"Ah-choo!" Kusana sneezed, shivered again, then rubbed his nose in confusion and muttered, "It feels like someone's been thinking about me these past few days!"
"Not necessarily. Maybe they're just cursing the leader?"
"..."
Did this guy even know how to talk?
Wasn't he quite good at speaking when dealing with other ninja villages?
Showing off Kusagakure's fence-sitting... the wise know when to adapt!
So why was he so punchable whenever he spoke to him?!
Don't get angry! Don't get angry!
Kusana smiled as he glanced at Mujie, who was dressed rather respectably today. "Makes sense! I'll just assume you were the one cursing me!"
"..."
Mujie's eyelid twitched. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Leader, there's something I'm not sure whether I should say!"
"Comrade Mujie!" Upon hearing that, Kusana immediately put on airs. With his hands behind his back and the tone of an old cadre, he earnestly said, "Don't bottle up any opinions you have. Keeping them inside is uncomfortable! You must understand that the Land of Grass is a democratic country. We absolutely won't hang you from a tree just because you said something wrong, cover you in Explosive Tags, and then set off fireworks for the citizens of the Land of Grass on such a festive day~"
"...Since the leader has said so, then I'll speak plainly!"
"Hmm?!"
Kusana's tone rose slightly as soon as he finished speaking.
However.
"Here, I must represent all the citizens of the Land of Grass in thanking the leader for bringing peace to the Land of Grass!" Mujie declared righteously. "Through your own strength, Leader, you quelled the chaos in the Land of Grass. Through your own charisma, you made the ninjas of Kusagakure swear to follow you unto death. Under your leadership, the Land of Grass welcomed peace, and the lives of its ninja citizens have grown better and better, bringing happiness to all the ninja citizens of the Land of Grass!"
As he spoke.
His tone became increasingly impassioned, and he raised his fist.
"The leader came, and the Land of Grass found peace! The leader came, and the ninja citizens found happiness! Our days are flourishing! With the leader..."
Kusana: "..."
Since when had this guy become so good at talking?
Mujie smiled at Kusana. He learned it from the leader!
It was true.
He had always kept the leader's words firmly in mind and even written them down in a notebook for constant study. Every day brought new gains, as though his entire being had been elevated.
"Very good! Your ideological awareness is quite high!" Kusana said without blushing or skipping a beat. "To reward this spirit of study, go back and copy the new Spirit of Grass one hundred times. I'm sure you'll gain even more from it. Remember to hand it in to me tomorrow!"
"...Understood!"
Mujie's mouth twitched. It seemed that no matter what, the leader was determined to make things difficult for him today.
In that case, he would accept it.
Anyway... at worst, he could have Yahiko and Wu Wei copy it. It wasn't a big problem!
Children needed to study more!
Speaking of which... Yahiko had looked exhausted lately. Whenever he heard him say something... oh, right, "Since we're already here!", he would start trembling all over!
What was there to fear about that phrase?
He was being lazy!
It was a sign of weak will and unstable convictions!
Perfect. Copying it would temper his will!
His tone immediately turned solemn and righteous as he said, "A mere hundred times, I'm already used to it. Every night, I copy it a hundred times to strengthen my Spirit of Grass..."
Before he could finish.
"Then make it a thousand times!"
"...Fine!" Mujie's eyes immediately turned red.
Dad, I'm sorry, boys!
"If there's nothing else, I won't disturb you, Leader!"
As he spoke, he pulled his wide, thick coat tighter around himself.
This damn winter... was freezing cold!
Watching his bleak-looking back, Kusana smiled in satisfaction. Then he turned to look at the lively Land of Grass before him and continued strolling around with Kana.
Along the way, they also ran into Oyakamon and Longzhi.
Speaking of which... the Chinoike Clan had also begun working as the Land of Grass security force. Although they encountered quite a few problems at first, they persevered.
It seemed they had now integrated themselves among the common people of the Land of Grass and earned everyone's recognition.
As for Longzhi... as the head of the second-largest clan in the Land of Grass, he was far more reliable than the unruly Mujie.
Speaking of which.
As the leader of Grass Fruit, one of the two largest forces in the Land of Grass during the era of war and chaos... Mujie had actually been quite brave back then!
How had he turned out like this now?
Although the Land of Grass had once been filled with chaos, there had been two major forces that other factions dared not provoke... one was the radical faction guarding the Box of Paradise—Mujie's branch, known as Grass Fruit; the other was the moderate faction led by Longzhi, known as Grass Flower.
Later, Kusana had integrated them all, sweeping through factions large and small to form the Land of Grass as it was today.
After asking about the Chinoike Clan's recent situation as their leader, he had only walked a short while before encountering the elders of the Uzumaki Clan.
"Leader!" x2
"Elder Yang Zheng, Elder Yang Ren!"
The Uzumaki Clan had also been doing well lately. Perhaps because they had wandered for so many years, they now deeply cherished this peaceful and stable life.
Therefore, they diligently completed every task he assigned them.
For example, in such a short time... they had nearly finished the sealing barrier for the Land of Grass.
Moreover, Elder Yang Zheng had even brought Elder Yang Ren into the research Kusana had assigned him.
Chakra Capacitors and the basic technology of ninjutsu scrolls!
These were the foundations of Scientific Ninja Tools.
Perhaps to repay the Land of Grass for its kindness, the two elders had become so absorbed in their research that they forgot to eat and sleep. He had heard they had already made considerable progress.
It seemed that during their research, they had discovered that the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Technique could produce the effect of the Chakra Capacitor he had described.
Of course, he did not know the exact details yet. They would have to wait and see the final research results.
After receiving the Uzumaki Clan's gratitude, Kusana did not disturb the two elders during this rare festival and continued on his way.
"This is wonderful, Amang." Kana smiled and softly said, "Everyone is living so happily!"
As she spoke.
She waved toward the front. "Sister Fusang!"
At her call.
Fusang seemed to notice them as well. After pausing in surprise, she walked over with a smile and gently said, "Amang and Kana are here too!"
"Mrs. Fusang." Kusana smiled, nodded in greeting, then looked behind her. "Huh? Where are Nagato and the others?"
Hadn't those three little ones said they were following Fusang?
Speaking of which...
For some reason, the three little ones had not come to see their Teacher Amang these past few days.
They had clearly loved coming over to play just a few days ago!
Were they feeling shy?
Embarrassed?!
"Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan?" Mrs. Fusang covered her mouth with a slender, jade-like hand and smiled. Her charming eyes curved into crescents as she displayed her mature allure. "They saw that the temple fair had many interesting places, so as we walked, they went off to play by themselves."
As she spoke.
Looking at Lord Amang before her, she sighed inwardly. "Thank you, Lord Amang!"
If not for this man who had suddenly appeared.
Perhaps back then...
Nagato and she would have died at the hands of ninjas too.
As soon as she finished speaking.
Kusana waved his hand and was about to say there was no need to thank him when—
"Oh, right!" Mrs. Fusang seemed to recall something. Her delicate brows furrowed. "Yahiko said there was some kind of painting stall up ahead. He seemed very excited, then dragged Nagato over there. Some kind of painting stall..." Her tone became apologetic. "I didn't hear clearly! What's wrong, Lord Amang? Are you feeling unwell?"
"...I'm... fine~"
Kusana's eyelid twitched, and his face gave a slight spasm.
What painting stall?!
Damn it!
That guy couldn't possibly have the nerve to set up a stall and draw paintings again, could he?!
What about their mission?
Their great mission to save their mother?!
Why were they running around at a time like this?
What if they were discovered?!
Before you continue