Naruto: Reborn as Yagura Karatachi

Sasori reckoning was coming.

Mei Terumi silently apologized to him, her thoughts elsewhere as she responded,

"Yes."

Yagura pinched the bridge of his nose.

At twenty, his youthful hormones were in overdrive, and it was becoming a bit much.

He knew his appearance was a plus; being the pride of Kirigakure for so long, his allure was undeniable.

However, with his subordinates and friends—perhaps due to their familiarity—Yagura had never entertained such thoughts.

This time, he decided to let it slide.

"Hey, you can come out now."

Yagura's eyes scanned the universal hiding bush, a smile in his gaze:

"There's no gossip to be had."

"How boring."

Ringo Ameyuri was the first to emerge: "I thought I could attend your wedding after Kisame's. But, as expected."

Mangetsu chimed in: "You're a bit sharp-tongued but soft-hearted."

"What, feeling sorry for Mei?"

Yagura raised his chin, retorting as usual: "I suggest you foot the bill later."

"Fine, I'll pay. No big deal."

Ringo Ameyuri gave Mangetsu a hearty punch on the back: "You said it? Then I'll eat to my heart's content!"

She really meant it; Mangetsu winced in pain, considering a comeback: "Careful, or you'll get so fat you can't lift your Thunder Sword."

"No worries~ I'll burn off the calories with Lightning Release first thing tomorrow~"

"Is that what your Lightning Release is for?!"

":P"

Ringo Ameyuri playfully tugged at Mangetsu for a while.

They were the epitome of pure friendship between a man and a woman.

At this moment, Yagura felt a bit relieved that Ameyuri always treated him like a younger brother, never developing feelings like Mei did.

"Let's go, time to head back. The food will get cold."

Yagura looked somewhat annoyed at the person urging them: "What, eager to return to your little games?"

'Sasori' extended an arm from his sleeve, revealing the round mechanism at his elbow joint:

"I'm Sasori, not him."

Everyone was stunned: "What! When did you two switch?"

Sasori and Orochimaru had collaborated on some technical projects, and two years ago, they created a human puppet identical to Sasori himself.

Unlike his previous transformation into a puppet, this one utilized Sasori's DNA to create a core, which was then implanted into a humanoid puppet.

Aside from being a bit dazed at times, it was nearly impossible to distinguish them without focusing on appearance.

"Don't equate the clone's actions with the original."

So Sasori clarified his identity to prevent Yagura from holding the real Sasori accountable later.

He was just a weak, innocent, and pitiable human puppet.

"It's been me all day. He didn't want to come."

For Sasori to attend such events would indeed be unusual.

When they suggested playing truth or dare earlier, Yagura had sensed something was off.

But his train of thought had been interrupted.

Yagura held his head in frustration: "I knew it was too easy when Sasori agreed so readily."

You've mastered the ninja substitution technique!!

This puppet of Sasori's was rarely used; Yagura and the others had only seen it a few times in Sasori's lab and puppet workshop.

Back in the private room of the barbecue restaurant.

Zabuza wanted to drink and pulled Kisame and Ringo Ameyuri into it.

After a hearty gulp, Zabuza exhaled: "Kisame, this is your last single weekend before marriage. Let's not go home sober!"

Ringo Ameyuri: "Wishing you a speedy addition to the family!"

Mei Terumi joined in: "Count me in."

A rare guest indeed; the usually reserved Mei wanted to join!

Ringo Ameyuri immediately accepted her application: "Welcome, welcome!"

Mangetsu, accompanied by Suigetsu, didn't join in, focusing solely on feeding his younger brother. He ignored all of Suigetsu's winks and silent reproaches.

Maybe Zabuza was right; was his method of teaching his brother a bit flawed?

Mangetsu vigorously ruffled Suigetsu's hair, meeting his brother's resentful gaze, and couldn't help but laugh: "Just eat."

Hmm, nothing wrong here.

Younger brothers are such adorable creatures; how could they possibly be wrong!

"…You're hopeless."

Shifting attention away from Mangetsu.

Yagura decided to be the good guy and took it upon himself to look after Haku.

This allowed Zabuza to drink to his heart's content.

The two kids, with their big curious eyes, stared at Sasori, who was engrossed in his stir-fried noodles: "But you can actually eat human food?"

"I can eat; it converts into energy."

"Don't you use chakra as energy?"

"Hmm... You know the Akimichi clan, right? They convert fat into chakra—an energy transformation."

Sasori explained his technical makeup: "Not much can be converted, but I don't rely on this method to replenish chakra. In summary: I can eat human food."

Haku was amazed: "There's such a technique?! Can I ask the clan leader sister for one?"

Clan leader, Murasaki, has gained weight recently?

Yagura covered his ears, pretending he heard nothing.

"Haku, a girl's weight is a private matter; it's more dangerous than S-class information."

In the ninja academy, Haku, who scored full marks in both theory and practice, immediately zipped his lips.

There's a big event tomorrow.

The drinkers didn't lose their minds; they exercised restraint and stopped after a reasonable amount.

Mangetsu went to settle the bill.

Everyone headed home.

Mei Terumi was the most intoxicated, not being a regular drinker and having consumed too much tonight.

Adults really can't handle this kind of talk.

Feeling flustered from being teased by Mangetsu, Yagura scowled.

"Stop blaming everything on maturity. Try being more like Ameyuri."

It wasn't some universal law at fault.

So now you're blaming me in your heart, aren't you?!

Mangetsu fumed silently.

"Be like Ameyuri? Who was it that came running to find me the moment they got back to the village? Why didn't you go to someone else? Go to Ameyuri! Go find Zabuza!"

Yagura froze—physically and mentally.

Mangetsu's voice sharpened. "Who was it that said, 'I've always saved this seat for you, don't make me wait too long!'?"

"And who was it that dragged me diving with them?!"

And during the New Year Lantern Festival—who lit lanterns with me? Who snuffed out Black Zetsu with me?

Yagura lowered his eyes.

So… they really had gone through all that together?

"Fine! Fine! I'm the one overthinking it!"

Hah… hah… hah—

He gasped for breath.

If Suigetsu hadn't needled him earlier, Mangetsu wouldn't have even considered laying all this bare tonight.

Now he'd just made himself even more frustrated.

Then he looked up—and met Yagura's dazed, unreadable gaze.

A sudden panic hit Mangetsu. Had he just lost control of his emotions?

"…Sorry."

They both spoke at once. When their voices overlapped in the air, they both froze, caught off guard.

Mangetsu quickly turned around, muttering as he moved toward the way he came in, "I'm leaving."

"Hey."

Yagura gestured toward the room's door.

"There's a perfectly good front door, you know. Use it."

There were still people in the living room.

Mangetsu winced. "And what exactly am I supposed to say about being in your room?"

This wasn't like when they were kids.

Back then, sneaking in was done with the expectation of getting caught. It was called sneaking in, but it was practically open defiance.

This time was different.

Now that he had real skills, he'd managed to sneak in properly—without anyone noticing or expecting it.

If Yagura's father or grandfather saw him leaving the room now, even diving into the ocean wouldn't wash the stain off his reputation.

"You've got such a tongue. Let's see that verbal magic. Be my guest and improvise."

Mangetsu instantly broke into a cold sweat.

But judging by Yagura's smirk, he wasn't joking.

Stepping past him, Mangetsu silently slipped out of the room.

The door clicked shut behind him.

His legs gave out. He slumped backward against the door.

"Hey, you pervy little brother-obsessed freak."

Yagura's voice came through from the other side, low and muffled.

Back to back, separated only by the thin door.

Mangetsu let out a long breath. Thank god—he was still human inside, not the heartless cement block Mangetsu imagined.

"I just came of age. My family's already trying to set me up with someone 'appropriate.' I've met a few, but none of them interested me."

"Not just me. Mei's in the same boat."

Ah. That explains why you two suddenly got so damn aggressive.

Yagura shoved his hands into his pockets and basked in his own charm.

"Well, you've both got good taste and high standards."

It wasn't just Mangetsu who had to deal with the burden of adulthood. Yagura did too.

Ever since coming of age, Mangetsu and Mei Terumī weren't the only ones who'd confessed their feelings to him.

Being separated by a door made everything easier. No need to look each other in the eye—made conversations smoother.

Yagura treated them pretty much like any other suitor.

Except maybe he threw in a few more comforting words, but ultimately, they weren't that different from the rest.

He worked from eight in the morning till nine or ten at night almost every day. He hadn't really had the time—or the mental space—to consider romance.

So he never accepted, never rejected. Just bought time with vague answers and delays.

Mangetsu pressed on boldly. "Don't tell me… as long as you're in this position, you're not planning to date anyone?"

"That's the idea. Until things settle down, I can't in good conscience make promises to anyone."

But isn't Kirigakure stable enough already?

Look at the immigration stats. How many people move to the Land of Water every year now?

"Ugh. Why do you overthink everything?"

Mangetsu had always lived by the mantra of seizing the moment. Yagura's cautiousness drove him nuts.

"If the next chapter of life ends with the moon falling and the world ending, would you rather spend your last night worrying, or make it one to remember with me? Is this chapter ending or not?"

"…You really don't hold back."

Yagura couldn't help but laugh. "If I ever get to the point where I can step down and hand things to the next generation, I'll absolutely do it. This job is exhausting—whoever wants it can have it."

Day in, day out. Morning till night.

Every time he worked late, Yagura found himself reminiscing about the old days serving as the Third Mizukage's aide.

"And by then, you'll be old enough to join the Council."

"Don't be dramatic. At most, I'll wait until Suigetsu and the others are fully grown."

Mangetsu did a quick calculation. About five or six years.

Yagura concluded on his own: "I'm going to bed. Later."

...

Back at the Hōzuki household.

Mangetsu stormed in and yanked the blanket off his sleeping little brother, scooping up a startled Suigetsu.

"Suigetsu! You really are my blood brother!"

If it weren't for Suigetsu egging him on, he wouldn't have gone to the Karatachi house at all!

Suigetsu choked in a tight bear hug, momentarily forgetting to liquefy and escape.

Stupid Nii-san!

I am your blood brother!

But if you keep squeezing me like this, I'm revoking your big brother privileges!!

"Pick whichever sword you want from my collection!"

Mangetsu released him with a serious gleam in his eyes. He had decided—it was time to start training his little brother.

"Dual blades? Long blade? Blast blade? Or how about all three?!"

He didn't even need the physical swords anymore.

Of the Seven Ninja Swords, aside from Samehada and the Thunder Blade with their unique properties, he could already replicate the rest perfectly.

And even without using a sword, his Hōzuki clan hydration techniques alone could land him easily in the top five of Kirigakure's current combatants.

————!!!

Suigetsu immediately dropped into a full kowtow on the bed, wide awake and teary-eyed with joy.

"Big bro! Being born as your little brother—what a blessing!"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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