That said, if the Kage wanted to leave, they would definitely play one more round first.
"Come to think of it, they're preparing to challenge Ōtsutsuki Isshiki one last time too, aren't they?"
Torikaze sensed several Kage-level ninja steadily making their way toward the Trial Tower.
Every one of them was brimming with fighting spirit.
They seemed confident that this time, they could defeat Ōtsutsuki Isshiki in one fell swoop!
Unfortunately, they were still a little lacking in strength. In the end, they died amid Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's indiscriminate bombardment.
And once there was a first, there was a second. One eliminated challenger after another appeared at the tower entrance.
After coming out, none of them really dared ask what had just happened.
How had they died for no apparent reason?
"Ah, we're still too weak. When we come back next time, perhaps our strength will have improved dramatically. Then we can continue the challenge!"
Ōnoki, the strongest among them, made an agreement with the others.
They would gather here again next time, during the New Year next year.
Afterward, the leaders of the four great nations all departed Konoha with their respective teams.
Many villagers came to see them off voluntarily, and Torikaze personally came to send them on their way as well.
Tsukishiro looked at Torikaze's face. After all these years, his appearance had remained unchanged, and Tsukishiro was filled with emotion.
He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he did not speak.
Seeing him like that, Torikaze suddenly felt that this might be the last time he and Tsukishiro would ever meet.
He did not know why, but he simply had that feeling in the depths of his heart.
"Tsukishiro, we have known each other for many years. We may not be intimate friends