"Mom, your teaching isn't as good as Brother Naruto's," Konohamaru said, slumping to the ground, exhausted of chakra. He complained to Ye Yue, who stood nearby.
Ye Yue's expression darkened as she raised the bamboo whip in her hand.
Noticing her reaction, Konohamaru quickly added flatteringly, "Of course, you're a great teacher too, Mom. But Naruto-nii explains everything in detail… a bit more carefully than you."
Ye Yue's expression softened a little, though her voice still carried a trace of dissatisfaction. "Then why don't you go ask Brother Naruto to teach you?"
Konohamaru knew better than to challenge her again. He kept quiet and rested. Unlike other mothers who coddled their children, Ye Yue was not one to hesitate—if she raised the bamboo whip, it would land.
Seeing him fall silent, Ye Yue continued, "Explaining everything isn't good for a ninja's development. It might help you learn faster, but it kills your creativity. I do this for your own good."
Whatever you say, Mom, Konohamaru thought, grimacing at the memory of his reddened buttocks from her last lesson. At least Naruto never hit or scolded him—he was patient and gentle.
"But it's weird," Konohamaru mumbled to himself. "Mom never used to hit me before. Ever since Naruto left Konoha, her temper's gotten worse and worse."
"Hey, Naruto-nii… please come back soon."
Children don't dwell too long on things. Fatigue overtook him, and before he knew it, he had dozed off under the tree.
Up in the sky, fluffy clouds slowly turned into dark ones. A light breeze blew across the earth, lifting discarded dandelions and plastic bags into the air, carrying them far away.
Ye Yue sat quietly for a while before ordering a servant to carry Konohamaru to his room. Despite herself, she was growing increasingly irritated.
A woman who's been lonely for too long… once she's had a taste of flesh and given in to her animal instincts, it's hard to suppress them again. The body craves what the heart dares not admit.
"We've already won the war. Why hasn't that brat Naruto come back yet?"
"Konohamaru clearly likes him a lot. Naruto would be so happy to hear that."
"If Konohamaru took Naruto's last name someday… would he agree?"
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Ye Yue's face turned red. She pinched her thigh hard and cursed herself.
Sarutobi Hazuki, you're already married into the Sarutobi clan. How can you have such filthy thoughts?
An affair with Naruto was already unforgivable—any more, and it's simply wicked.
Besides, Naruto's still young and might not understand, but I'm already in my early thirties. I should know better.
In a few years, I'll be old and ugly. By then, Naruto will probably settle down with someone else.
When that day comes, just let him go.
But… who could possibly marry him?
Ino, from the Yamanaka clan? Hinata, from the Hyūga clan? Or some girl I haven't even met yet?
Lost in her own spiraling imagination, Ye Yue didn't notice a young woman approaching her from behind, wearing a pure white dress and low-heeled leather shoes. A sly smile played on her lips.
"Well, well… why is our dear Madam Ye Yue torturing herself again? You'll make me cry~"
The woman suddenly hugged Ye Yue from behind. Her hands slid through Ye Yue's armpits, wrapping around her waist, and gave her a playful squeeze.
Startled by the unexpected touch, Ye Yue nearly reached for a kunai. When she turned and saw who it was, she lowered her hand and snapped:
"Hyuuga Mari! Are you trying to get yourself killed? You walk without making a sound!"
The culprit was Mari, a prodigy of the Hyūga clan and mother of Neji Hyūga—also one of Ye Yue's more complicated acquaintances.
Mari shrugged and raised her hands. "I was walking loudly, thank you. You just weren't paying attention. Blame yourself."
Ever since Mari had gotten involved with both Ye Yue and Naruto, her attitude had changed drastically. The once-elegant noblewoman now acted like… well, a wild monkey, Ye Yue thought grimly.
"What are you doing in my house again?" Ye Yue asked, clearly annoyed.
Mari blinked innocently, glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby, then replied in a sugary voice:
"Don't be so cold to me! I ignored Lady Nara, Lady Yamanaka, and even Lady Inuzuka because of you. And this is how you treat me? Boohoo~"
"Get to the point."
"I am being honest! Why don't you ever trust me~?"
"If you cry again, I'll slap you. Don't test me," Ye Yue said, eyes narrowing dangerously.
Despite being a ninja herself, Mari knew she was no match for Ye Yue. She gave a little pout and backed off.
"Fine, fine. It's just that he hasn't come back to Konoha, and I wanted to know where he is. I've been feeling lonely."
Ye Yue rolled her eyes. "Isn't your son home? Go spend time with him instead of bothering me."
Mari's smile faded slightly. "I'd love to, but he won't even look at me. All he does is train. I've only seen him once since I got back."
Ye Yue fell silent. For all her complaints, she suddenly felt sorry for her.
Mari's situation was even worse than her own.
"Oh? Feeling sorry for me now?" Mari teased, lifting Ye Yue's chin and giving her a quick peck on the cheek before darting away into her room.
"…You're insane."
"Yes, crazy for you, my little lover~!"
Land of Lightning.
A spring rain had soaked the village the night before. The roads were muddy, and the old willow trees swayed in the wind. Their rustling branches added to the gloomy atmosphere.
Inside the main hall, three factions had gathered.
On the left stood Konoha's delegation, led by Naruto Uzumaki.
On the right, the Raikage faction, led by Yugito Nii—the Two-Tails Jinchūriki.
And in the corner, kneeling on the ground, was a third group—bound, bruised, gagged, and terrified.
They were members of the opposition faction, the ones who had challenged Yugito's legitimacy as Raikage.
All except one: Mabui. Though she wasn't beaten, her mouth was sealed and her eyes filled with rage.
She stared daggers at Naruto.
She understood now. She'd been framed.
That day, Mabui had woken up tied up, her chakra sealed. The one who did it… was Naruto Uzumaki—the man she had shared a bed with.
Then, a mysterious black-haired woman appeared with a camera, claiming it held proof that Mabui had bribed Naruto to assassinate the Raikage.
Yes, Mabui had intended to bribe Naruto. Yes, she was unhappy with Yugito's appointment.
But murder?
She wasn't that stupid. She wouldn't try to assassinate the most powerful ninja in the village.
It was clearly a setup.
She glared at Naruto, shaking with fury.
He took my innocence. Framed me for treason. Caused civil unrest just so Konoha could invade Kumogakure…
It's all his fault!
I have to explain myself to Yugito!
But Yugito didn't even glance at her. Her rage from moments ago gave way to exhaustion and heartbreak.
With reddened eyes and trembling lips, she said:
"Konoha friends… I need time to deal with some internal matters. Can we continue discussions about reparations tomorrow?"
Some delegates muttered, displeased. Others understood. A few saw an opportunity.
But Naruto silenced them with a calm, "Very well."
"I sympathize with Kumogakure's situation. Take the time you need."
With that, he turned and left. The others followed him, intimidated by his calm authority.
Once outside, Naruto's expression turned cold.
"Have you identified the black-haired woman who took the video?"
"Not yet," a Konoha ninja replied nervously. "There's no record or photo of her in our archives."
"No record?" Naruto frowned. "Then I suspect she was sent by an outside force to stir conflict. To pit us against Kumogakure and reap the benefits."
"Exactly," the Chūnin said. "It could be the Land of Earth or the Land of Water… but I suspect the Akatsuki. They've been our enemies for a while."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Of course… Akatsuki."
"She was wearing Uchiha-style clothes," the Chūnin added. "She used Fire Style and shuriken—classic Uchiha techniques."
"You think… there are more Uchiha alive? Besides Sasuke, Itachi, and the masked man?" Naruto asked.
"Maybe," the Chūnin whispered. "Could be the masked man in disguise."
Naruto gave a long, surprised look.
This kid's imagination is terrifying.
Still, Naruto nodded and said, "Good. Keep your guard up. If anyone's in danger, scream—I'll be there immediately."
The surrounding ninja looked at him with complicated emotions.
Once hated for being the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, Naruto now seemed… dependable.
Thanks to their wild guesses, Naruto was now cleared of suspicion. The Akatsuki took the blame.
And Konoha? They said nothing to Kumogakure. Let them deal with their own mess.
After all, Konoha had no desire to fight—but they wouldn't mind watching others fight. And perhaps… benefit from it.
Naruto raised his hand to shield his eyes from the wind.
"In this world, I am the only fisherman. Everything else… are my fish."
Orochimaru should be arriving at the Daimyo's mansion about now.
[Ding!]
[Mission complete: Host has successfully seized full control over the Land of Lightning's military and finances.]
[Reward: Power of Faith acquired.]
Power of Faith: A force superior to Sage Mode. Its strength grows with the territory and people under your control. No upper limit.
City of Thunder. March.
Heavy snow blanketed the city. Just days earlier, people were preparing for spring. Now, they scrambled to bundle up again, complaining as they rushed out to gather supplies.
But what they saw made them stop cold.
A public notice from the Daimyo's office:
Effective immediately, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning has been replaced. The previous ruler is removed for corruption, greed, and driving the people into poverty.
A laughably poor excuse.
Everyone knew the Land of Lightning was one of the wealthiest of the Five Great Nations. Sure, taxes were high, but life was manageable.
This wasn't about corruption.
It was a coup.
But what truly shocked them was the name of the new Daimyo.
Not a noble name. Not a local name.
The new Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was…
"Hidan!"