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The weather was clear and blue.
The sun hung high in the sky, and its warm rays bathed the peaceful village of Konoha in light.
Outside the village of Konoha, in a lush forest, there was a thunderous noise erupting from a hidden corner.
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!"
A clear voice sang slowly.
A charming young girl dressed in a black mesh ninja outfit stood with her hands raised, her eyes fixed on the large trees in front of her.
When she finished singing, she looked ahead, her eyes tightened, and she murmured softly.
"Hadō #31. Shakkahō!"
Her palms suddenly radiated a dazzling crimson light.
"Bang!"
A huge red beam of light shot towards the trees ahead.
A trail of red flames flashed through the air.
"Boom!"
A violent explosion echoed!
The girl lowered her hands and looked at the now chaotic and burning tree branches in front of her, sighing softly.
"Ah, I still can't hit the target accurately. Am I just not good enough?"
Her mind flashed with the image of a gentle smile, and her face blushed slightly, whether due to embarrassment about her own abilities or something else.
Just at that moment!
"Roar!"
Suddenly, a fierce roar erupted from the forest beside her!
"Boom!"
Trees fell as if crushed by a giant beast!
The girl's face changed, and she turned her head to look in that direction, her pupils instantly turning a bloody red!
Two black gems appeared within those blood-red eyes.
She looked cautiously towards the forest, and when she saw the two massive creatures, memories of something unpleasant seemed to rush back.
She couldn't help but exclaim.
"No way..."
Two enormous bears, as big as hills, stood atop the wreckage of branches and trees, their brown fur glistening in the gentle sunlight.
They stood upright, with their huge bear paws hanging in front of them.
They didn't advance any further.
They just opened their bloodshot mouths and let out loud roars as a warning.
Seeing that they didn't seem to have any intention of attacking her, the girl relaxed slightly.
Her blood-red eyes carefully examined the two massive bears.
Seeing their appearance, it seemed to somewhat overlap with the memory of that gigantic creature from back then.
She couldn't help but mutter.
"Could it be... the bear that attacked me all those years ago..."
Beside it should be that little bear... it's grown so big now...
Judging from the current situation... it seems like they've been following Sosuke's warnings all this time...
Just at that moment!
The larger of the two bears suddenly turned its head to look in a certain direction!
Seeing this, the girl also followed their gaze.
When she saw the tall figure heading straight towards them, her face lit up with surprise and her eyes filled with delight.
"It seems like you've been following our agreement all this time."
A magnetic and gentle voice slowly came.
As the voice descended slowly, a handsome young man walked gracefully towards them, wearing glasses and a warm smile on his face.
"Sosuke! How... how did you find the time to come here..."
The girl said in astonishment.
Her voice carried a hint of shyness and cheerfulness.
Hearing her words, Sosuke turned to look at her, revealing a bright smile, and gently said, "Of course, I just came to check how your Kido practice is going, Sakuya. I hope you don't mind."
To this, Sakuya blushed slightly and stammered, "N-no, I don't mind... It's just that my control of Kido is very poor... I'm really embarrassed..."
So embarrassing!
She was making a fool of herself in front of Sosuke! Would he dislike someone as clumsy as her? It had been so long, and she still hadn't completely mastered the thirty-first Kido!
Hearing her words, Sosuke smiled gently and apologized softly, "It's alright. After all, Sakuya, you are the second person, besides me, who can master this ability. It's just that I haven't been diligent enough in guiding you. I've been quite irresponsible."
Sakuya glanced at Sosuke, who was bathed in sunlight, and saw his gentle smile. Her face blushed again, and she stammered, "That's not true, Sosuke, you've actually been doing great."
Sosuke remained gentle as always, always considering others without complaint. She liked this feeling...
Hearing her words, Sosuke's smile didn't waver, but he turned to look at the two giant bears.
However, the two bears perched on the wreckage of branches seemed to have two entirely different attitudes toward Sosuke.
The larger mother bear looked dignified and somewhat wary as she gazed at Sosuke.
The slightly smaller bear seemed to be in a dispute with the mother bear. After a low growl, it even wiggled its furry rear end and slowly walked toward Sosuke.
The mother bear, however, issued an angry growl as if trying to dissuade it.
Seeing this, Sakuya's face changed, and she wanted to remind Sosuke to be careful.
When she saw Sosuke's calm smile, she remembered that, given Sosuke's strength, he probably wouldn't be concerned about the two bears at all.
The bear, as big as a small hill, with its plump, furry buttocks swaying back and forth, approached Sosuke on the debris.
Seeing its huge and robust body, Sosuke had a gentle smile on his face.
He took a step forward,
slowly extended his hand.
Seeing Sosuke extend his palm, the enormous bear reacted as if it were a pet dog seeing its owner. It lowered its plump body slightly and gently licked Sosuke's palm with its rough and large tongue.
Its plump buttocks swayed from side to side, as if expressing its joy.
Feeling its affectionate gesture, Sosuke smiled, and softly said, "You even remember me. You're quite a clever and lucky fellow."
"Did you not listen to your mother's advice by approaching me like this?"
Hearing Sosuke's words, the young bear with short, furry ears shook its head, as if it understood his words. It raised its head, and its bear-like face showed a remarkably human-like expression of confusion. It looked at Sosuke and then turned to glance at the giant mother bear behind it.
Seeing the young bear's reaction, Sakuya's face changed, and she realized that Sosuke, with his abilities, probably didn't see any threat from the two bears.
Seeing the scene unfold, Sosuke maintained his calm smile and gently said, "Go back with your mother. But perhaps, we have a connection. I'll come to visit you more often in the future."
As if understanding Sosuke's words, the young bear let out a soft "roar" and then joyfully ran towards its mother. Its plump and furry buttocks swayed as it jumped and hopped, causing the entire ground to tremble.
Soon, the two colossal creatures disappeared into the forest.
Sakuya stared blankly at the departing bears until Sosuke came to her side and called her name, snapping her out of her daze.
Her face turned red, and she stammered, "Sosuke, will you really come here often from now on!?"
Hearing her words, Sosuke smiled gently and nodded, "Yes, of course. After all, this way, I can guide you better."
Sakuya was momentarily stunned, her pretty face turning even redder. She lowered her head and looked down at the ground, unsure of what to say.
Seeing her like this, Sosuke's lips curved into a faint smile, and he turned to look into the distance.
There, in the direction of the Land of Rain.