"Yuto, time to get up!"
Yuto heard Mikoto's call through his grogginess, but he just rolled over and kept sleeping.
"It's time, you need to get to work…" Mikoto's rather helpless voice sounded again.
"I told you, calling him like that won't work," Kushina's voice chimed in with a light snort. "So soft and gentle"
"Then why don't you show me how it's done?" Mikoto blinked.
"Fine, I'll give you a lesson today!" Kushina said, rolling up her sleeves.
"No need, I'm already awake." Yuto swiftly sat up, raising a hand to stop Kushina from taking any direct action.
After all, this was Konan's home. If things really got out of hand, it would be awkward to deal with.
"Tch, and here I was hoping to show Mikoto-chan my methods." Kushina, understanding his concern, clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.
"You can show me when we're back at our own place." Yuto ran a hand through his hair and got up.
"You've already publicly acknowledged her as the Third wife so, shouldn't this place count as our home too?" Kushina argued stubbornly.
"That's not how it works…"
"Then how does it work? As the security advisor, she knowingly broke the law by going after a young boy? Is that how it works?"
"Geez, are you trying to pick a fight with me this early?"
"Maybe. Is it working?"
Yuto just shook his head, heading for the bathroom. Kushina followed, leaning against the doorframe as he picked up his toothbrush.
Kushina paused, grinning widely. "I really thought the Third wife was all about integrity before. Who knew! She plays pretty wild too even knows about bondage!"
Ahem ahem. Yuto, who was brushing his teeth, coughed dryly, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Didn't we agree not to peek?"
"Heh, and didn't you agree to bring us in halfway through?" Kushina rolled her eyes and sneered. "You broke the agreement first. Don't blame us for getting a little curious."
"Alright, alright, my bad. You win." Yuto promptly raised his hands in surrender, rinsing his mouth and raising his hands in defeat. Arguing with her before coffee was a battle he was destined to lose.
"Hmph." Satisfied, Kushina glanced at Mikoto. "Speaking of... are you sure about Itachi's Hollowfication? He's not gonna... I don't know, turn into some twisted monster, is he?"
Yuto paused, towel in hand. He understood the question was her way of speaking on behalf of her best friend. He met Mikoto's worried eyes in the mirror and offered a soft, reassuring smile.
"Don't worry," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Everything is under control."
"Next, it should be time for the Original White Zetsu to appear, right?" Kushina raised an eyebrow. "Do you really think that Danzō won't get suspicious?"
"Offering help in times of need is a difficult thing," Yuto said, picking up a towel to wipe his face. "Few people would doubt someone who offers them timely help, especially Danzō."
—
—
*Konoha, Danzō's Residence.*
Danzō sat at his desk, chin resting on his hand, his mind circling the same impossible problem: how to get that "special energy" from the Land of Waves. The more he thought about it, the more his head throbbed.
From his perspective, that "special energy" was a core secret of the Land of Waves'.
Even if Hayashi Yuto said that he "appreciated each other's talents," asking for that "special energy" was like asking for the blueprint to a village's ultimate weapon.
'Why did I even say I could get it?' he thought, frustration simmering. 'Trying to impress Orochimaru, of all people? What was I thinking?'
He stopped cold.
'That's not like me. I'm not impulsive.' A cold dread trickled down his spine. 'Is this... is the Hollowfication affecting my mind?'
The thought was more terrifying than any enemy.
Just as his mind started wandering, layers of white bubbles suddenly appeared around him.
"What is…" Danzō's expression froze, his brows tightening.
"Well, well, finally managed to escape." The white bubbles gradually merged, forming the figure of White Zetsu. "Really gotta thank you, Danzō."
"The original White Zetsu (the other part of black Zetsu)?" Danzō's face showed surprise. "You've been attached to me this whole time?"
"Hehe, looks like the plan I had in mind worked!" The original White Zetsu grinned, sighing. "It really wasn't easy."
"How did you get out? Could you use chakra in the prison?" Danzō wasn't angry about being used; instead, he was curious.
Apart from the guards, everyone in the Land of Waves' prison wore bracelets that suppressed chakra. They couldn't be removed without a special key, and even attempts at self-mutilation to sever the hand would be stopped by electric shocks.
But this strange creature before him had broken the norm. Danzō was naturally curious.
"Of course not." The original White Zetsu shook his head, smiling. "You should know very well about Hayashi Yuto's abilities. He treats chakra like his plaything."
"So, then you are…"
"You mentioned 'special energy' when talking to Orochimaru, right?"
"What?"
Danzō's eyes widened in surprise.
"This energy is called 'Reiryoku' (Spiritual Power) by Hayashi Yuto. When a being possesses enough of this energy, it generates 'Reiatsu' (Spiritual Pressure)." The original White Zetsu explained matter-of-factly. "The only place in the ninja world where Reiryoku exists is the Land of Waves; it's a creation unique to Hayashi Yuto! I have to admit, that guy's power probably already rivals the progenitor of chakra…"
"So, is Yuto the progenitor of Reiryoku?" Danzō asked in a low voice.
"You could say that, but he still underestimated a being like me."
The original White Zetsu grinned and said lightly, "My body can not only contain chakra but also Reiryoku! Thanks to the unique environment of the Land of Waves, I've gained a whole new power."
Danzō stared wide-eyed, falling silent.
The amount of information revealed by White Zetsu was substantial, leaving him momentarily stunned.
"Want to cooperate with me, Danzō?" The original White Zetsu suddenly extended an olive branch.
Danzō raised an eyebrow, lowering his voice. "How do you propose we cooperate?"
"I need to rescue my partner, Black Zetsu, from the Land of Waves, and you need the power to deal with Hayashi Yuto." The original White Zetsu said with a serious expression. "The Reiryoku within me can be separated through spores, filling the part you lack."
Danzō's breath hitched. The offer was incredibly, dangerously tempting. Power, real power, handed to him. But nothing came for free.
"And what," Danzō asked, his voice gravelly with suspicion, "do you want in return?"
"Poop." The original White Zetsu blurted out.
"What. Poop?" Danzō's mouth fell open, and he froze.
"Wrong, I mean status." The original White Zetsu coughed lightly and said calmly, "I need sufficient status in Konoha, preferably equal to yours!"
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