"Goodbye, Nagato, Sister Konan."
At the entrance to Amegakure, Neji waved and said his goodbyes to Nagato and Konan.
"Neji, about that—never mind."
Konan seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she didn't get a word out.
Nagato beside her said calmly, "Neji, I hope we won't be enemies the next time we meet."
"Haha, let's hope so!"
As he spoke, Neji put on his raincoat and disappeared into the downpour with Tsunade and the others.
Jiraiya watched Tsunade's figure grow smaller in the distance, moisture glistening at the corners of his eyes.
It was rain falling from the sky.
After returning from Amegakure, Neji headed home without hurrying. As he passed a corner, he suddenly saw Mabui running toward him in a panic.
"Neji!"
Mabui called out loudly. When she saw Tsunade beside him, she was taken aback and greeted her respectfully. "Lady Tsunade!"
Neji took Mabui's hand and said, "Mabui, your timing is perfect. I was just about to look for you. I'm planning to establish a medical academy in the village, specifically to train medical ninja—"
Mabui glanced at Tsunade, then at Neji, and hesitated to speak.
Neji said, "Tsunade's one of us. From now on, you don't need to hide anything from her."
Only then did Mabui speak seriously. "Neji, a few days ago, the daimyo sent a letter. Its wording was severe, and he ordered Kumogakure to stop building new roads."
"Oh?"
Neji raised an eyebrow slightly. "So that's what's going on."
Tsunade beside him asked suspiciously, "Building roads benefits the Land of Lightning. Why would the daimyo object? Did you pocket the daimyo's money?"
Neji's mouth twitched slightly as he shook his head. "You don't know the whole story. I'm paying for the roads myself."
Tsunade said, "That is strange."
A