Chapter 30: The Wealthy Show-Off Naruto Who's Dying to Spend Money (Skip If You Don't Like It)
"Question: If, during a mission, your teammate suddenly collapses and you rush over to ask if they're okay, and they reply 'I'm fine,' what does that mean?"
"It means…" Hinata held a piece of fish, frowning in deep thought. The orange sunset bathed her, making her look even more adorably dazed.
The two of them were sitting on a picnic blanket playing a question-and-answer game. It might have seemed childish, but for two teenagers harboring feelings for each other, it was just perfect.
Hinata had also received the Ninja God's diary. Naruto told her that he'd gotten it too, but brushed off the topic with a few vague words, claiming he couldn't understand it.
"Hmm… It means the teammate needs medical treatment," Hinata answered softly.
"Wrong." Naruto lightly tapped Hinata on the head, speaking with a straight face. "It means their airway is clear and hasn't been blocked by blood."
"Oh, I see." Hinata nodded in confusion, thinking Naruto was seriously teaching her useful knowledge.
"So, what should you ask them at that moment?"
"Where does it hurt?"
"No, you should ask them what one thousand minus seven equals."
...
"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!"
"Kiba, what's wrong with you?"
"I'm fine." Hinata's teammate Inuzuka Kiba stopped in his tracks, sniffed, and said, "Probably just inhaled some pollen around here."
His sister, Inuzuka Hana, walked over and crouched beside Akamaru to check the injury on his leg. As the medical division's only veterinarian, treating a minor wound like this was nothing to her.
"Sis, those things that just popped into my head… I can't stop thinking about them," Kiba asked worriedly.
"Kiba, this involves Elder Danzō of Konoha's upper ranks. We'd better not talk too much about it." Hana was already a mature woman, far more level-headed than her younger brother.
She'd graduated in the same year as Uchiha Itachi. Thanks to the Inuzuka clan's resources, she was now a Chūnin of the village.
After so many years in the medical division, she'd heard plenty of secrets, but she'd never spoken of them to outsiders to avoid trouble.
Like the time Konoha's Corpse Disposal Squad was blocked outside the Uchiha compound by Root operatives. Later, the corpses of the Uchiha were taken by Root and cremated overnight.
Or the unpleasant rumors — such as the Hokage supposedly turning a blind eye to Root's actions, all to facilitate Bloodline Limit human experiments.
There were many such whispers and secrets, hard to distinguish between truth and lies. No one really knew what was real.
Hana didn't want her only brother dragged into these messy affairs, nor did she want Root's gaze falling on him if he did something reckless.
That organization never did anything decent. If Kiba got pulled into it, his life would be ruined.
Kiba didn't understand his sister's concern. Pressured by his age, he had no choice but to swallow his curiosity and crouch down beside his beloved companion Akamaru.
"Sis, how's Akamaru?"
"He'll be fine…"
Similar scenes were unfolding all over Konoha. At the training ground, Kakashi looked at a grim-faced Sasuke, unsure of what to say.
Night had fallen.
Kakashi could barely make out Sasuke's still figure in the darkness. Suddenly, his heart began to pound violently — something was wrong.
"Sasuke, don't fall for it. This could be an enemy's genjutsu."
Sasuke didn't respond. He just stood there motionless, exuding a chilling, vengeful aura. He lifted his head to glare at Kakashi, gritting his teeth as he asked:
"Why does Danzō have my clan's eyes?"
Kakashi was stunned. He knew Danzō was ruthless, but he hadn't expected this level of depravity. His mind flashed back to how Danzō had suddenly claimed an eye injury after the Uchiha massacre, wrapping his eye in bandages.
Too many eyes? Could it be that he'd transplanted them on other parts of his body?
A wave of disgust surged through Kakashi, but even so, without solid evidence, he couldn't say anything to Sasuke just yet.
Pulling out one root could drag out the whole system with it. Danzō was dirty, yes, but he wasn't the only one. From what Kakashi knew of him, this was anything but simple.
"Sasuke, calm down."
"Kakashi, how am I supposed to calm down?!"
...
Sizzle~!
The cleaned black fish slid into the pan, crackling over the campfire as the savory aroma spread, drifting on the night breeze.
"Naruto-kun, you brought a pan?" Hinata asked, a little flustered.
"Of course! It's a cookout; you need proper gear!" Naruto pointed proudly at the pile of utensils. "A frying pan is essential. Just wait, I'll show you something cool."
"What is it?" Hinata blinked, her face flushing again.
Naruto glanced at her, her cheeks glowing red in the firelight, and gave a mysterious smile as he flipped the fish in the pan.
"You'll see soon enough."
At that moment, the Konoha Administration Building was ablaze with lights. Many shinobi hurried in and out of the main gate, their faces tense and uneasy.
In the high-level meeting room, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Koharu Utatane stared intently at Danzō, their gazes dark and heavy.
"Danzō, do you have anything to say?" Koharu asked sternly.
"Nothing worth saying," Danzō replied, arms folded. "The real issue here isn't me, but that jutsu capable of projecting into everyone's mind."
"If someone can spread whatever they want whenever they want, the village will always be at their mercy. Today it's me they're smearing; tomorrow it could be any one of us."
"I'll keep observing and have my men investigate." His voice was low and firm.
Hearing this, both Koharu and the Third Hokage looked displeased, but they didn't press him further.
They knew that demanding Danzō prove his innocence on the spot was unrealistic. Not because they couldn't, but because it was a thankless task.
If evidence surfaced, it would only embarrass them all. The village still needed Danzō; they couldn't strip him of his position over this. Besides, he wasn't entirely wrong.
Every high-ranking official present had their own secrets. Danzō's were just far more extreme. If there truly was an omniscient "Ninja God," the next one exposed might very well be…
...
Bang!
Several fireworks shot into the night sky, illuminating Hinata's upturned face. The dazzling bursts reflected in her pupils, painting them with beauty.
Joy danced across her features as she stared dreamily at the night sky, feeling an unparalleled happiness — all thanks to the boy beside her, the one lighting fireworks in the distance.
Naruto had completely forgotten about the Ninja God's diary. It wasn't on his mind at all, nor did he realize the chaos it had caused in the village.
He jogged back to Hinata's side, and together they gazed up at the fireworks. Happiness overflowed in their hearts as they thought:
"I'm so glad… With Naruto-kun, I'm truly happy!"
"I'm so glad… I finally got to spend some money. I'm truly happy!"
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