The Ninbu Headquarters towered above Konoha, unlike anything else in the village.
After two years away, Naruto returned under Kenya's lead, gawking like a country bumpkin. Even Jiraiya, who walked beside him, couldn't help but be impressed at the building's scale.
This was nothing like the rest of Konoha's architecture.
Inside the great hall, Kenya strode casually toward the towering white jade throne—more than ten meters high—and sat down.
Jiraiya, a seasoned Kage-level shinobi, swallowed hard. The pressure Kenya gave off… it surpassed even Hanzō of the Salamander, the strongest opponent Jiraiya had faced in his lifetime.
Naruto, however, remained oblivious, blurting out:
"Mr. Kenya! What about Sasuke? Where is he? My training isn't even finished yet, but I rushed back!"
Off to the side, Temari sighed in disdain. Two years apart, and Naruto was still as noisy as ever.
"Naruto, I understand how you feel," Kenya said gently, though his voice carried an unshakable authority. "But wait until everyone has gathered, and sit quietly for now."
Naruto shivered at the tone, goosebumps rising on his arms, and obediently shut his mouth.
A few minutes later, Hatake Kakashi and Haruno Sakura entered the hall.
"Oh! Kakashi-sensei! Sakura!" Naruto shouted in delight.
"Is that you, Naruto? You've gotten taller!" Sakura smiled.
"Heh, and Kakashi-sensei hasn't changed one bit!" Naruto grinned smugly.
Kakashi rolled his eye, then turned his gaze up to the throne and said solemnly:
"Lord Kenya, I heard you've tracked down Sasuke and Orochimaru. Is that why you summoned us?"
At the mention of Sasuke, both Naruto and Sakura grew serious, their chatter forgotten.
Kenya nodded. "Orochimaru frequently relocates his hideouts to avoid pursuit. If we don't act quickly, he'll move again. That's why I've called you here."
He flicked a folded map like a kunai toward Kakashi, who caught it.
"And since your current strength still isn't enough, I've arranged for reinforcements."
From behind one of the hall's pillars, a boy yawned and stepped forward, a massive sword strapped to his back and a canteen at his waist.
"Yo," he said lazily. "Name's Suigetsu Hōzuki. I'll be the new member of Team Seven, filling in for Uchiha Sasuke."
"What? A Mist ninja?" Sakura gasped, noticing his forehead protector.
"That sword…" Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "The Executioner's Blade. One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Kenya, you've gathered shinobi from other villages too?"
"What are you thinking, Mr. Kenya!" Naruto shouted angrily, pointing at Suigetsu. "Why should some weirdo be in Team Seven? The last member is Sasuke!"
Kakashi quickly grabbed Naruto's arm—not because of his rudeness, but to keep him from saying something that would offend Kenya.
Suigetsu's brow twitched. "Weirdo? Tch…"
Kenya's expression didn't change. His calm voice held a chilling weight:
"Naruto, with your team's current strength, going after Orochimaru is too dangerous. Suigetsu is strong. He'll support you."
Naruto folded his arms stubbornly. "Hmph! I don't care. Team Seven is just Sasuke, Sakura, and me!"
"Oi!" Suigetsu snapped back. "You think I actually want to team up with you idiots? Don't flatter yourself!"
"Say that again, bastard!" Naruto rolled up his sleeves, fists ready.
"Enough!"
Two fists came down on their heads at once—Sakura's and Temari's.
Sakura scolded Naruto, while Temari smacked Suigetsu so hard his head rattled.
"Don't you dare cause a scene in front of Lord Kenya! Get out there and complete your mission already!" Temari barked.
Kakashi exhaled wearily, rubbing his temple. "Right, Lord Kenya. We'll take our leave…"
He hurried Naruto and Sakura out with Suigetsu in tow. Jiraiya followed after a long sigh.
The vast hall fell silent, leaving only Temari and Kenya.
"Temari," Kenya called.
"Yes, Lord Kenya!" she snapped to attention.
Over time, Kenya had stopped bothering to correct her Sand name—he let her keep it.
"I'll be leaving the village for a while. The Ninbu's affairs will be in your hands."
"Me?" Temari hesitated. "But… I'm a Sand shinobi. Won't that cause problems?"
Kenya shook his head. "You are my most trusted subordinate. With you in charge, no one will dare complain."
He reached out and patted her spiky hair, making the nineteen-year-old's cheeks flush.
Just then, Hanabi came running in, eyes bright.
"Lord Kenya, you're going out? Take me with you!"
Kenya chuckled. "Not yet. When you can throw a full set of one hundred and eighty palms, then we'll talk."
Without another word, he walked off, his figure receding into the distance.
Hanabi puffed her cheeks, frustrated.
"One hundred and eighty palms? That's impossible! Even most jōnin in my clan can't do that in one breath!"