In the hot spring, Kiyosuke, Asuma, Obito, and Kakashi all had towels draped over their heads, soaking in the warmth. Obito let out a long, lazy sigh.
"Man, this is the life... Compared to the ones in Konoha, the hot springs here in the Land of Hot Water are way better!"
Wisps of steam curled up from the water, creating a dreamlike haze. As the four of them relaxed, Kiyosuke turned to Kakashi, who had wrapped a towel around his face.
"Kakashi, why are you still covering your face even in the hot spring?"
He'd always been curious about Kakashi's face. Everyone said he was good-looking, but he'd never seen what the real-life version looked like.
Obito snickered. "Don't tell me you've got buck teeth or lips like a fish? Hiding something hideous, huh? Hahaha!"
"How childish."
Kakashi shot him a dead-fish-eyed glare but still pulled down the towel—not out of spite, just because it was hot.
Beneath the towel was an undeniably handsome face. Even with a cold expression, the beauty mark just below his mouth added charm. If he actually smiled, he'd probably be even more attractive.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Obito shrieked. "You definitely used a transformation jutsu! There's no way you're naturally that good-looking!"
"Yeah... he's pretty handsome," Kiyosuke said, stroking his chin. "Almost as good-looking as me. In all of Konoha, only Kakashi comes close to matching my looks."
"Hmph! Still not as good-looking as me!" Obito scoffed, clearly in denial. Thank goodness he always wore a mask—otherwise, he'd lose badly in front of Rin!
Asuma nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, he's almost at my level too."
Nah. The entire Sarutobi clan looked old before their time. Let's be real—once you grow a beard, those Sarutobi genes are gonna hit you like a truck.
Kiyosuke and Obito stared at him.
Asuma blushed under their gaze.
"What's with those looks? What are you two thinking?"
"Nothing."
"We're just amazed at how shameless you are," Obito said, grinning.
"You bastard! You're just as shameless as I am!"
Asuma lunged at Obito, and the two of them started roughhousing in the water.
Meanwhile, Kiyosuke and Kakashi silently shifted to the side, watching the chaos unfold.
Suddenly, Kakashi asked, "Hey, Asakawa. That Fire Style jutsu you used earlier—it came straight from your hand. Is that some kind of special technique?"
He'd been really curious about that move, especially how the flames seemed to emerge directly from Kiyosuke's body.
"Oh, that? It's a kekkei genkai passed down in my clan. It hadn't appeared for generations, but I suddenly awakened it. It lets me turn my body into flames—kinda like how the Hozuki clan from Kirigakure liquefies their bodies."
He raised a hand, and blazing fire erupted from his palm.
Good thing Devil Fruits were localized in this world—no curse of the sea. Otherwise, he might've literally boiled himself to death just taking a bath at home.
If word ever got out that he died in his own tub, his reputation would be ruined forever.
"That's a pretty rare kekkei genkai," Kakashi said, realizing he might've overstepped. He nodded and dropped the subject.
Meanwhile, Asuma and Obito had started splashing water at each other—and ended up soaking the two beside them.
Kiyosuke flung off his towel and charged in.
"You two idiots are asking for it!"
"So naïve."
Kakashi shook his head. This group really wasn't for him. He started heading to shore, only for Obito to yank him back into the fray. The four boys devolved into a full-on water war.
After the playful fight wound down, Obito and Asuma crept over to the divider between the male and female baths.
Right on the other side were Rin and Kurenai, happily soaking.
"..."
Kakashi.
"..."
Kiyosuke.
What were they even hoping to see? Flat little girls? It's not like there was a hot older woman over there!
Kids. Just kids. Maybe in ten—no, five—years, it might be worth peeking. Not now.
"You're not going too?" Kakashi asked Kiyosuke.
"Do you take me for one of them? You think I'd stoop to their level?"
Kiyosuke pointed indignantly at Obito and Asuma.
"I have never seen such shameless individuals—and now there are two of them in front of me!"
In that moment, he stood like a giant of morality.
"Oh. So you're saying you're the honorable one here," Kakashi said, almost touched.
"Of course," Kiyosuke said solemnly. "Rin and Kurenai are cute, sure—but their figures just aren't there yet. Peeking now is meaningless!"
"..."
Kakashi.
Can I take back what I just said?
You're actually the least normal of all of us.
...
After the fun, the boys got dressed and decided to explore the local streets.
Wearing fresh clothes, they strolled through the town, feeling light and relaxed.
Obito and Asuma tailed the girls like two eager puppies, while Kakashi wandered off on his own. Kiyosuke, meanwhile, used a Transformation Jutsu to slip into a nearby gambling den.
As the saying goes—no one gets rich without a bit of risk. And he was broke.
All his mission earnings had gone into buying ninja tools—explosive tags were expensive! And D-rank missions barely paid squat. It was time to make some real money.
Just stepping inside, he saw a crowd gathered around a single table.
One lone player was gambling against a whole group of people.
And it wasn't the lone gambler winning big—it was the group raking it in!
A legendary jackpot sucker.
In every sense of the word—big time!
Oh my god.
He instinctively touched his nose. Not that bad, but… why was it itching? Was this body hitting puberty?
"I'll bet on high!"
A blonde woman with twin ponytails slapped her money on the table, her presence almost overwhelming.
Were they really that bouncy?
"We're betting low!"
The crowd moved as one.
This sucker was a golden goose. No way they were letting her off the hook!
"Low!"
The jackpot sucker wasn't giving up. "Again!"
Beside her, a little girl said nervously, "Lady Tsunade, we really can't afford to lose anymore…"
"It's fine, Shizune! This time I'll turn it around! You gotta believe in me!"
Tsunade had fallen for one of life's greatest delusions: I can make a comeback!
"I'm betting low!"
Seeing his chance, Kiyosuke pulled out his last bit of savings—50,000 ryo.
"Count me in! I'm betting high!"
"So bold!"
"Haha! We're going high too! Not because of logic—just 'cause this kid's got guts!"
"Well said! All in on high!"
"Reveal!"
High.
Jackpot.
Double the payout!
He bet it all again.
Finally, the golden goose had been plucked clean, and Kiyosuke's wallet was fat and happy.
This is what it feels like to be rich.
With the main attraction broke, the gamblers returned to their own games, and Kiyosuke decided to quit while he was ahead.
Time to slip out before fate caught up.
But just as he passed a narrow alley, a cold, iron grip yanked him into the shadows.
"MMPH!!"
Help! Somebody! A handsome young man is being kidnapped in broad daylight!!!
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo