Now I'm Starting to Feel Glad I Made That Choice!

"Huh?"

"Master, why?"

Hotaru asked, confused.

"I've grown used to wandering from place to place all these years."

"I won't have to worry about being hunted anymore, but I think I'd have a hard time settling down somewhere."

"You, on the other hand, have been tired of wandering for a long time, haven't you?"

"Now that you have the chance, go back to Konoha with Lord Naruto."

"That's the life you truly belong in."

As Hotaru's master, Utakata knew her well.

He knew

Hotaru had always longed for a stable life, where she could make friends her own age without a care in the world.

Those were things

he couldn't give her.

So

letting Hotaru return with Naruto Uzumaki was the right choice.

"Master..."

Hotaru looked at Utakata, torn.

She had lived with Utakata since she was little and had long since come to see him as her father.

But

just as Utakata had said,

she was tired of wandering, too.

For a moment,

she didn't know what to choose.

"Hotaru, it's not as if we're saying goodbye forever. What's there to agonize over?"

"I might even visit Konoha someday."

Utakata comforted her as she struggled with the decision.

He was no longer the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, and Naruto Uzumaki had promised to have his status as a Missing-nin revoked.

That meant he could freely enter major villages like Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure.

Visiting Hotaru then wouldn't be difficult.

"I understand."

After hearing Utakata's words, Hotaru made up her mind.

"Lord Naruto, you brought Lord Utakata back to life. In return, I'll follow you from now on."

Hotaru looked at Naruto Uzumaki with determination.

"Heh... Trust me, you'll be glad you made this choice."

His goal achieved, Naruto Uzumaki smiled and patted Hotaru on the head.

With Hotaru joining him, today's