"Honey, we've stayed here long enough. Isn't it time to leave?"
"Not yet. We're picking up Teacher Orochimaru here and taking him back."
"Orochimaru? Isn't he undercover in the Akatsuki?"
"The tailed beast retrieval operation has reached its final stage. It's time for him to return to Konoha."
"That's good. The Research Department will have a lot less work to do."
Pakura's gaze drifted downward, only for Xuanhui to flick her forehead.
"So I'll have more time to spend with you, right?"
"Hehe..."
Pakura slipped her arms around Xuanhui's waist with practiced ease, nestling her head against his chest.
"You've been neglecting your training! When the fighting starts, you're not coming onto the battlefield with me. Stay home and wait for me."
"No! I won't hold you back!"
"Then I'll have to test you!"
"Mmm... Go right ahead..."
Orochimaru appeared in a small town near the Hidden Mist Village, carrying Fū and Gaara over his shoulders, one on each side.
"This should be the place..."
He set Gaara on the ground and took out the letter to check it.
"Yes, this is it..."
Knock, knock, knock!
The two reluctantly broke off their kiss.
Xuanhui casually wiped his mouth and walked to the door.
When he opened it, Orochimaru was staring at him reproachfully.
"Xuanhui, after all these years, you never even thought to visit your teacher..."
"Hahahaha... The circumstances were unusual! Besides, neither of us has to worry about our lifespan!"
Orochimaru glanced into the room behind him and saw the poised, elegant Pakura.
"Pakura, it's been a long time since I last saw you, too! Have you two had any children yet?"
"Huh? Not yet..."
For the first time in ages, Pakura blushed with embarrassment.
Xuanhui wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and she naturally rested