Encounter

Inside the clean and tidy small house, only the soft, steady sound of Teuchi's storytelling echoed.

The dim, yellowish light cast upon everyone's faces seemed to reflect their varying expressions.

Listening to Teuchi's gentle narration, Tsunade and Jiraiya both fell silent.

It seemed as Teuchi had said... they had never truly stepped into the depths of Sosuke's heart.

The atmosphere in the room grew slightly stifled. Teuchi gave a light cough to break the stillness; the look of reminiscence on his face faded, replaced by a slow, faint smile.

He turned his head toward Kushina and Minato, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke softly.

"I am very grateful that you have always held Brother Sosuke in such high regard."

"If Brother Sosuke knew, he would surely be very comforted."

Hearing his words, Minato and Kushina's expressions turned solemn.

"Teuchi, based on what you're saying, do you believe that Sosuke never had his sights set on Konoha from the very beginning...?"

Tsunade asked, her gaze lowered, her voice filled with profound loneliness.

Teuchi looked at her gently, a bitter smile surfacing on his face as he replied softly.

"This is merely my own speculation, but you should know Brother Sosuke's wisdom well enough... If his gaze had truly lingered on this village... how could he have so easily revealed his flaws and been discovered by the village...?"

Upon hearing Teuchi's words, Jiraiya's expression grew heavy, while a flash of dejection crossed Tsunade's beautiful eyes.

She walked slowly to the table, her fair palm tracing the surface as if trying to feel some lingering trace of the life Sosuke had once lived there.

Deep in her heart, she couldn't suppress a low sigh.

So... I never understood you at all, did I...

Meanwhile.

Outside the quiet house, several figures were walking