Return to Konoha

After months of arduous sparring with Gaara, Jimo finally set out on his journey to leave the Land of Wind. Carrying a heart full of anticipation and the fruits of his growth, he prepared to return to Konoha, the village that had once given him warmth and hope.

Time flew by like a white colt flashing past a crack, and in the blink of an eye, an entire year had quietly slipped away. As Jimo once again stepped through the gates of Konoha, an indescribable surge of emotion welled up in his heart.

"Yo! You're back!" The two gatekeepers at Konoha's entrance spotted Jimo at a glance—his face weathered by the road, yet still brimming with spirit. Their faces showed disbelief as they shouted in unison.

"Haha, yeah! I'm back!" Jimo replied with a hearty laugh, reaching into his heavy backpack to carefully pull out two small, exquisite gifts he had specially brought back from the Land of Wind. Smiling, he handed them to the two diligent guards before him.

The two were somewhat flattered as they accepted the gifts. They hadn't expected Jimo to be so thoughtful, remembering to bring them this special token.

By now, word had already spread throughout the village about the boy Naruto had stumbled upon and brought back to Konoha—Jimo had become the personal disciple of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade herself!

"Master! I'm back!" With a crisp, ringing shout, Jimo burst through the heavy door of the Hokage's office like a gust of wind.

As the door flew open, the sight before him was enough to make anyone laugh—Tsunade was sprawled face-down on her desk, fast asleep, snoring away without a care. A glistening trail of drool hung from the corner of her mouth, slowly pooling across the desk.

Seeing this, Jimo shook his head helplessly, silently lamenting, "Granny Tsunade really hasn't changed at all..." He tiptoed over to her side and carefully slid out the mountain of paperwork and scrolls pinned beneath her, afraid that even the slightest movement might wake the Fifth Hokage from her rendezvous with the Sandman.

After pulling out the scrolls, Jimo quietly sat down on the sofa nearby and began silently tackling the tedious work. Time ticked by, and the only sounds in the room were the faint rustle of Jimo flipping through scrolls and the scratch of his writing.

Before he knew it, the sun had begun to slant westward. The dazzling afternoon light streamed through the window, casting golden beams across the floor. Just then, Tsunade finally stirred from her sweet dreams.

She blinked groggily at first, then looked around in a daze. When her gaze landed on Jimo, she jumped up as if startled, muttering, "Huh! I must really be exhausted—I'm starting to hallucinate..."

Hearing Tsunade's muttering, Jimo couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Master, you're supposed to be one of Konoha's most famous beauties, you know. Could you at least keep up appearances? Wipe that drool off first!" He grabbed a clean towel from nearby and tossed it at her.

The towel flew straight to Tsunade, and the moment it touched her cheek, the real sensation jolted her awake. She realized then that this wasn't a hallucination—it was all real.

"Ara ara! You little brat, why didn't you wake me up sooner!" Tsunade grumbled in mock reproach, frantically straightening her slightly disheveled clothes to cover up what had nearly been exposed by her ungraceful sleeping posture.

After helping Tsunade sort through the paperwork, Jimo visited his classmates one by one—Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Neji, Rock Lee, Tenten, Hinata, Kiba... He even tracked down Shino, the most overlooked of them all, and handed out gifts he'd brought back from the Land of Wind.

Sakura was on an internship assignment from Tsunade, so Jimo didn't get to see her.

Returning to the house the village had assigned him, Jimo took out his key and turned it gently.

With a click, the door swung open.

A kunai came flying straight at him.

"Who's the little thief!"

The next moment, a foot slammed into Jimo's face.

"What the—!"

"Why didn't you say you were coming back?" Anko Mitarashi furrowed her brow slightly, her tone carrying a hint of reproach, though her hands moved deftly as she wrapped bandages around Jimo.

"Is this your way of apologizing...?" Jimo rolled his eyes, a helpless, wry smile on his face. He couldn't figure this woman out—she came to dress his wounds, but her words always left him baffled.

Yet as Jimo looked around the room, a wave of warmth washed over him. To his surprise, the once-messy house was now spotless, every corner exuding a fresh, clean scent. Potted flowers in full bloom sat on the windowsill, and sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

"Since you weren't around, I thought I'd come clean up a bit... Wouldn't want it to grow mold by the time you got back..." Anko looked up and shot Jimo a playful smile. That smile bloomed like a spring flower, dazzling and heartwarming.

Jimo checked the fridge for food and finally decided to go out for dinner.

The two of them headed to Akimichi Barbecue. Since Jimo had saved Choji in a previous battle, the shop owner gave them a discount.

"Ara ara! Anko-sensei, are you on a date with Jimo?"

Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai walked into the shop and immediately spotted Jimo and Anko grilling meat.

"You two are no different!"

Anko blushed but didn't deny it.

"Since you're here, why not join us for a meal!"

Jimo invited the two of them to sit down.

The four of them took their seats, and Jimo recounted everything he had seen and heard during his travels. They were utterly astonished.

"That kid was the One-Tail's jinchuriki?"

Yuhi Kurenai remarked. "No wonder he was so strong."

"Yeah! To be able to fight a monster like that! Jimo, your strength probably isn't any less than a regular jonin's by now."

Asuma praised him.

"Last time I saw you trade a few blows with someone from Akatsuki, it really startled me."

"Pure luck, pure luck!"

Jimo replied modestly.

After the meal, Jimo walked Anko back to her dorm, then aimlessly wandered the village streets.

"How nice..."

When he reached an intersection, Jimo suddenly twisted his face into a savage snarl.

"You've been tailing me this whole time... Time to show yourselves!"

A sphere of energy condensed in Jimo's hand, and he blasted it toward the treetop behind him. Two figures crashed heavily to the ground.

"Root Organization?"

Jimo thought to himself as he eyed their masks, different from those of the ordinary Anbu.

"So that old dog Danzo has his eyes on me."

"Not bad skills."

A bandage-wrapped elder stepped out from the shadows.

"Jimo, identity unknown, combat power capable of briefly suppressing the One-Tail Shukaku..." The bandaged man stated flatly.

Moonlight fell across his face, revealing a grim visage, especially the X-shaped scar on his chin.

"Join my Root! Become the root that silently nourishes and gives to Konoha! Only here can your talents be fully unleashed!"

Danzo extended his invitation with great confidence.

"Looks like you've investigated me pretty thoroughly..."

Jimo suddenly smiled.

"But what if I say... no?"

"Before investigating me, didn't you know that the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, is my master? Lord Danzo, leader of the Anbu?"

When he said Hokage and Anbu leader, Jimo deliberately emphasized his tone.