A Date

Dodai's words had Third Raikage's full support.

This Joint Chunin Exam really was a golden opportunity—one that came around once in a blue moon.

He was a decisive man himself, so he didn't hesitate any longer.

"So who should we send? We may not be going there just to take the Chunin Exams, but we can't afford to make a poor showing."

Kumogakure had always regarded Konoha as its hypothetical enemy, constantly seeking to defeat it and take its place.

So Third Raikage didn't want to send any Genin who would bring shame on the village in Konoha.

After a moment's thought, Dodai offered his suggestion.

"Send B to take part, with Toroi leading the team. Once the operation begins, A can go support them."

The B Dodai mentioned was Killer B, while A was the Raikage's son, Fourth Raikage. In the future, they would form Kumogakure's next-generation AB Combo.

It was Kumogakure's most famous duo, renowned throughout the Ninja World.

Killer B was still young, but his strength had already surpassed that of a Chunin. In Dodai's view, he would stand out from the crowd at the Chunin Exams.

He didn't think Konoha had any Genin who could outmatch Killer B.

As for Toroi, he was a Kekkei Genkai Jonin from Kumogakure who wielded Magnet Style.

However, his Magnet Style couldn't compare to the Kage's.

Sending this team would preserve Kumogakure's reputation while giving them enough strength to complete their mission.

Third Raikage nodded in agreement with Dodai, then added, "When the time comes, you should go with A to support them."

Third Raikage knew his impulsive son well. Having Dodai along would ensure that nothing went wrong.

At present, Dodai was the only person in Kumogakure whom Third Raikage trusted enough to keep Fourth Raikage in check.

In the Land of Rain.

Qingshui had no idea that Konoha was about to hold the Joint Chunin Exam.

In the days after their first mission, he took Konan and the others on several more missions. Those went smoothly, and they didn't run into any more unexpected trouble.

After their first experience, the Three Little Ones performed better with each passing day.

Before long, Mikoto and Jiraiya had both recovered from their injuries, and it was time for them to return to Konoha.

What had started as an ordinary C-Rank mission had ended up taking more than half a month in total.

They had even fought "the demigod" Hanzo.

Jiraiya wouldn't dare write a story like that in his novels.

Incidentally, Jiraiya hadn't started writing Icha Icha Paradise yet.

"Konan, Yahiko, Nagato, you all have great talent. I hope that by the time we meet again, you'll have become excellent Ninja."

Konan clung to Qingshui's hand, reluctant to part. "Take care, Big Brother Qingshui. If I get the chance, I'll come visit you in Konoha."

Yahiko raised a thumb, grinning confidently. "Don't let your guard down, Big Brother Qingshui. Otherwise, I'll surpass you someday!"

Nagato wasn't as animated as the other two; that was simply his nature.

He was deeply grateful for Qingshui's guidance during the mission. "Thank you so much for teaching us, Big Brother Qingshui. I'll always remember it."

At the Konoha Gate.

Qingshui and his four companions had returned from the Land of Rain.

"We're finally back. The weather in the Land of Rain was awful. It rained every single day."

Everyone nodded in agreement with Mukai Yuki.

During their time in the Land of Rain, it had only stayed dry for two days—and even then, the sky had been overcast, without a trace of sunshine.

"All right, we need to turn in the mission report. Once that's done, we can split up and head home."

After they had finished all the formalities and the Minato Trio had left, Qingshui took Mikoto's soft hand in his.

Ever since their relationship had taken a step forward, Mikoto no longer resisted his touch.

"How about we get something to eat and then see a movie?"

Movies existed in the Ninja World, but they were nowhere near as good as the ones from his previous life.

If he were alone, Qingshui would never bother going to one.

But with Mikoto accompanying him, that was another matter.

Mikoto readily accepted Qingshui's invitation to go on a date.

"Sure, but I want to go home and take a bath first. I feel uncomfortable all over. Let's meet at Ichiraku Ramen afterward."

After being away from Konoha for so long, Mikoto had begun to miss the taste of Ichiraku Ramen.

"I want to take a bath first too. We could go together, and I could scrub your back."

Mikoto clenched a fist and playfully pounded Qingshui, her cheeks turning a little red.

Though their relationship had taken a step forward, they hadn't gone all the way.

"See you later."

With that, Mikoto hurried off toward home, as though worried Qingshui might actually follow through on his offer.

Qingshui shook his head. Instead of going straight home, he headed to a weapons shop in Konoha.

After all, Konan and the others had given him a small piece of Chakra Metal.

"Welcome! Are you here to buy ninja tools?"

"I'd like to have this piece of Chakra Metal added to my Ninja Sword. Can you do that?"

Qingshui handed over his Ninja Sword and the Chakra Metal. The shopkeeper examined them, then confirmed that he could do it.

"Certainly. But we've had a lot of weapon-forging orders lately, so you'll have to wait a while. It could take as little as half a month or as long as a month."

"No problem. I don't need it right away. Please make sure you forge it properly. Sorry for the trouble. I'll come back in a month."

"Don't worry, sir. You can count on the quality of our work."

After paying a deposit, Qingshui returned home and enjoyed a relaxing soak in the bath.

When he arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, Mikoto had just gotten there too.

The moment Qingshui saw her, his eyes lit up.

She was no longer wearing the outfit she'd worn on the mission. Instead, she had changed into a fitted dress in a casual style that showed off her perfect figure.

The necklace he had given her still hung around her neck, and her short skirt revealed a pair of fair, jade-white legs that drew plenty of attention.

Taking Mikoto's hand, he led her into Ichiraku Ramen.

Teuchi was still quite young, and the person helping him wasn't his daughter, Ayame, but his wife.

"Two bowls of Tonkotsu Chashu Ramen, please."

"Coming right up!"

After finishing their ramen, the two went to the Movie Theater. They watched a cliched romantic adventure about a hero rescuing a princess.

Qingshui didn't find it very interesting, but Mikoto was completely engrossed.

Especially when, after enduring countless hardships, the hero and princess finally faced the main villain, and the hero declared, "I will never abandon my friends."

Mikoto was immediately reminded of how Qingshui had said the same thing when they faced Hanzo.

Caught up in the mood, Mikoto suddenly leaned in and kissed Qingshui, who stared back in surprise.

By the time the movie ended, the sky had grown completely dark.

Qingshui and Mikoto had barely left the Movie Theater when they ran into Tsunade, who was just coming out of a casino.