"Once I get the item tomorrow, I'll head straight back to Kirigakure to report. Where are you going next? Want to travel together?"
After they gathered again that evening, Hozuki Mangetsu asked them directly.
"No, we'll probably stay in Konoha for a while."
Hozuki Mangetsu nodded without asking what they intended to do in Konoha.
After all, Shinji and the others had registered as Kirigakure personnel when they entered Konoha. If they caused trouble in Konoha, Kirigakure would definitely be implicated.
But even Mei Terumi, the Mizukage herself, had been dragged into this.
"Hidan, Tobi, escort Mangetsu part of the way tomorrow. Come back once he's boarded the ship."
After thinking it over, Shinji still couldn't rest easy.
The main concern was that something could all too easily happen to Hozuki Mangetsu if he went back alone. In the original story, no one knew what had happened before he was simply gone, so Shinji had to prevent that from happening.
For another thing, they had just been attacked by suicide fighters before arriving in Konoha.
Until they knew who the enemy behind the scenes was, Hozuki Mangetsu wasn't safe.
"That shouldn't be necessary..."
"How do you know those people were after the Konoha contingent and weren't there to kill you? Besides, you brought the Mizukage's inquiry, which got Danzo punished. One look at that old bastard tells you he's no good. If he decides to get revenge on you, do you really think you can escape being surrounded and attacked by a whole group? Any ninja who knows Lightning Release would be enough to completely shut down your Hydrification Technique."
Shinji didn't mince his words.
This time, Hozuki Mangetsu didn't refuse his kindness again. "I'll do as you say."
A few days later, Shinji rented a storefront on a