Looking at the high-grade Ninja Blades and Explosive Tag scrolls scattered across the ground.
Kenya snapped his fingers in satisfaction.
"Zabuza, stop standing around. Get the workers moving."
"Move all these Kumogakure 'specialties,' and everything aboard that cargo ship, back to the base."
Kenya kicked the refined-steel Ninja Blade that lay broken in two on the ground.
"Kumogakure got rich robbing everyone over the years. We're just robbing the robbers. It's only natural."
Zabuza recovered from his shock.
Looking at the spoils littering the ground, even this former elite of the Kirigakure Anbu couldn't help twitching at the corner of his mouth.
How was the boss doing business? This was outright robbery!
Still, this robbery... really did feel refreshing.
"Yes, boss! I'll get right on it!"
Zabuza shouted and immediately directed the workers, who had been scared stiff earlier, to start clearing the battlefield.
Kumogakure's ninja tools had always been renowned for their fine craftsmanship and the lightning release chakra they contained, fetching considerable prices on the black market.
But for Kenya, who possessed Black Iron Wood Release and Garp's physique.
These so-called "high-grade goods" were really no different from scrap metal.
Still, even a mosquito's leg was meat. Taking them back to equip the chamber of commerce's guards, or melting them down and remaking them, was better than leaving them on the docks.
That evening.
The cargo ship, loaded with spoils and high-grade supplies, returned safely to the deserted island base off the Land of Waves.
Night fell.
The magnificent castle built from black iron wood on the island was brightly lit.
In the central hall.
A copper hot pot, a full size larger than a water vat, sat on an enormous, custom-made, oblong stone table.
Beneath the hot pot, Kenya used a burning piece of black iron wood as fuel. The vigorous flames brought the red-oil broth to a rolling boil.
A rich aroma mingled with the pungent scent of chilies, filling the entire hall.
This feast had been specially arranged to celebrate their thrashing of Kumogakure that day and the awakening of Kenya's Conqueror's Haki.
"Come on! Put the meat in!"
"Haku, slice some more rolls from that giant walrus! Those ten plates weren't enough!"
Bare-chested, Kenya sat at the head of the table.
Holding a pair of oversized wooden chopsticks, he gave instructions while unceremoniously fishing meat into his bowl.
"Okay, Uncle! Coming right up!"
Wearing an apron, Haku bustled happily at the small cooking station nearby, his face radiant with a happy smile.
He sliced the meat extremely quickly, using a faint touch of Ice Release to keep the meat rolls at the perfect thinness and texture.
On one side of the long table.
Tsunade had rolled up her sleeves without a shred of decorum, one foot planted on her chair.
"Hey! Zabuza, you dare fight me for this piece of marbled beef?!"
Tsunade glared at Zabuza across from her, her chopsticks like two sharp swords as they clamped firmly onto a freshly cooked slice of premium fatty beef.
At the other end of the chopsticks.
Zabuza's face was flushed red, the veins bulging in his neck.
He, too, gripped that slice of fatty beef with his chopsticks, and although he was filled with reverence for this member of the Sannin.
When it came to chowing down, he, the chief of manual labor, would never compromise!
"Lady Tsunade, forgive me! I hauled five tons of black iron wood today. I urgently need to replenish my strength!"
Zabuza spoke through gritted teeth, suddenly putting force into his wrist.
"Hmph! I spent all day approving documents. I'm much more tired than you!"
Tsunade refused to give an inch.
A faint current of chakra flowed through her arm, and her monstrous strength erupted instantly.
Crack!
Under the contest between monstrous strength and brute force, both pairs of specially made, thick wooden chopsticks snapped at once!
The pitiful slice of marbled fatty beef plopped back into the scalding red-oil broth, splashing up a few drops.
"Ah! My meat!"
Tsunade and Zabuza cried out simultaneously, hurriedly grabbing fresh chopsticks to fish it out.
As a result, the two launched another fierce "chopstick battle" inside the pot.
Sitting between them, Shizune hugged Tonton tightly.
Watching these two top-tier fighters nearly come to blows over a single slice of meat, she was so embarrassed she didn't know where to put her hands.
"Um... Lady Tsunade, Mr. Zabuza, there's still plenty of meat in the kitchen..."
Shizune offered a timid reminder.
But clearly, the two, immersed in the fun of fighting over food, hadn't heard a word.
At the other end of the long table.
The scene was equally bizarre.
Kenya hadn't joined the melee over the meat.
He was holding a plate piled with doughnuts, engaging Haku in a "friendly" exchange over guarding their food.
"Little Haku, we agreed that chocolate one was mine. Why did you sneak it away?"
Kenya stared wide-eyed at the doughnut in Haku's hand, which already had a bite taken out of it.
"But Uncle, you've already eaten ten. This is the last half plate..."
Feeling a little wronged, Haku protected the plate in his arms.
"And Shizune said eating too many sweets is bad for your teeth."
"These teeth can chew through steel! Why would I be afraid of sweets?"
Kenya paid no heed and reached out to snatch it.
For a while, the entire castle hall was filled with laughter, the clashing of chopsticks, and the occasional sound of a table cracking.
This warm, vibrant bustle of everyday life.
Had utterly transformed this once deathly silent deserted island into a home filled with human warmth.
Whether Tsunade, Zabuza, or Haku and Shizune.
They had all found a long-missed sense of belonging and security here.
After several rounds of drinks and plenty of food.
When the plates piled mountain-high on the table had finally been emptied.
And the broth in the hot pot had gradually settled.
Kenya put down the last doughnut in his hand and let out a loud belch.
He picked up a towel and wiped his mouth.
Then he slowly rose to his feet, sweeping his gaze over everyone present.
As Kenya stood, the previously noisy hall instantly fell silent.
Everyone sensed that Kenya's aura had changed.
He was no longer the foodie uncle who quibbled over doughnuts.
He was the absolute leader who had built a vast enterprise on this offshore island!
"Everyone."
Kenya braced both hands against the long table, a sharp gleam flashing in his deep eyes.
"We've been on this island for almost two years."
At the words "two years."
Tsunade's and Zabuza's expressions grew serious.
They knew very well what Kenya's hellish training over those two years, which could only be called self-torture, had been for.
"Over these two years, we've gained an impregnable fortress."
"We've gained the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce, which monopolizes the Shinobi World's construction materials market."
"And more importantly, we've gained companions like you, people we can trust with our backs."
Kenya's voice was steady and powerful, echoing through the spacious hall.
"My training has also reached its intended goal."
At this point, a savage smile curled across Kenya's lips.
He clenched his right fist, faint dark-red lightning flickering between his fingers.
"So."
"I hereby declare that our two years of training overseas are officially over!"
Kenya slammed his hand onto the table.
Bang!
A fine crack appeared in the solid stone table from the impact.
"It's time to make a trip back to Konoha."
"To take back what rightfully belongs to our Senju Clan!"
"To crush those rats scheming against us in the shadows!"
This supremely domineering declaration.
Instantly ignited the emotions of everyone present.
Zabuza sprang to his feet and grabbed the black iron greatsword beside him.
"Boss, do you need me to clear the way first? I guarantee I'll cut every bastard who gets in our way in half!"
A bloodthirsty gleam flashed in his eyes.
Tsunade stood as well, rolling her wrists with crisp cracks.
"Those two old foxes, the old man and Danzo, really ought to pay for what they've done over the years."
"It's time for the Senju Clan's name to ring out in Konoha again!"
Though Haku and Shizune said nothing, they nodded firmly as well.
Looking at everyone's high spirits.
Kenya smiled in satisfaction.
The grand spectacle of their return to Konoha was finally about to begin.
Meanwhile.
In Konoha, thousands of miles away.
The night was deep.
A dim yellow light still shone inside the office in the Hokage Building.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, smoking his pipe with his brows knitted tightly.
His pipe was no longer his signature white jade pipe, but an ordinary wooden one.
Ever since Kenya had snatched away that white jade pipe, no tobacco he smoked had tasted right.
But on the desk before him.
Lay a confidential document that the Anbu had just delivered.
A line of large lettering stood out starkly on its cover.
"Final Preparations Plan for Jointly Hosting the Chunin Ninja Exams with Sunagakure."