HTP: Ch. 70

The study group had ended, and Naruto was walking home alone.

"N-Naruto-kun!"

A voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz called from behind. Naruto turned around and saw Hinata standing three steps away, head lowered, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, her cheeks red as the evening clouds.

"Huh? Hinata? What's up?" He scratched his head.

Hinata took a deep breath and mustered her courage to look up. "Um... I heard that you are... doing extra study sessions with Sasuke-kun and the others..."

"Yeah, yeah!" Naruto instantly perked up, boasting, "That guy couldn't even solve the Flying Thunder God math problem, totally cracked me up! I'm teaching him!"

Hinata's eyes lit up. "T-then... I..."

Her voice grew smaller and smaller. "I want to... join too..."

"Hmm? What did you say?" Naruto leaned in, confused.

"I-I want to do the study sessions too!" Hinata suddenly said loudly, then shrank back like a startled rabbit.

Naruto blinked, then laughed cheerfully. "Of course you can!"

He patted Hinata on the shoulder. "Even better with you there, you're so good at the school stuff!"

Hinata nearly fainted from the sudden physical contact, steam practically rising off her.

"But…" Naruto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I should let those two know first... Oh! Right!"

He clapped his hands. "Do you want to come see a movie too? Sasuke said he's treating us for a whole month!"

"A movie?!" A scene of sitting beside Naruto in a dark theater popped into Hinata's mind, making her head spin.

"Hinata? Hinata!" Naruto reached out to steady the swaying girl in panic. "Are you okay? Why's your face so red?"

---

In a prison cell, Kisame was doing one-handed push-ups, his muscular body taut under a white tank top. Since the Third Hokage had renamed the prison and allocated new funds for renovations, the place had changed. Though simple, the new cells were clean. The cement floor gleamed, and sunlight streamed through the barred windows. A calendar on the wall showed today's date, and next to it were several recent copies of the Konoha Daily.

The headlines read:

"Terror Organization Akatsuki Raids Kumo at Night"

"New Raikage Ascends the Throne, Expresses Gratitude to Konoha"

"Mastermind Behind Nine-Tails Chaos Revealed, It Was Him"

Konoha now made everything public, it was a big contrast to Kiri. To borrow the new terminology from the papers: one village remained in a feudal age of ignorance, while the other was racing into modernization.

"...1,997... 1,998..."

He panted, sweat trailing down his blue skin. Since his last conversation with the Third Hokage, he seemed revitalized.

He had resumed daily training, started keeping up with current events in Konoha, even joked with guards. During outdoor time, he always visited the library. His habit of reading the paper was starting to resemble that of a certain political prisoner in the upper cells.

"Kisame!" A guard's footsteps echoed in the corridor. "You have a visitor."

Kisame finished his last set, grabbed the towel on his bed, and wiped his face. "The Third Hokage again? I told you, unless it's Itachi..."

"It is Itachi who wants to see you," the guard knocked on the iron door.

Kisame froze.

"Heh…" He stood slowly, a twisted smile spreading across his face. "So he's finally come to see me."

He followed the guard down a long corridor, a bold slogan hanging above: "Reform Yourself, Become a New Person."

The door to the visitation room opened. Behind the iron bars, a familiar figure sat quietly.

Gone was the ominous red cloud cloak, Itachi now wore the standard flak jacket of a Konoha jonin. A fresh forehead protector gleamed on his brow, his eyes calm as still water. A briefcase full of documents sat on the table in front of him.

"Long time no see," he said softly. "Kisame."

Convincing Kisame to defect was his very first mission upon officially returning to Konoha.

Kisame grinned, revealing his sharp teeth. "That outfit really doesn't suit you."

Itachi didn't respond. He simply pulled a document from his briefcase.

"This is a pardon agreement drafted by the Hokage," he said clearly. "As long as you're willing—"

Kisame interrupted him. "He has talked to me many times. I've been reading books and newspapers every day lately. Originally, I wanted to ask why you kept switching sides."

Itachi paused, waiting for Kisame to continue.

"But now, my question is: Do you really think the Hokage's peace plan is more trustworthy than that fake Madara's?"

Itachi thought for a moment and answered seriously, "It's more trustworthy. Konoha is changing every single day."

He pulled out another document. It was Konoha's economic aid plan for Kiri.

"It's not just about Konoha, the goal is the entire shinobi world." Kisame picked up the document and examined it closely, clicking his tongue in amazement. "Konoha's ambition is perfectly hidden beneath this mask of peace."

Looks like while I was away on missions... Kisame really did read a lot.

Itachi didn't deny it.

"In the Hokage's own words, he's aiming for a cultural victory."

---

[Hiruzen]: Now that Whitebeard's in Konoha, don't tell me you're treating him like some kind of retired Yonko?

Hiruzen joked.

[Ace]: That's exactly what I intend! Hahaha! My power's skyrocketing! I carry the fame of slaying Akainu. Once Pops gets to Konoha, I'll be calling the shots!

Well, that does make some sense. Since Ace has learned Haki, Whitebeard feels comfortable letting him lead the fleet.

[Hiruzen]: So, what's next? What are your plans?

[Ace]: I told you last time, I'm going to Wano.

Oh. Was that the friendship trip, or the almost-love one? I can't tell anymore.

Hiruzen immediately understood.

[Hiruzen]: So you're going to Wano to propose peace on behalf of Whitebeard's crew, and make Kaido your father-in-law?

[Ace]: No way! He's a bad guy! I'm just going to get Yamato out of there. Speaking of which, how's Konoha doing these days?

[Hiruzen]: It's... complicated.

Hiruzen sighed inwardly. His students and their disciples might soon clash for the sake of this "peace plan."

Truly, the sorrow of leading a hidden village.

Ōnoki ultimately rejected the proposal for the Five Kage Summit to be held in Konoha. Because their tailed beasts had already been captured, and the Akatsuki's current targets were concentrated in Konoha, which housed the One-Tail, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails. He might even be hoping Konoha gets razed like Kumo was.

He was way too petty!

---

Back at his desk Hiruzen was scribbling and thinking about how to handle Akatsuki.

If the shinobi world were a strategy game… Then Konoha, as the largest faction, currently had nearly ten top-tier commanders with combat power over 90, including the "Lord" himself. There were countless mid-tier commanders in the 60–89 range.

Its firepower dominance was overwhelming. But as the largest power, Konoha couldn't afford to throw all its resources against Akatsuki.

After all, countless Konoha ninjas and citizens still needed food, jobs, and development. Everyone carried their own burdens, until the breaking point, you couldn't just go nuclear and drag Akatsuki down with you.

The village's deep foundations should be a last resort. Otherwise, if every crisis got handled by summoning Edo Tensei Hashirama to clean up, wouldn't that make the current generation of ninjas look totally useless?

He was a former Hokage, not a bodyguard.

"Ahem."

Hiruzen cleared his throat.

Two ANBU ninjas appeared instantly.

"Go inform Shikaku and Itachi. Tell them to come to my office. We're having a meeting."