The final Chunin Exams wrapped up, and once the crowd's excitement settled, the Police Force escorted everyone out in an orderly flow. The results would be announced after deliberation.
Sasuke and Naruto were taken away by the Medical Corps. Uchiha Gen led Tsunade, Mikoto, and Kushina to follow. The clash between those two knuckleheads had pushed both bodies beyond their limits, but with Tsunade on the scene, recovery was only a matter of time. Sure enough, they were up and moving far sooner than expected.
And as tradition demanded, victory or not, an exam always ended with a celebration.
At noon, Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, Hinata, Karin, and the others gathered with Gen and the older generation for a meal. That evening, the twelve young shinobi gathered again on their own. This time, even Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro joined, the first of many changes brought by this new era.
A day later, Konoha officially posted the results. The entire top ten were promoted to Chunin. Everyone else was disqualified. With the event concluded, the visiting villages, Daimyo, nobles, and merchants all trickled out of the city. Konoha gradually returned to its usual rhythm.
With their new rank, Sasuke and Naruto suddenly found themselves buried in missions under Kakashi's guidance. And with Naruto away, Gen took the opportunity to stroll up to Kushina's door, pull out a key, and let himself in as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Kushina gave him a quick smile, then returned to her chores. She wore a fitted white stand-collar shirt and a dark blue backless dress, her long, vibrant red hair falling to her waist. She looked composed, elegant, and at least to Gen it was far too tempting to ignore.
"Is Naruto out on a mission?" Gen asked, as if he didn't already know.
"Mm." Kushina nodded.
"Then… want to stay over at my place for a few days?"
Kushina rolled her eyes. She knew exactly what he was plotting.
"No."
"Worth a try."
Gen stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist while she leaned over the table. She tensed but didn't pull away with any real force.
"Don't start trouble," she murmured.
Gen simply picked her up, carried her to the sofa, and flashed a grin. "We avenged everything we needed to avenge. Shouldn't I get a proper reward?"
"What more reward do you want? You've already taken everything from me," she muttered, cheeks warming.
Gen leaned closer, lowering his voice as if the walls could hear. He briefly channeled chakra, slipping into her sealing space to keep the Nine-Tails from listening in. Then he whispered the rest directly into her ear.
Kushina froze. Then her face lit up in a fierce blush. She smacked his shoulder, eyes filled with embarrassment and indignation. "Pervert. How can you even think of using that place?"
"I've checked. It's fine," Gen replied with a maddening calm. "You were born too early; I was born too late, tragic timing, really. And Mikoto already tried it. She said it wasn't bad."
Kushina stiffened, hesitating. After a long moment, she whispered, "Just once. Only once."
Gen didn't argue out loud. Inwardly, he made his own plans. First times had a way of turning into second times, and Mikoto was proof of that.
When he lifted her again, Kushina blinked. "What-why are we going to the kitchen? Are you hungry?"
"To the kitchen for the main road," Gen said, mischief sparkling in his eyes, "then the bedroom for the narrow path."
"It's not happening in the kitchen! And it's broad daylight!" Kushina protested, flustered beyond saving.
"Daylight's fine. A soundproof barrier fixes everything."
She tried one last half-hearted struggle. Gen kissed away the rest of her protests, the door swinging shut behind them. What followed stayed behind that half-closed door—nothing loud enough to alert the neighbors, thanks to his barrier… but enough to make the bamboo outside sway in suspicious rhythm.
Hours later, warm light filled Kushina's bedroom. Clothes lay scattered everywhere, the picture frame on her nightstand had been tucked away in a drawer, and the curtains were drawn. Beneath a light red quilt, Gen held Kushina in a gentle embrace.
"Still hurt?" he asked softly.
Kushina huffed, voice soft with lingering embarrassment. "You weren't careful. Either time. And I still haven't finished my housework…"
"I'll help. Future Hokage doing chores, impressive, right?"
Kushina traced idle circles on his chest. "I forgot you used to live alone."
After a quiet moment, she asked, "When are you planning to become Hokage? I thought you'd be the one hosting the ceremony."
Gen's eyes darkened with focus. "Soon. I need to handle one more thing."
"What thing?"
"Nothing big."
Kushina smiled faintly. "The Third is getting so old. He should be resting anyway."
"My thoughts exactly. Come on, let's bathe."
He carried her into the bathroom.
Two days later, Gen slipped out of Konoha without anyone noticing.
…
High above a sprawling, traditional estate on the outskirts of Hidden Rain Village, Gen stood on a dark-tinged white cloud, hands clasped behind his back. Rain fell in dense sheets, but none of the droplets dared land within a foot of him.
Below, inside the main hall, the full Akatsuki roster gathered, everyone except Obito and White Zetsu. Even the other five Paths of Pain were present.
This place had once belonged to Hanzou. After his death, Nagato took over all his assets, turning this estate into one of the Akatsuki's bases.
Inside the hall, members scattered across the room according to their personalities—some sitting, some standing, all tense. The absence of Obito and Zetsu had finally pushed Nagato's caution into suspicion. He wasn't worried about their safety. He was worried about betrayal.
He summoned everyone to keep watch.
Gen vanished from the cloud in the next instant. A soft sound echoed through the courtyard as he touched down deliberately.
The conversation inside fell silent. One by one, every Akatsuki member turned their attention toward the courtyard—toward the stranger who had just arrived.