Orochimaru and Itachi both looked at Natsuhiboshi kneeling on the ground, then turned toward Kamizuki Gen.
They were curious.
Was this kunoichi here for revenge?
And more importantly—
how would Gen deal with her?
"Go on," Gen said, stepping forward and helping her up from the cold snake scales. "Tell me. How exactly do you want to be saved?"
She had already lost her husband.
Gen was kind-hearted—
he couldn't bear to see her suffer any further.
Orochimaru and Itachi fell silent at the same time.
If this had been a male ninja instead—
would he have received the same treatment?
As Gen personally helped her up, Natsuhiboshi's arms trembled slightly, yet she didn't dare resist.
He's… this easy to talk to?
Confusion filled her heart.
After steadying herself, she bowed slightly and spoke honestly:
"The most valuable cultivation resource of Hoshigakure is now in your possession. Our village has a total of 335 civilians, and we can steadily train ten genin each year."
"If you are willing, we can become your subordinate ninja village."
"In other words… you would become our Hoshikage."
"…?"
Gen frowned slightly.
Huh?
I'm becoming a Kage just like that?
Naruto needed 720 episodes to become Hokage.
He had just graduated—
and now he was about to become a Kage?
Sure, Hoshikage didn't carry much weight—
but it was still a Kage title.
Gen said calmly:
"The ninja of Hoshigakure were almost entirely killed by me."
"If your plan is to numb me with this offer and look for a chance to take revenge…"
"…then I suggest you strike now."
Natsuhiboshi shook her head frantically.
"No! The ninja in the village all supported Akahoshi. The path they chose was wrong."
"I have no intention of taking revenge on you. By taking the Star… you've actually saved Hoshigakure."
"I also understand that our village holds little value. If I were trying to deceive you… this wouldn't even be a clever method."
"Heh…"
Gen chuckled.
"A village with barely thirty ninja doesn't even deserve to be called a ninja village."
"Let alone claim the title of Kage."
"To me…"
"You have no value at all."
Natsuhiboshi's brows tightened.
Despair surfaced on her beautiful face.
She wanted to say more—
but couldn't.
She truly had no bargaining chips left.
A small village like theirs—
should never have dreamed so big.
Seeing no more entertainment, Orochimaru and Itachi lost interest.
"Regardless," Natsuhiboshi said sincerely, bowing deeply, "you have ended Hoshigakure's misguided obsession."
"On behalf of the villagers who were not yet poisoned by the Star…"
"…thank you."
With that, she turned to leave.
She had already done everything she could.
The fact that he had listened at all—
was already mercy.
From this day on—
Hoshigakure would cease to exist.
And she would take responsibility, leading the remaining civilians and searching for a cure for the children.
Facing the night wind—
she formed hand seals.
Pink butterfly-like wings spread behind her once more.
Just then—
Gen's voice came from behind her.
"You may have no value to me…"
"…but to some people, you are quite valuable."
Natsuhiboshi froze mid-motion.
Her technique dispersed instantly.
She turned around, eyes filled with hope.
"Y-You mean…?"
Orochimaru and Itachi also turned back.
Gen smiled.
"Pack your things. Move to Amegakure."
"Become citizens of the Hidden Rain Village."
"You'll be assigned work there."
Gen had no intention of building a separate faction.
These ordinary ninja didn't interest him.
In the future—
Akatsuki would belong to him anyway.
For now, he only needed to grow stronger—
and slowly clean up the organization.
However—
Amegakure lacked population.
And Hoshigakure—
was a perfect gift for Konan.
Hearing this, Natsuhiboshi exclaimed excitedly:
"Yes—Lord Hoshikage!"
Gen's expression darkened immediately.
"Don't randomly assign titles."
Afraid he might change his mind, she hurriedly said:
"I'll return immediately and organize the village's relocation!"
With that, she activated the Peacock Mystic Art again and shot into the sky like a streak of pink light.
As long as she could follow this man—
she believed that one day—
he would save the children.
Watching her leave in a hurry—
Gen shook his head helplessly.
In his view, her decision had been reckless—
but understandable.
If only Orochimaru had taken the Star—
she would have walked straight into becoming a test subject.
Of course—
Orochimaru already had enough experiments.
In the original timeline—
he never even bothered with this.
Orochimaru sighed with admiration.
"You truly have great fortune."
"To gain a village under such circumstances…"
"…congratulations on becoming a Kage."
Gen shook his head.
"Let's head back."
In the future—
Orochimaru himself would found Otogakure.
He just never bothered with the title of Kage.
Orochimaru nodded and guided the giant serpent toward Amegakure.
On the other side—
Itachi glanced at Gen, then looked back at the night sky.
To him—
Gen was contradictory.
He could destroy a village without hesitation—
yet still make arrangements for its civilians.
At the very least—
Itachi believed one thing.
That man…
still had some kindness left in him.
Amegakure — God Tree Tower
Inside a dim room—
Konan stood beside Nagato's mechanical chair.
"It seems my intuition was right. Kamizuki Gen returned—with Orochimaru and Itachi."
"They didn't go to the black market."
Nagato nodded.
"Yes. I sensed it."
Konan continued,
"He reported it himself. They destroyed a village—Hoshigakure."
After a pause, Nagato said,
"Nothing major."
Konan shook her head slightly.
"He destroyed their village… yet the civilians ended up clinging to him."
"They even wanted him to become their Kage."
"…?"
Nagato fell silent.
That—
was rare.
Almost unheard of.
A faint smile appeared on Konan's lips before she composed herself.
"So he handed those civilians over to me."
"He wants Amegakure to take them in."
Nagato paused, then said,
"Amegakure does need more people."
"No wonder you're pleased."
Then he added,
"Since he has nothing better to do…"
"…talk to him."
"Have him evaluate the next candidate for Akatsuki."
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