After Anko's advice, Jimo felt as though a veil had lifted from his eyes. His mind cleared, and many questions that had troubled him for a long time seemed to have answers.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering dappled shadows across the ground. With a firm resolve, Jimo went to see Tsunade.
He looked at Tsunade earnestly. "Lady Tsunade, I'd like to travel for a while and see the world beyond the village. I want to broaden my horizons."
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, who had been cooped up in the village with nothing to do and felt they were about to grow mold, were overjoyed when they heard this. Whenever Jimo was around, he completed any task or job with astonishing speed and efficiency. It made them feel as though they were completely useless.
Tsunade raised her head slightly and glanced at Jimo with her beautiful eyes. To her surprise, he had already packed his bags. It looked as if he had been preparing to leave for some time.
She couldn't help asking curiously, "What made you change your mind so suddenly? And why are you in such a hurry to set off?"
Jimo scratched his head and smiled. "I've gotten a lot of inspiration, actually. I think I need more experience if I'm going to keep growing."
Then, as if he'd remembered something important, he hurriedly pulled a somewhat worn handwritten book and a tightly sealed jar of wine from his backpack.
He proudly offered them to Tsunade. "This book records how to cultivate Senzu Beans. I hope it'll be useful to the village. And this jar is wine I brewed myself, specially for you to try, Master!" He even winked at her.
Tsunade accepted Jimo's gifts, a pleased smile appearing on her face. Then she cautioned him, "Since you've decided to go out and make your way in the world, then go. But remember: when you're traveling, never reveal your identity as a Konoha ninja lightly, and don't meddle in the affairs of other countries' ninja villages! Understood?"
"Don't worry, Lady Tsunade. I'll remember!" Jimo nodded solemnly, showing that he understood the rules. Then he shouldered his pack and set off on his journey beneath the morning sun...
"Hey, that brat's finally learning how to behave! He used to do nothing but bury himself in work, like some tireless machine. At last, he's become a little more likable!"
Before she could finish speaking, Jimo vanished from the spot, leaving behind a puff of smoke.
"You little brat! You tried to fool me with a Clone Technique, didn't you? Hmph, you're not likable at all!" Tsunade's voice nearly shattered the windows of the Hokage Building.
Jimo was standing at the village gate. A silly grin spread across his handsome face as he stared at the towering Hokage Building in the distance, his eyes brimming with excitement and anticipation. A light breeze brushed his cheeks and stirred a few strands of hair across his forehead, adding to his carefree air.
"Take care on the road! Don't push yourself too hard!"
Anko was filling in as the village gate's guardian that day, and happened to run into Jimo there.
"Don't worry. You should stop eating so many sweets! You won't look good if you get fat!"
Before Jimo could finish, Anko twisted his ear.
"Ow, ow, ow! I won't do it again, I won't!"
"Enough! Get lost!"
Anko kicked Jimo out of the village.
Jimo got back to his feet, brushed off the dust, and set out.
Jimo opened his map and thought it over. In the end, he decided to go to Wave Country first and visit Zabuza and Haku.
A year ago, five of them had traveled this same road together. Now, he was the only one left.
As he walked, a wave of sadness washed over him.
Before long, Jimo reached the place where he had encountered the Demon Brothers. The traces of their battle were still there.
In less than half a month, Jimo reached the bridge in Wave Country.
"Master Jimo!"
A young boy ran over.
"Inari!"
Jimo was astonished to see how much Inari had grown.
"Did you come to Wave Country on a mission, Master Jimo?" Inari asked.
"No, I'm here on vacation. I thought I'd stop by and see you, too!"
Jimo ruffled Inari's hair and smiled.
"Where are Naruto and the others? Didn't they come with you?"
Jimo fell silent for a moment, but then replied, "Let's go see Tazuna and your mother first. This isn't the place to talk."
That night, the lights came on one by one. Since the bridge had been completed, life had gotten much better for the people of Wave Country.
"Thanks to you, we can afford meat and vegetables now!"
Tazuna sipped his sake as he gazed out the window.
"Before the bridge was built, I never dared to imagine we could live like this!"
Jimo, who rarely drank, joined them for a drink.
"What happened to Naruto and Sasuke... It's such a shame..." Lady Tsunami said from nearby.
"Is Naruto all right?" Inari asked.
"He's fine. His injuries have healed, and now he's traveling and training with Lord Jiraiya, one of the Three Ninja, famed throughout the Shinobi World!" Jimo said with a smile.
"The wounds on his body have healed, but the wounds in his heart probably won't heal so easily," Tazuna said.
"But I believe in that kid! Once Sasuke learns the truth, he'll return to the village too!"
"I hope you're right!"
The next morning, Jimo said goodbye to Tazuna's family. He told Inari that if he wanted to become a ninja, he could go to the Transport Company and ask them to send him to Konoha.
"Who are you looking for?"
Two burly men stopped Jimo in front of the Water Transport Company.
"I'm here to see your boss. My name's Jimo!"
When the two guards heard his name, they hurriedly ushered him inside.
"Isn't this Mr. Jimo?"
Haku, now dressed in women's clothes, came over to Jimo with a gentle smile.
"Money really does wonders. Now that you're no longer an assassin, Haku, you've become so beautiful!" Jimo said as he took the tea from Haku.
"Stay away from this guy, Haku! I heard he didn't even spare his teacher, who was ten years older than him..." Zabuza teased.
Although Zabuza still had a faint air of bloodlust about him, he was much better than before.
"Impressive, Mr. Zabuza! You've even got a knack for developing the economy!"
On his way here, Jimo had seen how rosy the people's cheeks were. Their clothes were no longer as tattered as before, either.
"Hmph, I've got no ambition to become a tycoon! I don't care about money! As long as we can live comfortably, that's enough!" Zabuza said dismissively.
"Mr. Zabuza took your advice and started training classes. He selected young adults for training and recruited them into the escort teams. Then he bought carriages and set up both land and water transport!" Haku exposed him from the side. "Mr. Zabuza gets embarrassed when people here call him their benefactor!"
"Haku, you..." Zabuza said, his face turning red. "That was just to make money!"
"Oh, really? Who just said, 'I don't care about money'?" Jimo teased him too.
"Enough! There's something I want to ask you about!"
Jimo's expression suddenly turned serious.
Haku quietly left the room as well.
"The Blood Mist Village... What's the story there? I imagine you know very well."
Before you continue