"You and Minato are already married, huh."
Akashō glanced at the wedding photo hanging on the wall and at Kushina's slightly swollen belly.
"Mm-hmm."
Kushina smiled as she gently rubbed her stomach, her face full of happiness.
"Sigh… that's really nice."
A faint, indescribable nuance slipped into Akashō's smile.
"Tch, what's so nice about it?"
Jiraiya muttered from the side, "Being tied down by marriage and losing life's fun—how pitiful…"
"Pervy Sage, shut up."
Kushina turned her head, her smile carrying a dangerous edge.
"What Pervy Sage? I'm clearly the Toad Sage…"
Jiraiya pouted as he argued back, but he still guiltily looked away, not daring to meet Kushina's eyes.
"Oh right."
Kushina suddenly stood up, went back into the room, and came out holding two books.
"Akashō, is this you?"
Akashō looked at the author name printed on the back cover she pointed to and nodded.
"Huh??"
Jiraiya snatched the book from Kushina's hands in shock.
"I never noticed before—this 'Breaking the Heavens of Shinobi' was actually written by you?!"
"Is that a problem?"
"No, no problem."
A trace of bitterness appeared on Jiraiya's face.
"It's just that ever since your book came out, no one reads mine anymore…"
"You write books too?"
A hint of surprise crossed Akashō's face. This guy… don't tell me he writes that kind of stuff?
"Don't underestimate me, kid."
Jiraiya crossed his arms, looking dissatisfied.
"But honestly, your 'Breaking the Heavens of Shinobi' is seriously good."
Jiraiya held the book up close to Akashō. "That move by Uchiha Enji—the hand-signless Fire Release—so damn cool! And that part where he gets his engagement broken off by the Hyūga clan—I felt so frustrated reading that!"
Watching Jiraiya go on and on praising his own book, Akashō smiled and shook his head. In truth, he had only come up with "Breaking the Heavens of Shinobi" on a whim because he couldn't stand how outdated the novels in this world were. It was just something he made for fun, a casual pastime. That so many people liked it was honestly beyond his expectations.
Even if, looking back now, it felt a bit too simplistic, he had to admit those kinds of stories really did have their charm.
"So, now that you're in the Hidden Leaf Village, are you planning to stay for a while?"
After chatting for quite some time, Kushina finally asked the question she cared about most.
"Yeah, I'll stay at least two or three years."
Hearing that, Jiraiya narrowed his eyes slightly.
"By the way, Akashō, since you've been with those guys from the Dark Council for so long, you must know some information others don't—like their goals, their structure, things like that?"
"Jiraiya!"
Kushina smacked him on the back and glared.
"Are you interrogating Akashō like he's a criminal right now?!"
Jiraiya grimaced, rubbing his back. "No, I'm just curious!"
"It's fine."
Akashō gently pulled Kushina back, then looked at Jiraiya.
"I don't actually know that much. I can only say… they seem very interested in war."
"War…"
Jiraiya stroked his chin, falling into thought.
"Don't tell me these guys are trying to start the Fourth Great Ninja War?"
"Huh?"
Kushina frowned as well.
"But why? During the Third Great Ninja War, they didn't really pursue any specific gains. Why are they so obsessed with war?"
"Who knows…"
Jiraiya suddenly looked at Akashō.
"Oh right, don't mention this to anyone, okay?"
"Do I look like an idiot?"
There was a hint of mockery in Akashō's smile.
Jiraiya's mouth twitched.
"Just a reminder, that's all."
...
Late at night, after having dinner at Namikaze Minato's house, Akashō followed the address Minato had given him and arrived at an unoccupied house.
Just as he was about to insert the key into the lock, he suddenly stopped and turned around. A figure wrapped in a black robe stood there silently.
"Uzumaki Akashō."
A hoarse voice came from beneath the robe.
"That's me. What do you want?"
So Minato really is unreliable… It's already been a year, and he still hasn't fully secured control over the Hidden Leaf Village. Trouble's already knocking at the door.
Though, it was within expectations.
"Lord Danzō invites you."
Danzō?
Never heard of him. Some nobody daring to call himself "Lord."
"And if I refuse?"
Akashō planted his folded oil-paper umbrella against the ground, still wearing a faint smile.
"If you refuse, the consequences will be severe."
"Heh."
Akashō's smile gradually twisted. "Are you a master of pointless threats?"
"Do you remember the three orphans you framed at the Hidden Leaf Village orphanage two years ago?"
Akashō narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
"Stop pretending."
The man in black yanked off his hood, revealing his true face behind a pair of glasses.
"It's me—Kabuto Yakushi."
"Long time no see, Akashō."
Akashō raised an eyebrow, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Ah, so it's you. What, here to stab me in the back?"
----------------
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (188 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)