Watching Yagura's completely indifferent reaction, Mangetsu clicked his tongue.
Tease after tease, and not even a twitch.
Roles reversed and still no response? Back when you were the one dishing it out, I sure didn't take it this calmly.
Killjoy.
Mangetsu pouted and placed a carton of milk on Yagura's desk.
"Drink this later, then take a nap."
Yagura immediately scooted half a body's length back.
"When did you become my babysitter?"
Milk before napping, napping after milk—Hitsugaya Tōshirō would approve.
Yagura felt vaguely offended.
"Who's the one always whining about not growing taller?"
Mangetsu glanced at the height difference between their heads and retaliated accordingly.
Yagura cast a resentful look at both Mangetsu and the milk carton.
Still, he picked it up, stabbed the straw in, and started sipping with a soft slurp.
Mangetsu nodded approvingly. "Now that's more like it."
No, you don't get it. This isn't something hard work can fix. This is a curse set by the author—a power from beyond the world itself.
He sucked harder at the straw, as if trying to drain Mangetsu himself into the straw (note: via liquefied body) (insert dog-head emoji for self-preservation).
Yagura figured it was time to throw a curse of his own.
"You'll end up shorter than your little brother."
"Wow, what a vicious curse."
Mangetsu took it as friendly banter and didn't take it to heart.
"Anyway, I'm heading back."
Yagura tossed the now-empty milk carton back at him.
"Alright, thanks for the mission work. Get some rest."
"You too. Don't stay up too late~"
Mangetsu closed the door behind him, taking both himself and his trash out.
With the chatterbox finally gone, Yagura could return to work.
Only... he couldn't bring himself to focus on the paperwork no matter how hard he tried.
His grip on the pen was so tight, it nearly snapped in half.
"Damn you, Mangetsu. Of all the things to bring up..."
He gave up, threw the papers aside, got up, and walked into his private rest area.
Maybe... maybe it's not too late for a growth spurt after all.
When in doubt, sleep it out. (Covers eyes.)
...
A few days later.
Konoha issued a public notice to the entire shinobi world: two new names added to the S-rank rogue ninja list—Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi.
Every other member of the Uchiha clan, aside from these two and the young child Sasuke, had been confirmed dead—either killed in the Uchiha district or elsewhere within Konoha's borders. A few who had defected before the massacre didn't count.
Oh, and before executing the clan, Konoha had spared a few Uchihas for the Yamanaka clan's Inoichi to extract their memories.
Inoichi personally verified: the Uchiha had been planning a coup against Konoha. The massacre came in response.
Thus, Konoha's actions were framed as just, in accordance with the rules of the game. The Uchiha perished because they weren't strong enough.
With this thin veil of justification, Konoha barely managed to win the approval of the other clans.
Well, except for a few Hyūga Branch members who started peddling conspiracy theories—citing the mysterious disappearance of the Senju clan back in the day, tying it to the Uchiha massacre, and trying to stir up trouble.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō dealt with that group quietly.
Konoha had more or less stabilized in the aftermath of the Nine-Tails rampage and the Uchiha massacre.
Yagura wasn't particularly surprised by the outcome.
Those two old geezers might constantly fight behind closed doors, but when it came to dealing with outsiders, no one in Konoha could match them. No chance of internal chaos.
What really caught Yagura's attention was the notice that listed Uchiha Itachi as an S-rank rogue.
As everyone knows: if someone's been killed, they're dead. And dead people can't become rogues.
Shisui was alive, so his inclusion made sense.
Therefore, if Itachi made the list, he wasn't dead. He hadn't been killed by Danzō and the others.
Assuming it wasn't that Sarutobi and Danzō had simply spared him...
There could only be one explanation—someone saved him.
Who had the guts to go up against Konoha's top dogs and the skill to rescue Itachi from Danzō's Root agents?
The answer was obvious: the man who possessed Kamui—Uchiha Obito.
He'd lost the Akatsuki, lost Black and White Zetsu. Obito was now a one-man army.
And yet... he still had the nerve to drag a five-year-old into all this, using him as child labor. Sinful.
But Yagura wasn't exactly in a position to judge. Technically speaking, he was a child soldier too—and his job was even heavier than most in the shinobi world.
...
After the Konoha incident, the other villages slipped back into post-Third Shinobi War recovery mode.
Kirigakure, isolated out at sea, kept to its policy: don't mess with us, and we won't mess with you.
Militarily, Yagura had never been the warmonger type. He preferred the economic route. His starring role? The finance channel.
Minato's efforts were wiped out overnight during the Nine-Tails incident, leaving Konoha back at square one, as if the Third War had just ended.
Yagura took the opportunity to expand his influence within Konoha.
Sunagakure, now weakened, had been pummeled over the years until it practically took on the shape of Kirigakure.
The military channel—starring role belonged to the Raikage of Kumogakure.
Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Konoha had all reduced their forces post-war. Only the Raikage was still ramping up, even initiating small-scale military actions against Konoha and Iwagakure.
Nothing that escalated into full-scale war.
The biggest incident came three years later: the attempted abduction of Hyūga Hinata to acquire the Byakugan. It failed.
...
The Kumo nin were killed during the mission.
The Fourth Raikage used the incident to pressure Konoha into handing over the head of the Hyūga clan—Hinata's father, Hiashi.
He even sent forces to the border, practically threatening to ignite a Fourth Shinobi War.
Byakugan or war.
Was the Raikage actually serious?
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't dare take the risk. Konoha couldn't afford it.
To avoid a war, he sacrificed the Hyūga's interests, ordering the clan to hand over Hiashi as a gesture of good faith.
The Hyūga pulled a fast one, giving up Hiashi's twin brother—Hizashi—from the Branch Family instead.
Since Hizashi had the caged bird seal, his Byakugan would self-destruct upon death, preventing it from being stolen.
Sarutobi approved the loophole, handed Hizashi over, then ramped up troop presence at the Fire-Lightning border and contacted the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure.
The Raikage had been pushing his luck lately. Fortunately, this time, the usually neutral Ōnoki agreed to support Konoha.
Konoha and Iwagakure joined forces against Kumogakure.
Enraged, the Fourth Raikage turned to Kirigakure for support—but Yagura declined in the name of peace.
Kirigakure did, however, offer material aid. Just... no manpower.
Kirigakure: Fight! Fight! (Eyes sparkle)
Kumogakure: The hell you just say?! (Flips table)
Against both Konoha and Iwagakure, the Raikage didn't have the strength to win decisively. Even if he dragged them into a mutual brawl, Kirigakure would be the one reaping the benefits.
Kirigakure had already capitalized on the last war—just look at how modernized and powerful it had become under the Fourth Mizukage.
Lesson learned from the last Shinobi War.
Kumogakure backed down. Sarutobi and Ōnoki breathed a sigh of relief. At least the Raikage's brain wasn't made entirely of muscle.
Just one spark away—that's how close they were to the start of the Fourth Great Shinobi War.
Yagura felt a tiny bit disappointed. If those three villages had gone at it again? What a beautiful mess that would've been.
This brush with war ended up defining the tone for the next few years.
At most, minor friction between villages. No full-scale conflict.
At least, not until the main characters regained their power from before the Third War.
...
A white chapel. Sacred music played.
Zabuza led a tiny, pale-skinned boy down the aisle. Both were dressed formally—black for Zabuza, white for the boy.
"This outfit's so damn uncomfortable…"
Why the hell am I playing this part?
He grumbled inwardly, but the setting wasn't appropriate for complaining. Otherwise, Yagura would raise hell.
Kirigakure Rule #1: Of all the people to piss off, never piss off Yagura.
Adjusting his tie, Zabuza glanced at the script on the podium and forced himself to read aloud, suppressing his discomfort:
"Do you both willingly choose to become lifelong partners with the person beside you?"
Yagura looked lovingly ahead.
"No matter what the future holds—good or bad, wealth or poverty, health or sickness, ease or hardship—you'll face it together. You'll entrust your... (correction) lives to one another."
Mangetsu was the first to speak. "I do."
The "bride," Terumi Mei, hesitated, clearly conflicted, then gave her answer. "...I do."
"OK! That was perfect for the rehearsal!"
Yagura clapped cheerfully, calling it a wrap.
Mangetsu and Mei immediately broke formation and bolted offstage, separating as quickly as possible.
Friends, sure. But saying "I do" to that guy/girl?
Yagura wasn't pleased with their attitude.
"What's with you two? You're the best man and maid of honor for tomorrow. Act a little more excited."
Nope. Not happening.
Mei forced an awkward smile at Mangetsu. He gave her the exact same look.
Question: If your crush is trying to pair you up with your love rival at your fake wedding, how are you supposed to be happy about it?
Yagura frowned. "That wasn't good enough. We're running it again."
Damn it.
Mangetsu dragged a hand down his face.
"Why are we doing this? Shouldn't Kisame and Toun be the ones rehearsing? They're the actual bride and groom."
"This proves the story's still properly heterosexual," Yagura replied, all logic. "Besides, when have you ever heard of a wedding having a re-do?"
That line, Mei actually liked.
Mangetsu was starting to regret all those years of milk offerings. Not only had it failed to help his height—it didn't win any affection, either.
...
Off to the side, Zabuza stood holding Haku's hand, watching the two troublemakers with a blank face.
"Tch."
Haku mimicked Zabuza's pose, arms crossed, trying to look cool.
"Tch."
But the effect was the exact opposite—180 degrees off.
Zabuza got hit right in the feels. Clutching his face, he groaned.
"Stop copying everything I do, Haku…"
Haku was obedient, yes. But sometimes he was too obedient. He'd been by Zabuza's side since he was a child, always affectionate and attached.
Zabuza's feelings toward Haku were complicated. Normally, he had no patience for kids.
But when it came to Haku, it was like... some kind of karmic debt. As if he owed him from a past life.
He had endless patience. And a bottomless soft spot...
Zabuza immediately crouched down and began explaining to Haku that what he'd just done was wrong.
His voice was soft and careful, gentle and reasonable—he seemed afraid he might make Haku cry.
If it had been any other kid, Zabuza would've kicked them halfway across the room without a second thought.
But now...
Lighting director Ringo Ameyuri shifted the spotlight directly onto Zabuza.
Watching his flustered expression, Ringo couldn't stop herself from chuckling.
"Well, now I've seen everything. Zabuza's turned into a doting father—raising someone else's kid like his own."
Nearby, props master Sasori was idly fiddling with a Rubik's Cube.
"Given his age, he's more like an older brother than a dad."
"Close enough. Still child-rearing." Ringo nodded seriously. "But I gotta say, Haku's way more pleasant to deal with than Suigetsu and the rest of that crew."
Sasori didn't answer—he was too focused on his cube. It had been his favorite little hobby these past few years.
"Speaking of kids," Ringo added, "did Yagura ever ask you to find a successor for your puppet techniques? Anyone promising?"
"None that caught my eye."
Sasori wasn't exactly passionate about the search. He'd just gone through the motions to appease Yagura.
"Maybe your standards are too high?"
"I'm looking for someone who's proficient in biology, physics, chemistry, engineering, mechanics, and programming... Is that really so much to ask?"
Ringo scratched her head, trying in vain to recall a single chemistry equation. Nothing came up.
Sasori's definition of "proficient" obviously went far beyond a basic ninja academy education—he meant truly proficient.
Normal shinobi trained to fight. Who had time to dig into all those advanced sciences? Combat ability always took precedence.
The academic overachiever Sasori scoffed, "If they can't master all that, they're not qualified to inherit my puppetry."
Ringo looked at him, surprised. It was rare to see Sasori so chill about something.
"Yagura's not pressuring you?"
Sasori gave a lazy, mocking sneer.
"If he's so eager, he can do it himself."
...
"Lunch is here!"
Ao's voice echoed up from the main hall, and both Ringo and Sasori set down their things and headed down to eat.
Kisame and Toun—newly engaged—were handing out lunchboxes. Toun bowed slightly.
"Sorry to trouble everyone like this. Thank you all for helping with our wedding."
Yagura laughed as he took his box.
"Come on, we're friends. When one of us gets married, the rest help out. Next time, the roles will switch."
Kisame glanced around at his teammates.
Marriage, huh? Easier said than done.
Aside from himself, blazing ahead like a rocket with his whirlwind romance—getting married tomorrow, no less—everyone else didn't even have a proper partner yet.
It would probably be years before anyone here attended another wedding.
Right, Mangetsu?
Kisame raised an eyebrow and locked eyes with Mangetsu.
Mangetsu gave a tight-lipped smile that didn't reach his eyes. He gave a dry chuckle and plopped down beside his younger brother Suigetsu on the bench.
Would that blockhead of his ever wake up and realize what was in front of him?
Suigetsu looked from his brother to the Mizukage, then sighed in a strangely world-weary tone far beyond his years.
On the bench, Suigetsu and Kimimaro were sitting together. They were assigned to carry the bride's train tomorrow—though, as of now, there was no bride, so they were just waiting around.
Kimimaro glanced over in confusion.
"Why are you sighing?"
Suigetsu didn't bother explaining.
"Nothing."
...
Kisame and Toun helped carry in some of the food, while Sasuke insisted on helping too.
Part of the meal was homemade by the couple; the rest had been ordered from outside.
Mei followed close behind Sasuke, keeping an eye on him.
"Sasuke-kun, helping out your big brother Shisui already?"
Six-year-old Sasuke beamed, full of pride. "Yup! I'm a man too!"
Mangetsu glanced over at Suigetsu, who was scarfing down food beside him.
??
Suigetsu caught the look and immediately jumped in to prevent the inevitable comparison.
"I can help too!"
"You're not helping."
Mangetsu threw an arm around his little brother's shoulder and patted his own chest.
"Don't worry! I'd never let you go hungry. You're not going out on missions anytime soon!"
Kimimaro, who had been quietly eating, paused to glance at the two brothers.
Zabuza, meanwhile, had just covered Haku's ears.
No way was he letting Haku absorb that kind of overindulgent parenting style.
Suigetsu turning out halfway normal was probably due to sheer force of will.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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