"Boss! Can you let me sit properly?"
Dangling from Goten's grip on the back of his collar, Naruto swung back and forth in the gale like a kite with a broken string, his face turning blue.
"Shut up."
Goten did not look back.
"You're cargo, not a passenger. You don't get to make demands."
Naruto: "..."
He felt rather insulted.
He looked sourly at Sakura, nestled against Goten's chest, and muttered.
"Could you two spare a thought for us single people..."
"Boss, that Sasuke guy, are we really not bringing him ba-"
Before Naruto could finish, Goten cut him off.
"Do you want me to bring him back, or do you want another month of washing dishes?"
Naruto immediately shut his mouth.
Fine, Sasuke. Stay out there and let the world beat some sense into you. I did my best, buddy.
Goten paid no further attention to his two followers' chatter.
The resonance between the two scorching-hot crystal chips in his pocket grew stronger.
As Konoha's outline appeared on the horizon, he could clearly sense a faint response from the slumbering presence deep beneath the village.
Approaching the sky above Konoha, Goten slowed down.
A vast net of ki spread out instantly, sweeping across the entire village.
In the Hokage Office, Tsunade was still reviewing documents, her aura somewhat weary.
In the Ramen Shop, Ayame was wearing an apron, busy in the kitchen.
In a room upstairs, Temari sat cross-legged on the tatami, wiping down her giant fan.
Hmm?
Goten's senses paused at the village entrance.
A familiar, delicate aura stood there all alone.
Hinata Hyuga.
Judging by the traces of her aura, she had been standing there for at least three hours.
Goten raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth lifting.
He changed course on the spot, his