Chūnibyō Kabuto

Ah, why had there been such an industrial explosion in Boruto's era twenty years later? Well, Naruto was Hokage. He had visited the Land of Snow during Princess Snow's Ninja Scroll, and its technology had already been highly advanced when Naruto was a child. Could that have been when Naruto discovered the greatness of industry?

As he let his thoughts wander, time slipped by unnoticed, and the thump-thump-thump sound rang out again.

This time, though, it was someone knocking on the door.

When Xing Ran arrived in the suite's main room, he found that the companions from the other two rooms had already left. They had probably gone to eat breakfast.

Xing Ran opened the door. White hair and slightly stiff round-framed glasses came into view. The visitor was actually Kabuto. This mother-son pair was quite amusing—one came looking for him in the middle of the night, while the other came first thing in the morning. Kabuto had come to deliver breakfast, of course, but that was merely the official reason. Privately, he had another purpose.

Kabuto truly was a highly talented spy. The moment he met Xing Ran, he put on a friendly smile that made people lower their guard. Xing Ran did not think much of it. Who was afraid of fake smiles? So he gave an even sunnier, more cheerful smile, leaving Kabuto briefly stunned.

Xing Ran said nothing more and ushered Kabuto into his room.

For an instant, both of them seemed to feel that the other was the same kind of person: smiling on the surface while cursing inwardly.

"Since I'm here to deliver breakfast, I can't stay long. Let's get straight to the point. I don't believe you'd be kind enough to help without expecting anything in return. Don't make me laugh. What do you want? Say it now." The moment Kabuto entered, he fired off a barrage of harsh words, making Xing Ran frown slightly.

If Yakushi Nonō had not been particularly off-putting last night, and had at least maintained a humble attitude, then Kabuto today was completely like a troubled child who trusted no one—not even the world itself. Or rather, a chūnibyō teenager.

So he still lacked the darkness, huh? His personality might have become gloomy after going dark, but he had matured quite a bit too. Who spoke to their benefactor like that upon meeting them? Did he have no manners? Oh, right, what had Nonō said before she left? Kabuto was a child with no upbringing.

"No purpose. I've already spoken with Nonō. Ask her anything you want to know. Now leave. Goodbye." As Xing Ran spoke, he moved to throw the chūnibyō teenager out.

"Hmph. Nonō might believe you easily, but I won't. What exactly are you plotting? If you don't make it clear today, I'll stay right here. If someone comes and blows this up, then at worst I'll fail my spy mission—but you won't end well either." Kabuto's attitude was unmistakable. He did not know what this Konoha Ninja, who had suddenly appeared and inexplicably wanted to help him and his foster mother, was after. But his entire childhood—after Kabuto lost his memories, Nonō had taken him in, only for Danzo to soon trick him into becoming a spy—had been filled with espionage. All he had seen was the world's deceit and scheming. Ever since he learned that those he served had been lying to him, he had been bottling up a vicious streak. He no longer cared about the mission. So long as someone's intentions toward him were unclear, he dared to fight until both sides were ruined.

Xing Ran was a Sensor Ninja. Although his ability in battle was inferior to that of most of his clan, sensing someone's emotions from this close was simple enough. Kabuto was in the late stages of chūnibyō syndrome—he was showing signs of wanting to pick fights with heaven, earth, and the air itself.

How were you supposed to tell the truth to a madman?

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

If he wanted Kabuto to leave obediently—at least without playing some die-together game with him—then he had to go along with Kabuto's words. Didn't Kabuto want to know what he was plotting? If Xing Ran did not give him a proper answer, Kabuto would rather destroy them both, would he?

Then Xing Ran would really give him something to do. After all, Orochimaru thought highly of Kabuto's talent in Medical Ninjutsu. Xing Ran did not know how Kabuto and Nonō would handle themselves after learning about the chain of events awaiting them in the future, but that was no longer his concern. He had yet to solve his own soul problem.

Since Kabuto had delivered himself to his door, Xing Ran would send him to become a triple agent under Orochimaru.

Xing Ran had principles in how he lived and acted. When it was within his power, he was willing to help others, but he was not some blindly kind fool.

Not to mention Kabuto's ungrateful tone—no normal person would give him a pleasant expression. Xing Ran was even less inclined to indulge him. Helping the mother and son was merely to make up for the regret he had felt while watching the anime in his previous life; he did not have to help Kabuto. Nonō's return gift showed that his goodwill had already been repaid, even if it was not especially useful to him. Given the current situation, Xing Ran had no intention of making things easy for Kabuto.

"Fine, I'll tell you. Didn't the note I gave you say so? Orochimaru has always coveted your medical talent and wants to take you as his subordinate. Also, the mission Danzo will arrange for you and Yakushi Nonō to kill each other in a while will be secretly monitored by Orochimaru. My request is simple: once Orochimaru approaches you, become his subordinate. When you have the chance, make a copy of Orochimaru's research results—those research materials—and give it to me." Xing Ran's request was simple. He was just having Kabuto return to his old line of work. He only wondered whether Kabuto would accept such a request.

Yes, Xing Ran was not worried about whether Kabuto would agree, but whether Kabuto would recognize the legitimacy of the request. If Kabuto did, then he would at least stop making a scene. As for whether Kabuto would ultimately fulfill the request, Xing Ran did not care. This was merely an idle move. He believed that with his future strength, he could directly take what he wanted from Orochimaru, whether through trade or force.

"Hmph. I knew it. You Konoha Ninja are all sinister scum." After hearing Xing Ran's purpose, Kabuto wore an expression of having known it all along. Without saying whether he agreed, he forcefully flicked the long sleeve of his Iwa Ninja disguise, as if shaking some sticky substance off his fingers. Then, looking as cool as possible, he turned and strode away.

Xing Ran shook his head with an amused smile. He knew the guy had definitely taken the bait. Kabuto, who had not yet gone dark, would not easily owe others favors. Why was Xing Ran so certain? Weren't chūnibyō sufferers all like this?

After Kabuto reunited with his foster mother, the weakness Danzo had kept in his grasp vanished. The childish side of Kabuto's nature began to emerge noticeably.

After a lavish breakfast, Xing Ran began to feel bored. Should he go gamble again?

No sooner thought than done. After changing clothes, Xing Ran prepared to head out. Just then, Junpei and Ryuzan entered the Konoha delegation's suite together.

"Is the Third Tsuchikage ready to give Konoha his reply?" Xing Ran had originally intended to continue to the gambling house. If yesterday's one did not work, he would simply try another.

However, Junpei stopped him. Yamaki Atsushi had been summoned by the Tsuchikage for a discussion, while the rest of the Konoha delegation was to remain at the inn and await orders.

That was unexpectedly fast.