Embarking on the Journey

After Anko's earnest persuasion, Jimo felt as if he'd been doused with enlightenment—his mind suddenly cleared, and many of the questions that had long troubled him seemed to find answers.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows. With a resolute heart, Jimo came before Tsunade.

He looked at her seriously and said, "Lady Tsunade, I want to go out and travel for a while, see the world beyond, and broaden my horizons."

Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane, who had been lazing around the village with nothing to do, feeling like they were about to mold from boredom, were overjoyed at these words. Usually, whenever Jimo was around, no matter the task or work, he'd finish it with astonishing speed and efficiency, making the two of them feel utterly useless.

Tsunade lifted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes glancing at Jimo. She noticed that the guy had even packed his luggage already—clearly, he'd been ready to leave for some time.

She couldn't help but ask curiously, "What made you suddenly come around? And why the rush to go traveling?"

Jimo scratched his head, a smile spreading across his face as he replied, "I got a lot of inspiration, actually. I feel like I need more experience to keep growing."

Then, as if remembering something important, he quickly pulled a somewhat worn handwritten manual and a tightly sealed jar of sake from his backpack.

He handed the items to Tsunade and proudly introduced them, "This manual records the cultivation techniques for Senzu Beans. I hope it'll help the village. And this jar of sake is brewed by your disciple himself, specially made for you to taste!" After saying that, he even winked at Tsunade.

Tsunade took the gifts Jimo offered, a gratified smile appearing on her face as she instructed, "Since you've decided to go out and explore, then go. But remember, while you're out there, never casually reveal your identity as a Konoha Ninja, and don't meddle in the affairs of other countries' ninja villages! Understood?"

"Don't worry, Lady Tsunade, I'll keep that firmly in mind!" Jimo nodded solemnly, indicating he clearly understood these rules. Then, he shouldered his pack and, facing the morning sun, set off on his journey...

"Heh, this brat really knows how to behave! All he ever did before was bury himself in work, like a tireless machine—finally, he's become a bit more endearing!"

Before the words even faded, Jimo's figure vanished instantly on the spot, turning into a puff of smoke.

"You little punk! Using a Clone Technique to fool me, huh? Hmph, not endearing at all!" Tsunade's voice nearly shattered the glass of the office building.

At that moment, Jimo stood at the village gate. A silly grin hung on his handsome face, and his bright eyes were fixed on the distant Hokage Building towering into the clouds, his gaze full of anticipation and excitement. A gentle breeze brushed his cheeks, stirring a few strands of hair on his forehead, adding a touch of untamed freedom to his demeanor.

"Take care out there! Don't push yourself!"

Anko had come to fill in for the gate guards today and happened to run into Jimo at the entrance.

"Relax, but you should cut back on the sweets! Watch out—you'll get fat and lose your looks!"

Before Jimo could finish, Anko twisted his ear.

"Ow, ow, ow! I won't, I won't!"

"Alright! Get lost!"

Anko kicked Jimo out of the village with one shove.

Jimo stood up, dusted himself off, and set out on his journey.

He opened the map, thought for a moment, and finally decided to head to Wave Country first to see Zabuza and Haku.

A year ago, five people had walked this road together, but now he was the only one left.

Walking along, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

Soon, Jimo arrived at the place where he'd encountered the Demon Brothers. The battle scars from back then still remained.

In less than half a month, Jimo reached the Great Bridge of Wave Country.

"Master Jimo!"

A young boy came running over.

"Inari!"

Jimo was stunned to see how much Inari had grown.

"Is Master Jimo here in Wave Country on a mission?" Inari asked.

"No, I'm here to travel, and I came by to see you all!"

Jimo ruffled Inari's hair, smiling.

"What about Naruto and the others? Didn't they come along?"

Jimo was silent for a moment before replying.

"Let's go see your dad Tazuna and your mother first. This isn't the right place to talk."

Night fell, and the lights came on. Since the bridge was completed, the lives of the people in Wave Country had improved considerably.

"Thanks to you all! Now we can even afford meat and vegetables!"

Tazuna drank his sake, gazing out the window at the scene.

"Before the bridge was built, I never dared to imagine we'd one day live like this!"

Jimo, who rarely drank, joined in.

"What happened to Naruto and Sasuke... it's really a shame..."

Lady Tsunami said from the side.

"Is Naruto okay?" Inari asked.

"He's fine. His injuries have healed. Right now, he's traveling and training with one of the legendary Three Ninja, Jiraiya-sama!"

Jimo smiled.

"The wounds on his body may have healed, but the ones in his heart won't be so easy to mend."

Tazuna remarked.

"But I believe in that kid! Sasuke will definitely return to the village once he finds the truth!"

"Your words give me hope!"

The next morning, Jimo bid farewell to Tazuna's family and told Inari that if he wanted to become a ninja, he could go to the Transport Company and have them send him to Konoha!

"Who are you looking for?"

In front of the Water Transport Company, two burly men blocked Jimo's path.

"I'm here to see your boss! My name is Jimo!"

The two security guards, hearing Jimo's name, quickly ushered him inside.

"Isn't this Mr. Jimo?"

Haku, now dressed in women's clothing, came to Jimo's side and offered a gentle smile.

"Money really changes a person. Since you quit being a killer, Haku, you've become so beautiful!" Jimo said as he took the tea from Haku's hands.

"Stay away from him, Haku! I hear this kid didn't even spare his teacher, who was ten years older than him..." Zabuza teased.

Though Zabuza still faintly carried a trace of bloodlust, he was far better off than before.

"As expected of Mr. Zabuza! You've even got a knack for economic development!"

Walking through the area, Jimo could see the rosy glow on the locals' faces and clothes that were no longer as tattered as before.

"Tch, I've got no ambition to become the richest man! I don't care about money! As long as we live well, that's enough!" Zabuza said dismissively.

"Mr. Zabuza took your advice and started training classes, selecting young adults for training, adding them to the Escort team, and then purchasing carriages for both land and water transport!" Haku chimed in from the side, "And when Mr. Zabuza sees the locals calling him their savior, he even gets shy!"

"Haku, you brat!" Zabuza blushed. "That was just to make money!"

"Ooh, ooh! Who was it that just said 'I don't care about money!'?" Jimo joined in the teasing.

"Enough! I came here to ask you something!"

Jimo's expression suddenly turned serious!

Haku silently withdrew from the room.

"The Blood Mist Village... what's going on? I think you know very well!"