Bring Him Home!

Three days later, the Mist Village.

The sea fog no longer lingers all day as it did in previous years; it dissipates after sunrise, revealing a vast expanse of azure sky.

The tall buildings are arranged in a staggered pattern on both sides of the road, gleaming with a warm light in the morning sun.

The brief Three-Tails monster rampage a few days ago doesn't seem to have left a deep mark on the village.

Only the ruins of the Mizukage Building, still fenced off in the center of the village, and the Mizukage Aide Building next to it, which is also under reconstruction, remind people that some things did indeed happen.

Not far away, on the rooftop of the temporary government building in Mist Village, Mei Terumi stood quietly.

She rested her hands on the cold iron railing, the sea breeze blowing from behind her, sweeping her long, light brown hair across her face and briefly obscuring most of her vision.

She didn't reach out to touch it.

The slightly blurred vision actually allowed her to see things more clearly.

"It's rare to see someone like you slacking off during work hours."

Zabuza walked from the rooftop entrance, looked at Mei Terumi's silent back, remained silent for a moment, and then murmured with a slight sigh:

"That's understandable, though. At a time like this, it's hard for anyone to calm down."

"Don't worry, all the work has already been taken care of."

Mei Terumi spoke calmly, then turned around, tucking her hair behind her ears, with only a few stray strands remaining on her shoulders, gently ruffled by the sea breeze.

"In the days leading up to the Three-Tails' rampage, he... had already finished handling all the recent official business of Mist Village."

"Ah, no wonder he seemed busier than usual these past few days; it turns out he had been preparing for this day all along."

Zabuza said this without any surprise, his gaze passing over Mei Terumi and landing on the Mizukage Aide Building in the distance, a half-smile on his face:

"That's really... typical of him."

Mei Terumi simply stared at the Mizukage Aide Building, which was under reconstruction, without saying a word.

The rooftop had been quiet for a long time when the wind blew again, carrying a hint of chill.

After a long pause, Zabuza spoke first:

What are your thoughts on what Yagura said?

Regarding Lord Sora, or rather... that Uchiha Kuro.

"... I have no idea."

Mei Terumi gently shook her head, still gazing at the building in the distance, which was being encased in layers of fences and scaffolding. Her voice was so low it was almost carried away by the wind:

But there is one thing I am certain of.

What Yagura said... is true.

She looked at Zabuza and continued earnestly:

"If he hadn't come to Mist Village back then, under Madara's... no, Uchiha Obito's manipulation, Mist Village would have gone down a path we can't even imagine now."

Even if it all started as a lie, the fact that he saved Mist Village, and the bond he built with us as "Ku"... none of it was entirely false.

"That's what I believe."

"Hmph, what a naive idea."

Zabuza chuckled softly, but there was no mockery in his laughter; instead, there was a hint of wistfulness.

"The ridiculous thing is that someone like me would actually agree with this idea from the bottom of my heart."

As he spoke, Zabuza glanced meaningfully at Mei Terumi and asked seriously:

"So, when do you plan to leave?"

Mei Terumi's expression stiffened slightly, and a hint of surprise appeared in her gaze as she looked at Zabuza.

"You..."

"Stop talking nonsense. Do you think I can't guess what you're up to?"

Zabuza scoffed dismissively, a rare hint of excitement appearing on his bandaged face:

"You're not the only one who wants to bring back that jerk who runs away from home at the drop of a hat!"

Mei Terumi seemed to suddenly realize something, and following Zabuza's gaze, she looked downstairs again, her eyes momentarily frozen.

It's unclear when exactly, but the villagers of Mist Village have gathered downstairs at this temporary government building.

Their procession stretched from the stone steps in front of the building all the way to the alleyway beyond, forming a dense sea of people.

Kimimaro stood at the front of the crowd, looking up at Mei Terumi in silence.

Standing half a step behind him, Jūzō Biwa's rugged and cold face surprisingly showed a hint of a smile.

Regarding the matter of "Shiina Sora" and "Uchiha Kuro," the entire village of Mist Village was informed yesterday without reservation, thanks to the unanimous decision of the Mist Village leadership and all those in the know.

The people of Mist Village made their decision in just one night, or even less.

Zabuza looked down at the villagers who had gathered below, and a slight upward twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth beneath his bandages:

"Looks like these guys can't wait any longer..."

"Tch, I clearly told them we'd gather here later."

Mei Terumi stared blankly at the villagers gathered below, unsure of what to say.

"Teru, Mei Terumi- sama!"

In the crowd, someone shouted out the first time.

Immediately afterwards, even more sounds surged up from downstairs.

"Please rest assured, no matter what happens, we will stand by your side, by the side of Director Kong!"

"Hey, shouldn't you address me as 'Lord Kou' now?"

"Tsk, it's just a matter of getting used to it, and I can't change it overnight..."

"Don't worry, Mei Terumi- sama, leave Mist Village to us!"

Go and bring back our Lord Kong... Go and bring back Lord Kou!

"Yes! Bring him back!!"

"Mist Village... will always be Lord Kokoro's home!!"

The sounds rose and fell, chaotic and noisy, but no one was willing to stop them.

Mei Terumi looked down at the surging crowd below, listening to the familiar, unfamiliar, old, and young shouts coming from all over Mist Village, and couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

She knew better than anyone how cruel it would be to tell the Mist Village the truth to the people who had once trusted "Lord Kong" as if he were a faith.

But she had to do it; everyone in Mist Village... had the right to know the truth.

I am prepared to bear everything.

But at this moment, looking at the crowd surging from all Mist Village downstairs, and listening to their sincere shouts, her heart, which had been gripped by endless unease since the night the truth was revealed, suddenly relaxed.

Mei Terumi looked down at the villagers, a choked smile spreading across her face.

This was the first real smile she had shown in so many days.

"It was my fault... I Mist Village."

She sighed softly to herself.

It turns out that not only I, but no one else ever thought of giving up on bringing "emptiness" back.

Everyone feels the same way.

Just as Mei Terumi opened her mouth, preparing to say something to the crowd downstairs, a kind voice rang out from behind her.

"There's absolutely nothing to hesitate about, isn't there?"

Mei Terumi was taken aback at first, then turned her head away in disbelief.

What came into view was an elderly man with white hair being carefully supported by Bai and Suigetsu.

Supported by the two, Genji slowly walked towards the rooftop. His wrinkled face held a boundless compassion and kindness.

"... Elder Genshi?!"

"Let's go, Mei Terumi."

Genji straightened his aged body and solemnly said in a low voice:

"Go and bring our companions, our families... home."

As Genji Zabuza speaking, Kimimaro, Kimimaro, Jūzō Biwa, Haku, Suigetsu, and the endless sea of people below, a vast expanse of Mist Village citizens, all turned their gazes in the same direction almost simultaneously.

Mei Terumi raised her hand, rubbed her eyes, and forced back the hot tears that had welled up in the corners of her eyes. She then resolutely raised her head.

The sea breeze blew from behind her, tossing her long, light brown hair toward the Land of Rice.

"I will bring him back."

Mei Terumi placed her hand on her left chest, and solemnly made a promise to the members of Mist Village and to herself:

"Take him home!"

Sigh, I wanted to write something emotional and dramatic, but my skills aren't up to par. I've revised it several times, but it still doesn't feel right. Sorry!

Thank you to the amazing author "Lamb Doesn't Get Lost" for the verification, and thank you to all the readers who gave me tips. I will continue to update three times a day for the next few days. Thank you everyone!