Returning to Konoha

"Let's call it Hidden."

After a moment of silence, Yun Xi finally came up with a name for the organization he was founding.

"Shadow?"

Zabuza had clearly misunderstood what Yun Xi meant by the name.

He thought Yun Xi wanted to become the highest authority in a village—the Kage.

"Not 'shadow' as in Hokage. I'm not interested in power."

Realizing Zabuza had probably gotten the wrong idea, Yun Xi continued, "It means 'hidden,' as in concealing oneself. To remain hidden from the world while plotting its course..."

"Understood. I'll carry out the mission."

After hearing Yun Xi's explanation, Zabuza understood the meaning behind the organization's name.

"Hidden from the world, huh?"

Zabuza was still mulling over the name when Yun Xi was already preparing to leave the Land of Waves.

He was getting ready to return to Konoha.

Before planning his departure from the village, Yun Xi had given himself only about two days.

But he hadn't expected so many things to happen during those two days away.

Now Yun Xi could clearly sense that the clone he'd left in Konoha was close to disappearing.

If he didn't return soon, he might even expose the fact that he'd left the village.

"Zabuza, our organization doesn't need to make a profit at first. We'll limit our operations to the Land of Waves. Once we've grown a little stronger, we can go out and capture rogue ninja."

"I'll contact you if I come up with a plan."

Before leaving, Yun Xi also told Zabuza about Hidden's initial development plans.

"Understood. I'll build up our strength according to your instructions."

Zabuza knew that Hidden only had him and Haku at the moment, so it wouldn't be wise to draw attention to themselves.

"Good. See you next time!"

Once everything was settled, Yun Xi took Karin back to Konoha...

"Wait for me at the village entrance once we reach Konoha."

On the way back to Konoha, Yun Xi began planning how to bring Karin into the village.

Although Karin was a member of the Uzumaki Clan and a civilian from the Land of Whirlpools,

the Uzumaki Clan and Konoha had once enjoyed a close relationship.

The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had even married a princess of the Uzumaki Clan.

But all of that was in the past.

Now, Naruto was the only Uzumaki left in Konoha.

And the village's higher-ups seemed to have some misgivings about Naruto, too.

If Yun Xi brought Karin straight into Konoha, it would inevitably cause trouble.

Besides, Yun Xi wasn't some genius or the heir to a clan in Konoha.

He was just an ordinary civilian who'd only recently enrolled at the Academy. Without ever leaving the village, how could he have met a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan?

With no other choice, Yun Xi had to bring Karin somewhere near Konoha first.

He could take her into the village once he found the right opportunity.

"Okay, big brother Yun Xi."

After hearing Yun Xi's plan, Karin didn't object at all and readily agreed.

"Mm, good girl..."

Seeing how sensible Karin was, Yun Xi instinctively patted her pink hair, pleased.

As soon as Yun Xi touched her, Karin's fair face flushed bright red...

The Land of Waves wasn't actually far from Konoha, and Yun Xi pushed himself to travel as fast as he could.

He and Karin finally reached Konoha as the sun was setting.

Before returning to the village, Yun Xi took Karin to the Back Mountain.

He settled her there temporarily.

He would bring Karin into Konoha after finding out where the Third Hokage stood.

"Transformation Technique!"

After settling Karin in, Yun Xi used the Transformation Technique to disguise himself as an ordinary Konoha Chunin.

Then, in the fading light of dusk, he returned to Konoha.

"It's as prosperous as ever."

Looking at the bustling streets crowded with people, Yun Xi couldn't help feeling moved after returning from the Land of Waves.

He'd only spent half an hour in the Land of Waves.

But in the eyes of the locals, he'd seen no hope—only numbness and emptiness.

Back in Konoha, Yun Xi found that most of the civilians had happy smiles on their faces.

That was the difference between a great nation and a small one.

It was also a microcosm of the Ninja World...

Only overwhelming strength could let him survive in this world that seemed calm on the surface but was actually fraught with danger!

Yun Xi didn't linger on Konoha Main Street. After taking a quick look around, he headed home.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw his clone sitting in the front room.

"Original, you're finally back!"

Yun Xi's clone was visibly excited to see him.

"What happened?"

Seeing how excited his clone was, Yun Xi was puzzled.

The Land of Waves wasn't far from Konoha, but it was still beyond the range at which the original and his clone could communicate using the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.

So Yun Xi had no idea what his clone had gone through over the past two days.

"Our plan to leave the village has been discovered..."

Once the original was back, Yun Xi's clone told him what had happened over the past two days...

"At first, no one noticed when you left the village. But after I got home, two Anbu suddenly came looking for me and told me to go see the Hokage."

"Then they found out I was just the clone you'd left in the village..."

"Now the Third Hokage told me to tell you to go see him once you got back..."

After finishing, Yun Xi's clone wore a bitter expression...

"All right, I understand. Thanks for your effort."

After learning what had happened, Yun Xi nodded.

He dispelled the clone. A puff of smoke appeared, and the spacious house was once again empty except for Yun Xi.

"Has my plan to leave the village been discovered?"

After dispelling the clone, Yun Xi began thinking about how to answer the Third Hokage's questions.

After all, he didn't want to become a rogue ninja yet. If his answers had any holes in them,

he'd be in serious trouble...

By the time Yun Xi got home, the beautiful sunset had disappeared, leaving only the quiet night.

A gentle breeze stirred as the faint glow of moonlight fell across the front of Yun Xi's house.

But Yun Xi had no interest in admiring the scenery. After pacing back and forth inside, he muttered, "Looks like I'll have to change the plan a little. I should go see the Third Hokage first!"

In the end, Yun Xi decided to take things as they came and change the course of action he'd already planned.

When he first came up with his plan to leave the village, Yun Xi had already prepared for how he'd handle his return.

But he hadn't expected the Third Hokage to discover his departure almost as soon as he'd left.

"Looks like it's time to show off my talent..."

Gazing into the dark night, Yun Xi wore a helpless expression.

The unexpected turn of events meant he could no longer keep a low profile. Otherwise, only two outcomes awaited him.

He could be driven out of Konoha and become a wanderer among the Five Great Nations...

Or the Root Division could arrest him, branding him a deserter...

Neither outcome was what Yun Xi wanted...