After the fireworks ended and the Akatsuki returned to base with a pile of new clothes for everyone…
Haruto sat at the stone table and spoke to the others, who were lazily sitting around on rock-carved chairs.
"I was thinking about rebuilding our base from the inside. Y'know, like those mercenaries bases?"
Pain raised a brow. "What do you mean? We're Akatsuki, not some mercenary group that needs fancy decor. Kazuto-san."
"Weird answer, Pain," Haruto sighed. "But listen — this place is dimly lit, we sleep outside, always on alert for enemy attacks. Why not just make it safer and more comfortable?"
"And I believe I was bitten by a centipede last night!"
"What are you suggesting, Kazuto-san?" Tobi asked, curious.
Haruto looked at him. "To be honest, my back hurts from sleeping on tree trunks. It's messing with my combat."
"So, I got this idea."
Deidara nodded along. "Yeah... you're right."
Pain folded his arms. "So, besides Kazuto, does anyone else have trouble sleeping?"
Kisame shook his head. Itachi stayed neutral. Deidara raised a hand. "Yeah, my back starts hurting randomly. That's some real messed up thing!" He flashed Kazuto a thumbs-up.
Konan turned to Kazuto. "How do you plan to rebuild this while staying hidden?"
Kazuto hummed. "I'll find some workers, bring them here so fast they'll forget where they came from, and make them renovate while I get the materials."
"You're gonna abduct workers?" Kisame blinked.
"Exactly."
"That's so generous and smart of you kazuto-san!"tobi said clasping his hands
"I vouch for Kazuto building the base!" Kisame raised his hand. Tobi, Deidara, and even Itachi followed.
Konan hesitated, then spoke. "Then where are we going to sleep in the meantime?"
Kazuto grinned. "Had that planned too. I've got a mansion hidden inside the village here,well not technically hidden..."
Itachi finally spoke. "So, you had this all planned while we were just pieces on a board."
Kakuzu raised his hand. "Do you have any money left?"
"No… we still need to eat."
...
The Akatsuki members looked around the mansion as Kazuto asked, "Does anyone know how to cook?"
Only Itachi raised his hand. The rest looked around awkwardly.
Kazuto sighed. "We'll cook then, Itachi." Itachi nodded, no questions asked, as the others explored to find their rooms. Meanwhile, Haruto slipped out.
"Okay… where can I find builders? Should I ask Tazuna?"
Haruto nodded and disappeared in a flash.
He zipped across the Land of Waves and landed in front of the house labeled "Tazuna's Residence." He knocked twice. A woman in her early thirties opened the door.
"Ohh... how can I help you?"
"Uh, hi! I'm Haruto? Remember me?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Ohhh! Haruto-san! Come in. Dad's inside." She gaved a warm smile and gave way to haruuto
Haruto stepped through the door and spotted Tazuna writing something.
"What's wrong, Uncle Tazuna?"
Tazuna looked up. "Nothing... Wait — Haruto!" He stood and hugged him. "How are you, Haruto-san?"
"I'm fine. I came to ask a favor."
"Say it, right away!" Tazuna smiled.
Haruto glanced at the paper he was writing — Monthly Expense.
Maybe it was fate.
"I'm on a secret mission, so call me Kazuto for now."
"Kazuto... alright."
"I need help renovating a cave. I want to call it home no need to worry about money"
....
Kazuto stood beside ten workers and Tazuna, placing the last batch of rock down at the Akatsuki base
"Please be quick, Tazuna-san."
"Don't worry, Kazuto-san. It'll be ready in three days."
Kazuto nodded and left the workers as he returned to the mansion.
He opened the door... and what he saw startled him.
All the Akatsuki members — who weren't using rooms — were sleeping on the floor.
"What the hell are you guys doing!?"
Everyone looked up.
"There weren't space on a bed" Tobi mumbled. "So we gave the bed t konan..."
"You dumbasses! There are beds in each different room! Go sleep on them!"
"Watch your tone, young lad," Kakuzu grumbled.
"Shut up. If you're that old, then maybe you should be the first one using a bed! Or rather have your spine disintegrate"
Haruto muttered, "6 Idiots..." as he walked into the kitchen — and saw Itachi cooking.
"What are you cooking, Itachi-san?" Haruto asked, walking over. Itachi was quietly preparing rice.
"I made miso soup and rice. Want to make something else?"
Haruto nodded. "Should I make pork intestines curry?"
"Why do I suggest things I hate?" Haruto grumbled as he heard
"Sounds good," Itachi replied.
Haruto got to work. Once the pork intestines were cooked, he sliced up onions and cucumbers into round pieces and made a salad. He set the plates on the dining table.
Deidara sniffed the air. "Oh wow... smells good!" He reached out—
Smack! Haruto tapped a pressure point on his wrist. It instantly went numb.
"Why'd you do that?! My hand's dead!" Deidara said clutching his hand
"That's what you get for sneaking food. I'm the one serving."
Haruto filled bowls — miso soup in one, rice with curry in the other — and handed them out.
They ate in silence. Even Haruto, though he only had rice and miso soup. He couldn't stand pork intestines.
(I heard people eat it in China and Japan... not my thing tho)
After the meal, the others went to sleep one by one.
Haruto and Itachi remained, sitting beside each other in the quiet. Stars shimmering in the skies
"Did..." Itachi began in a whisper. "Did Konoha send you?"
"Konoha? Why would they send me?" Haruto whispered back.
Itachi studied him for a second. "Your habits... they remind me of someone. My brother's friend."
Haruto shrugged. "Well...I don't know what your talking about" haruto mumbled
"...What?" Itachi narrowed his eyes.
Haruto stood. "I'm going to sleep."
...
Authors corner
Hello! Sorry for the late chapter.
I had a big project with the deadline around the corner and it just completed so...I'll began uploading soon! In regular basis thanks!