Konoha: The Man Who Became the Fourth Hokage

Put yourself in someone else's shoes.

If Kyūsei were sitting in Hiruzen's position, he could tolerate a second Nine-Tails—as long as it remained in the hands of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki he had personally raised.

But hand that second Nine-Tails over?

Unless the other side could offer a bargaining chip of equal weight—

Forget it.

Kyūsei shook those messy thoughts out of his head.

He suddenly realized something.

He was just a perfectly ordinary, perfectly unremarkable Perfect Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

Why was he even worrying about this?

All he had to do was protect that idiot "son" Uzumaki Menma until Kushina arrived.

Once Kushina came—

He could throw the problem straight at her.

Let Hiruzen and Kushina argue it out.

Why overthink it?

Hadn't he always lived like a carefree bastard anyway?

The moment he cleared his mind, he felt much lighter.

He explained his thoughts to Kaoru .

She admitted it was a little irresponsible—

But Kyūsei had already done more than enough.

Hiruzen had raised him for eleven years, practically like a son.

He had allocated funds from Konoha's treasury to strengthen Kyūsei's body.

He had turned a blind eye to countless reckless behaviors.

A gentleman judges by actions, not thoughts.

Hiruzen had treated Kyūsei well.

As for Kushina—

She was Kyūsei's counterpart.

Menma was her son.

By bloodline logic, that made Menma connected to both him and Kaoru .

And even though Kushina had only been in his life for less than a month—

Her influence on his growth had been crucial.

Now, everything was colliding because of a second Nine-Tails.

Too troublesome.

If it was troublesome—

Then don't deal with it.

Ignore the outside noise.

"That's the only way…"

Kaoru wrapped her arms around Kyūsei's neck and leaned fully against him.

Her blue eyes drifted thoughtfully toward the faint red mark on his neck.

Her pale fingers traced it lightly.

Her healthy pink nails brushed across his skin.

A chill ran down Kyūsei's spine.

"Uh… Kaoru …"

"Hm?"

Her voice was soft, catlike.

But the subtle sharpness in her touch made his hair stand on end.

"You're not behaving, Kyūsei~~"

Even if she had accepted Nao—

That didn't mean she felt nothing.

Kyūsei had no rebuttal.

Warm moisture pressed against the red mark.

He felt her teeth lightly break the skin.

A trace of crimson—

Swallowed.

He sighed internally.

Last time it was like this.

Now again.

Was she developing some strange habit?

And that Flying Thunder God mark—

He still hadn't found where she'd placed it.

He'd searched everywhere.

Even there.

Ridiculous.

Her kiss tasted faintly of blood.

Golden hair brushed against his face.

Her scent surrounded him.

Kaoru clung to him like a cat, arms around his waist, letting out a soft, intoxicating murmur.

It was impossible to resist her.

If Kyūsei were a king—

She'd be the ruinous enchantress.

By the time they finally parted for air, both were breathless.

Her cheeks were flushed.

Her eyes hazy.

To spend more time with him—

To pull his attention back from Nao—

She had secretly read quite a few very inappropriate adult books lately.

Embarrassing at the time.

But effective.

She might accept Nao—

But acceptance didn't mean no jealousy.

Even if it was her "older sister" of seven years.

Possessiveness was human.

If Kaoru had a male confidant—

Kyūsei would probably shove a Tailed Beast Bomb down the guy's throat.

"Come to my room."

She whispered against his ear.

Kyūsei didn't hesitate.

He lifted her into his arms and carried her inside.

That night—

The soft little kitten clung to him endlessly.

—

The next morning.

After reluctantly pulling himself away, dressing, and even shamelessly using Kaoru 's toiletries—

Kyūsei stepped outside.

An ANBU stood waiting at his door.

"Huh?"

"Big Brother Zixiao?"

Kyūsei blinked at the masked figure wearing a Qingluan mask.

It wasn't even ten in the morning.

What now?

Zixiao glanced at the door behind him, then at Kyūsei emerging from the neighboring house.

Even through the mask, Kyūsei could feel the teasing look.

"Heh. Nicely done."

Kyūsei ignored him.

"What's the matter?"

Zixiao's tone turned serious.

"Menma's pursuit squad has arrived."

"Hokage-sama wants you alone."

Alone.

Without Menma.

Just him.

So the old man had no intention of handing over the Nine-Tails already in his bowl.

Kyūsei had expected that.

"Got it."

He informed Kaoru , who responded softly from inside.

Zixiao's gaze grew even more amused.

Kyūsei rolled his eyes.

Since when was this guy such a pervert?

Soon, they arrived at the Hokage Building.

"Hokage-sama and the guests are in the reception hall."

Reception hall.

That meant diplomacy.

At least on the surface.

Inside, Kyūsei sensed five chakra signatures.

Hiruzen.

Tsunade.

And three others.

Strong.

So these were Menma's pursuers.

He pushed the door open.

Pink hair.

Red hair.

Black hair.

Haruno Sakura.

Uzumaki Karin.

Uchiha Sasuke.

Even prepared as he was, the sight of past and future figures gathered together made him feel the strangeness of parallel worlds.

He almost grew curious about the Dragon Vein again.

"Uzumaki Kyūsei."

Hiruzen introduced him calmly.

Sakura stood first.

"Haruno Sakura, Konoha Jonin. Nice to meet you."

Her voice was cool—very different from the Sakura Kyūsei remembered.

"You're here to take Menma?"

Kyūsei kept his hands in his pockets.

No handshake.

Sakura smoothly withdrew her hand without embarrassment.

"Yes. Uzumaki Menma is our Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."

"We hope your village will return him."

"And we will be deeply grateful."

"How grateful?"

Kyūsei sat casually beside Tsunade, tone playful.

"If you have conditions, please state them. We'll do our best."

Sakura was already frustrated.

She had expected cooperation.

Instead, upon entering Konoha, Karin had sensed Menma's chakra immediately.

He was here.

"No need."

"I want to speak with Kushina."

"Send someone else."

That made both Sakura—

And Hiruzen—

Frown.

This brat.

Hiruzen had intended for Kyūsei to reject them directly.

After all, Menma was technically his son.

But Kyūsei had dragged Kushina into it.

Clearly, he didn't want to handle it himself.

He wanted Kushina and Hiruzen to argue instead.

"Kushina is currently in Konoha. How could she come here?"

"Are you joking?"

Sakura's tone sharpened.

"Is she 'in Konoha'?"

"Or under detention?"

"If I send Menma back with you, will he live?"

"No matter how stupid he is, he's still my son's counterpart."

Kyūsei's gaze turned cold.

He could sense it.

This Sakura—

Was dangerous.

And he was a Perfect Jinchūriki.

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