Then Kakashi arrived with his people as well.
Seeing that no one had been killed or injured, he relaxed.
Knowing that Gaara and his companions had come a long way, Zhou Cheng invited them to spend a few days in Konoha.
Eager to change himself, Gaara agreed.
Zhou Cheng also returned to Konoha with Kimimaro.
However, he did not go home. Instead, he took Kimimaro straight to see Tsunade.
Zhou Cheng explained what had happened.
He simply described Kimimaro as a war orphan like himself, someone Orochimaru had deceived and abducted.
Tsunade agreed to let Kimimaro stay in Konoha.
She did not arrange a place for him to live, though.
Zhou Cheng could only take him home.
He also booked hotel rooms for Gaara and his companions.
That evening, Zhou Cheng treated Gaara, his companions, and Kimimaro to dinner.
After the meal, the three visitors looked at Zhou Cheng rather strangely.
It was as though they wanted to abduct him and take him back to Sunagakure.
Kimimaro also seemed to wish there had been more.
This was probably the best, most delicious meal he had ever eaten.
Night deepened, and Konoha fell asleep.
Aside from the ANBU on patrol, hardly anyone went out at this hour.
Zhou Cheng extended his sensing across all of Konoha and found nothing unusual.
Then he lay down.
Lying in bed, countless thoughts ran through his mind.
Sigh. These past few days have really been busy.
I haven't had a proper rest since the Chunin Ninja Exams.
Sure enough, turning Konoha into my own backyard isn't that easy.
After all these busy days...
I've finally earned some initial trust from Jiraiya and Tsunade.
That will make my future moves much easier.
Most importantly, I've brought down that old fox Danzo.
*But as long as he's