Haruki looked back.
The village of Sunagakure was already out of sight.
After living there for over a month, he felt a bit reluctant to leave.
Although remembering knowledge from his previous life had been somewhat painful, most of the people he met were quite nice.
Especially Sasori.
Talking to him about robots, Gundam, and even cyberpunk, reminded him of his cherished student days from his previous life.
Haruki shifted his gaze.
Next time he came back, it probably wouldn't be just endless yellow sand; maybe he would see a green protective forest stretching like a natural barrier.
This was a great human achievement against nature.
Haruki had initially planned to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to return but decided to walk when he remembered the border town he had seen on his way.
Hyuga Aoi and Hyuga Saori stayed behind in Sunagakure for coordination, so there was no need for a carriage.
Traveling swiftly, they gradually saw towns as they approached the Land of Fire.
Haruki was pleased to see that the Third Kazekage had indeed followed his instructions.
The town's buildings had been renovated, and most of the people were hired for road construction or tree planting.
Haruki specifically inquired about the situation and learned that the wages offered by the Third Kazekage were not low, much higher than what these civilians earned before the war.
Overall, it was a thriving scene.
This also put Tsunade, Minato, and Mikoto in a good mood.
Mikoto was simply kind-hearted.
However, Tsunade and Minato had deeper thoughts.
Since learning about Haruki's ideals, Tsunade had been contemplating what she could do for these people if she became Hokage.
Sunagakure's changes were certainly positive.
But people cannot be generalized, and the situation of each village is different.
Konoha has Sarutobi Hiruzen and others, and it is relatively wealthy, so implementing such changes might not be successful.
Tsunade was now gradually able to analyze Konoha's complex situation.
But because of this, she was more worried than before.
Minato, on the other hand, thought of Haruki's comments on systemic issues. He vaguely felt that everything he saw was just a beautiful facade, sustained only by Sunagakure, and fundamentally unchanged, just alleviated.
He thought of Konoha and believed that its problems might be even more severe.
Leaving aside their thoughts, there was another person who was like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment.
Kushina Uzumaki.
When the four arrived at Konoha's gate, they saw a red-haired girl with an angry look on her delicate face, hands on her hips, glaring fiercely.
"Teacher!"
She shouted loudly, feeling very wronged.
"Why did you leave me in Konoha? Do you know how I spent this month?!"
She pouted, rolled up her sleeves, and showed her small fists, questioning angrily.
Haruki showed an embarrassed smile.
Honestly, he felt wronged too.
After sending Kushina to Uzumaki Mito for training, he took Minato and the others to Sunagakure.
He had thought they'd return in a few days, so he didn't tell Kushina.
But unexpectedly, they were gone for nearly two months.
"Teacher, say something!"
Kushina waved her small fists forcefully, "You dared to leave me in Konoha, why are you silent now?"
Haruki found it both funny and annoying.
Although it was indeed very wrong to abandon a twelve-year-old girl as a teacher, why did it sound like he was a heartbreaker?
Haruki, thinking of this, grabbed Minato and threw him over.
"I'll let Minato explain."
Minato, not expecting this, hadn't even reacted before he was about to hit Kushina.
With the principle of not taking advantage, he was about to run, but he immediately found his chakra unusable.
His eyes widened, recalling his teacher's devious nature.
But in the end, he didn't crash.
Because Kushina threw him back directly.
"I don't want him!"
"…???" Minato was utterly confused.
Haruki caught Minato, restored his chakra, and smiled, "You three haven't seen each other for a while, you must have a lot to talk about. I won't disturb you."
He then disappeared with Tsunade.
"!!!"
Kushina was stunned, her fair face turning red with anger, and she pouted.
"Damn it!"
She stomped her foot hard, venting her anger, then looked at Mikoto.
"Um… Kushina…"
Mikoto opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.
Kushina, still angry, ran up to her, stood on tiptoe, pinched her cheeks, and pulled them gently.
Instantly, a funny expression appeared.
"You're my best friend, but you didn't tell me before leaving!"
"I'm… sorry… I thought… we'd be back soon."
With her cheeks pinched, Mikoto's voice sounded muffled.
"Hmph!"
Kushina let go, believing her friend.
Seeing the marks on her pretty face, she pouted and reached out again, this time without force.
Mikoto smiled slightly.
She felt Kushina's delicate hand gently massaging her face.
She patted Kushina's red hair and said, "You've had it hard."
Kushina's eyes reddened, and she hugged Mikoto, burying her head in her chest, murmuring, "They're all big meanies, leaving without a word, making me worry so much."
Mikoto patted her back, saying nothing.
She understood Kushina's feelings.
After her clan's demise, Kushina, Minato, and Haruki were the most important people to her.
"It's all the teacher's fault."
Mikoto shifted the blame without hesitation, smiling, "Tomorrow, let's give him a welcome gift, shall we?"
Kushina's eyes lit up.
"What should we do?!"
"We pretend to train, then ambush him when he's off guard."
"Will it work?" Kushina frowned, "Teacher is so strong, we can't beat him."
"Hey, don't lose confidence!" Mikoto pinched her nose, "With our combined strength, we can handle any Jonin. Besides, we have the element of surprise."
Kushina laughed, snuggling into Mikoto's embrace, "Hmph, I'll teach teacher a good lesson!"
She then turned to Minato.
"What about you? You won't snitch, will you?"
"Of course not!"
Minato agreed readily, wanting revenge.
Throwing him out like that was infuriating!
Especially considering Kushina's attitude towards Haruki.
He was definitely his lifelong rival!
---
Haruki, back home, had no idea his three students were planning a revolt.
"Are you sure it's alright? Your student seemed on the verge of tears."
Tsunade saw him lounging on the sofa like a lazy fish and shook her head.
She preferred the Haruki who was strategizing in Sunagakure.
"It's fine."
Haruki waved her over.
Tsunade stepped forward.
He pulled her down, making her sit on his lap, holding her slender waist, and said, "What's important now is to rest well."