《Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline》Chapter 66: Why Is It You Again!

"Tch, so expensive..."

As noon approached, Kitagawa Minamoto, already prepared, made his way to the meeting point. However, he couldn't help grumbling under his breath.

Preparing for the mission, he had decided to sharpen his blade, only to find the cost was outrageously high.

"Your blade is legendary. While chakra-conductive materials aren't cheap, you can't afford to cut corners!"

Recalling the shopkeeper's words, Minamoto could only lament how money seemed to slip through his fingers, no matter how much he had.

"Should I open a shop someday? Maybe call it 'Odd Jobs Agency'?"

He patted the short blade on his back and ran a hand through his white hair, feeling that the idea might actually suit him.

"Hey, Minamoto?"

At that moment, a voice called out to him.

Looking up, he saw Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Chōji staring at him with curiosity.

Not far away, Sasuke stood with Sakura and Ino, who were also looking over with interest.

"Oh, it's you guys."

Minamoto snapped out of his thoughts and responded instinctively.

"Skipping class again?"

"...Idiot, we're done with school for the day!"

Naruto pouted, while Kiba grumbled unhappily.

"I'd love to skip, but thanks to some jerk, it's way too strict now. Iruka-sensei is watching us like a hawk. It's so annoying!"

"Yeah, it's such a drag."

Even Shikamaru couldn't help but chime in, while Chōji nodded in agreement, munching on snacks.

"Yeah, can't even sneak out when I'm hungry."

"Oh, really?"

Minamoto blinked, his gaze occasionally drifting toward Naruto.

Naruto, noticing this, began to feel uneasy. His eyes darted around nervously as he realized what might be coming.

But he didn't dare say anything and could only laugh awkwardly.

"Y-yeah... Haha..."

"Idiot."

Before Naruto could finish, Sasuke's voice came from behind, instantly setting off the blonde.

"Damn it, you smug bastard, Sasuke!"

"Idiot."

"Hey, hey, can't you two stop this? It's bad enough at school—do you have to keep it up out here too?"

The two seemed naturally at odds, leaving even Shikamaru and the others shaking their heads in exasperation.

Minamoto, however, found it amusing. He thought to himself that maintaining this dynamic was just right—who knows, maybe it would even lead to the "kiss of the century" someday!

"I've got things to do, so I'll leave you to it. Study hard and don't flunk out."

Checking the time, Minamoto reluctantly decided to move on. Still, he couldn't resist offering some advice.

"Especially you, Naruto. Your teammates might just drag you down."

"You're such a jerk!"

Naruto couldn't hold back, but Minamoto had already turned and waved goodbye, disappearing into the crowd.

"Hey, wasn't that Minamoto-senpai?"

At this point, Sakura, Ino, and even the shy Hinata had joined the group. Sakura, curious, asked the question on everyone's mind.

"Yeah, it was him."

For once, Sasuke spoke up first, surprising Sakura. She noticed that Sasuke seemed quite familiar with Minamoto.

But wasn't this the same senior who had reportedly sent his entire team to the hospital?

"That's weird. When did his hair turn white?"

Ino was curious too, having never met Minamoto before. But she thought the white hair actually looked better.

"He dyed it. He even tried to get me to dye mine too."

Naruto, now calmed down, huffed as he watched Minamoto's retreating figure.

"Also, isn't he heading out on a mission? He only graduated recently. I'm so jealous..."

"True, and last time I saw him, there were two Jōnin training him."

Sasuke nodded, already aware that Guy and Kakashi were Jōnin. He understood what that rank represented.

"At this rate, he'll probably become a Chūnin soon."

"Wait, don't you guys know?"

Shikamaru, rubbing his sleepy eyes, looked at Sasuke and Naruto in confusion.

"Know what?"

Both Sasuke and Naruto turned to him, puzzled, and the others leaned in curiously.

"You're kidding, right? You don't know?"

Shikamaru sighed and finally explained.

"Come on, he's already a Chūnin."

"What?!"

"Didn't he treat you two to a meal once? That was the day he became a Chūnin."

"NANI?!"

Everyone turned to Naruto and Sasuke, who were both stunned.

Sasuke's eyes burned with determination, realizing how far behind he was. Meanwhile, Naruto swallowed nervously, recalling something Minamoto had said before.

"Didn't he mention wanting to be my examiner?"

"You're not serious, are you?!"

...

Meanwhile, at the village gate, Minamoto arrived just in time to see Kakashi and Guy racing toward him.

"This time, I won, my eternal rival, Kakashi!"

Having reached the finish line almost simultaneously, Guy was the first to give a thumbs-up, laughing heartily.

"Yes, yes, you won."

Kakashi replied nonchalantly, pulling out Make-Out Paradise from his pouch.

Noticing Minamoto's odd look at the two of them, he coughed lightly and spoke.

"Since we're all here, let's head out. Minamoto, you've been to the Land of Hot Water with Jiraiya-sama before. Is there anything we should know?"

"Anything to say?"

Minamoto paused, thought for a moment, and then spoke slowly.

"Kakashi-sensei, Guy-sensei, if we're going to the hot springs, can we go to one I'm allowed into?"

"..."

Kakashi instantly gave him a deadpan look, while Guy looked around in confusion.

"Huh?"

...

"Humph, so this is the guy who wants my bounty?"

Deep within a forest in the Land of Hot Water, Obito Uchiha looked down at Kakuzu with a hint of irritation. Nearby, Black Zetsu seemed particularly exasperated.

"Indeed, it's him. But he's one of our most reliable operatives. His execution rate is incredibly high, so don't mess with him."

"Relax, I'm not that reckless."

Obito shook his head, his gaze fixed on Kakuzu below.

"I understand his value to the Akatsuki right now. Besides, I like people who are bold enough to do anything for money. They're interesting."

"You mean..."

Though worried Obito might act impulsively, Black Zetsu couldn't help but ask.

"Are you thinking of bringing him to our side?"

Though Nagato and Obito were technically allies, neither fully trusted the other. Konan's distrust of Obito was especially obvious.

Obito had long sought greater control over the Akatsuki. Itachi was a pawn, Kisame was his recruit, and he hoped to bring in more like them.

"Exactly. On the surface, they'll follow Nagato's orders."

Obito nodded, his expression thoughtful.

"But when it matters most, to ensure the plan succeeds, I need them to listen to me."

"That makes sense. Itachi isn't entirely trustworthy, and Kisame alone isn't enough."

Black Zetsu nodded in agreement. But before he could continue, White Zetsu suddenly spoke up, sounding puzzled.

"Hey, Obito, earlier you looked like you wanted to kill someone. What's up with that?"

"..."

"..."

Both Obito and Black Zetsu fell silent. A moment later, they collectively ignored White Zetsu, and Obito spoke again.

"Prepare to approach Kakuzu. Try to recruit him, and maybe the new recruit too."

"No problem."

Black Zetsu nodded, but White Zetsu couldn't resist speaking up again.

"Uh, one more thing..."

"Think carefully about what you're going to say. I can't promise I won't kill you next."

"Ah, no need to be so scary! My other clones sensed someone approaching."

"Who?"

"People you're very familiar with, Obito."

White Zetsu paused for dramatic effect before continuing with a chuckle.

"I've identified their chakra. One is Hatake Kakashi, another is that kid who injured you last time, and the third looks like a kappa..."

Hearing this, Obito's expression darkened beneath his mask.

"Why is it you again!"

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!

Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!

👉 patreon.com/GoldenLong