A/N: I am delighted to announce that I have received my first patron, Mudit Chadha! I am incredibly grateful for your support and for becoming a patron so early on. Thank you, Mudit Chadha, for joining and believing in my work. Your patronage means a lot to me, and I am excited to continue providing you with valuable content. Thank you once again for being my first patron!
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"Achoo!" Akihiko sneezed, causing a shiver to run through his body. He instinctively rubbed his nose, feeling a peculiar tingling sensation as if someone had been thinking about him lately.
"Perhaps they're simply criticizing the leader?" Mubuki suggested, his uncertainty evident.
Akihiko couldn't help but wonder if Mubuki knew how to communicate properly. He had witnessed Mubuki's eloquence when dealing with other villages, making this side of him even more irritating.
"Stay calm! Don't get angry!" Akihiko took a deep breath, forcing a smile as he glanced at Mubuki, who was oddly dressed that day. "That's a plausible theory! I'll just assume you're the one behind these curses."
Mubuki raised an eyebrow, hesitating before speaking up. "Leader, there's something I'm unsure whether to mention."
"Comrade Mubuki!" Akihiko immediately adopted an authoritative tone, crossing his arms and assuming the demeanor of a seasoned veteran. "Do not withhold your opinions. It's uncomfortable to keep them to yourself. Remember, the Land of Grass is a democratic country. You won't be penalized for speaking your mind. In fact, let's celebrate this joyous day by lighting fireworks for the people of the Land of Grass."
"Since the leader says so, I'll express myself freely!" Mubuki declared righteously.
"Hmm?!" Akihiko's tone rose slightly, but before he could respond...
"I must express my gratitude on behalf of all the citizens of the Land of Grass for bringing peace to our country, Leader!" Mubuki spoke firmly. "With your strength, you subdued the chaos in the Land of Grass, and with your charisma, you united the Grass Shinobi Village under your leadership. Thanks to you, the Land of Grass now enjoys peace, and the lives of our shinobi have greatly improved. You have brought happiness to all the people of the Land of Grass!"
As Mubuki spoke, his tone grew impassioned, and he raised his fist. "The leader has arrived! The Land of Grass is at peace! The people find joy in your presence! Our days thrive under your leadership..."
Akihiko was left speechless, looking at Mubuki with a mix of surprise and confusion. When did Mubuki start speaking in contradictions? Mubuki smiled at Akihiko. "I've learned from you, Leader!"
That was true. The leader's words had left a lasting impact on Mubuki, and he diligently wrote them down in his notebook. Every day, he strived to learn and grow, feeling a sense of elevation.
"Very well! Your ideological consciousness is commendable!" Akihiko raised an eyebrow, speaking calmly. "To honor your commitment to learning, when you return, copy the New Spirit of Grass a hundred times. I'm certain you'll gain even greater insights. Remember to hand it to me tomorrow!"
"Understood!" Mubuki's lips twitched. It seemed that no matter what, the leader would give him a hard time today.
Well, if that's the case, he would accept it. After all... it wouldn't be a big deal to have Yahiko and Asui copy it too, right? Children should embrace learning!
Speaking of Yahiko, he seemed tired lately. Whenever he said something like... oh, right, "Come Here!" he would tremble all over!
What was there to fear in that phrase? It was merely a sign of laziness! It indicated a weak will and unstable thoughts! It's a perfect opportunity to strengthen his resolve through copying!
A solemn and resolute tone took over. "Just a hundred times? I'm already accustomed to it. I write it a hundred times every evening to strengthen my conviction in the Spirit of Grass..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted. "Then make it a thousand times!"
"Alright!" Mubuki's eyes instantly turned red. He silently apologized to Yahiko and Asui, pleading for their forgiveness. "Forgive your dad, kids," he whispered remorsefully.
"If there's nothing else, I won't disturb you, Leader!" Saying that, he adjusted his wide, thick coat. After all, it was incredibly cold during this winter!
As Akihiko watched the desolate figure walk away, he smiled with satisfaction and continued strolling with Kana, enjoying the lively atmosphere of Kusagakure.
On their way, they encountered Takeshi Chinoike and Ryuushikei. Speaking of the Chinoike Clan, they had begun serving as the Guards of the Land of Grass. Despite facing initial difficulties, they persevered.
It seemed they had now integrated into the Kusagakure community and gained acceptance from the people.
As for Ryuushikei, as the head of the previously second-largest clan in Kusagakure, he was quite reliable compared to the unreliable Mubuki.
Speaking of Mubuki, during the period of conflict, Mubuki, as the leader of one of the two largest factions in the Grass Country, displayed remarkable bravery! Why has he changed so much now?
Amidst the chaos in the Land of Grass, two major forces emerged, both feared and respected. One was the radical faction guarding the Box of Ultimate Bliss, known as the Mubuki lineage or Righteous of Grass. The other was the moderate faction led by Ryuushikei, known as Flower of Grass.
Later, Akihiko consolidated both factions, sidelining the smaller forces and forming the present-day Kusagakure.
As the leader, after inquiring about the recent situation of the Chinoike Clan, Akihiko continued walking and soon encountered the elders of the Uzumaki Clan.
"Leader!" They greeted Akihiko in unison.
"Elder Yoshinori, Elder Yonjin!"
The Uzumaki Clan had been thriving recently, perhaps due to their years of wandering. They cherished the peaceful and stable life they had now.
Consequently, they approached every task assigned to them with utmost seriousness. For example, they were on the verge of completing the sealing barrier of the Grass Country within a remarkably short time.
Moreover, Elder Yoshinori had involved Elder Yonjin in his research on chakra capacitors and weak jutsu scrolls, which formed the foundation of scientific ninja tools.
To express their gratitude to the Grass Country, the two elders had been tirelessly dedicated to their research and had made significant progress, according to rumors.
It appeared that during their research, they discovered that the Uzumaki Clan's sealing technique could achieve the effect of chakra capacitors.
Of course, Akihiko was unaware of the specifics, but he looked forward to seeing the final research results.
After receiving gratitude from the Uzumaki Clan, Akihiko didn't disturb the long-awaited festival of the two elders and continued walking.
"It's wonderful, Akihiko-sama," Kana smiled softly and said, "Everyone is living happily!"
As she spoke, she waved her hand towards the front. "Fusō-nee-chan!"
Fusō, wearing a smile, was taken aback for a moment before walking over. She gently said, "Akihiko-san and Kana-san, you're here too!"
"Fusō-san." Akihiko smiled and nodded in greeting, then looked behind Fusō. "Oh? Where are Nagato and Yahiko?"
"Weren't Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan supposed to be with Fusō?" Akihiko pondered. He couldn't help but wonder why they hadn't visited him, their Akihiko-sensei, in the past few days. They used to love coming over to his house to play. Could they be feeling shy all of a sudden? How peculiar.
"Fusō, what happened to Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan?" Akihiko asked, his curiosity evident. Fusō gracefully extended her slender hand, gently covering her mouth as she smiled, her enchanting eyes exuding a mature glow. "They saw many interesting things at the temple fair, so they went off to play by themselves," she explained.
As Fusō finished speaking, she looked at Akihiko, the leader before her, and couldn't help but inwardly sigh, silently expressing her gratitude to him. If it weren't for his sudden appearance back then, she and Nagato might have met their demise at the hands of the shinobi.
Akihiko raised his hand, about to dismiss the need for thanks, but Fusō interjected. "Oh, by the way!" she exclaimed, her delicate eyebrows furrowing as she remembered something. "Yahiko mentioned a painting stall up ahead, and he seemed quite excited. He took Nagato and hurried over there... a painting stall..." Fusō apologized for not hearing the details clearly. She noticed a change in Akihiko's expression and couldn't help but ask if he was feeling unwell.
"I... I'm fine," Akihiko replied, his eyebrow raised and his face twitching slightly. He swiftly regained his composure and forced a smile. "No need to worry, I'm perfectly fine. I was just lost in thought for a moment. Let's continue enjoying the festival."
Akihiko's mind was filled with concern and irritation as thoughts of someone raced through his head. He couldn't help but inwardly complain. A painting stall? Seriously? Could that person really have had the audacity to set up a stall and start painting again? What about their mission? What about the crucial task of rescuing their mother? What would happen if they were discovered?
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