Asuma's Imminent Return

Konoha, inside a high-end inn

In the spacious living room, the floor was covered with uniform rush tatami mats, the dark green surface exuding the fresh scent of grass.

Dozens of separate rooms are separated by wooden sliding doors, each door panel engraved with a different pattern—pine, bamboo, plum, crane, the brushstrokes are simple yet each has its own style.

The room is constructed entirely of light-colored wood, with not a single iron nail visible Hashirama, exuding the understated elegance and refinement characteristic of Japanese architecture.

If one didn't already know that this was just a hotel, the furnishings and layout of the living room would probably make one mistake it for the summer villa of a nobleman from the Land of Fire.

Kisame sat on the cushion, slowly scanning the surrounding beams, pillars, and partitions that appeared simple yet were exquisite in every detail. A look of amazement involuntarily appeared in his eyes.

Even in the daimyo's mansion in the Land of Water, this level of furnishings is only seen on formal occasions of courtly style.

The disparity in national power, and the gap between Mist Village and Konoha, are vividly revealed in these seemingly insignificant details.

Unlike Kisame, Utakata, who was still a boy, naturally didn't have so many heavy feelings.

As Jinchuriki, he was strictly forbidden from going out all year round and had never seen much of the world. At this moment, he was half-squatting in the corner of the living room, looking back and forth at the wooden sliding doors carved with cranes and pine branches with great curiosity, occasionally letting out exclamations of amazement.

The delicate face that had been tense ever since he stepped into the Konoha Gate had unknowingly blossomed into the pure and joyful smile that a young man should have.

Kisame silently shifted his gaze from Utakata's smiling face, then turned around and looked out the window at the Konoha street scene shrouded in night.

He's indeed a good kid, but unfortunately, he's the Jinchuriki of the Six-Tails.

To become nourishment for the Eye of the Moon Plan... that is this child's destined fate!

Just as Kisame was lost in thought, at the entrance downstairs at the inn, Kokoro was saying his final goodbyes to Kakashi.

The night breeze made the paper lantern under the eaves of the inn sway slightly, casting two shadows of two people on the stone pavement, one bright and one dark.

"Are you really not going to stay a little longer? I've been wanting to find some time to have a proper chat with you."

Looking at the silver-haired ninja who was standing politely under the eaves, clearly determined to leave, he still wore that impeccable gentle smile and said with regret.

Kakashi slightly raised the eye that was sticking out from under his Forehead Protector and replied apologetically:

"I'm sorry, I have some work to take care of tonight, so I have to decline your invitation... I'm truly sorry."

Kou stopped pretending to try and persuade her to stay, and instead let out a soft, regretful sigh.

"Then we'll have to make it up when we're free. See you tomorrow, Mr. Kakashi."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved gently at Kakashi.

Kakashi stared at Koko's face, which appeared exceptionally gentle under the warm yellow light, and for some reason, he was momentarily lost in thought.

But he quickly recovered and curved his lazy, dead-fish eye back into a crescent moon:

"Ah, see you tomorrow, Master Kong."

After saying that, Kakashi turned around and slowly walked away along the street, which was dimly lit by streetlights.

The silver-white figure was gradually swallowed by the night and finally disappeared at the corner at the end of the street.

As he watched Kakashi's figure completely disappear from sight, the gentle smile that had been on his lips all day instantly vanished.

He gazed in the direction Kakashi had left and murmured to himself:

"Is that the direction we're heading to find Hong and the others?"

Kou then slowly turned around. Kisame had come down from upstairs at some point and was standing quietly in the shadows of the inn's porch, waiting for him.

"Get ready, Kisame."

Looking at Kisame before him, he said meaningfully:

"The plan is about to begin!"

Meanwhile, on the streets of Konoha.

The streetlights cast a warm yellow glow on the quiet street. The shops on both sides were already closed, with only a few windows occasionally letting out a faint light.

Two beautiful women were sitting side by side on a bench by the street, seemingly waiting for someone to arrive.

Anko sat on the edge of the bench, idly swinging her long, slender, white legs, her heels tapping against the bench's crossbar with a crisp sound.

Her still somewhat childish face was full of impatience; she kept glancing towards the end of the street, only to look away in disappointment every now and then.

Hong sat beside her, looking at her younger sister who was three years younger than her. In her red eyes, besides a hint of helplessness, there was a lot of doting affection.

A moment later, the silver-haired figure they had been waiting for finally emerged from the end of the street.

Kakashi Earth Flow to the two of them unhurriedly, and before he could even exchange pleasantries, he was met with Anko's scrutinizing gaze.

"You're way too slow, Kakashi!"

Anko looked at him with dissatisfaction and scolded him without any politeness:

What's your excuse for being late this time? Have you lost your way again on the path of life?

We're sick of hearing that excuse. If you're going to try to brush it off, you'd better come up with something else!

Kakashi shrugged innocently, offering a weak defense:

"Hey, I came here as fast as I could this time, don't make baseless accusations against me."

"Hehe."

Kakashi seemed fully aware of his terrible reputation and wisely stopped all pointless explanations.

He shifted his gaze from Anko to Hong, who was covering her mouth and chuckling, his tone returning to its usual languidness:

"So, is there something you need from me?"

Just so you know, I'm really busy lately. I not only have to report to Jiraiya -Lord Jiraiya later, but I also have to go back to look after the kids at home... I probably won't be able to stay here for very long."

Hearing Kakashi's words, the smile in his Red Eye slowly faded.

"Don't worry, I'm just telling you a few things, it won't take long."

Seeing Kurenai's unusually serious expression, Kakashi almost instinctively dropped his nonchalant attitude.

He pulled his hand out of his pocket and quietly looked at the red figure in front of him.

Hong took a deep breath, her eyes brimming with excitement and joy that had been suppressed for too long.

Her lips twitched slightly, and with an almost barely suppressed upturned tone, she excitedly said to Kakashi:

"Just yesterday, I received a letter from Asuma."

He... will be back soon!