Five days later.
Land of Rice Fields, Spirit Mountain feet.
Kai led a group of people to stand still, looked up at the towering mountain in front of them, and took a long breath.
"I'm back..."
Fire Temple is not far from Land of Rice Fields.
Normally it takes two days to travel, if you go faster it will only take more than one day.
Although this trip was short, I experienced too many things.
Daimyo's Palace couped, Huiyan passed away, and Chiriku succeeded.
Konoha The people who should be met over there have been met, and the things that should be done have been done.
Behind him were a long list of children and a woman.
Kai was a little surprised. He had left not long ago, but it seemed like several years had passed.
He gathered his thoughts and turned to look behind him.
Several little guys were looking around, their eyes full of fresh energy.
The closer you get to Spirit Mountain, the quieter the children's voices become.
Along the way are neatly built terraces, and green crops are spread along the mountains.
Closer, the houses are scattered in a scattered manner, there are vendors selling goods along the street, and the pedestrians walking on the road have peaceful expressions.
These little guys have never seen a village built on a mountain, let alone such a lively and quiet place.
Kong came out from behind and tugged on Kai's clothes. "Sir, is this our home?"
Kai smiled and patted his shoulder, "Yes, this will be our home from now on."
As soon as he finished speaking, two figures at the foot of the mountain quickly came up to greet him.
Walking in front was Kakuzu, still looking calm and taciturn.
He was followed by Kagero.
The two came side by side, and the distance between them was much closer.
"These two seem to have a good relationship."
Kai raised his eyebrows slightly.
During his absence, Spirit Mountain's daily affairs were mostly handled by Kakuzu and Kagero.
It's not surprising that the two of them are close.
He didn't think much about it.
The two of them had come closer and bowed together. "I have met the Venerable Tathagata."
Kai waved his hand. "No gift."
Several children looked at each other in shock when they heard this title.
Tayuya whispered to Kidomaru next to him, "What is Tathagata? Isn't he called Dad Kai?"
Before Kidomaru could speak, Might Nosuke pouted beside him. "Stupid, this is a nickname."
Kai didn't know whether to laugh or cry, turned around and said seriously:
"This is Spirit Mountain, I am Hidden Spirit Village Chief, and I am known as Lord Tathagata. You can just call me that in the future."
The children nodded in understanding.
Kagero stepped forward gently, looked at Karin mother and daughter, and said softly:
"Are you tired from the journey?"
Uzumaki Yui looked at Kai subconsciously, and only responded in a low voice after Kai nodded.
Kakuzu then took a step forward and lowered his voice:
"Sir, during your absence, a child came Spirit Mountain, clamoring to become your teacher."
"We couldn't make up our mind, so we let him live there instead of letting him run around."
"Apprenticeship? Ziro found it?!"
Kai's eyes lit up and he subconsciously looked at Moyochi En.
Moyochi En is a little embarrassed.
"My subordinates don't know. There has been no news from the team sent out to search for the young man."
Kai looked at Kakuzu and asked, "Is he a boy about ten years old, thin and frail, with one Gray Short Hair?"
Kakuzu was stunned for a moment and nodded. "It's exactly Gray Short Hair. Do you know your venerable master?"
Kai laughed:
"That is indeed my disciple."
"I asked him to start from Sunagakure and come to Spirit Mountain to find me. It seems he was delayed on the way."
He patted Kakuzu on the shoulder and said, "Bring him to see me."
Kakuzu nodded, turned around and walked quickly.
Kai said to Moyochi En again, "By the way, go and call Sand Wukong, Yota and Chino. I have something to explain."
"Yes."
Moyochi En agreed, turned around and walked up the mountain.
Not long after, Kakuzu came back, followed by a thin young man.
Ziro As soon as he saw Kai, he froze on the spot, and then his eyes suddenly turned red.
He quickly rushed to Kai and knelt down with a plop, his voice trembling uncontrollably:
"Disciple Ziro, meet the teacher!"
Kai looked at Ziro in front of him.
She is thinner than when she was Land of Wind.
The clothes were frayed in several places, and the exposed arms were covered with scabs and scars.
There is also a ferocious claw mark faintly visible on the edge of the collar, extending into the shoulder socket.
Kai's heart sank.
This child's journey has never been easy.
He squatted down and patted Ziro on the shoulder:
"Get up. Since you can walk to Spirit Mountain, I will accept you as my disciple."
Ziro raised his head suddenly, an unprecedented light burst out from his eyes, and then he knocked down heavily:
"Thank you teacher!"
System prompts sounded in Kai's ears:
[Change the fate of Ziro and gain Monk Points 100 points.]
Kai's eyes lit up.
The cause sown in Sunagakure has not really come to fruition until today.
He reached out and pulled Ziro up.
"By the way, why did it take you so long? According to the normal schedule, it should have been two months."
Ziro's face turned red, he lowered his head and his voice was vague:
"Disciple... disciple is lost."
"It's too far from Land of Wind to Land of Rice Fields. I went wrong several times in the middle. I finally found this place after asking all the way."
"Lost?"
Kai rubbed his head.
"It doesn't matter if you get lost, as long as you are able to get there, you are good at it. If you can get here, I will make you a worthy disciple."
Ziro felt a sore nose, nodded vigorously, and stood back behind Kai.
The people around him had different expressions.
Kakuzu looked at Ziro thoughtfully. This thin boy had a resilience that was not found in ordinary people of his age.
Kagero stood beside Kakuzu, with a gentle look in his eyes.
Several other children also looked at this big brother who was much older than them with curious faces.
Not long after, Moyochi En arrived with three children.
Sand Wukong is wearing a light-colored coat, with White Jade Prayer Beads hanging around his neck.
Yota saw Kai from a distance, threw away his legs and ran away. "Arch Mage!"
Chino walked up to him and bowed. "Your Majesty."
Kai waved them all to stand together.
He stood at the feet of Spirit Mountain and looked at the row of children of all sizes in front of him:
Sand Wukong, Yota, Chino, Kimimaro, white, Karin, Tayuya, Kidomaru, empty, Might Nosuke.
And Ziro just arrived.
Kai's heart felt hot.
Eighteen Arhat Hands, corresponding to eighteen Arhats.
These little guys are the best candidates for the future Spirit Mountain Eighteen Arhats.
"But... it's not enough."