DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (I'LL TRY EMAILING MASASHI KISHIMOTO OR SHUEISHA IF I CAN ALSO CO-OWN IT)

Ch.35 - Unwanted Houseguests

- In Tamayori's Manor: 3:00AM -

The village of Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water) lay quiet and serene beneath the starry night sky. The distant chirping of cicadas filled the warm air, a testament to the village's location in Yu no Kuni (Land of Hot Water). Amidst the peaceful slumber of the world, one person remained restless—Kiba. The unfamiliar warm climate kept him tossing and turning in his bed, his attempts to find a comfortable position in vain. Despite trying everything from sleeping without a blanket to opening a fan, Kiba couldn't escape the discomfort. Reluctantly, he abandoned the idea of sleeping in his underwear, mindful of his roommates.

Deciding to freshen up in the bathroom to cool down, Kiba cautiously got out of bed, not wanting to disturb his fellow teammates. Akamaru stirred awake, his senses attuned to Kiba's movements. The faithful dog observed his master, and Kiba understood the unspoken communication between them. Reluctant to bring Akamaru along for such a short trip, Kiba sighed but eventually gestured for his loyal companion to join him. As they quietly made their way to the bathroom, Kiba grumbled to himself, expressing his frustration with the village's warm climate.

"How can anyone sleep in this village?" he mused silently. Reaching the bathroom down the hall, Kiba entered, mindful of making as little noise as possible. The room lit up as he switched on the light, revealing his sweaty reflection in the mirror. Kiba noticed the perspiration on his face and decided to cool off by splashing cool water on it. While in the bathroom, he also took the opportunity to relieve himself before returning to bed. Kiba asked Akamaru if he needed to go as well, receiving a gentle yip in response.

"Alright then, suit yourself," Kiba replied, sensing Akamaru's independence. Suddenly, Akamaru's ears perked up, alerted by a faint sound from afar. Kiba quickly picked up on his companion's reaction and inquired about what he had heard. Akamaru emitted a soft howl, conveying the presence of feint footsteps and the sound of a window opening down the hall. Aware that their client, Tamayori-san, might be in danger, Kiba contemplated whether to inform his sensei or discreetly trail the intruder himself. In a split second, he made the impulsive decision to silently pursue the figure trespassing through the manor at such an unholy hour.

Stealthily, Kiba descended the grand staircase, skillfully hiding behind corners and walls to avoid detection. He listened intently, using his acute senses to track the movements of the intruder. Eventually, he heard a door creak open and cautiously peered from a corner, spotting the figure entering what appeared to be Tamayori-san's room. Determined to ensure their client's safety, Kiba hastened to the room, his adrenaline pumping. As he arrived at the door, he discreetly surveyed the scene, catching sight of the figure standing near Tamayori-san's bed, clutching a kunai. In an instant, Kiba burst into the room, forcefully swinging open the door, catching the intruder off guard.

"Shikyaku no Jutsu! (Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry: All-Fours Jutsu)!" Kiba yelled, adopting an agile stance on all fours to swiftly close the distance between himself and the intruder. Akamaru was ready to lend his support, prepared to attack the assailant. However, the intruder reacted swiftly, throwing a smoke bomb onto the ground, enveloping the room in a veil of smoke. Tamayori coughed, startled by the sudden haze. Though Kiba's vision was obscured, his keen sense of smell allowed him to track the intruder's presence. Before he could apprehend the assailant, a sound of shattering glass reached his ears. The smoke dissipated, revealing an empty room, shards of broken glass strewn across the floor. Tamayori, still in shock, lay in bed, grateful for Kiba's timely intervention.

Concerned voices echoed down the hall as Kurenai and the rest of Team 8 rushed to investigate the commotion. "What happened here, Kiba?" Kurenai inquired, her voice filled with urgency.

"Well, Kurenai-sensei, as I returned from the bathroom, Akamaru heard a window being opened down the hall. I decided to investigate and discovered someone wandering the manor. I would have informed you, but the intruder swiftly made their way to the right wing, where Tamayori-san's bedroom is located. I followed them and intervened just in time to protect Tamayori-san," Kiba explained, his words brimming with determination.

"I see. Is Tamayori-san alright?" Kurenai asked, her voice laced with concern.

"He's fine," Kiba assured her. Kurenai commended him for his quick thinking and bravery, acknowledging his exemplary actions. Turning her attention to Tamayori, who was still visibly shaken, she suggested he return to sleep while she and her team remained vigilant, prepared to ward off any further threats. Tamayori, though grateful, insisted on staying awake for the time being, expressing his desire to discuss the situation further.

"Meet me at my home-office in an hour. I'll inform the servants to prepare an early breakfast while I freshen up," Tamayori instructed, his resilience shining through despite the recent danger.

"Very well, Tamayori-san. We appreciate your hospitality," Kurenai replied, her voice conveying gratitude. With the night fraught with danger and uncertainty, Kurenai and her team departed to prepare for the upcoming meeting at Tamayori's home-office. Their minds filled with questions and the determination to uncover the truth behind the intrusion, they embarked on their next step, united in their quest to protect their client and bring an end to the threat looming over client's life

- Moment's Later With Team 8 -

As Team 8 strolled down the opulent halls of the right wing, they encountered numerous staff members who were already bustling about, eager to assist Tamayori in starting his day, despite the early hour. As they approached the exit, their attention was drawn to Shotaro hurrying into the manor, his breath labored and curiosity shining in his eyes.

"I came as quickly as I could. What happened?" Shotaro inquired, his voice filled with concern and a genuine desire to understand the unfolding situation.

Kurenai provided a brief summary of the recent events, assuring Shotaro of Tamayori's safety while stressing the need for continued vigilance. "That's terrible! Though I'm glad that Tamayori-sama is safe," Shotaro remarked, a mixture of relief and worry etching his features.

Kurenai acknowledged the ongoing threat, cautioning, "He is safe, for now, due to the fact that the intruder remains at large and may attempt to return. We must stay on high alert to ensure Tamayori's safety and find out who the culprit is."

Shotaro's expression shifted to one of concern, but Kurenai offered reassurance, emphasizing their commitment to protect Tamayori. "While we wait for Tamayori-san, would you mind if we asked you a few questions?" Kurenai requested.

"Sure! What would you like to know?" Shotaro replied, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

"There's something that has been on my mind. How did you come to know Tamayori-san?" Kurenai inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Shotaro's eyes gleamed with recognition. "Ah, I see. Well, it's quite a tale. Perhaps we should find a comfortable place to discuss it," he suggested.

Team 8 nodded in agreement, and together they made their way to the spacious living room of the manor. Shotaro seemed to navigate the mansion's layout with ease, moving through its corridors as if he were the one who had designed it.

- In Tamayori's Manor: 3:50AM -

(Living Room)

"Ah, much better," he exclaimed, settling himself comfortably onto a chair. "Is everyone settled down?" he inquired, glancing at Kurenai and her attentive students, who nodded in response.

"Great! Now, where was I? Ahhh, yes, his father and I were close friends back in the day. If you would believe it, Tamayori-sama's father, Shigeo, worked at a very young age; he used to be a rice farmer in Ta no Kuni (Land of Rice). He grew up in poverty, where he would live paycheck to paycheck; sometimes his income wasn't enough, and there would be days where he couldn't eat anything. Even though he had a family, they didn't care about him and pretty much left him to support himself. Then one day, he decided that enough was enough. He wanted to turn a new leaf and start from scratch. He packed his bags and made his way here to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), where he strived to make a name for himself. Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water) is pretty small, so you'll know if someone is brand new in town. At first, I paid him no mind; I would see him doing odd jobs throughout the village and whatnot. Back then, I was working as a waiter in a small restaurant, and on one faithful day, I saw him enter the restaurant. He was looking for something to eat even though he didn't have any money on him. He then approached the counter and asked me if it would be alright for him to eat there in exchange for services. I told him that I had to ask the manager if that was okay since I was just a waiter there, and he told me that he'd really appreciate it if I were to ask the manager about that. I agreed and made my way to the back and talked to my manager. He said he was alright with it and that he could wash the dishes since our dishwasher back then called in sick that day. I relayed that information to him, and the look on his face was priceless. I could tell that it made him really happy. He thanked me for doing him a favor; he then asked me for guidance on what to do, and I gladly showed him the way. He would do this occasionally to the point where the manager hired him to be the dishwasher. Neat, right?" Shotaro shared, a warm smile gracing his features.

Curiosity got the better of Choji, and he couldn't resist asking, "And then what happened?"

"He and I worked there for a few years and got to know each other, and then one day we talked about our dreams, aspirations, and whatnot. I asked him to share his first since, at the time, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to accomplish in life. Shigeo began to tell me what he aimed to do in this village. He shared with me his ambition to make a name for himself and all sorts of plans he had in mind. Young me couldn't help but admire such an ambitious man who wanted to work his way up the ladder of life and make something out of himself. He then proposed that he and I should become business partners. I said sure, though I asked him what sort of business he and I should create. And then it hit him: for a village named Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), there sure aren't a lot of establishments that provide services with regards to hot springs. Sure, there are hot springs that are open to the public, but those are out in the open, whereas he envisioned an establishment that would cater to your every need while you enjoy taking a dip. Those services would include food, entertainment, clothing, and many more, and that was when the idea of our business was born. I told him that his idea was brilliant and that I was on board to help him get his business idea started," Shotaro recounted with enthusiasm.

Kiba chimed in, "You still haven't told us how you know Tamayori-san..."

Sakura quickly reprimanded him, "Kiba! Just listen to Shotaro-san's story, alright?"

Relenting, Kiba replied, "Fine," eliciting a chuckle from Shotaro.

"Don't worry, I'm getting there; now where was I? Right! But before we started the business, he and I kept working at the restaurant to earn some money to serve as capital for the business. Not only that, he would also head to the library and study; I'd see him reading books about starting a business, how to run a business, how to cultivate it, and a lot more. I lost track of how many books he has read, but him doing that certainly paid off. Between the two of us, he was the brains of the operation, whereas I remained his trusty companion and his supporter. Once we were able to save enough money to start up the business, we tendered our resignation to the restaurant and started our own. It took a while to get it up and running, but the wait was certainly worth it. Month after month, year after year, the business grew, albeit at a slow pace, but it was definitely growing! With his knowledge about businesses, he was able to expand it and make them it better. I don't know much about what he did, but whatever he did, it worked. After that, it was pretty much smooth sailing; the money kept coming, and I saw him meet a woman, get married, and have children of his own. And that's how I know Tamayori-sama: from a professional standpoint, he and I are partners; from a personal standpoint, I'm his godfather." Shotaro concluded, his tale brimming with fond memories.

Kiba couldn't resist interjecting, "So, that's how you know him?"

"Exactly! Any more questions?" Shotaro asked, prompting further inquiry.

Choji's curiosity surfaced again, "Why weren't you the one to take over the business when Shigeo-san passed away? Weren't you two the founders?"

Shotaro clarified, "Well, you see, not all founders necessarily become the boss of the business, if you that makes sense. While I was there from the beginning, I didn't possess the expertise to run it."

Choji nodded in understanding, and Sakura, with a related question, spoke up, "I have a question related to what happened earlier."

"Sure, go ahead," Shotaro encouraged.

"How did an intruder manage to slip past the security? Isn't the manor guarded 24/7?" Sakura inquired.

Acknowledging the lapse in security, Shotaro responded with a tinge of concern, "While the manor is indeed guarded around the clock, it seems there was a momentary oversight that Tamayori-sama and I are unaware of. I'll be sure to inform him about it. It's a matter of utmost importance."

"I see. That makes sense," Sakura added, accepting the explanation.

At that moment, one of Tamayori's servants entered the room and announced that breakfast was ready. Shigeo stood up, intending to leave, but the maid interjected, relaying Tamayori's instruction for Shigeo to stay and join their discussion in his office shortly. "I guess I'll be joining you all for breakfast then. Kindly inform Tamayori-sama of my gratitude," Shigeo responded to the maid's message before she bowed and left the room.

Team 8 and Shigeo made their way to the dining area, sat down to enjoy their meal, and afterward, they planned to convene with Tamayori in his home-office to address the pressing matter at hand.

- In Tamayori's Home Office: 4:50AM -

Inside Tamayori's office, they found themselves in a spacious and inviting space. The room exuded a cozy atmosphere, enhanced by a generously sized table crafted from the finest wood available in the vicinity. Adorning the walls were a collection of portraits, ranging from intricate artworks to captivating landscapes. Among them hung a significant piece—a portrait of Tamayori's father, Shigeo. The room also boasted shelves overflowing with an array of books, offering a glimpse into Tamayori's intellectual pursuits. Seated behind his desk, Tamayori appeared to have been anticipating their arrival, engrossed in some task before they entered.

As the five of them entered the room, Tamayori acknowledged their presence and expressed his gratitude for their attendance. "Ah, excellent. Now that all of you are here, let's commence our discussion regarding the current situation. Please, take a seat," he invited, gesturing for them to find chairs. Each person pulled up a chair, settling in for what lay ahead. Tamayori cleared his throat, signaling the start of his explanation about their predicament.

"As you all know, my life was recently threatened, and I believe it is crucial to take action promptly. What are your thoughts, Yuhi-san?" he turned to Kurenai, seeking her input.

"I agree, Tamayori-san. However, before we proceed, I have a question for you," Kurenai replied.

"Of course, Yuhi-san. What would you like to ask?" Tamayori inquired.

"Considering that we will be conducting interrogations, it would be wise to enlist a specialist from Konoha to ensure the credibility of the information we obtain from the suspects. If we had known about your desire for interrogations, we would have brought a specialist with us in the first place," Kurenai explained.

"I see... Well, if that is the case, then so be it. Though I wonder how long it will take for this specialist to arrive in Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water)," Tamayori pondered.

"Don't worry, Tamayori-san. It should only take a day at most," Kurenai reassured.

"I see. Then we shall await the arrival of this specialist here in Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water)," Tamayori agreed.

"Furthermore, I would like to seek your assistance in tracking down the individuals you mentioned as possible suspects the other day. If I recall correctly, your rival, your ex-wife, and your brother were among them," Kurenai inquired.

"Precisely, I already compiled the pertinent information you need to locate these individuals," Tamayori stated, sliding the piece of paper he had been writing on toward Kurenai.

Kurenai accepted the paper and began reading its contents. It detailed the names of the three suspects, along with their addresses and possible motives. The level of detail was impressive and would prove invaluable to their mission. Subsequently, they delved into discussions on how best to ensure Tamayori's safety. Kurenai proposed the idea of Tamayori accompanying them to interrogate the suspects—a solution that would serve two purposes. Firstly, it would enable them to identify the culprit, and secondly, it would guarantee Tamayori's safety throughout the process.

"I don't see any reason why I shouldn't," Tamayori replied, consenting to the plan.

"Excellent. It's settled, then. Tamayori-san will accompany us to interrogate these three individuals. However, our utmost priority remains safeguarding Tamayori-san," Kurenai confirmed, receiving unanimous agreement from the group.

"Oh, by the way, Tamayori-sama, there may have been a security lapse earlier, which likely allowed an intruder to bypass the guards," Shotaro interjected.

"Oh dear... That is indeed concerning," Tamayori expressed his worry.

"But don't worry, Tamayori-sama. I will handle it," Shotaro assured him.

"Thank you, Shotaro-san. I truly appreciate your assistance," Tamayori gratefully acknowledged.

"Is there anything else you would like to discuss, Tamayori-san?"

"Is there anything else you would like to discuss, Tamayori-san?" Kurenai inquired with a gentle tone, her eyes filled with genuine concern. She awaited Tamayori's response, giving him the opportunity to express any lingering thoughts or concerns that might have slipped their collective attention. Tamayori pondered for a moment, his gaze shifting to the window overlooking the vibrant courtyard outside. But after a while of thinking, Tamayori shook his head, a slight smile gracing his lips. "No, Kurenai-san," he replied, his voice carrying a tinge of exhaustion tempered with resilience. "I believe we have covered everything of immediate importance. I have entrusted my faith in your capable hands" he said.

Very well, Tamayori-san. And rest assured, you can count on us" she said, her voice tinged with determination. With the meeting drawing to a close, the group rose from their seats, the scraping of chairs punctuating the gravity of the moment. Each member exchanged knowing glances, their eyes reflecting unwavering commitment. It was a silent affirmation, a unspoken agreement that they would prepare for the night ahead.

(A/N: Wow it's been one whole year since I last uploaded, well here's a new chapter and btw, I've rewritten the entire fic and made it more uhhh... descriptive, fixed some things here and there and also decided to rewrite the Mori no Kuni story arc, it was a mess back then but now I think it's much better compared to the previous version. Though I do have a rough idea of how I want this fic to turn out but I'm winging it along the way just like what Kishimoto did, I guess it worked up until the Pain Invasion Arc, but it was still alright beyond that, so yeah. So if you're interested try reading the entire fic again and see if it feels much better to read. Basically, I used what I learned from some writing classes I took, better tools like AI Grammar and whatnot. Regardless, I hope you all liked this chapter)