Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

"Go to the bookstore to buy books?"

Half an hour later, Kakashi arrived at the Konoha bookstore with dead fish eyes.

"Boss, give me a copy of 'Intimate Paradise'."

The bookstore owner immediately gave him a knowing look, "Kakashi, you have good taste. This book is a bestseller lately."

As a regular customer of the bookstore, the owner and Kakashi were acquaintances, and their conversation became much more casual.

Kakashi's eyes looked even more lifeless.

Intimate Paradise...you can tell from the name that it's not a good place.

Jiraiya-sama's previous books were all quite serious, so why has his style suddenly changed so drastically this time?

At the same time, he was mentally ranting about Shimura Gengetsu.

All that secrecy, and it turns out it was just to buy an 18+ book. I almost scared him to death just now.

After paying for and receiving the book, Kakashi returned home, intending to hand it over to Shimura Gengetsu the next day to complete his mission.

After a simple dinner, Kakashi lay idly on his bed when he suddenly caught a glimpse of the book "Make-Out Paradise" on the table.

"Since we're just killing time anyway, why don't we... take a look at what's inside?"

"Maybe I misunderstood?"

After hesitating and struggling for a long time, Kakashi finally reached out his hand.

Chapter 94: The task given to Kabuto Yakushi resulted in his parents being called in.

"It's not a big deal..."

Half an hour later, Kakashi let out a long sigh, put down the book expressionlessly, and took out his other hand.

"The character design is fairly well done, and the descriptions are fairly vivid..."

"As expected of Jiraiya-sama's work."

Kakashi read the book over and over again, finding it increasingly captivating. He overlooked many details, focusing only on the exciting parts.

What a waste of resources.

I couldn't help but pick it up again and read it carefully.

When I came to my senses, it was already dawn.

"Damn, I've been watching for so long?" Rubbing his frizzy, rooster-like hair, Kakashi painfully got out of bed.

It's so painful to have to go to work after spending the whole night's energy on it.

On his way to check in at the Anbu headquarters, Kakashi bought two more copies of "Make-Out Paradise," one to hand in as a task and the other for his collection.

As for the one from yesterday, I'll use it for regular appreciation.

In just one evening, Jiraiya gained a loyal fan. If he returns to the village next time, Kakashi will definitely be the first to take the book to him for an autograph.

Upon arriving at the Anbu headquarters, Kakashi knocked on the office door. After receiving a positive response, he listlessly pushed the door open and entered.

"Xuan Yue, I've brought you the book you wanted."

Perhaps to retaliate against Shimura Gengetsu for leading him astray, Kakashi openly placed the book on the table without any attempt to hide it.

"Book?"

Sure enough, Kurenai Yuhi's interest was piqued, and she picked up the book despite Gengetsu Shimura's dark expression.

"Intimacy Paradise?"

Upon seeing the name and the book cover, Kurenai Yuhi felt a sense of unease. After a quick glance, her face darkened, and she glared angrily at Kakashi.

"Kakashi! It's one thing for you to fall into depravity, but why do you have to corrupt Gengetsu as well!"

"Jiraiya-sama, really, why did you have to write something like this?"

As a result, Jiraiya, who was somewhere gathering inspiration, also began to harbor resentment towards Kurenai.

"no..."

Kakashi was dumbfounded. He did intend to stir up trouble, but he didn't expect the fire to spread to him. Kurenai's bias towards Gengetsu was too strong.

"This is the task that Xuan Yue assigned to me yesterday, Hong, don't wrong me."

Remembering that Shimura Gengetsu had told her to go back first yesterday, Yuhi Kurenai understood and gave him a disapproving look.

Shimura Gengetsu glared at Kakashi before explaining to Kurenai, "It's Jiraiya. He wrote to me to tell me his new book was published and asked me to support him."

"Thinking that they were comrades-in-arms after all, I was prepared to buy a copy as a token of my appreciation, but when I got to the bookstore I found out that it was for adults only, so I had to ask Kakashi to buy it for me."

Kurenai Yuhi gave a soft snort and put the book away. "You're too young to read these things. No, even when you grow up, you still shouldn't read them. They'll corrupt you. I'm confiscating the book."

Gengetsu Shimura nodded dejectedly.

He had no other thoughts; he was just curious about this book that would one day be famous throughout the ninja world, even made into a movie, and have its merchandise sell out.

Judging from the current situation, we won't be seeing Hong today.

"Come on, Kakashi, it's been a while since I checked your progress."

Gengetsu Shimura unleashed his anger on Kakashi, dragging him to the training ground without giving him a chance to refuse.

For several days in a row, Kakashi didn't come to the Anbu.

I don't know if the injury is really that serious, or if he's just using this as an excuse to stay home and focus on reading.

However, Gengetsu Shimura didn't care about him. If there was a mission, he would go even if he had to drag himself on one leg.

He has more important things to do now.

root.

Shimura Gengetsu sat in Danzo's usual spot, leisurely sipping his tea.

Opposite him stood a white-haired boy with glasses, whose respect and humility were evident in his demeanor and posture, which made the superior feel favorably toward him.

"Lord Xuan Yue."

"Yeah, Kabuto, it's been a while since we last met."

Gengetsu Shimura put down his teacup.

That's right, the white-haired boy was none other than Yakushi Kabuto.

In the blink of an eye, it has been almost five years since Kabuto Yakushi joined Root. Back when the Hidden Cloud Village and the Leaf Village went to war, Kabuto Yakushi began to gradually show his talent.

A harmless smile, the disguise of a child, plus outstanding espionage skills.

These conditions enabled Kabuto Yakushi to complete numerous Root spy missions and gather a great deal of intelligence.

As he grew older, his talent in ninjutsu also became apparent.

This made Danzo Shimura admire Gengetsu Shimura's ability to judge people. Whether it was Kabuto Yakushi or Yoruichi, who seemed to have completely submitted to him, it proved that although Gengetsu Shimura's ideas differed from his, his ability to judge people and manage subordinates was by no means inferior.

"Lord Xuan Yue, the last time we met was two hundred and thirty days ago, when you and the Root completed a mission together."

Kabuto Yakushi behaved with extreme respect. He had grown a lot over the years, but the stronger he became, the more he understood, and the more he realized how terrifying the boy, who was about the same age as him, was.

Moreover, Shimura Gengetsu is his only hope of realizing his value and saving Dean Nonou.

"Don't be so formal, relax."

Gengetsu Shimura waved his hand, and without waiting for Kabuto to do as he said, continued, "Do you know what Nonou has been doing lately?"

Kabuto's heart tightened, and he shook his head. "I don't know. The rule of Root is that we can't ask about other people's missions."

"I'm telling you that it's not against the rules."

Gengetsu Shimura leaned back. "Yakushi Nonou is currently in Iwagakure, on a very dangerous mission related to the death of the Third Hokage's son, Shinnosuke Sarutobi, and his wife. Although there's no immediate danger, it is, after all, an enemy village. You should know very well what she's facing."

The couple, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and his wife, died during a mission that happened to take place within the Land of Earth, a trap personally set by the Tsuchikage.

If it weren't for this old fox who was on par with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the two elite Jonin-level powerhouses wouldn't have died so easily. Even if they couldn't complete their mission, they could have escaped back to Konoha.

Cold sweat had already appeared on Kabuto Yakushi's forehead. As a fellow spy, he certainly understood the level of danger involved.

"Lord Xuan Yue, whatever you need from me, I will do my best to fulfill it."

"clever."

Gengetsu Shimura nodded. "Your value is now no less than that of Nono Yakushi, so I'm giving you a chance."

"Go to Kirigakure and find Kisame Hoshigaki, a Kirigakure ninja under the command of Suigetsu Hozuki, and make contact with him."

"I can do it," Kabuto Yakushi replied with unwavering determination.

“I believe you can do it, so I will call Nonou back.” Shimura Gengetsu first showed his sincerity, and sure enough, Yakushi Kabuto showed an unusually excited expression.

"As long as you are alive and serving me, Nonou will not go on overseas missions, but will only serve as a healer in Root."

Yakushi Kabuto knelt on one knee. "Thank you, Lord Xuan Yue."

“No need to thank me, it’s an equal exchange.” Shimura Gengetsu shook his head. “Your task is not simple, it may even take ten years to complete.”

"I will do my best to serve you."

Shimura Gengetsu tossed out a scroll. "The mission objective and what you need to do are all in here. Go down now. If you don't understand anything, you can ask me. You can set off in a week."