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Time passed, and autumn gave way to winter.

At the Konoha Gate, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki leaned against opposite sides of the gate, hands in their pockets and heads bowed slightly, as if dozing.

In the morning mist, snowflakes drifted gently down from the sky.

"It's snowing." Kotetsu Hagane suddenly opened his eyes and looked up. The first snow fell softly, drifting down in flurries.

"Another year is almost over." Izumo Kamizuki yawned and spoke quietly, as if reluctant to disturb the beautiful, tranquil scene.

"Izumo, what's that?" Kotetsu Hagane suddenly pointed into the distance.

Izumo Kamizuki squinted. In the pale mist, he could just make out several palm-sized birds.

"Birds?"

Where had all these little birds come from in the middle of winter?

Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane immediately went on alert.

As the birds drew closer, the two finally got a clear look. Those weren't birds at all—they were paper cranes!

Flap, flap, flap...

The paper cranes filled the sky, then transformed in midair into a cool, aloof figure with wings on her back. Her face was indistinct, appearing and disappearing in the morning mist. "Bring Gekko Hayate out to meet me."

"Who are you? What do you want with Hayate?" Izumo Kamizuki asked warily.

"To collect a debt," Konan replied without emotion.

A debt?

Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane exchanged a glance. Could it be a romantic debt?

The two of them chuckled lasciviously.

"I'll go tell Hayate." Kotetsu Hagane turned with a grin and quickly disappeared into the morning mist.

The spacious village entrance was now occupied by only Izumo Kamizuki and Konan.

"What's your name? Which ninja village are you from?"

As he spoke, Izumo Kamizuki put away his kunai, looking relaxed. But beneath his light green vest, his muscles were taut. If Konan