Hatake Ziyan led the way toward Konoha, with three children trailing far behind him.
"Don't worry. Lord Ziyan may be a little unreliable, but he's still very strong. Besides, you have a long life ahead of you. You can't spend the rest of it in the mountains. Until he fixes your condition, I'm willing to be your cage and help keep you under control when you go berserk! That way, you can live a normal life outside!" Kimimaro said to Jugo beside him as he watched Hatake Ziyan walking ahead.
It was the first time anyone had said something like that to Jugo. Moved, he nodded and said, "Thank you. I'll be counting on you from now on!"
Kimimaro smiled faintly. "As long as I'm here, your soul is free. So you can follow Lord Ziyan without worrying!"
Up ahead, Hatake Ziyan was a little stunned. I've spent almost twenty days with Kimimaro, and I've barely seen any expression on his face. He's practically stone-faced. Yet he smiled the very first time he met Jugo? Is this the power of fate? Or bonds? Or is the plot correcting itself?
Haku, who was beside them, was delighted by the warm atmosphere between the two and called out, "Me too! Me too! Once I'm strong, I want to be your cage too, big brother! Then you won't have to stay trapped in a cave because of your condition!"
"Sure! Thank you, Haku!" Jugo said as he walked over to Haku, picked him up, and settled him on his shoulders.
"Hahaha!"
The three looked at one another and laughed happily.
Walking ahead, Hatake Ziyan heard how well the three were getting along, and a knowing smile spread across his face.
But Hatake Ziyan did not let their happiness last long! After their first