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The List of My "Wandering Reader":

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-Lord_Clamiral

-Cain

-Shahzaam

-Goha21

-Splendid 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

-Jacob Mooe

-Varun Madhu

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-------------------------------------------------------------

Atop the tower in Amegakure, resides the Deva Path and Konan, there was now another person—Uchiha Obito, who bore the name of Uchiha Madara.

Watching the Deva Path sitting on the edge of the tower, one leg dangling in the air, Obito’s voice was devoid of any emotion:

"Your counterattack may have caused some losses to the Five Great Shinobi Villages, but it will also bring significant trouble to the organization. Once the Five Great Villages get serious, we’ll be in deep trouble."

The Akatsuki organization hadn’t yet grown strong enough to openly confront the Five Great Villages.

Obito’s idea was simple—lay low for now.

As long as Akatsuki remained hidden underground, the Five Great Villages wouldn’t be able to find them. Given time, their guard would naturally drop.

However, this would mean that Amegakure—and even the Land of Rain—would suffer the consequences.

"I’ll handle it."

The Deva Path’s emotions remained undisturbed, like a stagnant pool of water, showing no intention of engaging further with Obito.

Konan, standing nearby, glanced warily at Obito but said nothing.

Whatever decision Nagato made, she would support him. But neither she nor Nagato truly trusted this so-called "Uchiha Madara."

"Fine."

It seemed Nagato wouldn’t change his mind.

They still refused to leave Amegakure and go into hiding.

Obito didn’t press further.

If Nagato wanted to play this game, then let him.

Unlike the perpetually anxious Zetsu, who was always afraid of being discovered, Obito couldn’t care less.

Go ahead and play. In the end, Nagato was nothing more than a pawn to be controlled. There was no need to get worked up over trivial matters.

If he wanted to play, then let him.

---

Konohagakure, Hokage’s Office.

It was already late at night, but two young boys were still toiling away at their desks.

’Ugh... If only I could turn back time, I would’ve...’

’Ow!’

"What are you dawdling for? Keep writing!"

Noticing Naruto’s distraction, Kazuki picked up a scroll and threw it at him. It hit its target with a ’thud’, making Naruto yelp and clutch his head in pain.

’How can you still afford to space out?!’

Shikamaru was at his wit’s end. Rubbing his nearly broken wrist, he forced himself to keep writing.

’I swear, from now on, I’m staying far away from Naruto.’

’Good grief, my hand’s about to fall off... and I’m starving.’

What made it even worse was that everyone else had already gone home—only the two of them were still stuck here, suffering.

To add insult to injury, neither Jiraiya nor Shikaku had shown up to rescue them. They’d been completely abandoned to Kazuki’s mercy.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, someone rapped on the office door.

Kazuki, lounging on the sofa with his legs crossed, called out lazily.

"Come in."

Click.

The door opened, and Yūhi Kurenai stepped inside, carrying a bag. She glanced sympathetically at the two miserable boys.

"Still not finished? It’s already the middle of the night."

"At their current pace, Shikamaru might finish by dawn. Naruto... well, he’s got a long way to go."

"Isn’t this punishment a bit too harsh? They’re just kids."

Kurenai couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for them. Writing ’"I was wrong"’ and ’"I’m a big-mouthed idiot"’ a hundred thousand times each—how long would that even take?

They’d probably develop a lifelong phobia of pens and paper after this.

"For troublemakers like them, this is the best kind of punishment. It’ll teach them a lesson they won’t forget."

Kazuki remained unmoved. He took the bag from Kurenai and opened it, pulling out a food container.

’Mmm, nice. Your cooking’s as good as ever.’

Not only did they have no food, but this guy was now eating grilled meat right in front of them—and now a beautiful woman had even brought him midnight snacks?!

’AAAHHH!!! Just end me already!’

"Don’t say I’m cruel. These two bento boxes are for you—courtesy of Kurenai. But you only get to eat them ’after’ you finish writing."

Unlike Kazuki, Kurenai wasn’t so heartless. She’d prepared meals for Naruto and Shikamaru too—though theirs were far simpler compared to Kazuki’s lavish spread.

After finishing his meal, Kazuki wiped his mouth, pulled Kurenai into his arms, and began shamelessly flaunting their relationship—much to the boys’ exasperation.

’Wait, isn’t this guy already engaged?!’

’How does he have a girlfriend too?!’

’What the hell is wrong with this world?!’

Fortunately, Kurenai didn’t stay long. She had no intention of pulling an all-nighter with Kazuki.

"I’m heading back. You should rest soon too. As for them..."

Remembering Kazuki’s young fiancée, she could only shake her head.

’People from big clans really are something else...’

"I’ll see how it goes."

Kazuki made no promises. He ’had’ to make sure Naruto and Shikamaru finished their punishment—otherwise, they’d never take him seriously.

If he gave up halfway, Shikamaru might tolerate it, but Naruto would definitely think.

’Big deal! You couldn’t even stick it out yourself, and you have the nerve to supervise me?!’

"Don’t ask questions. Don’t say a word. Just keep writing."

The moment Kurenai left, the two boys shot him curious looks, but Kazuki shut them down immediately.

’Focus on your punishment. The rest is none of your business, brats.’

---

"Naruto, I’m cutting ties with you!!!"

By dawn, Shikamaru—exhausted, trembling, and barely able to keep his eyes open—slammed his hands on the desk, declared his "breakup" with Naruto, and stormed out.

Naruto blinked in confusion.

’Huh? What did I do? Why’s he mad at me?’

Since Naruto and Shikamaru had endured such a harsh punishment, Kazuki kindly arranged for them to take the day off—so they could recover at home.

This incident gave Jiraiya an idea for disciplining Naruto in the future.

From then on, whenever Naruto misbehaved or acted out, Jiraiya would ’thoughtfully’ provide him with paper and pens—encouraging him to ’"study hard and improve every day."’

Surprisingly, the threat of forced writing—along with the mysterious stacks of test papers that kept appearing at home—made Naruto behave much better.

No longer did he cause as much trouble as before, terrified of being caught and sentenced to another hand-cramping writing marathon.

---

While Naruto lay at home, utterly drained and questioning his life choices, Sasuke strutted into the academy like a victorious rooster.

After returning home yesterday, he’d been praised by his entire family—leaving him so thrilled he could barely contain himself.

*****

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