Sasuke finished packing his bag while Kurama fussed over his own supplies, making sure everything was perfectly organized. Once ready, they joined Zabuza, Haku, and Shikamaru for the walk to the hot spring hotel.
Naruto had volunteered to cover the expenses for this gathering. As the farm's owner, with income from multiple clan investors and a thriving livestock operation, money wasn't really an issue for him.
Sasuke, on the other hand, was broke.
Despite being the sole heir to the Uchiha clan's considerable wealth, all of those assets remained frozen in trust, held by Sarutobi Hiruzen in the Hokage's office. Sasuke couldn't access a single ryō without explicit permission, and permission was rarely granted.
It's pathetic, Sasuke thought bitterly. My family's money, and I can't touch it.
Zabuza and Haku, meanwhile, considered this hot spring trip an employee benefit. Part of their compensation for working on Naruto's farm.
As they walked through Konoha's streets, Kurama suddenly froze mid-step, his tails going rigid.
Wait, he thought with growing horror. When we get to the hot spring hotel, which bath do I use? The men's side or the women's side?
The problem was genuine and immediate. He'd been successfully passing as female this entire time, wearing dresses, maintaining the ambiguity. But hot springs required... exposure. Clarity. There would be no hiding certain anatomical facts.
Naruto tried to lift my tail that first day, Kurama remembered, his fur bristling at the memory. I nearly bit his hand off for that. But if I have to choose a bathing area, won't that reveal everything?
The dilemma consumed his thoughts for the rest of the walk.
At the Hyūga compound's main gate, the guards recognized Naruto immediately and straightened to attention.
"Naruto-sama!" one of them called, his voice warm with respect. "I'll inform Lady Hinata of your arrival right away."
Both guards moved with unusual enthusiasm. They knew, as did most of the clan by now, that Naruto was their future... well, their eldest daughter's chosen person. And given Naruto's demonstrated strength, having him as part of the Hyūga family, even unofficially, was something to celebrate.
Since learning the full extent of Naruto's capabilities, Hiashi had stopped worrying about his daughter being "stolen away." If Naruto was the one doing the stealing, well, the Hyūga clan was only gaining someone valuable.
The guard returned within minutes. "Naruto-sama, Lady Hinata asks that you wait a few moments. She's helping her younger sister Hanabi select appropriate clothing. Perhaps ten or fifteen minutes."
"That's fine," Naruto said, settling into a comfortable stance. "I can wait."
Then a thought struck him. He still had several friends he hadn't invited to the hot spring gathering. And with his speed, ten minutes was more than enough time to track down everyone he'd forgotten.
"Actually," Naruto said to the guard, "if Hinata comes out before I get back, please tell her to wait for me. I have a few quick errands to run."
"Of course, Naruto-sama."
The moment the guard agreed, Naruto vanished in a blur of movement.
Both guards stood staring at the empty space where he'd been standing.
"Did you see that?" one whispered.
"Barely," the other replied, his eyes wide. "That speed is inhuman."
"And he's only twelve years old."
They exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing: Lady Hinata chose well.
Naruto materialized at the entrance to the Ninja Academy just as the final bell of the day began ringing.
Perfect timing, he thought.
The bell's clear tone echoed across the grounds. Within moments, the doors burst open and students began streaming out, their chatter filling the air with excited noise.
Naruto stood to one side of the gate, tall and distinctive with his blonde hair catching the late afternoon sun. His presence drew immediate attention.
"Wow, who is that?" a young girl whispered to her friend.
"I don't know, but he's really handsome," her friend whispered back, staring openly.
"Look at his hair! It's so long and smooth. What kind of shampoo does he use?"
"Forget the shampoo. Did you see his face? I want my future boyfriend to look like that."
"Good luck. There's only one of him, and he's way out of your league."
"I know," the first girl sighed dramatically. "I'm not worthy. But a girl can dream, right?"
"Who do you think he's waiting for? Maybe his girlfriend?"
"Definitely his girlfriend. Someone that handsome is already taken."
Naruto's enhanced hearing picked up every word of the whispered commentary. His face heated slightly, but he kept his expression neutral and continued scanning the crowd for Iruka.
There. The familiar green chunin vest, the distinctive scar across the bridge of his nose, the warm smile that never quite faded even at the end of a long teaching day.
Iruka emerged from the building looking genuinely happy, almost bouncing on his feet. He'd just received his monthly salary payment, which meant he could afford proper ramen tonight. The only dark spot was the massive debt he still owed to Ichiraku Ramen, but at least Teuchi-san was allowing installment payments without interest.
Kind man, Iruka thought gratefully. I really need to pay that off faster.
He was mentally calculating how much ramen he could afford when he looked up and saw Naruto standing at the academy gates.
His smile froze.
Oh no. Oh no no no.
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto called, jogging over with a cheerful wave.
Iruka's throat went dry. "Naruto... how did you know I got paid today?"
Naruto blinked, confused. "What? I didn't know that. Why would I... wait, what does your salary have to do with me?"
Relief crashed through Iruka like a physical wave. "Then... then why are you here?"
"I'm inviting you to join us at a hot spring hotel tonight! Everyone's going. It'll be fun!" Naruto's enthusiasm was infectious.
"Oh!" Iruka's shoulders sagged as the tension drained away. "That's... that's great! Yes, absolutely! Just let me run home and put my teaching materials away first."
"Perfect! See you there, sensei!" Naruto gave him the hotel's address and vanished before Iruka could respond.
Iruka stood in the academy courtyard, one hand pressed over his racing heart.
He didn't come to drag me to Ichiraku, he thought with genuine relief. My wallet is safe. For today, at least.
Naruto's next stop was Kakashi's apartment. He knocked firmly on the door and waited.
After a suspiciously long pause, the door cracked open. Kakashi's visible eye peered out, then widened slightly.
"Naruto? What brings you here?"
Naruto studied his former sensei carefully. There was something off about Kakashi's demeanor. Slightly flustered, maybe? Guilty?
"Kakashi-sensei, what were you doing today?" Naruto asked directly.
"Reading," Kakashi said, his tone casual. "Why do you ask?"
"Reading." Naruto's voice was flat. "All day?"
"It's a very engaging book."
"Uh-huh." Naruto crossed his arms. "Kakashi-sensei, do you have any idea what happened in the village today?"
Kakashi's visible eye went blank. "What happened?"
He doesn't know, Naruto realized with mild disbelief. Gaara and I both released our tailed beasts this morning at the village entrance. Every jonin in Konoha sensed the chakra and came running. Except Kakashi-sensei.
Who misses a full tailed beast manifestation because he was too busy reading Icha Icha Paradise?
Naruto decided not to pursue it. Kakashi was an adult. He could take responsibility for his own choices.
"Never mind," Naruto said, waving the matter away. "I came to invite you to join everyone at a hot spring hotel tonight. We're all going to relax and have a good time."
"A hot spring?" Kakashi perked up immediately, his eye curving into what might have been a smile beneath the mask. "I love hot springs! Very healthy, very relaxing. Good for the joints and circulation."
"Great! Here's the address." Naruto rattled off the location. "See you there!"
He disappeared before Kakashi could ask any follow-up questions.
Kakashi stood in his doorway, staring at the space Naruto had occupied, then slowly closed the door.
He knows I missed the tailed beast incident, Kakashi thought with mild embarrassment. But at least he's not judging me for it.
Hot springs, though. That sounds nice. I could use a soak.
Naruto's final stop was an apartment in one of Konoha's mid-tier residential buildings. He knocked twice, then materialized directly inside using his incredible speed.
Kabuto Yakushi jumped violently, his hand instinctively moving toward a kunai before recognition set in.
"Naruto!" he said, pressing one hand to his chest. "You startled me! I wasn't expecting... I mean, suddenly appearing like that..."
As a spy, Kabuto intensely disliked people appearing out of nowhere. It triggered every paranoid instinct he'd cultivated over years of dangerous undercover work.
"Sorry, Kabuto-san," Naruto said with genuine apology. "I didn't mean to scare you. I'm just moving fast today because I'm inviting everyone to a hot spring gathering, and I wanted to make sure I got everyone."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his mind racing. "A hot spring hotel? You're... inviting me?"
Why would Naruto invite me specifically? he thought. We're friends, yes, but this seems oddly deliberate. Is he suspicious? Does he know something?
"Of course!" Naruto said cheerfully. "You're my friend, aren't you? Friends spend time together. Come relax with everyone tonight!"
Kabuto studied Naruto's open, honest expression and found no trace of suspicion or ulterior motive.
He really just wants me to come to a social gathering, Kabuto realized. Because I'm his friend.
The simplicity of it was almost jarring.
"I'd be honored," Kabuto said, managing a genuine smile. "Thank you for thinking of me, Naruto."
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