Orochimaru met the envious stares with a knowing smile, then turned his attention to Hinata.
"Hinata-chan," he said gently, "do you like Naruto-kun?"
He'd seen the way Hinata looked at Naruto earlier, her white eyes filled with such tender affection that it was impossible to miss.
Hinata's face immediately flushed crimson. She ducked her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Mm."
So the little Hyūga heiress really does have feelings for him, Orochimaru thought. An idea formed.
"I think I might like Naruto-kun too," Orochimaru said casually, watching Hinata's reaction.
The question came so suddenly that Hinata didn't know how to respond. If she said yes, it would be rude. This was someone Naruto had brought to join them, after all.
"You don't need to worry," Orochimaru continued with a gentle smile. "I can see the wariness in your eyes when you look at me. You're afraid I'll take Naruto-kun away from you."
Hinata's shoulders tensed.
"But regarding that concern, you can relax completely." Orochimaru's smile widened slightly. "Naruto-kun is far too young for someone like me."
There's really no need for concern, little girl, Orochimaru thought. I just want a sample of Naruto's genetic material. I have no interest in anything beyond that. You can keep him.
Relief flooded through Hinata's expression, joy brightening her eyes immediately. Though internally, she disagreed with Tsukisha's assessment. Naruto-kun isn't small at all. He's actually quite big. I might not even be able to handle—
She cut off that thought before it could fully form, her face heating even more.
"Thank you, Tsukisha-san," Hinata said sincerely.
In the male bath, Naruto could have easily listened to the women's conversation if he'd wanted to. His enhanced hearing made it trivial. But he deliberately didn't.
He wasn't that kind of person.
Let Jiraiya lie in a hospital bed for a few days, Naruto thought, remembering the legendary pervert's expression. It'll teach him a lesson about respecting people's privacy.
He slipped back into the male bath.
The moment he entered, Guy looked up. "Naruto, that was Jiraiya-sama just now, wasn't it?"
Naruto settled back into the hot water and nodded. "Yes, that was definitely Jiraiya."
As I thought, Guy and Kakashi both realized simultaneously.
"Then..." Guy asked carefully, "you didn't do anything too severe to Jiraiya-sama, did you? I mean, what he was doing was definitely wrong, but..."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Jiraiya-sama has made tremendous contributions to Konoha over the years, despite his... personal shortcomings in certain areas."
Naruto understood what they were really asking. "Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei, Guy-sensei. I didn't do anything too serious to Jiraiya. He'll just need to lie in a hospital bed for seven or eight days."
Seven or eight days, everyone thought, mouths twitching slightly. That's "not too serious"?
Though admittedly, compared to what could have happened, a week in the hospital was mild.
"So," Kakashi said thoughtfully, "you knew who Jiraiya-sama was?"
Naruto nodded. "My mother told me about him. She warned me to stay away from that guy. Said he'd be a bad influence if I spent too much time around him."
He glanced at Kakashi with a mischievous glint. "She also mentioned that her cooking was actually terrible, but that you'd always lie and say it was delicious, Kakashi-sensei. Said you never had the heart to tell her the truth."
Kakashi froze, caught completely off-guard by the casual backstab.
Several people in the pool tried very hard not to laugh.
After everyone finished soaking, the hotel manager led them to a private dining room where an elaborate feast had been prepared. Multiple courses covered a large table, everything from grilled fish to seasonal vegetables to elaborate desserts.
The appeal of good food was universal. Not just for Choji, though he was certainly the most vocal in his appreciation. Everyone enjoyed the meal, the atmosphere warm and comfortable as friends shared food and conversation.
By the time dinner concluded, the moon had climbed high above the treetops, painting Konoha in silver light.
Naruto naturally volunteered to escort the girls home. He walked the Hyūga sisters back to their compound, while Lee and Neji accompanied Tenten. Sakura insisted she could walk home alone—she wanted the exercise anyway—though she did make a detour to walk Ino partway first, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sasuke along the route.
That left only Tsukisha.
Orochimaru had hoped desperately that Naruto would offer to escort her personally. That would have provided the perfect opportunity to invite him up to her hotel room, perhaps ask for another "treatment" for her ankle, create circumstances for seduction.
Instead, Naruto turned to Sasuke.
"Sasuke, could you make sure Tsukisha-san gets back to her hotel safely?"
Orochimaru's teeth ground together with barely suppressed frustration.
How am I supposed to obtain his genetic material if he keeps avoiding being alone with me?!
But there was no polite way to refuse without seeming suspicious, so Orochimaru smiled graciously and allowed Sasuke to escort him back to the hotel.
The Uchiha boy was silent the entire walk, clearly lost in his own thoughts.
Meanwhile, Naruto carried Kurama while walking Hinata and Hanabi back to the Hyūga compound. When they reached the gate, he managed to convince Hanabi to go inside by promising to make her more woven animals next time he visited.
The little girl skipped through the gates happily, leaving Naruto and Hinata alone for a few precious moments.
They stood together in the moonlight, hands intertwined, talking quietly about nothing important. Just enjoying each other's presence.
It was perfect.
The next morning, Naruto stood in the kitchen after finishing breakfast, crouched down and searching the floor carefully.
Kurama emerged from the pantry, followed by Sasuke, both looking confused.
"Naruto, what are you looking for?" Kurama asked. "We can help you search."
"I'm trying to find a cockroach," Naruto said, checking behind the storage containers.
Sasuke blinked. "A cockroach? Why?"
"You said Orochimaru isn't dead, right?" Naruto straightened up, brushing off his knees. "And Orochimaru is terrified of bugs and insects. So if I can find some cockroaches and bring them when we confront him, he'll probably crack immediately and reveal everything."
Sasuke stared at Naruto for a long moment.
Then he started laughing. "Naruto, that's terrible. But also kind of brilliant."
He joined the search, checking the corners and crevices.
After several minutes of fruitless hunting, Kurama spoke up. "Naruto, Sasuke, you're wasting your time. I keep this kitchen spotless. There isn't a single bug anywhere."
Naruto stood up again, first praising Kurama's excellent housekeeping. The fox's tails swished with pleasure at the compliment.
"Then where should I look?" Naruto asked, frustrated.
Sasuke had a sudden flash of inspiration. "Wait. You could ask Shino! Isn't he the absolute master when it comes to bugs?"
"Oh!" Naruto's face lit up. "I can't believe I forgot about Shino! I always thought he was from some kind of diplomatic family, you know? The way he has such a talent for comedy and making people comfortable."
Sasuke decided not to comment on that particular interpretation of Shino's social skills.
"I'll go ask him now," Naruto said. "You two head to the farm. I'll meet you there after."
Naruto found Shino at the Aburame compound, meditating in his family's garden. The moment Naruto explained what he needed, Shino agreed immediately.
"Give me an hour," Shino said, adjusting his sunglasses. "I'll find some suitable specimens and bring them to you."
His own insects were all specialized for reconnaissance and combat. Cockroaches weren't part of his standard collection. But as a master of insect handling, locating and collecting common household pests would be simple enough.
"Thank you so much, Shino," Naruto said gratefully.
Shino actually looked startled by the thanks. "It's nothing! Please, don't mention it. I'm honored you thought to ask me for help, Naruto."
When Naruto returned to the farm, he noticed Sasuke wasn't in his usual training spot. That was unusual. Sasuke practiced religiously, always pushing himself.
I should check on him before heading to the waterfall, Naruto thought.
He was walking toward their house when Sasuke emerged from inside, his expression a complicated mixture of emotions. Excitement, anger, fear, determination, all warring across his face.
Sasuke grabbed Naruto's arm, his grip tight.
"Naruto," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "That man is back."
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