Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline Development Manual

The next morning.

Kitagawa Minamoto woke up early. After a quick wash, he didn't forget to yell at Naruto through the window of his room.

"Hey, Naruto, I'm heading out on a mission. Don't forget to water my plants!"

"Damn it, what time is it?!"

Naruto was startled awake by the shout. When he opened the window, Minamoto was already long gone.

"Seriously..."

Naruto rubbed his sleepy eyes and sighed helplessly.

"That jerk! But how does he keep getting missions? I'm so jealous..."

While Naruto muttered to himself, Kitagawa Minamoto had already reached the flower shop in Konohagakure. Despite the early hour, he had made an appointment the day before.

As expected, when he arrived at the shop, he found Ino waiting for him.

"Good morning, Ino."

"Good morning, Minamoto-senpai."

Seeing Minamoto, Ino greeted him warmly.

"Sorry for making you get up so early."

Minamoto smiled as he walked over, but Ino just shook her head with a smile and handed him the flowers in her arms.

"It's no trouble, Senpai. I've prepared the chrysanthemums you requested."

"Thank you."

Minamoto took the flowers and nodded. Although he didn't know much about the language of flowers, chrysanthemums seemed like a traditional choice, symbolizing mourning and respect.

Yellow chrysanthemums, in particular, signified remembrance.

He figured this choice couldn't go wrong.

"Senpai, are these for a memorial?"

Watching Minamoto examine the flowers, Ino couldn't help but ask curiously. But she quickly added,

"If I'm being rude, please don't mind me."

"It's fine. They're not for me."

Minamoto shook his head, took out a scroll, and sealed the bouquet inside. Then he smiled and said,

"A senior of mine wants to pay respects to his disciple. I don't think it's necessary, but since he mentioned it, I thought I'd better prepare."

He had remembered what Jiraiya said yesterday. Even though he knew Nagato and Konan were still alive, Yahiko was indeed gone.

Helping Jiraiya prepare some flowers seemed like the right thing to do.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder: if Kakashi had chosen the Land of Grass yesterday, would his exclusive side quest have changed?

"Why does everyone seem like a tragic figure?"

Minamoto thought to himself, though he quickly realized that "tragic figure" wasn't quite the right term.

"Thanks for your help, Ino. I'll be off now."

Shaking his head, Minamoto stored the scroll and said goodbye to Ino. The next moment, he disappeared in a flash.

"Hey, flowers need to be handled carefully..."

Seeing him vanish, Ino panicked slightly, but it was too late to stop him.

"Honestly, couldn't you wait a moment?"

She soon found herself curious.

"He's kind and handsome... not at all like the rumors say about him putting all his teammates in the hospital."

Konohagakure Main Gate

When Minamoto arrived, he found Jiraiya and Kakashi already assembled. To his surprise, he was the last to arrive.

"Seriously, why are you so late today?"

Jiraiya couldn't help but complain as he saw Minamoto approach. Kakashi, standing beside him, chuckled softly.

"Alright, it's still early. Let's head out."

"Indeed, it's time to go."

Jiraiya nodded, and the three quickly left the village.

On the road, Jiraiya couldn't help but give a warning.

"This time, we're passing through the Land of Rain. Be cautious. Hanzo of the Salamander is not someone to mess with.

Although he hasn't appeared in years, no one doubts his strength. Back then, even Tsunade, Orochimaru, and I couldn't defeat him together."

"I see."

Minamoto nodded, though he couldn't help but think to himself, Isn't that guy just bones by now?

He remembered that Nagato's first act of revenge had been to target Hanzo. However, due to the Land of Rain's isolation, news of it hadn't spread.

"But don't worry too much."

Seeing Minamoto deep in thought, Jiraiya smiled and reassured him.

"The Land of Rain is like the Land of Fire in some ways. Its secrets are centered around its hidden village. As long as we don't cause trouble in Amegakure, there shouldn't be any issues.

I have no interest in stirring up trouble there. Besides, when I trained those three kids, we stayed in remote areas far from Amegakure."

"I understand."

Minamoto nodded. He knew this much already.

If he remembered correctly, Jiraiya had been discovered by Nagato's Rain Tiger at Will Technique only after infiltrating Amegakure.

As Jiraiya said, as long as they didn't act recklessly, they wouldn't face too many problems.

The three traveled quickly, chatting and laughing along the way.

The Land of Fire's climate was pleasant, and the scenery was serene and peaceful.

However, as they entered the Land of Rain a few days later, everything changed.

"Does it ever stop raining in this place?"

Dressed in a raincoat and hat, Minamoto looked up at the gray sky and shook his head.

"And it's so desolate here. The atmosphere feels oppressive."

"That's not just a feeling; it's a fact."

Leading the way, Jiraiya sighed at Minamoto's observation.

"The Land of Rain seems cursed by the heavens, always crying.

This place has long been plagued by rebellion and war, leaving everyone here burdened.

The only relatively better place is Amegakure, thanks to Hanzo's presence.

As for the rest of the country..."

"Not every place is like the Land of Fire."

Kakashi, who hadn't dared to read his book in the rain, walked beside Minamoto and added,

"Outside the Five Great Nations, true peace is hard to find."

Minamoto nodded. He had understood this even before crossing into this world.

The Great Ninja Wars were fought in these smaller nations.

Konoha fought Iwagakure in the Land of Grass, Kirigakure in the Land of Whirlpools, and Kumogakure in the Land of Hot Water.

Of course, by then, the entire ninja world was in chaos, and all the smaller nations suffered.

The Land of Rain was somewhat of an exception, thanks to Amegakure and Hanzo.

But the country's geography and location had capped its potential.

The Second Great Ninja War, sparked by a conflict between Amegakure and Konoha, had sealed its fate.

Victory could have meant expansion and development, but failure left it worse than before.

The Land of Rain had clearly fallen into the latter category.

"We're here."

Jiraiya stopped in front of an abandoned wooden house, looking at it with a mix of nostalgia and sorrow.

"So many years have passed, yet it feels like yesterday. Time changes everything."

"Jiraiya-sama, here."

Minamoto stepped forward and handed Jiraiya the flowers he had sealed in the scroll.

Jiraiya looked at him, momentarily stunned.

"What's this?"

"I remembered what you said yesterday, so I prepared these for you before we left."

Minamoto smiled casually.

"If you're going to pay respects, you should come prepared. Showing up empty-handed wouldn't feel right."

"You brat..."

Jiraiya rubbed his face, then looked up to let the rain wash over him. After a moment, he shook his head and smiled.

"Seriously, you didn't have to go to the trouble. But... thanks, Minamoto."

Gently placing the flowers in front of the door, Jiraiya stood silently for a while before turning back to the group.

"Alright, let's go."

"Not staying a bit longer?"

Kakashi asked softly, but Jiraiya shook his head.

"No. I'll come back another time if I can. We have more important things to do now."

"Alright."

Kakashi didn't press further. Their schedule was indeed tight.

After leaving the abandoned house, the atmosphere grew heavy. The three walked in silence.

"Kid."

Perhaps disliking the somber mood, Jiraiya suddenly patted Minamoto on the shoulder and grinned.

"When we get back to Konoha, I'll treat you to something good."

"Just food?"

Minamoto feigned disappointment, making Jiraiya raise an eyebrow.

"Say what you want, as long as it's not too much."

"Really?"

Minamoto tilted his head, catching on to Jiraiya's intentions. He smiled and said,

"Great! I've been to the Land of Hot Water twice but never got to enjoy their hot springs. How about taking me there next time?"

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you talking about?!"

Kakashi, who had been reminiscing about the past, couldn't hold back.

He knew exactly what kind of hot springs Minamoto was referring to.

"The Land of Hot Water, huh?"

However, Jiraiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said something that left Kakashi dumbfounded.

"Sure, but you'll need to use your Transformation Technique properly. Otherwise, there's nothing I can do."

"Really?!"

"Of course!"

"Can you two please stop?!"

The rain continued to fall, but the heavy atmosphere dissipated.

The trio returned to their usual banter, their laughter fading into the rain.

Meanwhile, back at the abandoned house, the chrysanthemums began to sway in the wind.

Just as the petals were about to scatter, a blue-haired figure appeared, shielding them from the breeze.

She stood silently in front of the house, staring at the flowers on the ground.

To Be Continued.

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