Natsuhi, Hotarubi

"Yo, no problem. Leave this to me!"

A certain man dressed in a dark green skintight combat suit slapped his sturdy pectorals with loud smacks, his face full of righteous determination. "Houka, go without worry. I've got everything covered!"

"I..."

Houka felt utterly stifled. You're the one who can go without worry. Go screw yourself!

But in the whole village, this guy was the only one qualified to train Rock Lee—and someone Houka could trust.

"Let me make this clear first: Rock Lee is someone I value. Don't go forcing your outfit onto him!" Houka warned sternly.

Guy raised his head slightly and declared proudly, "Houka, I am Konoha's noble Blue Beast. Not just anyone is qualified to wear my combat suit!"

"I'll take that as your agreement." Houka sneered. "When I get back, if I find out you pulled any shady little tricks, I'll beat the shit out of you!"

Hearing this, Guy was delighted rather than angered. "Then it's settled! Houka, when you return, we'll have a hot-blooded battle! This time, no matter what you say, you can't go back on your word!"

Houka's mouth twitched. Damn it, this guy really is impervious to both blades and bullets—and he worms his way into every crack.

I can't do anything about you.

I surrender, I surrender.

After explaining everything clearly, Houka set off.

On the second day after he left the village, Danzo's Root emerged from underground and crawled toward little Naruto.

As the saying went, a fall into the pit, a gain in wit. Having learned from the last lesson, Danzo would not be careless enough to make a move personally.

That night, an elite ninja from Root who had seen the Nine-Tails infiltrated Kurenai Yuhi's home and inspected little Naruto's seal, confirming that the Nine-Tails inside him