The road home: in such a good mood even passing dogs had to come get slapped

Takahashi Yū, who had everyone tied to him like some tentacled monster, soon reached the Iwa Shinobi surrounding them.

But he did not dare linger as he had when facing the troops left behind earlier.

Iwagakure had more ninja than any other village in the Shinobi World. The force Ōnoki alone had led into the Land of Rain numbered over ten thousand.

Takahashi Yū had no desire to end up like the Third Raikage in the original story, worn down and killed by tens of thousands of Iwa Shinobi.

After several major battles and all that traveling, Takahashi Yū had already used up over half his stamina. If they stopped him again, he really might not get away.

Now he was like a bulldozer hurtling forward, paying no heed whatsoever to the densely packed Iwagakure ninja ahead.

Ninja tools, ninjutsu, even human bodies-Takahashi Yū smashed straight through them all.

"Damn it, stop Konoha's demon!"

"Ah! Help!!"

Takahashi Yū charged out like a gust of wind. Before the Iwa Shinobi ahead could dodge, he smashed them into clouds of blood. Severed limbs and shattered remains kept flying high along his path.

Without their central pillar, the Iwa Shinobi forces failed to close their encirclement in time, and no highly skilled ninja came to stop him.

Takahashi Yū picked up more and more speed, simply adjusting his course slightly to head toward the Land of Grass.

The Land of Grass is closer to home. Where are Iwa Shinobi's Jinchūriki? Why didn't they come? They really would've made things difficult.

His legs churned tirelessly. The teammates behind him trailed like kites, the air currents from Takahashi Yū's high-speed sprint blowing so hard they could not open their eyes, even rippling the flesh of their faces.

"Someone stop him!"

"Where are the Jonin? We can't stop him at all! Help!"

This was the downside of centralized authority. Ōnoki's word was absolute in Iwagakure, and power was heavily concentrated in his hands.

Once Ōnoki fell, the entire Iwa Shinobi force lost its leader and could not organize any effective attacks at all.

Takahashi Yū simply took some of the ninjutsu head-on without dodging. In the entire Shinobi World, Dust Release might have been the only thing worthy of his attention.

He only had to keep an eye on the teammates trailing behind him like kites. At this speed, attacks from anywhere but directly ahead had little chance of hitting.

This bulldozer-like charge put Takahashi Yū in a cheerful mood, reminding him of facing those simple-minded Sand Shinobi on the Land of Wind battlefield.

That was his lost youth!

In the original story, the Third Raikage had only been worn down and killed during the Third Shinobi World War because he needed to buy time.

The Third Raikage had to let people return with word and regroup their forces. Otherwise, tens of thousands of Iwa Shinobi would have driven straight into the Land of Lightning, and even victory would have left the country devastated.

Fighting a war on one's own soil was a cardinal mistake. That was also why so many small countries remained in the Shinobi World: they were all used as buffers for wars between the great nations.

Otherwise, given the Third Raikage's strength, no one could have kept him there. At this stage in the Shinobi World, he could well be called the strongest Kage.

Takahashi Yū was, in every sense, the Third Raikage's counterpart in another world.

They shared the same top-tier speed in the Shinobi World, the same impenetrable physical toughness, and even roughly the same build.

He simply had not had a chance to clash with him. Otherwise, there would have been no more debate over the Shinobi World's Strongest Spear and Strongest Shield.

Takahashi Yū let his mind wander through random thoughts while his legs moved mechanically beneath him.

Suddenly coming back to his senses, Takahashi Yū realized he seemed not to have hit anything for quite a while.

He focused and saw that the surrounding Iwa Shinobi had tacitly cleared a path, standing to either side and making a show of forming hand seals and casting ninjutsu.

The corner of Takahashi Yū's mouth curled up. He muttered inwardly that the Iwa Shinobi he had always considered stubborn and honest did not seem quite so stupid after all.

"Senior, are we just going to watch them leave?"

"What else? You want to stop him? Didn't you see that all our battalion commanders went to Lord Ōnoki?"

"Relax. Hey, don't stop your hands! Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

Listening to the Iwa Shinobi muttering among themselves, Takahashi Yū smashed headfirst through another earthen wall rising before him.

As long as Ōnoki fell silent, the rest of the Iwa Shinobi were nothing to fear.

What else are we supposed to do? We can't stop him, Lord Ōnoki is unconscious, and the captains have all gone to check on him.

Who wants to die?

The morale of the Iwa Shinobi on both sides had already collapsed.

Takahashi Yū felt as though he were driving along a highway, complete with guardrails on either side.

Seeing the Iwa Shinobi thinning out on both sides, Takahashi Yū simply stamped down hard and leaped high into the air.

"Aaah! Aaah!"

Dangling behind him, Yamanaka Ayano finally could not hold back her screams.

"Hahaha!" Takahashi Yū laughed out loud. His trip to the Land of Earth was finally nearing its end.

And there was no need to stall for three days anymore. After taking that punch from him, Ōnoki would not be getting back on his feet even with three months.

He landed with a boom. There were no Iwa Shinobi around anymore, and Takahashi Yū felt utterly exhilarated.

Like a wild horse freed from its reins, he headed for the Land of Grass.

Moonlight fell over the Special Forces, draping them in a layer of white gauze as they leaped from tree to tree.

Yes, they had finally left the Land of Earth, and the journey had gone absurdly smoothly.

No obstructions, no surprises.

"It's been ages since I cosplayed as Tarzan. Really takes me back." Too lazy to mold chakra, Takahashi Yū often swung forward on dangling branches.

This was how he had traveled into the mountains to hunt game as a child, before his body had grown so tough.

"Captain's saying weird, incomprehensible things again," Yamanaka Ayano said from behind him, looking very happy.

After entering the Land of Grass, the team had unanimously asked Takahashi Yū to put them down. After all, traveling like kites was a little too thrilling for them.

"Haven't roasted you in a while, and now you're getting cocky, huh, Pig Girl?" Takahashi Yū replied casually without looking back.

The Special Forces were relaxed in both body and mind. After all, the road home was the happiest road to travel.

Though many people would never make it back, a year of war had made parting with comrades in life and death an all-too-familiar experience.

Perhaps little moments in their future lives would remind them of a fallen teammate, but the Shinobi World's circumstances did not allow them to sink into despair.

At most, they could quietly reminisce for a moment before rushing headlong toward the next fight.

"All right, we'll rest here tonight. No need to push so hard."

Takahashi Yū stopped in a grassy clearing where the trees were relatively sparse.

"After all, our strategist's about to burst from holding it in. Right, Yūma?" Takahashi Yū teased, looking at Nara Yūma.

Having stopped, Nara Yūma gave Takahashi Yū an irritated look with his dead-fish eyes and slowly said, "Captain, you've given us quite a gift."

Planting weakened Wave Seeds in the hearts of the eight remaining teammates meant that they had all become ninja with Kekkei Genkai.

Some even had two Kekkei Genkai.

For people like them, who already belonged to ninja clans, this was not necessarily a good thing.

And none of them belonged to their clans' direct lines, which made things even worse.

"What are you scared of? If anyone starts running their mouth when we get back to the village, just beat them up." Understanding what Nara Yūma meant, Takahashi Yū patted his shoulder.

"We dared take on the Third Tsuchikage. Why would we be afraid of those old bastards in the clans? If anyone gives you trouble after we get back, come to your captain. I've got your backs."

With his arm around Nara Yūma, Takahashi Yū spoke loudly.

Nara Yūma wore a troubled expression, but he let out a long sigh, looking ready to stop trying.

Hyūga Ryūhei, who had regained consciousness, was excitedly studying the murderous intent fluctuation in his hand, completely ignoring his pale complexion.

Hyūga Gōshi stood to one side in a daze. He was much more mature to begin with, and deep worry lingered in his eyes.

"Didn't you hear me? I'm talking to you, Takeshi! Can't you learn from the Uchiha F3? Have you ever seen them worry?"

Takahashi Yū had noticed Hyūga Gōshi's worries too and called out to him.

The branch family really was a bit troublesome, but Takahashi Yū now had confidence he could resolve anything.

"Exactly. Relax, relax. With Captain here, no one would dare do anything to us unless they're a complete idiot." Like the nearly nine-year-old Ryūhei, Uchiha Shunji was excitedly studying the red fluctuations in his hand.

"This is amazing, Captain. The moment your fluctuations entered my body, information about them suddenly appeared in my head." Uchiha Shunji circled Takahashi Yū like a husky.

"And they don't use much chakra. My body seems tougher too, and they can even take solid form. Captain, your Kekkei Genkai is unbeatable!"

Uchiha Shunji's excitement was written all over his face, and the other two Uchiha looked excited as well.

After all, strength was what counted in the Uchiha clan.

Lying on the ground, Yamanaka Ayano said, "Shunji missed the point. The strongest thing about the fluctuations is how they constantly affect the enemy's mind."

Takahashi Yū laughed twice at their words. A Kekkei Genkai? They could think of it that way.

Moreover, he could now sense the locations of all eight seed bearers anytime, anywhere. That would make things very convenient the next time they had a mission like this.

Pah! Next time? Once he got back, Takahashi Yū had no intention of leaving the village again. He would use his war mission earnings to open a little shop and idle away the rest of his life.

He had more than done right by Konoha. Neither side owed the other anything now.

Takahashi Yū leaned quietly against the thick tree trunk behind him, tilting his head slightly to gaze at the stars twinkling in the night sky.

"Why isn't Yūma back from hunting yet? I'm starving to death!" Takahashi Yū called out to everyone with a smile.

It's so good to be able to bring you all home.

Without realizing it, Takahashi Yū, a soul from the modern world, had formed deep bonds in the Shinobi World too.

That night, all was silent.

After a deep night's sleep, Takahashi Yū opened his eyes and looked at the tall canopy overhead, a sense of familiarity welling up inside him.

In the Land of Earth, the sky truly had been his blanket and the ground his bed, without a scrap of cover.

Takahashi Yū kipped up, stretched, and called out:

"Get ready, everyone. We're heading home!"

Yamanaka Ayano, who was sorting out her ninja tool pouch in front of him, gave him a disdainful look. "Captain, you're the only one who slept until noon, and now you're telling us to get ready?"

Sorry, but an invincible body really does let you do whatever you want.

He could sleep like a log without worry even out in the wild.

Already washing his face with water, Takahashi Yū laughed at her words.

"My bad, my bad. Where's Takeshi? Have you checked the map? Which way are we going?"

No sooner had he spoken than Hyūga Gōshi darted out from somewhere, holding a rabbit roasted charred on a skewer. Hearing the question, he answered cheerfully:

"I could walk back to Konoha from the Land of Grass with my eyes closed. No need to look. Here, Captain, take this to tide you over."

Taking the roast rabbit, Takahashi Yū ate half of it in one bite and said indistinctly:

"Then let's go! I've missed Konoha's barbecue to death."

Takahashi Yū jumped, caught a thick branch, and used his momentum to launch himself toward the next tree.

Lured by the prospect of home and refreshed by a comfortable night's rest, the teammates followed one after another, their faces glowing.

The Special Forces had slowed to a leisurely pace, but less than half an hour later, Hyūga Ryūhei called them to a halt.

"Captain, there seem to be a few people camping ahead. Their chakra signatures are all pretty weak."

Takahashi Yū stepped forward and flicked Hyūga Ryūhei on the forehead. "You stopped us for that? You still think we're in a war zone?"

Hyūga Ryūhei covered his forehead and said aggrievedly, "I was just being cautious."

Hyūga Gōshi activated his Byakugan too and looked into the distance.

"They seem to have noticed us, Captain. Looks like they're trying to run."

"No, there's another group. It looks like one group is chasing the other down."

Hyūga Gōshi kept watching as he spoke without turning his head.

Having only just withdrawn from tense confrontations, Takahashi Yū was feeling wonderfully relaxed. Hearing about this situation inexplicably made his hands itch.

The day before, he had faced armies of thousands upon thousands of ninja. Now these two groups apparently totaled fewer than ten people. Wasn't that the perfect change of pace?

"Come on, let's take a look. I'm in such a good mood right now that even a passing dog's getting two slaps from me."

With that, Takahashi Yū leaped ahead, taking the lead.

The teammates exchanged glances behind him. Nara Yūma's mouth twitched as he said helplessly, "Well, that description does suit him."

No longer taking his time, Takahashi Yū now wanted nothing but to watch the commotion and play righteous judge. He even snapped several thick branches underfoot along the way.

Soon, he saw three figures stumbling toward Takahashi Yū. Several more figures darted about overhead behind them, constantly throwing shuriken at the fleeing people.

"Heh-heh."

Takahashi Yū chuckled, and with a thought, a vast surge of red Killing Intent swept forward.

Before either group could react, they were engulfed in the range of his murderous intent fluctuation. The figures darting through the trees immediately lost their footing and fell.

The people fleeing on the ground began trembling too and huddled together.

Takahashi Yū crossed the distance in two strides and arrived before them.

A quick glance revealed designs resembling simple drawings of mountain ranges on the forehead protectors of the fallen ninja.

Grass Ninja, just as expected. They were in the Land of Grass, after all.

He then looked at the three people trembling in a huddle. Their clothes were torn and filthy, leaving them looking utterly bedraggled. Both old and young were among them, wearing headscarves and looking like ordinary refugees. For the moment, he could not tell much more.

Of course, they were not ordinary people. Ryūhei had already said they had chakra signatures.

"You Grass Ninja really get more pathetic by the day. You're this cautious just chasing down the old and weak?"

Takahashi Yū had always looked down on these fence-sitters. They switched sides in every Shinobi World War, like a hard, stinking stone in a cesspit.

Takahashi Yū himself had suffered badly because of it. If the Grass Ninja had not kept siding with Konoha one moment and Iwagakure the next, the Iwa Shinobi led by Ōnoki would never have broken into the Land of Rain so quickly.

Nor would Takahashi Yū have had to lead the Special Forces into the Land of Earth to draw Ōnoki back to his village.

Even committing entirely to Iwagakure would have been better than their current awkward position of being despised by both sides.

The Grass ninja lying on the ground trembled slightly. His lips moved as though he wanted to say something, but then abruptly stopped. Their fearful eyes showed that they had recognized Takahashi Yū.

After all, once the fighting in the Land of Wind ended, information about Takahashi Yū, its undisputed main fighting force, had long since spread throughout the Shinobi World.

The Grass Ninja said nothing, and Takahashi Yū spat again.

His gaze slowly shifted toward the refugees still clinging tightly to one another. An old woman wearing a headscarf, her face covered in wrinkles, held two tightly bundled children in her thin arms as though terrified they might suffer the slightest harm.

"Who are you? How did you offend this bunch of scum?"

Seeing the old woman's eyes squeezed shut and hearing the children beneath her sobbing, Takahashi Yū withdrew the murderous intent from that area and pressed it down on the Grass Ninja.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

The Special Forces members arrived with several Body Flicker Techniques, taking separate positions in the trees behind Takahashi Yū and blocking the possible escape routes around them.

The closer the terrain came to the Land of Fire, the more trees there were, and the more familiar the teammates were with it.

The old woman did her utmost to shield the two children beneath her. Now she came to her senses, wiped the sweat from her forehead, looked at Takahashi Yū, then at the Special Forces members standing in the surrounding trees.

"Konoha ninja? Go away! We don't need Konoha's help!"

The old woman's sudden agitation left Takahashi Yū and his teammates baffled.

A lock of white hair streaked with red slipped out from beneath her headscarf.

"Uzumaki?!"