"I'd hoped to have you stay a few more days."
Sara adjusted Liumu's backpack and, after checking that everything was in order, regained her princesslike poise.
"No need. It's a long journey from here to Konoha. We'd better set off as soon as possible."
Minato handed his Chakra Blade to Sara as a parting gift.
"Who gives a girl a blade as a present?!"
Beside him, Liumu shot Minato a speechless glance.
"Well, I didn't bring anything else. Did you?"
Liumu shook his head. "Nope."
At that, Minato started to speak, then stopped. Only after drawing two deep breaths of cool air did he let it go.
"I didn't bring anything, but I can invite Sara over."
Liumu turned to Sara and said quite seriously, "We live in Konoha, in the Land of Fire. Come visit whenever you have time. I'll make you some noodles then."
Minato nodded. "That's right. Liumu is quite a good cook. We're just in too much of a hurry to get back this time for him to show you."
The people of Rōran offered gifts one after another, but with their bags already full, Liumu and the others could only decline.
After their farewells.
Minato and his two companions were returning to Konoha, while Liumu was about to head south to catch up with Jiraiya and Han.
Originally, Liumu had planned to send a Shadow Clone to help Minato complete the Rōran mission.
But recalling how difficult the Rōran arc had been, completing it with just a clone really would have been somewhat difficult.
Anrokuzan wasn't particularly capable. As a puppet ninja, his abilities weren't actually stronger than Sasori's in certain respects, but unfortunately, in Rōran, Anrokuzan had the Ryūmyaku's support.
That was why this mission had caused so much trouble.
Half a month