Adolescent Kabuto

Huh, why is there such an industrial explosion in the Boruto era, twenty years later? Hmm, Naruto is the Hokage. He went to the Land of Snow during the Snow Princess's Ninja Art Scroll movie. The craftsmanship there was already very advanced when Naruto was a child. Could it be that he discovered the greatness of industry from that time?

Lost in thought, time slipped by unnoticed, and the sound of knocking echoed again.

This time, however, it was the sound of someone knocking on the door.

Arriving in the suite's living room, he found that his companions from the other two rooms had already left, likely to get breakfast.

Xing Ran opened the door, and white hair and slightly stiff, round-rimmed glasses came into his view. The visitor was none other than Kabuto. These mother and son were truly interesting; one came looking for him in the middle of the night, and the other came looking for him early in the morning. Kabuto's official reason was to deliver breakfast, but privately, he had other motives.

Kabuto, a spy of exceptional talent, flashed a friendly smile upon meeting Xing Ran, disarming any suspicion. Xing Ran didn't overthink it; he could play the fake smile game just as well, if not better, and offered an even brighter, more cheerful smile, momentarily stunning Kabuto.

Xing Ran didn't say much and ushered Kabuto into his room.

In that instant, both felt as if they were kindred spirits, smiling on the surface but cursing inwardly.

"The reason I'm delivering breakfast is that I can't stay here long. Let's get straight to the point: I don't believe you'd help out of sheer kindness with no expectation of reward. Don't be ridiculous. What's your objective? Tell me now." As soon as Kabuto entered, a barrage of sharp words poured out, causing Xing Ran to frown slightly.

If Yakushi Nonō from last night hadn't been too off-putting, at least her attitude had been humble. Today's Kabuto was completely like a problematic child who trusted no one, not even the world; you could also call him a chuunibyou.

He really lacks the 'darkening' phase, Xing Ran mused. While his personality becomes gloomy after darkening, he also matures considerably. Talking to your benefactor like this upon meeting? Do you have any manners? Oh, right, I forgot. What did Nonō say when she left? Ah, yes, Kabuto is a child with no manners.

"I have no objective. I've already spoken with Nonō. If you have anything you want to know, you can ask him. Good riddance, goodbye." Xing Ran said, attempting to dismiss the chuunibyou.

"Hmph, Nonō might believe you easily, but I won't. What exactly are your intentions? If you don't make it clear today, I'll stay here indefinitely. If someone comes and blows this out of proportion, at worst, my spy mission fails, but you won't get away scot-free either." Kabuto's attitude was clear. He didn't know what this suddenly appearing Konoha ninja, who inexplicably wanted to help them, was planning regarding him and his adoptive mother. However, his entire childhood (after losing his memory and being adopted by Nonō, he was quickly tricked by Danzo into becoming a spy) had been spent as a spy. He had only seen the deceit and treachery of the world. Ever since he realized his employer was deceiving him, he had harbored a fierce resentment. He no longer cared about the mission; as long as someone had unclear intentions towards him, he would fight them to the bitter end, even if it meant mutual destruction.

Xing Ran was a sensor ninja. Although his abilities in combat were inferior to most in his clan, sensing the emotions of others at such close range was relatively simple. This Kabuto was in the late stages of chuunibyou, showing a tendency to lash out at everything and everyone.

How do you tell the truth to a madman?

Xing Ran activated his underdeveloped Super Brainpower again, and an idea suddenly surfaced.

If I want Kabuto to leave obediently, or at least stop playing the 'live and die together' game, I need to go along with his words. You asked me what my objective is, didn't you? You're willing to go down in flames if I don't give you a satisfactory answer, right?

Fine, I'll actually give you something to do. You know, Orochimaru thinks highly of Kabuto's talent in Medical Ninjutsu. I don't know how Kabuto and Nonō will handle this series of future events, but that's no longer my concern. I still have my own soul issues to resolve.

Since Kabuto has delivered himself to my doorstep, he'll become a triple agent under Orochimaru.

Xing Ran had his principles. He was willing to help others within his capabilities, but he wasn't a pushover.

Let alone Kabuto's current ungrateful tone, even a normal person wouldn't give him a pleasant look. Xing Ran certainly wouldn't indulge him. Helping him and his mother was a way to mend the regrets he felt from watching anime in his past life; he wasn't obligated to help Kabuto. Nonō's return gift had already repaid his kindness, though it wasn't of much use to him. Therefore, regarding the current situation, Xing Ran had no intention of making things easy for Kabuto.

"Alright, I'll tell you. Didn't the note I gave you say it? Orochimaru has always coveted your medical talent and wanted to take you as his subordinate. At the same time, the mission Danzo arranged for you and Yakushi Nonō to kill each other was also secretly monitored by Orochimaru. My request is simple: when Orochimaru contacts you, go and become his subordinate. If you have the chance, make a copy of Orochimaru's research results, yes, those research materials, for me." Xing Ran's request was simple; he was just asking Kabuto to return to his old profession. He wasn't sure if Kabuto would accept this request, though.

Yes, Xing Ran wasn't worried about whether Kabuto would agree to the request, but whether he would accept it. If Kabuto accepted it, he would stop causing trouble. As for whether Kabuto would ultimately fulfill his request, Xing Ran was indifferent. This was a gambit; he believed that with his future strength, he could directly obtain what he wanted from Orochimaru, whether through negotiation or force.

"Hmph, I knew it. You Konoha ninjas are all insidious." Upon hearing Xing Ran's objective, Kabuto put on an expression of "just as I suspected." He didn't say whether he agreed to the request. The Stone Ninja, with a flourish of his long sleeves as if shaking off some sticky substance from his fingers, turned and left with a cool, dashing air.

Xing Ran chuckled and shook his head. He knew this guy had fallen for the trap. The current, un-darkened Kabuto wouldn't easily owe anyone a favor. Why am I so sure? Aren't all chuunibyou patients like this?

After reuniting with his adoptive mother, the soft spot that Danzo had always held over him disappeared, and his childish nature began to show more prominently.

After a hearty breakfast, Xing Ran became bored. Maybe I should go gamble?

No sooner said than done, he changed his clothes and prepared to go out. Just then, Junpei and Ryuzan entered the Konoha delegation's suite.

"Is the Third Tsuchikage's reply to Konoha here?" Xing Ran was about to head to the gambling house again. If yesterday's establishment didn't work out, he'd try another.

However, Junpei stopped him. Yamaki Atsushi had been summoned by the Tsuchikage for a talk, and the remaining Konoha delegation was ordered to wait at the post station.

This speed is surprisingly fast.