive figure.
Seeing her lying spread-eagle, completely drunk and unconscious, Oborotsuki exchanged a helpless glance with Mayumi. "I'll take Red back to her room. I'll be right back."
"Don't worry about the dishes. I'll clean up when I return."
With that, he gently lifted Red. Her body felt soft and boneless in his arms.
Red's room was just next door.
The inside was dark—no lights.
Oborotsuki carried her in, laid her on the tatami, and covered her with a blanket. As he prepared to leave, he suddenly tensed.
The next instant, he felt something tighten around his neck—like an iron collar clamping down.
…
When he returned to the main room, Mayumi had already quietly cleared the table.
She sat silently, waiting for him.
Candlelight flickered across her delicate face, casting a faint, plaintive expression.
"Red's drunk. The little rascal was throwing a fit earlier, but she's finally asleep. Honestly… drunk people are really hard to handle…"
Oborotsuki shrugged guiltily, shaking his head with a wry smile.
Then, acting as if nothing had happened, he walked toward Mayumi with an unsteady, swaying gait.
"You work so hard outside, then come back and still take care of us three. It really is too much for you, Oborotsuki."
"Tonight… forget about work for a while. Just rest here at home, okay?"
Mayumi lifted her head, gazing at him with gentle, meaningful eyes.
That understanding, knowing look seemed to tell the young, handsome man before her: I've already seen through everything.
She wasn't deaf or blind—the sounds from next door had been impossible to ignore.
Especially with drunk Red, who hadn't bothered to restrain her voice at all.
She herself had a free-spirited nature.
Mayumi thought: If she were sober, she'd probably shout "Sugoii, motto!" just as loudly.
But those sounds had left her feeling… restless.
Good thing it was summer—otherwise, getting certain places wet would have made her catch a cold.
"I can… but I have to leave before dawn."
Oborotsuki nodded.
The gentle, understanding Mayumi said nothing more.
In her heart, she silently whispered: Karin… grow up quickly…
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