The Buddhist debate conference proceeded very smoothly.
In particular, Chigo spoke of his understanding of Buddha during the debate.
Many of his words sounded profound yet incomprehensible to outsiders, but monks and Buddhist believers treated them as sacred truths.
The entire debate conference did not end until dusk.
At the enthusiastic urging of the Temple of Soup monks, Chigo stayed for another two days before setting off to return to Konoha.
Over the past few days, Uchiha Tunan had occasionally kept an eye on Kakuzu's movements.
He found that fellow remarkably patient, staying holed up in the inn without coming out.
As if he were waiting for something.
What he could be waiting for under these circumstances was already obvious.
He was definitely waiting for Tunan's group to leave the Temple of Soup.
As time passed, Tunan also discovered several rogue ninja whose strength had reached jonin level.
Those people became targets of Tunan's attention as well.
The group descended from the mountaintop Temple of Soup onto Rose Street.
Uchiha Tunan suddenly made a request.
"Could you wait for me a little while? I want to buy something."
"Well..." Namikaze Minato looked awkwardly at Chigo.
After all, they were still on a mission. They needed their employer's approval to handle personal matters.
Chigo pressed his palms together and smiled kindly at Uchiha Tunan.
"Go ahead. We'll wait for you here."
"Thank you, Master Chigo."
Uchiha Tunan went to a gift shop on Rose Street and began picking out a present.
Today was already February 1st.
Escorting Chigo back to the Temple of Fire would take roughly five days, and returning to the village would take another two.
In other words, if they were not delayed for too long along the way, they could return to the village on February 8th.