Naruto: Binding Uchiha Sasuke, Hundredfold Return

Today, Kazuki drank all day.

Though it was an ordinary day, with nothing particularly troubling, the absence of worries itself seemed unsettling for him. As he staggered home, Karin supported him, helping him inside.

Yūgao, who was learning to cook, saw them enter and asked Karin anxiously,

"Why is he so drunk?"

"I don't know. I couldn't stop him," Karin replied apologetically.

"I'm not blaming you, it's Kazuki I'm frustrated with!" Yūgao pouted. "I'll make him some sobering soup, so he can drink it when he wakes up."

"Good idea. I'll stay and watch over him," Karin said, heading back into Kazuki's room.

Kazuki lay sprawled on the bed, face buried in the thick covers.

Karin looked at him and sighed.

"Seriously, drinking this much—you can't even cover yourself with a blanket!" She turned him over, took off his shoes and socks, and covered him with the blanket. After making sure he was comfortable, she left the room to wash his socks.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" x2

Yūgao and Karin both moved toward the door, exchanging a glance.

"You go ahead and keep an eye on the stove, I'll get the door!" Karin volunteered.

"Thank you, Karin. There's soup on the stove that I need to watch."

"No problem!"

The two women were close, having spent plenty of time together.

"Kazuki, are you home? It's me, Himan!"

"Coming, coming!"

Karin opened the door to see the tired-looking patriarch of the Gekko Clan, Himan. Confused, she asked,

"Is something wrong? Kazuki just passed out from drinking, so I'm afraid he won't be able to see you."

"He's drunk? But how could he drink at a time like this?" Himan said anxiously. "Well... Karin, please tell him that if he accepts the request from that person from Amegakure, Konoha might be drawn into a war! It goes against our original intention, so ask him if he wants to refuse that woman's offer!"

"Amegakure... that person? Alright, I'll let Kazuki know as soon as he wakes up!"

Karin wasn't sure what it was about but agreed nonetheless.

"Thank you, Karin!"

"Don't mention it, Patriarch Himan. Anything else?"

"No... that's all. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye."

As she shut the door, Karin walked back toward Kazuki's room, while the patriarch seemed rather distressed. He certainly wasn't suited for war; defending a small patch of land was more his style, not battles. Maybe he'd go down as the least combative Hokage in history!

"Who was it?" Yūgao asked, noticing Karin washing the socks.

"Patriarch Himan. He wanted to talk to Kazuki about someone from Amegakure. I think it was that woman Konan, who came by the other day."

"Konan? A woman?" Yūgao tilted her head.

Karin nodded, hanging up the socks to dry. "Yeah, quite beautiful, actually."

Yūgao pursed her lips, "From now on, let's keep an eye on him and make sure he spends less time with the patriarch."

"You think he'll turn into the patriarch?" Karin chuckled as she sprinkled water.

"Kazuki isn't that type, but he is... popular with women. Just look at his friends—Sakura, Ino, Hinata—three just from his year alone!"

Karin counted them off, agreeing.

"But since the Chunin Exams, they've rarely come around," Karin mentioned.

Since Danzo's appointment, Kazuki had been promoted to Jounin but had stopped taking missions.

Without him, Sakura and the others formed a new squad for training, so they had less time to spend with Kazuki.

Kazuki didn't wake until the next morning. The sobering soup Yūgao prepared went unused.

"Good morning, Karin. Why are you sleeping here beside my bed?"

"I stayed up to keep an eye on you. Yūgao wanted me to wake you up for the soup. Who would have thought you'd sleep the entire night!"

"Ha, thanks for looking after me." Kazuki scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.

"I'll check on Yūgao, you go get some rest in your own room."

"Sure, but wait—yesterday, Himan visited. He said agreeing to the person from Amegakure would put Konoha at risk of war, which doesn't align with his policies. He wanted to know your thoughts."

"Oh, is that so." Kazuki hadn't thought much when he agreed to Konan's request, since he barely concerned himself with Konoha's affairs, let alone the entire ninja world.

"But I already gave her my word. Tell the patriarch to go ahead for now, we'll handle whatever comes later."

"Understood." Karin agreed. "Kazuki, just curious—is that person from Amegakure... Konan?"

"Yes, why?"

"Oh, nothing. Yūgao just mentioned you might have agreed because you fancy her."

Kazuki rolled his eyes, "Don't listen to Yūgao's nonsense. Now go get some rest and tell the patriarch when you're ready!"

"I'm not sleepy—I'll go now!" Karin said, running out without even washing up.

Watching her so dedicated, Kazuki couldn't help but smile and shake his head.

If he had half her diligence, he'd have united the ninja world long ago!

As it was, unification hadn't happened, and he had to consider how to deal with Amegakure. First, the map of the ninja world!

Kazuki seldom visited his study. The books there were mostly bought by Yūgao, and he hadn't read any of them. But the ninja world map, which was hung prominently on the wall, was easy to see.

He opened the study and saw the map right away. Scanning it, he pinpointed Amegakure's location, and he finally understood why Himan was worried about war.

Amegakure bordered the Lands of Earth, Wind, and Fire. Konoha occupying Amegakure would mean gaining a route straight into two other great nations. An invasion could happen in an instant!

Not to mention, Konoha would have to station ninja in Amegakure, which would surely provoke the Kazekage of Sunagakure and the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure!

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg