Naruto: I Can Upgrade My Techniques Infinitely
Chapter 146: No Blond Guys, Please, Just No

Chapter 146: No Blond Guys, Please, Just No

"Though the village has decided to move forward with constructing the steam train, after much discussion, we’ve also chosen—for various reasons—to sell this technology to the other shinobi villages," Namikaze Minato said wearily, massaging his temples as he slumped in his chair.

Kazuki watched the Hokage with a flicker of sympathy in his eyes.

Being Hokage might look glorious from the outside, but in truth, it wasn’t as pretty as it seemed. Especially for Minato, who’d clearly been through hell lately. The level of suffering he endured could only be described as inhuman.

An entire month. A full damn month. The elders hadn’t done anything but argue about how to split the profits. Minato had to sit in the middle, trying to mediate. It made Kazuki privately suspect the real reason Minato had been chosen as Hokage was because he had no clan backing him.

After all, a civilian Hokage meant no family interests pulling strings behind the scenes.

Unlike Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had the entire Sarutobi clan propping him up. But give Minato enough time in the Hokage’s chair and even he’d eventually build some family legacy—especially in a world that practically begged shinobi to breed like rabbits. The more kids, the better.

"So where am I going?" Kazuki asked casually. He figured he wouldn’t be sent to all four of the Great Nations—that would be insane. More likely, each country would get its own envoy. He’d probably just be assigned one.

"The Land of Lightning. Kumogakure is your destination," Minato said.

Kazuki blinked. Kumogakure?

"It’s just our squad going?" Kazuki recalled the mission scroll the ANBU had handed him. It had mentioned he would lead the team, but Kazuki thought that couldn’t be right. Kumogakure was still one of the strongest shinobi villages. Sending a half-evaluated jōnin-in-training like him felt underwhelming.

"No, of course not. This mission will be led by Nara Suzaku. But since you came up with most of the ideas for the train, you’ll be going too—to help improve the odds of selling it," Minato explained, clearly reading Kazuki’s concerns. If Kazuki had already been a full jōnin, he might’ve qualified to lead. But since he wasn’t, someone reliable had to go with him.

Suzaku was perfect for that.

Minato had considered sending Shikaku, but the risks of sending a top strategist into enemy territory—even in peacetime—weren’t worth it. The Third Shinobi War hadn’t been over that long, after all.

As for Minato himself—there was no way he could go. He was the Hokage. Going around selling trains like a merchant? That would be a joke.

"Suzaku-ojisan, huh? Got it," Kazuki said with a shrug. Knowing Suzaku’s reputation in the clan, this made sense. While he wasn’t the clan head, Suzaku was a key figure in the Nara—strong, experienced, and politically steady.

Perfect for diplomacy. Minato probably picked him precisely for that calm demeanor.

"Be careful with the Raikage, A. I’ve fought him before. He’s very straightforward—blunt, even. You can speak directly with him, but mind your tone," Minato warned, looking serious.

Kazuki nodded... but his expression turned a little weird at the mention of A.

It wasn’t that he had a grudge against the guy. It was just—when he’d been talking to Jiraiya about writing fiction, he’d brought up A as the basis for a certain... genre.

Yes, that genre.

The moment A had shown up in the story with that massive frame and dark skin, he had become the perfect inspiration for a dozen NTR-themed novels in the doujinshi world.

Not that Kazuki was judging—but still, it was hard not to remember all the memes, all the cursed fanworks, all the "Black Bull" imagery. It didn’t help that every time some pink-colored app posted an "NTR" tag, A was the de facto star.

So now, standing face to face with the real A? That was going to be awkward.

And if anyone somehow linked the fictional "Black Thunder" character to real-life Raikage A?

Kazuki prayed his pen name wouldn’t give him away.

With the mission accepted, Kazuki left the Hokage’s office. Since this was a diplomatic trip to Kumogakure, formalwear would be expected—at least for Suzaku. As for Kazuki, being part of ANBU, he could get away with a standard field uniform.

When Kazuki returned to the clan compound, he saw Suzaku packing inside. The moment Suzaku noticed him, he smiled and waved.

"Uncle Suzaku, you’ve got the mission too, right? Need me to walk you through any details about the steam train?" Kazuki stepped closer, genuinely curious.

Honestly, Kazuki didn’t understand why he had to go. Suzaku was smart. He could read a few dossiers and remember everything just fine. There was no real need to drag Kazuki along.

"I’ve already read through the materials. It’s definitely a revolutionary invention," Suzaku said, clapping Kazuki on the shoulder.

Then he paused.

A strange expression flickered across his face.

Kazuki narrowed his eyes.

Wait a minute. What’s going on here?

Did Suzaku know something he didn’t? Was there some other reason they were sending him of all people?

Was this mission really just about diplomacy?

Or was something bigger hiding beneath the surface...?

---