Half a month later, Hyuga Yuto finally caught sight of Konoha Village in the distance.
After obtaining the gold and silver from Takeda Seigen, he immediately went to exchange it that night. He then purchased a large quantity of chemicals and medical equipment, establishing two more underground secret bases in the Land of Rain and the Land of Waterfalls.
Owl's body had been obliterated, leaving no trace behind, so there was no need for special disposal.
As for the remains of Takeda Seigen and Asano Kaoru, Hyuga Yuto buried them in the Land of Waterfalls. With its magnificent waterfalls and mountains, it was, in the words of his past life, a place with excellent feng shui. Perhaps, in their next lives, they would be reborn as a pair of lovebirds.
The tasks seemed few, but they were tedious and required immense patience. Just using his Byakugan to locate Asano Kaoru's remains had taken Hyuga Yuto considerable effort.
When he left the village, the snow had reached his shins. Now, upon his return, spring buds were blooming, and trees were sprouting new branches.
Winter in the world of shinobi had ended, and now it was the vibrant early spring.
Inhaling the fragrance of wildflowers, his feet treading on slightly damp soil, Hyuga Yuto walked back into Konoha, facing the towering Hokage Rock.
As soon as he passed through the main gate, Hyuga Yuto sensed an unsettling dissonance.
Despite the lively spring, there was little laughter in the village. Many people had furrowed brows, their steps heavy and hurried.
—The winds of total war had finally reached the usually stable Konoha.
The Branch House boy sighed inwardly, carrying his backpack as he walked straight towards the Senju Clan compound.
Six months ago, when he returned to the village after completing his mission, he first visited the Hyuga Clan Head and then reported to the Hokage Tower. However, now, Hyuga Yuto was not only a direct disciple of the Hokage's lineage but had also received Tsunade's permission to leave the village for training. Naturally, upon his return, he would first seek out his teacher.
He had barely taken a few steps into the Senju Clan compound when he suddenly sprang upwards, leaping into the air.
The next moment, a deep crater appeared where he had just been standing.
A blonde woman slammed her palm onto the ground, the scattered pebbles carrying more force than a typical kunai thrown by a ninja.
"What a peculiar welcome ceremony... Tsunade-sensei!"
Hyuga Yuto chuckled, charging towards Tsunade as he landed, throwing a punch.
Boom!
Hyuga Yuto had honed his "Super Strength," and their clash truly felt like the earth was shaking. Smoke and dust erupted throughout the Senju compound, and a few houses even collapsed.
In the end, Tsunade prevailed. She subdued Hyuga Yuto with a technique resembling "Gentle Fist," pinning him down with his arms twisted behind his back. Panting, she said,
"You brat, you've gotten much stronger..."
A strand of her golden hair fell onto Hyuga Yuto's cheek, soft and fluffy.
The Branch House boy grinned,
"Sensei is the legendary Sannin, a towering mountain that I, your disciple, can never hope to surpass."
"Cut it out..." Tsunade snorted, releasing Hyuga Yuto's hands. She furrowed her beautiful brows, carefully examining her student:
"You've grown taller since you left... Well, you're only thirteen, it's the time for growth spurts."
"Not as tall as Sensei."
"The timing of your punches, the rhythm of your Super Strength strikes, the cadence of your chakra bursts—it's all vastly different from a few months ago. More importantly, your fists are hard. You've trained diligently, Yuto."
"Not as hard as Sensei's."
"Hmph..." Tsunade slung an arm around him in a rogue-like manner, playfully ruffling his hair, and chuckled,
"You smooth-talking little rascal. They say the Hyuga Prodigy is a calm and composed genius. I think everyone's been fooled by you, kid."
Hyuga Yuto's current height was just level with the blonde woman's earlobe. Experienced individuals knew that this height difference made for the most comfortable embrace. Tsunade casually draped her arm over her student's shoulder and walked inwards, returning to her residence.
"Tell me, Yuto," Tsunade said, sitting on the tatami mat, leaning back and supporting herself with her arm, her curiosity piqued:
"Who wanted to send a letter to that Jiraiya fellow?"
Hyuga Yuto tidied his hair, which Tsunade had messed up, and replied,
"It was the three leaders of the Akatsuki organization in Amegakure. Their names are Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato."
Tsunade tilted her head,
"Don't know them."
Hyuga Yuto briefly described the physical characteristics of the Ame Orphans. Buried memories resurfaced, and Tsunade recalled the three orphans she encountered in Amegakure during the Second Shinobi World War. She sighed,
"So it was those poor children... I didn't expect them to have become capable shinobi."
"Sensei, what is the relationship between Yahiko and the others with Jiraiya-sama...?"
"Jiraiya stayed in the Land of Rain for a while and taught them." The blonde woman waved her hand,
"That letter has already been delivered to Jiraiya through a reliable person. He's very grateful to you."
"Oh..." Hyuga Yuto blinked.
He just said thank you?
Eh? That's not right, is it? Jiraiya, known as the "Gallant," was a generous and wealthy man who spent money quite freely. Although delivering a letter was a small favor, it shouldn't just be a verbal thank you, right? At the very least, he should treat him to a good meal or something...
Hyuga Yuto would probably never know that, a few days ago, Jiraiya's "return gift" expressing his gratitude had already been delivered to the Senju compound.
Tsunade received it immediately and, upon seeing the gift, flew into a rage.
Jiraiya's return gift was none other than his passionate masterpiece, "Make Out Paradise"!
Although it hadn't been published yet, a draft existed. It had to be said, it was worthy of being the pioneering work of a future best-selling series. Its vivid and meticulous language, beautiful and realistic illustrations, and bold and unrestrained techniques were truly groundbreaking in the shinobi world.
And then Tsunade, with a darkened face, tore the book to shreds.
—Damn Jiraiya, he has nothing decent in his head! My student is only thirteen! Such a pure and innocent boy! Like a blank slate! And you send him this kind of thing...
It seems I haven't beaten him up enough.
Thinking this, Tsunade cleared her throat and continued,
"Let's put Jiraiya's matter aside for now. How's the development of your new jutsu coming along?"
"It's nearing completion. The [offensive part] is fully refined, only the protective part remains."
As Hyuga Yuto spoke, he unwrapped the bandages from his arms and hands, revealing his scarred skin:
"Using it once will destroy seventy percent of my skin and break my bones. Using it a second time, I estimate all my blood will evaporate, and my muscles will completely dehydrate... If I use it a third time in a row, my entire arm will be gone."
Tsunade sat up straight, stroking her student's arm. She was a grandmaster of medical ninjutsu and could deduce the immense power of the jutsu just from the shape of the scars.
"Come to the back mountain tomorrow morning and demonstrate that jutsu to me," the blonde woman said seriously:
"Leave the rest to your teacher."