The eastern border of the Land of Fire.
The wasteland.
The wind stung his face.
Kitahara Kaede leaned against a weathered boulder, eyes closed as he counted the time.
He was waiting for someone.
Waiting for a group of people who could "reasonably" kill him.
After twenty years of simulations, it was time to collect his reward.
As long as he died here, leaving behind the perfect ending of a man who had given his life protecting Konoha's intelligence, he was guaranteed to earn an S-Rank "White Moonlight" rating this time.
The only thing giving him a bit of a headache was that, with his current strength, he'd have to carefully control how much he held back to make his death look natural.
If he died too easily, Tsunade's keen instincts would definitely make her suspicious.
The faint sound of footsteps carried over on the wind.
Kitahara Kaede opened his eyes and cautiously peered out.
At the edge of the horizon, more than a dozen dark figures were rapidly closing in.
They all wore black combat gear and had no Forehead Protectors.
The gray-haired man in the lead had a steady presence, and the dozen or so men behind him were skilled as well.
They'd make a good cast for his final performance.
Kitahara Kaede stood and brushed the dirt from his clothes.
Boom!
The boulder beneath his feet exploded.
Kitahara Kaede became a blur, charging toward the group.
At the same time.
The sun shone brightly over Konoha.
Tsunade unlocked the door with her key.
She kicked off her high heels and stepped barefoot into the entryway.
The house was quiet.
She walked over to the windowsill and picked up a watering can, tending to the drooping potted plant.
"He's only been gone a few days, and even