"Excellent!"
"Running upside down around Konoha a thousand times!"
"For the reward, do another thousand laps!"
Uzuki Yūgao was holding Shihouin Naraku's arm as the two shopped together contentedly.
Then, they spotted a figure running upside down toward them.
Might Guy!
Still wearing his green jumpsuit, he couldn't be more eye-catching.
No one in Konohagakure was surprised by his strange attire and behaviour.
After all, such scenes appeared every once in a while.
Why only occasionally? Because Might Guy was often out completing missions. He was a Jōnin of Konoha Village with many responsibilities.
Even though they were familiar with each other, Shihouin Naraku really didn't want to greet Might Guy right now. It was a bit embarrassing, especially since he was shopping with Uzuki Yūgao.
But Might Guy didn't care. The moment he saw Naraku, he greeted him enthusiastically.
"Yo! Naraku!"
"...Guy."
Naraku raised his hand helplessly. "How are you? Recently..."
The upside-down Might Guy immediately approached, gave Naraku a thumbs up, and flashed his signature smile with that gleaming sparkle:
"Excellent!"
"Naraku's medicine is really powerful."
"Can you please stand up straight and talk to me again?" Shihouin Naraku frowned. "I don't want to talk to you while looking at your crotch."
"No problem!"
Might Guy made an exaggerated leap, struck a pose in mid-air, and then landed on the ground.
"It's true. I can tell by how energetic you are."
"This is all thanks to Naraku!"
Might Guy look up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, his eyes wide open and shining? He shed tears in an exaggerated manner, not forgetting to give Naraku a thumbs up.
"Okay, okay, as long as everything is alright."
"You continue exercising. I still have things to do."
Naraku really didn't want to chat with Might Guy on the busy streets.
"Understood!"
"I will always support you!"
Might Guy shook his body dramatically as a flag that appeared from nowhere waved wildly behind him.
This exaggerated scene left even Uzuki Yūgao speechless, and she quickly pulled Naraku away.
Not until they were far from Might Guy did they both breathe a sigh of relief.
"Why is Guy-senpai so enthusiastic toward you?"
The scene they'd just witnessed was indeed over the top. Although she wasn't familiar with Might Guy, Uzuki Yūgao knew that Naraku must have done something to earn such gratitude.
"I just helped him a little."
Naraku didn't elaborate, and Yūgao naturally didn't press for more.
At this moment, no one in the entire shinobi world knew better than Naraku how powerful the Eight Inner Gates were!
Naraku had wanted to learn the Eight Inner Gates from Might Guy a long time ago. Guy was a very straightforward person—as long as someone wanted to learn, he was willing to teach.
It was unfortunate that Naraku's talent was spiritual, not physical, which meant that even though he had learned the Eight Inner Gates technique, he could only open the first gate: Gate of Opening!
So Naraku had no choice but to give up, a situation that almost ended with a Dynamic Entry kick from the disappointed Guy.
However, as a companion and friend, Naraku didn't just take advantage of Might Guy; he actually helped him significantly.
Shihouin Naraku had helped Guy improve the medicine needed for his taijutsu training.
Why did Might Guy have to endure years of physical training that could only be described as cruel?
Because he needed to condition his body to withstand the horrific strain caused by opening the Eight Inner Gates.
If the body weren't trained to a certain degree, let alone releasing powerful strength, just opening the Gates would cause the body to collapse.
Might Guy inevitably suffer many hidden injuries due to his long-term physical training of course, he had a family medicinal formula to help restore his exhausted body.
Shihouin Naraku had helped him improve this formula so that Guy's body could recover faster and more completely after intense exercise.
This was an enormous help for Might Guy.
So Guy was always deeply grateful to Naraku.
...
"The group of shinobi who returned to ANBU from the Root Organization did gather together."
"The Moon Squad, led by Moon, and the Three Squad, led by Three, both have members from Root."
"Everyone actually knows they're secretly following Danzō's orders."
"But as long as they complete the tasks assigned by the Hokage, Kakashi-senpai never comments on it."
Uzuki Yūgao told Naraku all the information she knew about ANBU.
As it happened, the team composed of these two Root Organization squads was assigned to Naraku's command.
"I'm different from Kakashi..."
Shihouin Naraku looked at the scroll in his hand. It was quite challenging to learn the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
Indeed, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had given all the sealing techniques of the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal to Naraku.
However, for now, Naraku didn't need to completely master the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. He just needed to learn how to remove this seal.
...
Konoha Medical Department.
Shihouin Naraku thoughtfully examined the information in his hand.
"Elder Mitokado Homura and Elder Utatane Koharu have gone to the hospital to visit several Fire Daimyō nobles who came to the village for treatment."
"Yashiro Ao has just returned to the Medical Emergency Division, so he hasn't made any unusual moves. He's very concerned about the flow of department funds, but he cannot intervene for the time being."
"Sir, what are your thoughts...?"
A shinobi from the Medical Emergency Division stood before Naraku, reporting on the recent changes in the medical department.
This was the fourth medical-nin to appear before Naraku today.
Although he no longer held the official management position of the Medical Emergency Division, Naraku was still in control of all its operations.
"Alright, you may go."
"Have Yakushi Kabuto keep an eye on Arata Amagiri!"
"Yes, sir!"
Watching the shinobi leave, Naraku began to reflect.
"The two elders are still focused on their connections with the Fire Country. Yashiro Ao is planning to divert some funds to Danzō to develop Root first."
Things seemed stable for now. With Yakushi Kabuto on watch, no significant problems would arise in the near future.
That's right—Yakushi Kabuto was Naraku's subordinate.
In this world, Yakushi Kabuto had been trained by Naraku and learned all his medical ninjutsu from him.
Kabuto himself had a natural talent for medical ninjutsu and was exceptionally skilled. So even with Danzō and Orochimaru standing behind him, Naraku wasn't concerned.
As long as Kabuto completed the tasks assigned to him, Naraku didn't care who else he worked for.
And Kabuto had not disappointed him, helping tremendously in maintaining control over the Medical Emergency Division.
...
The Land of Grass, a forest.
Dense woods blocked the sunlight, making the surroundings dimly lit.
Somewhere in this forest was a hidden base.
"Boom—"
A muffled sound came from underground.
Soon, a man with pale skin and long, snake-like hair emerged from the well-concealed cave entrance.
Orochimaru!
One of the most infamous Sannins in the shinobi world, Orochimaru, had appeared!
He moved swiftly, leaving quickly but returning moments later to reenter the base.
"Hehehe..."
"Yes, very good!"
A gleam of cruelty shone in Orochimaru's eyes, his pale face filled with fanaticism.
"The condition of the test subject has improved greatly!"
He didn't even glance at the lifeless test subject before him, focusing instead on the experimental data in his hand.
Soon, Orochimaru's subordinates cleaned up the messy laboratory, and the discarded test subjects were dragged away.
"It's a pity. I should have taken Naraku with me."
"Tsunade wasted that boy's talent..."