(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Two days later, the intense negotiations between Sunagakure and Konoha officially concluded.
Sunagakure successfully obtained Konoha's strategic alliance at the considerable cost of turning in a 20% commission on all assignments over the next three years.
What exactly does an alliance of strategic alignment entail?
Even when Konoha openly declares war on other countries or was unexpectedly invaded, Sunagakure must cooperate unconditionally and act together without hesitation.
But the opposite was also true, which worked best for them.
Since that moment, Sunagakure has become completely and irrevocably bound to Konoha's interests.
Before their departure, Tsunade specifically requested Colt, as Konoha's official representative, to escort Baki and his diplomatic party to the village gates.
During the past two eventful days, Colt hadn't even actively participated in the tense negotiations, instead spending his time accompanying Temari around the village.
He had even graciously taken her home for a delicious meal with his family.
Fortunately, Ino was away on an important mission, or else the situation would have been destined to become explosively awkward.
Colt, being a sensitive and perceptive man, naturally understood Temari's developing feelings and intentions towards him.
However, he realized this delicate matter had to be carefully approached and slowed down for a while, as the current troubles at hand had not been fully resolved.
Even now, both Hinata and Ino remained blissfully unaware of Koyuki and Kurenai's significant existence in Colt's life.
Unconsciously, the two kunoichi were actually indirectly deceived twice by Colt's complicated situation.
Colt involuntarily shuddered at the thought but quickly turned his full attention back to Temari standing before him.
"I wish you safe and pleasant travels back home," he said sincerely.
With several onlookers nearby, he couldn't say anything more intimate, as he wasn't entirely thick-skinned, and Temari definitely couldn't handle such embarrassment.
With a soft hum, Temari expressed her obvious reluctance to leave Konoha and Colt behind.
However, she knew Sunagakure desperately needed her skills, and her brother Gaara particularly depended on her unwavering support.
Suddenly, Gaara deliberately walked in front of Colt, and the intense exchange of meaningful glances between the two powerful shinobi made the atmosphere noticeably tense.
Baki's head started throbbing painfully, wondering anxiously what Gaara could possibly be doing at this crucial juncture.
"Thank you," Gaara said unexpectedly.
'Um? What?'
Gaara's surprising words left everyone present utterly stunned and confused.
What could he possibly mean by that?
Gaara slowly extended his hand and elaborated calmly:
"Thank you for making me truly realize, when we were in the Forbidden Forest, that I wasn't really an insignificant nothing."
"Also, please convey my deepest gratitude to Naruto for me, and thank him in my place for filling my empty heart and helping me find genuine value in my existence."
Everyone's mouths gaped open in astonishment, and their fingers trembled slightly in disbelief.
Such heartfelt words actually emerged from the usually stoic Gaara's mouth.
Colt smiled warmly and stretched out his hand in response, while Gaara grasped it firmly.
"I'll gladly help you pass on the message to Naruto," Colt assured him.
"Keep striving to become stronger, for I promise he will undoubtedly surprise you tremendously in three years."
He gently pulled his hand back and presented Temari with a beautifully crafted feather as a parting gift.
"This is for you"
Although it was far beyond any practical sensing distance for it to be used, it would however serve as a cherished souvenir of their time together.
Temari carefully stored the feather and then removed an intricate pendant from her battle fan in exchange.
Only then did Kankuro finally realize the situation, and looked at Gaara in utter surprise.
"Holy sand! It seems Temari has actually developed romantic feelings for Kamiyo Colt!"
'Is my sister actually so powerful? To think she could conquer such a formidable and intimidating man.'
The people present collectively remained silent, unsure how to respond to Kankuro's outburst.
After bidding farewell to Temari and her brothers, Colt officially entered his long-awaited vacation state.
Ironically, this also meant he had inadvertently become even busier than before.
He now spent quality time with Kurenai during the peaceful nights and dedicated his days to Hinata and Ino.
Fortunately, everyone had their own pressing affairs to attend to, allowing Colt to manage his time almost perfectly.
However, the most headache-inducing situation for Colt was undoubtedly...
"Onii-san, please teach me how to train properly!" Little Hanabi requested earnestly.
The young Hyuga girl blinked her pure white eyes and gazed at Colt with an absolutely pitiful expression.
"Hanabi, don't you already have a skilled teacher appointed by Uncle Hiashi? Why have you come to me instead?" Colt inquired.
Kneading his increasingly painful temple, Colt struggled to maintain his composure in the face of Hanabi's persistence.
Lately, this brat had become a bit too clingy for comfort, especially since he and Hinata had made plans to visit a nearby town for a relaxing day trip today.
"Onii-saaaan, do you actually hate me?" Hanabi asked, her voice suddenly filling with genuine hurt.
Her large, expressive eyes quickly brimmed with unshed tears, threatening to spill over at any moment.
"Alright, alright, we'll do some training together," Colt conceded with a sigh.
Colt glanced helplessly at Hinata standing beside him, his expression conveying his complete and utter defeat.
Hinata smiled softly and shook her head, silently indicating that it was perfectly okay with her.
In truth, she greatly enjoyed the warm family atmosphere that had developed between them all.
In the past, due to the oppressive clan branch house system, her relationship with Hanabi had been incredibly delicate and strained.
Although Hinata desperately wanted to be close to her younger sister, Hanabi understandably didn't want to risk being branded with the Caged Bird seal.
Moreover, Hinata had repeatedly disappointed their father Hiashi by allowing Hanabi to surpass her in their training.
Thankfully now, Colt's presence had miraculously solved all these long-standing problems, and the relationship between the two sisters had finally returned to a natural, loving state.
"Okay then, let's head out to train!" Colt announced, resigned to his fate.
Since Hinata had expressed no objections to including Hanabi, he certainly wouldn't voice any complaints about the situation.
He then arrived at the spacious training ground accompanied by the two Hyuga sisters.
Looking at the eager eight-year-old Hanabi, Colt briefly wondered what he should actually teach her.
Fortunately, Hanabi unknowingly solved this dilemma for him with her enthusiastic request.
"Onii-san, I really want to learn that incredible fighting style you used to decisively defeat cousin Neij!" she exclaimed.
Ever since witnessing the intense match between Colt and Neji, Hanabi had been utterly fascinated by Colt's devastating physical techniques.
She firmly believed it was far superior and more powerful than their traditional Hyuga fighting style.
Colt's eyes instantly lit up with excitement at Hanabi's suggestion.
That's absolutely right, he realized.
Although his physical skills primarily stemmed from his past life martial styles, if it was combined with the Byakugan's abilities, one could more effectively identify an opponent's vital points and even target specific pressure points with deadly precision.
It was indeed an excellent choice for a Hyuga to learn.
Affectionately rubbing Hanabi's small head, Colt praised her as he didn't know what to teach her before.
"Hanabi, you're incredibly smart to have recognized the potential of such a Technique."
"Hinata," he continued, turning to his girlfriend, "you should definitely learn some of these techniques as well. They might have truly miraculous effects when combined with your developing Chakra Enhanced Strength."
By now, Hinata had officially become Tsunade's dedicated apprentice, not only learning advanced medical ninjutsu but also mastering Chakra Enhanced Strength and working towards the coveted Strength of a Hundred Seal.
In fact, Colt had always felt that Hinata's exclusive focus on the Gentle Fist style was somewhat wasting her immense natural talent.
After all, how could someone capable of devouring so many bowls of ramen in a single sitting possibly be considered weak in terms of raw physical strength?
Through his [Mind's eye of the Kagura] ability, Colt could also clearly perceive the enormous reserves of potent Chakra contained within Hinata's body.
Even if it couldn't quite compare to monstrous powerhouses like himself or Naruto, Hinata's Chakra capacity was far from weak by any standard.
If the ordinary Sakura with her average physical fitness could eventually achieve the awe-inspiring technique, Hinata could undoubtedly accomplish even greater feats with proper training.
"Of course, Colt-kun. I'll do my best," Hinata agreed wholeheartedly.
Under the warm, encouraging sunlight, two determined figures – one tall and one small – began moving with visible difficulty through the unfamiliar exercises.
"This is the crucial first step" Colt instructed patiently. "Your bodies have adapted perfectly to the flowing rhythm of the Gentle Fist, but they're not necessarily prepared for the impact of steel-hard fists."
"I will only begin teaching you after your bodies have been sufficiently tempered to handle the technique's demands."
Looking at the visibly sweating Hinata, Colt's tone remained serious despite his inner concern.
Although it pained him to see her struggle, he knew this was an absolutely necessary process for her growth.
It was at that moment.
"Onee-san, Onii-san, everything hurts so much!" Hanabi wailed pitifully.
This time, the young girl was genuinely on the verge of tears from the intense exercises.
The training movements looked deceptively simple to her, but when actually performed, her entire body screamed in protest.
"You're so mean, Onii-san!" she cried out dramatically. "If I had known it would be this painful, I never would have asked to train like that with you!"
"I absolutely hate you right now!" Hanabi declared.
However, her pout betrayed her true feelings.