[Note: A mass release!!!]
Chapter 48: Journey to the Hidden Mist
"Damn it... this is all your fault..."
At Ichiraku Ramen in Konoha—
Naruto was scarfing down noodles while glaring gloomily at Kitagawa Gen, who was seated beside him, just as enthusiastically devouring his own bowl. With a disgruntled huff, Naruto muttered:
"If you hadn’t stopped me that day, I wouldn’t be in such a mess now! Iruka-sensei’s been watching me like a hawk—if I so much as doze off, I get caught! I can’t even leave the house. It’s miserable."
"Tch. And how exactly is that my fault?"
Gen glanced up at him briefly before diving back into his food. After slurping the last noodle, he wiped his mouth and replied casually:
"I did try to talk you out of delivering it, remember? You’re the one who ignored me."
"But why didn’t you tell me those mushrooms were poisonous?!"
"Shouldn’t they have taught you that in class? Oh, wait—I get it. You must’ve been spacing out again, huh?"
"N-No! I just... hadn’t learned it yet."
"Yeah, right. Bet you weren’t even paying attention. No wonder people say you’re at the bottom of the class. Don’t tell me you’ll flunk the next test too."
"You jerk!"
Naruto’s short temper flared again. Given how rough his life had been lately, it didn’t take much to push him over the edge.
Iruka-sensei had been tailing him constantly, making it nearly impossible to do anything. And now, Gen’s mocking words were rubbing salt in the wound.
"Hey, hey. Watch your mouth," Gen said, raising an eyebrow and tilting his head toward Naruto. "I am paying for this meal, you know."
"..."
Naruto stiffened. Ever since he’d blown all his allowance on a stash of limited-edition ramen packs, his wallet had been bone-dry—and the next stipend was weeks away.
Earlier that day, he’d been moping around after school when he ran into Gen on his way to eat. Gen had kindly invited him along.
But knowing Gen’s personality, Naruto figured ticking him off could easily mean getting stuck with the bill. Not worth the risk.
"Ha... ha... uh, say—what’s with the knife?"
Naruto’s eyes darted around before finally noticing something unusual hanging on Gen’s back.
"Oh, this?" Gen could tell exactly what Naruto was doing, but didn’t mind. He shrugged. "It’s a gift from my teacher. Pretty cool, right?"
"Looks alright... but kinda short, isn’t it?"
Naruto couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy—it was a ninja’s weapon, after all. But upon closer inspection, he frowned slightly.
"I’ve seen others with longer blades. Why’s yours so stubby?"
"That’s because this blade is no ordinary weapon."
Teuchi, the ramen shop owner, had clearly been listening in. He chuckled as he spoke up from behind the counter:
"Didn’t think I’d see that one again after all these years."
"Eh?" Naruto blinked in confusion. "You know this knife, old man? Is it famous or something?"
"Oh, it’s definitely known by quite a few people."
Before Teuchi could answer, a voice came from behind them.
They turned to see the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, walking in with his signature pipe in his mouth. Judging by his lack of ceremonial garb, he was likely off-duty.
"Old man Hokage!"
"Hokage-sama."
Naruto immediately lit up with excitement, while both Teuchi and Gen stood and bowed respectfully.
"No need to be so formal," Hiruzen said with a kind smile as he ruffled Naruto’s hair. But his gaze soon lingered on Gen.
He paused for a moment—perhaps remembering the infamous mushroom soup incident—before quickly recovering.
"That blade once belonged to someone remarkable. It carries the memories of many. It’s a good sword. I hope you use it well."
"I will, Hokage-sama," Gen replied with a smile—though inwardly, he was holding back a sigh.
He’d waited all day for this.
After revealing he’d mastered the Flying Thunder God technique, he’d expected a swift response from Hiruzen. But the message never came.
Just when he was about to march into the Hokage’s office himself the next day, Hiruzen showed up here. Maybe this worked out better—felt more personal.
"Gen, I’ve heard your name quite a few times now. But I think this is our first actual meeting, isn’t it?"
Hiruzen’s expression remained warm as he chuckled.
"Care to take a walk with this old man? Just a stroll to help the food go down."
"Sure."
Gen didn’t hesitate. He stood and followed Hiruzen outside, leaving Naruto behind—face twisted in envy.
Not that anyone cared just then.
"Kakashi and Jiraiya tell me you’ve already learned the Flying Thunder God technique?" Hiruzen asked once they were a bit away from the shop.
"Yes," Gen nodded modestly. "Well, I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered it. I can use it at a basic level. I just... got lucky, I guess."
"Luck," Hiruzen chuckled, "is a part of strength, too. Sometimes, all it takes to break through is just a bit of good fortune."
His expression brightened even more.
"And besides, even with luck, talent is still essential. Gen—you’ve truly surprised me in the best way."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
They chatted as they walked, the mood light and easy. It was rare to have such natural conversation between ninja of such different generations.
Eventually, Gen decided it was time to bring up what was really on his mind.
"By the way, Hokage-sama," he began, "earlier today Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sama left for the Hokage building. Are they heading out on a mission?"
"Oh?"
Hiruzen looked surprised but didn’t hide anything—he knew Gen had close ties with both.
"That’s right. They’re heading out soon. There’s no avoiding it, especially since..."
"I know," Gen interrupted gently. "Jiraiya-sama already explained it to me."
He led Hiruzen around the corner, back toward Ichiraku, speaking as they walked.
"Kakashi-sensei still carries unresolved burdens, and Jiraiya-sama has a complicated history with Orochimaru. When we searched for him together, I had a feeling this would come up again. I figured it wouldn’t be long before they were sent to the Hidden Mist."
"Indeed. Some bonds are hard to let go of," Hiruzen said quietly.
"The ties between comrades are what hold us together in this otherwise cold profession."
"Hokage-sama, I’d like to formally request to join the mission to Kirigakure."
Gen dropped the act and got straight to the point. Hiruzen furrowed his brow.
"To the Mist? That mission won’t be easy—it’s chaos over there. Are you sure you—"
"I understand, Hokage-sama. But I have my reasons."
Gen’s tone was resolute.
"I was the one who discovered Uchiha Obito’s traces. I believe it’s my responsibility to keep following that trail. Besides, I want to further test the Flying Thunder God technique."
He continued:
"Any jutsu requires real-world application to improve. What I lack now is field experience. Even if my offense doesn’t live up to expectations, I can still use the technique to safely extract Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sama if things go south."
Hiruzen remained silent, but he couldn’t deny the truth in Gen’s words.
A ninja’s growth came from battle experience. Power without the ability to use it effectively was meaningless.
And having the Flying Thunder God at their disposal—even just for emergency retreat—was invaluable.
Still, he hesitated. Before he could speak, Gen smiled faintly and added:
"Besides, Lord Hokage, weren’t you the one who said that the bonds between comrades are what tether us to this otherwise cold profession?"
A breeze stirred his hair and clothes as he looked up toward the Hokage Rock, his voice growing quiet.
"I’ve regretted not having comrades after graduating. In a way, Kakashi-sensei is one of the closest things I’ve got. If I had no ability, I wouldn’t dare drag anyone down—but I do have ability. And I want to do what I can."
He bowed slightly.
"Lord Hokage, I hope you’ll grant me this small act of selfishness."
Selfishness, was it?
Hiruzen puffed thoughtfully on his pipe, saying nothing for a while.
That mindset... that resolve...
Wasn’t this exactly what the Will of Fire meant?
This kid...
A smile crept across Hiruzen’s face. He nodded.
"I’ll give it some thought. For now, go get some rest."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Gen smiled, gave a quick nod, and casually grabbed the trembling Naruto, who had been hiding inside Ichiraku, before turning to leave.
Watching their retreating backs, the Third Hokage’s smile deepened.
This boy... he really does have Minato’s spirit in him.
Just as Hiruzen turned to leave, someone called out to him.
"Lord Hokage—"
"Hm? What is it, Teuchi?"
"Those two kids... didn’t pay for their ramen..."
"...What?"
"The bill... it’s still pending."
"..."
Hiruzen bit down hard on his pipe.
Maybe he’d praised that kid a little too soon...