REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!Chapter 203: The Doll
In any case, Hoshigaki Kisame joined the Ember organization in this manner. The entire process went quite smoothly, except for that final unexpected form of address that left Naruto momentarily unsure how to respond.
However, after the initial bewilderment, Naruto calmed down and thought carefully, realizing Kisame's misidentification wasn't entirely without reason.
Flying Thunder God Technique, jutsu similar to the Rasengan, grand ideals centered on "peace," plus Nine-Tails chakra—in the shinobi world's general understanding, the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato had sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails. These clues stacked together being misunderstood seemed quite logical.
In Kisame's mind accustomed to thinking in dark logic, he'd probably already filled in an elaborate scenario of "the Fourth Hokage faking his death to escape, becoming thoroughly disappointed with Konoha and turning dark, thus founding the Ember organization intending to reshape the world."
Facing this misunderstanding, Naruto felt somewhat helpless. Directly reveal his identity? Setting aside whether Kisame would believe a Konoha genin was the organization's leader, how would he subsequently explain all these complex matters?
After much consideration, Naruto decided not to clarify for now. Let Kisame maintain this misunderstanding—perhaps finding a suitable opportunity to explain later wouldn't be too late.
Afterward, Kisame was incorporated into the Ember organization's ANBU, directly led by Uchiha Shisui. Shisui was initially quite surprised that this "Tailless Tailed Beast" notorious throughout the shinobi world would join the organization. After exchanging simple greetings, they'd made preliminary acquaintance.
However, when Kisame saw Momochi Zabuza's figure at the organization's base, his face showed far more obvious shock than when meeting Shisui.
Even more unexpected, Kisame's subsequent attitude toward Zabuza carried obvious respect.
If judged purely by strength, Kisame's power undoubtedly surpassed Zabuza's by several levels. Yet facing this former colleague considerably weaker than himself, Kisame proactively lowered his stance, even revealing respect resembling that of a junior toward a senior.
The reason for this could perhaps only be deeply understood by those who'd personally experienced the Bloody Mist era's cruelty. During that dark period, the vast majority of Kirigakure shinobi had become like ground-down gears, numbly accepting the village's cruel policies, reduced to cold tools executing missions.
Kisame was one of them. He'd been repeatedly forced to swing his blade at comrades, bearing immense inner pain, yet could only barely convince himself with the hollow righteousness of "this is all for the village," until his faith completely collapsed.
And Momochi Zabuza was an extremely rare anomaly in that era. He was the only one who not only harbored rebellious thoughts but took earth-shattering actual action—launching a coup to assassinate the Mizukage.
It could be said Zabuza had done what Kisame desired deep in his heart yet dared not put into practice.
The "Tailless Tailed Beast" and the "Demon"—both "monsters" bred under Kirigakure's cruel system. But toward another "kindred spirit" who dared challenge the source creating monsters, Kisame, who'd long loathed all of it, naturally felt a complex emotion mixing admiration and sentiment with respect.
However, Kisame seemed to unilaterally believe Zabuza, like him, had joined the Ember organization for some grand goal, such as changing Kirigakure or even the entire shinobi world.
If he knew this "Demon" he quite respected had joined the organization primarily to protect a youth named "Haku," mixed with bonds resembling "romantic entanglements"... who knows what complex and interesting expression would appear on Kisame's face then.
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The story returns to present-day Konoha Village.
After receiving the Chunin Exam application from Kakashi, Naruto and Satsuki quite naturally headed together toward Naruto's small apartment.
Haruno Sakura originally seemed to want to follow, but was timely pulled back by Kakashi with excuses like "sensei has some mission details to discuss with you" and led away.
This had long become their tacit routine—as long as there were no special missions or circumstances, Satsuki absolutely had to personally escort Naruto to his doorstep. This had almost become her slightly obsessive daily ritual.
Naruto had long grown accustomed to this mildly "yandere" behavior.
Of course, if the timing happened to coincide with mealtime, Naruto would naturally invite Satsuki to stay for dinner. Today was such a day.
After contentedly enjoying Naruto's top-tier cooking, Satsuki carried a trace of post-meal laziness, reluctantly preparing to leave.
Regarding Satsuki becoming increasingly affectionate before him yet switching back to aloof Uchiha genius mode only when facing outsiders, Naruto had completely adapted to this contrast.
He had no masochistic tendencies, but this gentle transformation belonging exclusively to him, though initially leaving him somewhat at a loss for several years, now only filled him with immense gratification and happiness.
At the apartment door, they bid each other farewell, agreeing to see each other tomorrow. Just as Naruto thought today's time together would end as usual, Satsuki suddenly made an unexpected move. She reached toward a separate small ninja tool pouch at her waist—the kind usually used for storing most important or most personal items—and under Naruto's slightly surprised gaze, carefully extracted what appeared to be... a handmade doll?
It was a cute chibi-style white cat doll with anthropomorphic design. Two black eyes sparkled brightly. Particularly noteworthy, this "little cat" actually wore a miniature version of Uchiha clan attire, with that ping-pong paddle-like Uchiha family crest embroidered on the back. The stitching appeared somewhat immature yet exceptionally earnest, clearly requiring considerable effort.
Satsuki's cheeks flushed slightly, her gaze somewhat evasive, yet forcing a casual appearance as she stuffed the doll into Naruto's hands. "...This, I... I made casually a few days ago. Anyway... it's not anything troublesome... Your room's so empty, might as well use it as decoration."
"But... don't you dare stuff it in some closet corner gathering dust! Put it... put it somewhere conspicuous! Hear me? If... if you don't like it, I'll take it back right now!"
Looking at this little cat doll wearing Uchiha clan attire in his hands, a strong surge of surprise and warmth rose in Naruto's heart.
Satsuki would actually handmake this kind of heartfelt small gift that ordinary girls would give? This differed too much from his impression of that bitter, vengeful "Sasuke."
But immediately after, a deeper sense of gratification overwhelmed him. Seeing Satsuki able to escape the shadow of being bound by revenge in the original story, able to show this slightly clumsy tenderness befitting her age—nothing made him happier.
Also... a cat? Come to think of it, the Uchiha's hereditary summoning beasts were the Ninja Cat clan, right?
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