I’m Not Naruto, But I Got a Better Bloodline

"Ugh… I feel awful…"

"You bastard! I knew you were cheating—hahaha!"

As dusk settled over the village, Kitagawa Gen left Ichiraku Ramen with the two blond troublemakers. But after challenging Naruto to a ramen-eating contest, Deidara couldn't hold it in any longer.

He didn't actually throw up—but the mouths on his hands had completely given out.

Those mouths were designed for chewing and molding explosive clay, not for eating. But for the sake of showing off, this guy had stubbornly stuffed both mouths full, overloading them completely.

Right now, he looked absolutely pitiful. The mouths on his palms hung open with their tongues sticking out, worn-out and exhausted as if they'd been through hell and back.

"Tch. Whatever. I still won."

Deidara shrugged off Naruto's mockery with a snort and raised his head defiantly.

"A loss is a loss. Don't start making excuses, hm."

"You cheated!"

"Can't handle the truth?"

"You two, shut up!"

They hadn't even been bickering for long before Kitagawa Gen grabbed both by the collar and slammed them up against the wall.

"You two ate a mountain of my food—and then puked it up? I don't care what your excuse is! I only agreed to cover five bowls each. You're paying me back for the rest!"

With that said, he finally let them go.

Now that felt satisfying. Those two were just too much!

But soon enough, he realized he'd still underestimated them.

"Tch. It's just a few bowls of ramen. Don't be so stingy, hm!"

"Mhm! He used to scam me for free ramen all the time. I ended up spending a ton because of him!"

"Money? Crap… It was always the old man footing the bill before, so I never needed to worry about paying. That's gonna be a problem."

"Heh, I'm better off than you! I have an old grandpa too—and he gives me lots of money!"

So they're both second-generation brats, huh? With Kage-level grandpas picking up the tab?

Kitagawa Gen didn't even bother replying anymore. He was too tired to deal with them.

Just then, several ANBU operatives appeared nearby—it was clear they had come to escort Deidara to his assigned lodging.

As an outsider, Deidara required surveillance and a designated place to rest. Even though Kitagawa Gen had kept an eye on him during the day, protocol still demanded he stay in a secure location under ANBU watch at night.

Thinking about it now, Kitagawa Gen found it odd. He had sensed ANBU around them the entire time—same with Naruto's side.

And yet, none of them had stopped Naruto and Deidara from meeting face to face. Kitagawa Gen didn't believe for a second that Hiruzen was unaware of any of this.

'So… no intention to conceal it? Or maybe they're preparing for what's to come?'

After all, the upcoming Chūnin Exams would see an influx of foreign shinobi into Konohagakure—and Naruto would still be running around getting involved just the same.

'Whatever. As long as I take care of my part, the rest has nothing to do with me.'

Deidara might be a bit erratic, but he wasn't clueless. After all, he was Ōnoki's student.

Even though he wore a sour expression, he still followed the ANBU operatives obediently—and even remembered to wave back at Kitagawa Gen and Naruto.

"That guy's the worst…"

Naruto pouted and muttered softly under his breath.

"But he's really strong too… How come he has so many mouths?"

"Right? Still, you two seemed to get along surprisingly well."

Kitagawa Gen nodded slightly, then looked at Naruto with an amused smile. Naruto pressed his lips together.

"It was okay, I guess. But that guy's still a total jerk!"

"Hm. Congratulations then—you just made a new friend."

"Hey! Were you even listening to what I said?!"

"Since he's a new friend, I'll just add his tab to yours. Special discount."

"Ugh! I knew it—you bastard!"

Naruto instantly lost it, hopping in place in frustration.

But Kitagawa Gen didn't bother entertaining him any further. In a flash, he vanished on the spot, leaving Naruto behind.

[Whoosh—]

With a subtle surge of chakra, Kitagawa Gen reappeared inside his own room.

Glancing down at the marking on the floor, he gave a small nod.

Every user's Flying Thunder God seal was different. The Second Hokage used a specific pattern; the Fourth used the 'Sword of Shinobi Love.'

Kitagawa Gen's was far simpler: a single magatama-shaped symbol.

The design was entirely up to personal preference—and he had chosen the simplest form.

"Finally, some peace and quiet. No more interruptions from those two. I wonder when Ōnoki will come to claim his brat."

Massaging his temples, Kitagawa Gen sat cross-legged on the floor. It was time to properly test the item he'd obtained from Nagato.

Speaking of Nagato, Kitagawa Gen had always struggled to assess the man's true strength.

In his memory, it seemed like Nagato hadn't even reached his full power when he chose to take his own life.

"Otherwise… he wouldn't have had the energy to revive thousands of the dead from Konoha."

Resurrection techniques were exceedingly rare in the shinobi world. As far as he could recall, there were only three: Rinne Tensei, One's Own Life Reincarnation, and Dragon Life Reincarnation.

Maybe the 'Sacred Seal Tag' that had once brought Hamura back to life counted too?

But no matter the method, all of them only revived one person—and the price was always the user's own life.

And yet Nagato… not only had he fought for that long, he had also used techniques like Super Shinra Tensei and Chibaku Tensei.

In the end, he was even able to use Rinne Tensei—reviving so many people all at once!

"So, if Naruto hadn't convinced Nagato... then Nagato could've kept fighting. He might've even defeated Naruto."

At that thought, Kitagawa Gen couldn't help but furrow his brow. He realized he might have seriously underestimated Nagato.

From what he remembered, this guy's abilities were downright absurd.

And the version of Nagato summoned through Edo Tensei had showcased his power even more clearly.

Despite Naruto having completed his training on Turtle Island, and even fighting alongside Killer B—who was a near-perfect Jinchūriki—the two of them had still been completely overwhelmed.

And that was a Nagato who wasn't even fighting with his own will, merely acting under someone else's control.

"What an utterly ridiculous guy…"

Kitagawa Gen sighed in disbelief. He even suspected that the Gedo Statue's existence might've been suppressing Nagato's growth on purpose.

"But whatever the case… this is still a valuable find."

Shaking his head, he let the thought go. No matter how outrageous Nagato had been—he would surpass him in time!

"Let's begin."

[Vmmm—]

With a resonating surge of chakra, the power burst open inside him, and once again he felt his bloodline roar to life.

...

Meanwhile, in Sunagakure…

At dusk, inside the Kazekage's office.

Chiyo and Ebizō stepped in with puzzled expressions. Wasn't it well past working hours?

Still, they immediately noticed that the Fourth Kazekage didn't look well. His face was grim.

They exchanged a glance—had the village run into financial trouble again?

"You've both arrived. Please, have a seat."

Rasa rubbed his temples. Only after they sat down did he hand over a scroll.

"This just came in from Konohagakure. It's urgent—please take a look."

"From Konoha?"

Chiyo and Ebizō looked at each other, uncertain of what this could be about.

To be honest, relations between Konoha and Sunagakure weren't exactly warm.

The Land of Fire sat at the heart of the continent—fertile, rich in resources, blessed with favorable climate and transportation. Everything the Land of Wind, this barren desert, so desperately lacked.

Or perhaps it was fair to say—there wasn't a single nation in the shinobi world not coveting the Land of Fire.

Even though the two villages were technically allies now, that alliance had only been forged after Sunagakure's defeat in the war.

"A message from Konoha? What's happened now?"

Chiyo asked with a hint of suspicion, but she still unsealed the scroll. Ebizō leaned in to read along.

And in just a few moments—both of their faces turned stiff with shock.

"Th-this... how is this even possible?!"

"It really is hard to believe… but I assume you've both already received the intel."

Rasa spoke with visible frustration.

"A major battle broke out near the border of the Land of Earth. It's suspected that Ōnoki himself may have been involved. That entire area is now sealed off. But according to our sources, this might have something to do with Konoha."

"Yes, we received the report."

Ebizō nodded. He still oversaw Sunagakure's intelligence network—semi-retired or not, there was little he didn't know.

Especially when it came to Iwagakure, one of their main rivals. Back in the day, they had even sacrificed Pakura just to focus all their efforts on fighting Iwagakure by tying up Kirigakure elsewhere.

"But this intel from Konoha... this time, it's serious. If it's true, it involves—"

"I know what's at stake. That's why I've called you both in."

Rasa shook his head, clearly troubled.

"The human puppet of the Third Kazekage—no matter how you look at it, we have to investigate."

"And according to the message, the one controlling him was a red-haired puppeteer who looked remarkably young. Do you think it could be—?"

"Impossible!"

Before Ebizō could say anything, Chiyo snapped. She knew exactly what Rasa was implying.

But even as the words left her mouth, she faltered. Because deep down, she knew it was possible—she just didn't want to accept it.

"So, I'm entrusting this investigation to the two of you. Any direct engagement with Konoha will also be your responsibility."

Rasa had no interest in arguing with Chiyo. After giving them a final glance, he stood up.

"Thank you, both. I'll take my leave now."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the brother and sister duo sitting in silence under the amber glow of twilight in the Kazekage's office.

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