So Free

The war between Konoha and Sunagakure ended faster than most people could have imagined.

While the Cloud Ninja and the Stone Ninja were still locked in a fierce battle, the Konoha and the Sand Ninja had already ceased hostilities, which surprised many people. According to predictions from busybodies, the war between the Konoha and the Sand Ninja was expected to last for at least a year or two.

Ninja wars are different from regular battles; they are very protracted, especially when the strength of the two major ninja villages is not significantly different. In such cases, the war will most likely turn into an endless tug-of-war.

However, things always unfold with uncertainty.

Katsuki ended the war, and the humiliation of Sunagakure spread throughout the Shinobi World. Along with it, Katsuki's name also became known. Following White Fang and the Sannin, he became another rising star in Konoha.

"... Natural disaster?"

"... It feels so strange! How should I put this title... um..."

Katsuki frowned, trying to figure out what was wrong.

"Really? I think it's great! Natural disaster, natural disaster, natural disaster... Tsk tsk, how awesome!" Kushina beamed, quite pleased with her brother's nickname.

"Speaking of which, you've really made a name for yourself now. The Third Kazekage himself said you're practically the embodiment of calamity. Among the Genin, your reputation is now even greater than that of Lord Sakumo." Kushina patted Katsuki's Katsuki hard, almost knocking him off his chair.

The war with the Sand Ninja ended smoothly. The Sand Ninja had no desire to fight anymore, and the Konoha side also felt that they had taught the Sand Ninja a lesson enough. Everything in excess is as bad as deficiency. Even a broken ship has three pounds of nails, let alone the Sand Ninja's ship, which was not completely destroyed yet. There was no point in pushing the Sand Ninja too far, since it was impossible to completely eradicate the Sunagakure.

Therefore, shortly after the Sand Village submitted their surrender documents, their army withdrew from the Land of Wind. Soon after, the Third Kazekage personally came to Konoha to meet with the Third Hokage. Under the witness of the Fire Daimyo and the Wind Daimyo, they signed an alliance agreement. The Sand Village suddenly became an ally of Konoha, and the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind became allies.

A series of changes were dazzling; one moment you wanted to beat the other person's brains out, the next you were arm in arm, calling each other brothers.

This is politics!

The Third Kazekage even met Katsuki once. His handsome face showed no trace of murderous intent; he smiled and praised Katsuki. It was then that the nickname "Calamity" spread...

"Hey, Katsuki? Are you listening?"

"Hmm... what?"

Katsuki stared blankly at Kushina and Otome.

"I'm asking you if you've had any missions lately?" Kushina reached out and grabbed Katsuki's ear.

"Ouch... Ouch... Sis, be gentle, it hurts." Katsuki rubbed her reddened ear. No matter how much she trained her body, it was difficult to strengthen her ears. Kushina had a strong grip, so perhaps she could find a way to strengthen her ears. "How would I know about these things? Aren't missions all assigned by higher-ups? Who knows if there will be some emergency mission..."

"So you're saying you're really free!" Kushina's eyes lit up.

"I didn't say I was very free, I just don't have any tasks for the time being," Katsuki emphasized.

"Haha, perfect timing! Otome and I were just discussing a trip to the Land of Hot Springs. The hot springs there are absolutely amazing in the Land of Hot Springs Shinobi World..."

······

"What?!!"

Katsuki suddenly jumped up, interrupting her excited older sister.

"Going on vacation to the Land of Hot Springs? What... what's going on? I've never heard of this before!! Why would you suddenly go on vacation to the Land of Hot Springs? Sis, don't you and Otome have any missions?"

"This is the mission!"

Otome's crisp and decisive answer Katsuki speechless, her eyes rolling upwards.

"Did you two come here just to mess with me? Since when is going to a hot spring a commissioned task?" Katsuki looked at the two of them helplessly.

"I'm not here to tease you, it's for real," Otome replied matter-of-factly.

Katsuki's eye twitched; she felt a little cold.

"I took on a mission to escort a high-ranking nobleman from the Land of Hot Springs back to his country. When Kushina found out, she insisted on going with me... and that's how it ended up like this." Otome's explanation was brief, but thankfully Katsuki understood. It was simply that her older sister had gotten involved in Otome's mission, turning a proper job into a vacation.

Katsuki stroked her chin and voiced her doubts.

"But why me? And isn't there a free team-up system for missions?"

Ninjas usually take on missions in teams, and only Jonin are qualified to take on missions alone. Otome has now successfully crossed the threshold of Jonin, so it should be said that most of them are Jonin. Katsuki single-handedly attacked Sunagakure, earning the nickname "the walking calamity." The others have not been idle either, and each of them has made considerable progress.

"The village doesn't forbid hiring help for missions," Otome said dryly. "As long as you get the Lord Hokage's permission, it's fine. The village isn't short of manpower right now; in fact, there's some surplus manpower. However, Kushina's identity is rather special, and the Land of Hot Springs is quite close to the Land of Lightning... The Lord Hokage told us to find another person to form a team before he would allow Kushina to go to the Land of Hot Springs..."

"Minato's been away from home a lot lately, so the only other people we could ask are our elders. I wonder what they'd say if they knew we were using this as an excuse to go to the Land of Hot Springs!" Kushina added.

Upon hearing this, Katsuki understood. It was still Cloud Ninja's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki' Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and if Kushina appeared in the Land of Hot Springs, the Cloud Ninja might suddenly decide to take action again. Just to be on the safe side, it was natural to bring two more people with you.

As for why he was chosen as the third person, the reasons are quite simple. First, he is strong enough to gain the Third Hokage's approval; second, everyone is familiar with each other, so there is no sense of restraint. Minato is nowhere to be seen since he returned to the village, and after all these considerations, only he meets the criteria that his older sister is so picky about.

"Okay, I'm fine with it."

Katsuki nodded in agreement. Anyway, he didn't have anything to do lately. Researching Ninjutsu could be done anywhere, so there was no need to stay in the village all the time.

"Alright, we'll leave the day after tomorrow at noon. Don't forget." Kushina smiled happily.

"How could I forget? We live together." Katsuki muttered helplessly, thinking that her older sister must be overjoyed.

"By the way, sister, Otome, could you give me some advice on what kind of gift to bring when visiting a pregnant woman?" Katsuki asked earnestly.

"Pregnant woman?"

The Otome stared wide-eyed, her dark pupils filled with confusion.

"Who are you going to visit?" Kushina asked.

"My master's wife is pregnant, so as her disciple, I should at least go and visit her."

"Oh, she's Lord Sakumo's wife!" Kushina suddenly realized. After all, there was a distance between them, and she didn't know much about Sakumo. Unless Katsuki told her, she usually wouldn't ask.

"Wait, let me think about it. Visiting the pregnant woman..."

The girl racked her brains trying to figure it out, even though it didn't seem very reliable.