"Thank you for inviting me, Naruto," Kabuto said, already reaching for his medical bag. "Just give me a moment to gather a few things."
As Kabuto moved around his apartment collecting supplies, his mind worked through the implications. Being Naruto's friend provides direct access to his schedule, his movements, his plans. This information is valuable. Master Orochimaru will want to know about this immediately.
The beating he'd endured to establish this friendship suddenly felt like a worthwhile investment.
"It's best if you leave soon," Naruto called from the doorway. "Everyone else is already heading to the hotel."
"I'll be right there," Kabuto promised. "Just need to lock up properly."
The moment Naruto vanished, Kabuto's expression shifted. The friendly smile remained, but his eyes grew calculating. He needed to report this to Orochimaru before going to the hot springs. The timing was tight, but manageable.
He locked his apartment door and slipped out through the back entrance, taking a circuitous route toward the hotel where Orochimaru was staying.
Naruto emerged from Kabuto's apartment building and started down the street, mentally reviewing his invitation list. Kakashi-sensei, Iruka-sensei, Kabuto-san, all my classmates. I think that's everyone.
Then he saw two familiar figures walking together about fifty meters ahead.
Tsurugi Misumi and Akado Yoroi. Both had been part of the Chunin Exam, members of the same three-person team as Kabuto. Naruto recognized them from the preliminary matches.
I almost forgot about some of the Konoha-based candidates, Naruto realized. I was so focused on the visiting ninja from other villages that I nearly overlooked people right here.
Seeing them now, walking directly from the direction of Kabuto's apartment, they were probably looking for their teammate.
And running into them like this, completely by chance... well, that was fate. Destiny, even. It would be wrong not to acknowledge such a clear sign.
Naruto picked up his pace, jogging to catch up. "Tsurugi Misumi-san! Akado Yoroi-san! It's been a while!"
Both men froze mid-step. Their heads turned in perfect unison, eyes widening as they recognized Naruto approaching with a friendly wave.
Oh no, they both thought simultaneously. Please don't say it. Please don't say it.
As participants in the Chunin Exam who'd witnessed the aftermath of Naruto's "friendship process" on other candidates, they knew exactly what was coming. The swollen faces, the pained movements, the forced smiles of people who'd been "befriended."
"Naruto-san!" Akado Yoroi said, his voice slightly higher than normal. "What a coincidence running into you!"
It's been one day, Tsurugi Misumi thought desperately. We literally saw each other yesterday at the exam venue. That's not "a while" by any definition.
But complaining about semantics would be suicidal. When facing Naruto, you had to be extremely careful. Half-measures weren't acceptable.
"It really is a coincidence!" Naruto agreed enthusiastically. "I think we're fated to meet like this. Which means we should definitely be friends!"
He raised his fists, cracking his knuckles with an eager smile.
Both men's teeth began chattering audibly.
What we feared is happening, they realized in unison.
Twenty minutes later, Tsurugi Misumi and Akado Yoroi lay sprawled on the street, their faces beaten into matching masks of bruises and swelling. Despite the pain, both were smiling broadly.
They had to smile. Had to appear happy. Otherwise Naruto might question their sincerity, and the beating would continue.
Being an undercover agent is too difficult, they thought in perfect synchronization. Master Orochimaru, we want to come home. We want to quit. We want normal missions again.
"I'm so happy we could become friends!" Naruto said cheerfully, helping both men to their feet with surprising gentleness given what he'd just done to them. "Were you two looking for Kabuto-san? He lives right back there."
"Yes," Tsurugi Misumi managed, his jaw aching with every word. "We need to discuss something with him."
"I booked a private room at a hot spring hotel for tonight," Naruto said, his enthusiasm undimmed. "Kabuto-san is coming too. Would you both like to join us? It'll be a great chance to deepen our new friendship!"
Tsurugi Misumi and Akado Yoroi exchanged desperate glances.
More time with Naruto? When we can barely stand?
"That's very kind of you," Akado Yoroi said carefully, "but we actually have other obligations tonight. Previous commitments we can't break."
"Yeah," Tsurugi Misumi added quickly. "Very important prior arrangements. But next time! Definitely next time."
"That's too bad," Naruto said, genuinely disappointed. "But I understand. Responsibilities are important. We'll get together another time then!"
He glanced at the sky, noting the sun's position. "I should get going anyway. I'm supposed to pick up Hinata, and she's probably waiting by now. Take care, you two!"
Naruto vanished in a blur of movement.
Tsurugi Misumi and Akado Yoroi remained standing on the street, leaning against each other for support.
"I'm quitting espionage," Tsurugi Misumi announced. "I don't care what Master Orochimaru says. I'll go back to regular combat missions. Those are safer."
"Agreed," Akado Yoroi groaned. "Let's just go find Kabuto, tell him what happened, and then hide for a few days."
They limped toward Kabuto's apartment together, moving like men three times their age.
Meanwhile, Kabuto approached the hotel where Orochimaru was staying. He knocked on the door with their predetermined pattern: three quick raps, pause, two more.
The door opened immediately.
Orochimaru stood there in his female form, wearing the cherry blossom kimono, one elegant eyebrow raised in obvious displeasure.
"Kabuto," Orochimaru said flatly. "Didn't we agree you would use dead drops and the mailbox system from now on? That you wouldn't come directly to my location because Konoha's ANBU might be watching you?"
Kabuto winced. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama, but this is time-sensitive information that couldn't wait for the usual channels."
"Come in quickly then." Orochimaru stepped aside. "Were you followed?"
"No tails," Kabuto said with absolute confidence. "I checked multiple times using varied routes. I'm clean."
"Then what's so urgent?"
"Naruto just invited me to a hot spring hotel." Kabuto pulled out a small notepad. "He's gathering all his friends there tonight. The address is here." He showed the location he'd written down.
Orochimaru studied the information, his expression thoughtful.
"A hot spring hotel," he mused. "Interesting."
"I thought you'd want to know immediately," Kabuto explained. "Since you've been looking for opportunities to get closer to him."
"You were right to report it." Orochimaru walked to the window, gazing out at Konoha's streets. "However, this information, while timely, isn't particularly useful."
Kabuto blinked. "Orochimaru-sama?"
"Hot springs are public spaces, Kabuto. Too many witnesses, too many complications. And more importantly..." Orochimaru gestured at his current female form. "The bathing areas are separated by gender. I would be in the women's bath while Naruto is in the men's section. We wouldn't even be in the same pool."
"Ah." Kabuto's face fell slightly. "I hadn't considered that."
"Still," Orochimaru continued, "I could arrange a chance encounter. Make it seem like fate keeps bringing us together. Build familiarity through repeated meetings." He smiled slightly. "It's a long-term strategy, but potentially effective."
"Understood, Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto bowed. "Then I should leave now. If I'm too late arriving at the hotel, Naruto might wonder what delayed me."
"Be careful on your way," Orochimaru warned. "And Kabuto, if anyone recognizes your face despite your cover story, you know what needs to be done."
Kabuto's expression hardened behind his glasses. "If someone recognizes me, I can only say they're extremely unlucky."
"Good. Go."
After Kabuto departed, Orochimaru stood alone in the hotel room, considering options.
A chance encounter at the hot springs won't advance my primary objective, he thought. But it maintains the connection, keeps me in Naruto's awareness. Sometimes patience yields better results than aggression.
He began preparing for his own evening plans.
Naruto materialized at the Hyūga compound's main gate and immediately spotted Hinata and Hanabi standing there waiting.
Both sisters were dressed beautifully. Hinata wore a light purple yukata with white flower patterns, her hair carefully arranged. Hanabi had on a bright red outfit that made her look like a tiny flame, her hair tied up with matching ribbons.
Their faces showed careful attention to makeup, subtle but noticeable.
"Sorry I kept you waiting!" Naruto called, jogging over. "I ran into two people on the way and made friends with them. Took a bit longer than expected."
"It's fine," Hinata said softly, her white eyes meeting his with unmistakable warmth. "We just came out."
Behind her, both Hyūga guards rolled their eyes in unison.
Just came out? My lady, you've been standing here for twenty minutes. Naruto left the second you went inside to get ready. You waited the whole time.
But neither guard said anything. Some romantic illusions were better left intact.
"Naruto-niisan!" Hanabi broke free from her sister's hand and ran forward with her arms spread wide. "Pick me up! Pick me up!"
"Of course!" Naruto scooped the little girl up easily, lifting her high and spinning in a circle. Hanabi's delighted laughter rang out like bells, her giggles high and bright.
"Let's go," Naruto said, setting Hanabi on his shoulders where she could ride. He extended his free hand toward Hinata. "We shouldn't keep everyone waiting too long."
Hinata's face flushed pink as she placed her hand in his. The contact sent warmth spreading through her chest.
They walked together through Konoha's streets, Hanabi chattering excitedly on Naruto's shoulders, Hinata holding his hand, heading toward the hot spring hotel where the rest of their friends waited.
The evening was just beginning.