Kirigakure.
Unlike the desolation of recent days and the sadness that had hung in the mist,
the streets were bustling today. Countless people had come out of their homes just to get a close look at the head of the legendary "Snake Sage."
The boy who had once sold intelligence pamphlets on the street had since found a new job as a newspaper boy.
Taking advantage of his nimble skills, he climbed onto a house, rolled up a newspaper like a telescope, and peered toward the far end of the street.
"They're here! Lin Qing... is back!"
People stretched their necks and hurried toward the village entrance.
Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shizune stood on the second floor of the hospital, looking out the window at Lin Qing among the crowd.
The running crowd churned the mist apart. Strands of bright, gentle light fell upon Lin Qing, making him glow without dazzling the eye, like a painting by Monet.
He wasn't the only one bathed in that brilliant light. Everyone beside him, everyone walking along that road, was touched by its gentle glow.
Kakashi's gaze fell on the enormous snake head atop the cart. "Lady Tsunade, is that... the White Snake Sage?"
"Yes, that's it."
Tsunade rubbed her shoulders.
She felt like she'd been tricked into coming here to do hard labor. She hadn't had a moment's rest since the day she arrived in Kirigakure.
The good news was that none of the people injured in Kumogakure's attack had actually died. Even Amber, who had been hurt the worst, had been moved out of the intensive care unit.
Tsunade summoned a miniature Katsuyu: Victory Healing and set her on her shoulder.
Usually gentle and always polite enough to greet everyone after being summoned, Victory Healing hadn't said a word today.
She stared