Kuro, Departure, Asuma's Return!

Shortly after returning to the Training Ground, Kakashi and Might Duy rushed back.

Perhaps because he had learned about the news concerning himself, Uncle Dai seemed noticeably more energetic than before.

Looking into his bright, shining eyes, I couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion and silently mourn for the Konoha 11 in advance.

After all, once Uncle Dai gets excited, his training intensity... well, let's just say it's high.

To avoid spending too much time with Uncle Dai and accidentally triggering his beastly intuition, which is arguably the strongest sensory Kekkei Genkai in the Ninja World, Kou quickly ended his visit to the Ninja Academy.

In the days that followed, Kakashi acted as their guide, showing them around the sights of Konoha.

Although I know every street and shop in this village by heart, after so many years, returning to this land as a "foreign guest" still evoked a sense of emotion in my heart.

Of course, that's all.

After all, what he missed was never Konoha itself...

Three days later, Jiraiya, who succeeded as the Fifth Hokage, finally made a formal appearance and convened a meeting to discuss matters concerning the alliance.

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi; the Jonin Commander Leader, Shikaku Nara; the Anbu Chief Kakashi Hatake; and the Provisional Tsunade, who assisted Hokage...

Apart from Hyuga Hiashi, the Hyuga Clan, who declined the invitation on the grounds that "the clan has never participated in village affairs," almost all the bigwigs in Konoha's core power circle were present and held detailed discussions with Konoha regarding the alliance between Mist Village and Konoha.

Although a satisfactory result was ultimately reached for both parties,

However, he had to admit that his former boss, political Teacher, and Konoha's top strategist, Shikaku Nara, had put considerable pressure on him during this negotiation.

If it weren't for the fact that the Nara Clan is known for producing salted fish, given their almost freakish intellect, Konoha might have already been renamed Nara.

Ugh, another day of hating talent monsters!

Well, even though I benefited from the advantages of my bloodline, I don't really have the right to say that...

(Regarding forgetting one's roots.)

On his last day in Konoha, Koko secretly visited Anko, relying on his unparalleled stealth abilities.

With Hong's company, Anko has gradually recovered from her breakdown that night.

However, she has been spending almost all her time at the dumpling shop these past few days, which makes Kou feel a little worried.

While channeling grief and anger into appetite is understandable, this method of eating is a bit too extreme. Won't it prematurely evolve into Ryoko?

However, when his gaze fell upon the Cursed Seal on Anko's neck, his worries vanished.

While the side effects of this thing Orochimaru left behind are indeed quite significant, it does have some positive effects... such as burning calories.

Could it be that the snake had anticipated Anko's unhealthy eating habits and therefore designed this additional function specifically within the Cursed Seal?

That's highly unlikely, isn't it? Would that guy be that kind?

(Sasuke, who also has Cursed Seal, was fed to the point of becoming chubby during Shippuden:...)

Several days passed quickly, and the alliance agreement was officially finalized. The day of departure had finally arrived.

At the Konoha Gate, a group led by the Fifth Hokage Jiraiya gathered to bid farewell to the Mist Village delegation, headed by Kokoro.

The afternoon sun shone through the clouds, making the Konoha -shaped emblem above the gate exceptionally clear.

"Well then, everyone from Konoha, we shall take our leave here."

Looking at Jiraiya sitting in a wheelchair before him, his entire body wrapped in bandages, resembling Jiraiya of the Second Tsuchikage, he suppressed the almost uncontrollable laughter welling up inside and politely extended his hand:

Jiraiya nodded cautiously, extending his only remaining free hand to firmly grasp Koko's hand:

"Take care on your journey, everyone from Mist Village."

I believe that the alliance between Mist Village and Konoha will bring lasting peace to the Ninja World!

Kou nodded with a smile:

"Yes, I definitely will."

As he spoke, he shifted his gaze from Jiraiya to the Third Hokage Hokage, who stood quietly beside his wheelchair, watching him intently, and said sincerely:

"Regarding the matter of Mist Village sending personnel to the Land of Fire to establish the Odd Jobs Agency), I will need the help of everyone in Konoha."

The Third Hokage Hokage solemnly bowed slightly.

"Please rest assured, Konoha will certainly live up to your trust."

Kou politely returned the smile, then turned to look at Kakashi and said gently:

"Thank you for your hospitality these past few days, Mr. Kakashi."

"Thanks to you, we had a very happy time in Konoha."

Kakashi slightly curved his lazy, dead-fish eyes and politely replied:

"You're exaggerating. I was just doing what I was supposed to do."

Moreover, I've learned a lot from being by your side.

He looked at Kou's face, which appeared particularly gentle in the afternoon sunlight, and offered his heartfelt blessing:

"I believe that under your leadership, Mist Village will surely achieve an even more prosperous future."

"... I hope so."

Kou responded meaningfully, then turned around and waved casually to the Konoha members who were quietly watching them go.

"Well then, farewell, everyone from Konoha!!"

Behind him, Kisame and Utakata waved goodbye to the Konoha members one by one and then followed in his footsteps.

The three figures gradually disappeared into the distance, bathed in the pale gold of the afternoon sun, as the villagers of Konoha silently watched them go...

--

On the official road not far from Konoha, Kō and his group were steadily making their way towards the border port of the Land of Fire.

Throughout the journey, both Kisame and Utakata remained unusually quiet.

Kou turned his gaze away from what was in front of him, turned his head, and looked at the tall man beside him who had been silent since the beginning.

Seemingly seeing through Kisame's thoughts, he looked at Kisame and said with a smile:

"It seems this trip to Konoha has given you some insights."

"How about we chat?"

Hearing Kou's words, Utakata stopped daydreaming and looked curiously at Kisame in front of him.

Kisame's body stiffened slightly. He looked down at the gentle smile on Kotobuki's lips and said with a wry smile:

"Wow, nothing escapes your eyes, Lord Kong!"

"I do have quite a few feelings about this trip to Konoha."

"Tell me more?"

"It's about the Ninja Academy."

Kisame looked at Koko and slowly said:

"You remember those kids we met at the Ninja Academy, right?"

"Ah, of course I remember."

Kou seemed to have suddenly thought of something extremely amusing, and gloated as he teased:

When I came back, I saw you talking to those children, and you almost scared the little girl to tears.

The way you looked so helpless back then was really... tsk tsk tsk.

"... Hehe, please stop teasing me."

Kisame's lips twitched slightly, and he shook his head helplessly.

"It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision; I just wanted to see the 'quality' of Konoha's new generation of ninjas with my own eyes."

"So, what's your conclusion?"

"Excellent in potential, but extremely poor in character!"

Kisame gave his assessment without any mercy:

"Although I had long since given up any expectations for ninjas who grew up in this peaceful era, I never expected them to be this lax."

If things continue to develop like this, then this generation of Konoha ninjas will probably...

"I think it's quite good this way."

Kou casually crossed his arms behind his head, interrupting Kisame's unfinished critique in a relaxed tone.

Upon hearing Koko's idea, a hint of undisguised surprise flashed in both Kisame's and Utakata's eyes.

Kou shrugged dismissively and said slowly and seriously:

Children should act like children.

If children who grow up in peacetime are no different from those who grew up during wartime, then there is no point in having peace at all.

He turned his gaze away from the direction of the Mist Village and smiled at Utakata, who was standing behind him.

"If possible, I would like the children of Mist Village to learn more from the children of Konoha."

Although things are much better now than before, I still feel like they're a bit tense every time I go to the Ninja Academy... It's a little discouraging for me."

Utakata quickly shook his head:

"No, you have done an excellent job! There is no better leader than you in the entire Mist Village, no, in the entire Ninja World!"

Under your leadership, Mist Village will surely surpass Konoha and become better and better!

"... Thank you for your kind words."

Kou smiled, then looked away from Utakata's sincere face, quickened his pace, and walked in front of the two.

The smile on his gentle face vanished silently the moment he turned his back to Kisame and Utakata.

"Mist Village... is that it?"

He sighed deeply, silently murmuring to himself.

In the future, when the day finally comes that I leave Mist Village, in what capacity will this village, which I single-handedly pulled out of the Blood Mist, stand before me?

"I hope you won't necessarily stand against me."

He cast his deep gaze toward the end of the dirt road ahead, silently adding to himself:

"After all, when the day comes that I have to be their enemy, I'll probably... be heartbroken too."

Just as Kou was still immersed in these complex thoughts about the distant future, he seemed to sense something and paused slightly in his steps.

Kisame immediately noticed this subtle anomaly.

He narrowed his small, shark-like eyes slightly, lowered his voice, and whispered beside him:

"What happened, Lord Kong?"

"It's nothing, just a little sentimental."

He responded calmly.

He then turned his head, looking meaningfully at the area behind him that was mostly obscured by the trees lining both sides of the official road, towards the direction of the Konoha, and a faint smile slowly appeared on his lips:

"My wanderer, it's time to go home."

Meanwhile, at the Konoha Gate.

Just as the group that had seen off the Mist Village delegation was about to disperse, a strong and tall figure, bathed in the scorching midday sun, Earth Flow step by step toward the path they had taken...

--

(Next chapter preview: Asuma: You only gave birth to me, that doesn't mean you're my father!)