Naruto : Konoha Light

Under the dim candlelight, a casual conversation drifted through the air.

"Hm? You're here too, Sensei?"

"A small matter. I actually came to ask for your help."

"That's unusual… I thought Sensei would be busy ever since The Counterattack of the Enduring was canceled—"

"Wait a minute, wasn't it supposed to continue until the middle of the story?"

"Well…" The speaker hesitated before grinning mischievously. "Apparently, after a certain plot twist, Sensei was chased down ten streets by the editor and got so scared that he ended the book on the spot."

Their meaningless chatter was suddenly interrupted by Kushina's eerie voice from the side.

"Are you two going to play a card, or should I just let Kurama rampage?"

Minato, who was getting sleepy, rubbed his eyes and gave a tired smile. "It's already so late… but I guess we can keep going?"

Shimizu sighed, feeling trapped. Maybe he should hurry up and develop a few more two-player games and push this responsibility onto Minato.

Kushina's expression turned strange as she translated Kurama's words. "He says he can share his chakra with you two, making sure you won't get tired all night."

"…He what?"

"Oh, and he added that since you're both supposedly talented shinobi, you should hurry up and develop a jutsu that eliminates sleep! Or at least a shadow clone technique that lets him play cards with a copy of you."

Before either of them could respond, one of Kurama's tails extended toward them.

In an instant, an overwhelming surge of chakra flooded into Shimizu and Minato.

For the Nine-Tails, such an amount was insignificant. But for the two of them—who had never experienced such raw, unfiltered power—it was almost unbearable!

"This chakra…" Shimizu was shocked. He had originally planned to find a way to trick more chakra out of Kurama, but the fox had just given it away for free?!

"Too bad I don't know the Uzumaki sealing techniques. Otherwise, I could store this power… but even just increasing my chakra reserves like this is a huge gain!" Shimizu quickly noticed his chakra capacity expanding, and a rush of joy filled his heart.

For most people, increasing chakra reserves took years of daily training, much like cutting a path through a dense jungle, little by little.

But Kurama's chakra? It was like bulldozing straight through the wilderness, instantly clearing a massive road.

For the average shinobi, this kind of rapid expansion was dangerous—it could damage their chakra network.

But for Shimizu, the benefits far outweighed the risks. He had already mastered medical techniques strong enough to heal even shattered chakra pathways. A little strain was nothing.

"So… since I've got this boost, I should probably reconsider my game development plans," Shimizu mused. "Instead of a two-player game… maybe I should design something for three?"

After all, it wouldn't do to let Kurama feel left out.

Meanwhile, Minato's face was flushed red from the sudden chakra surge. It took him a few moments to regain control. He glanced at Kurama's still-swinging tail and sighed. There was no winning against this fox.

"Alright… let's play until six." He set down a card while glancing at Shimizu. "By the way, Sensei is planning to write a new book. He's been wandering the streets, gathering material for the past few days."

Shimizu stiffened. "Gathering material?"

"King of Spades!" Kushina played her card, then immediately scowled. "Wait, idiot! Who plays a king like that?!"

As Kushina and Kurama started arguing, Minato took the opportunity to explain.

"The editor told Sensei that his last book flopped. So he swore that this time, he'd write a bestseller that everyone would love."

"…So that's why he's been out on the streets?" Shimizu felt an ominous chill.

Minato nodded. "Yep. If you want to find him, you just have to go look around."

Shimizu let out a deep sigh. Had he accidentally sped up certain events too much?

If so… then this might be a huge problem.

The Next Day – Outside the Konoha Women's Bathhouse

A certain silver-haired ninja crouched in a dense bush, internally battling himself.

"As a great writer, it's completely normal to observe the world and find inspiration in real life."

"…Wait. Didn't I almost get killed last time I tried peeking at the women's bathhouse?"

"No, no, this is different! This is for the sake of art! Nothing can stop an author from creating!"

"…But if I get caught, I might never get a date again."

"…Forget it. Who needs romance? Women will only slow down my hand seals!"

Resolving himself, Jiraiya took a deep breath and prepared to move.

Just then, a voice came from behind the bush.

"Sensei, why do you look like Orochimaru?"

Jiraiya froze. Slowly, stiffly, he turned his head. "Ha! I am Orochimaru! Hisssss!"

Shimizu stared at him, deadpan. "Jiraiya-sama… you can change your face and body, but you can't change your aura."

Jiraiya laughed loudly, then dropped the disguise. "Hah! Even Orochimaru's creepy face couldn't hide this refined and sophisticated demeanor!"

Shimizu sighed. "Jiraiya-sama, are you peeping again?"

"…."

Jiraiya coughed violently, nearly choking on air. After a long moment, he turned and barked, "Collecting material for writing doesn't count as peeping!"

"…It doesn't?" Shimizu tilted his head in confusion. "I guess I should ask Tsunade-sensei, then."

Jiraiya paled. "Wait, wait! No need to trouble Tsunade with such a minor issue."

Quickly changing the subject, he asked, "Ahem, what brings you here?"

"I was looking for you, Jiraiya-sama."

Jiraiya squinted. "…How did you know I'd be here?"

For a moment, Jiraiya's heart pounded. Don't tell me… the Third's telescope jutsu finally broke?! He suddenly felt a deep existential crisis.

Shimizu, unfazed, simply replied, "Tsunade-sensei told me. She said if I wanted to find you, I should check the bathhouse first."

Jiraiya paled further. "Tsunade knows?!"

Then, in an instant, his panic turned into a smug smirk.

"…Wait. She notices me? Hah! Maybe she likes me after all!"