The chakra for this shadow clone is fully supported by Kurama's chakra. This means that as long as Kurama's chakra isn't cut off, the shadow clone will stay active. Of course, Naruto can also cancel the technique himself, since he's the one who cast it.
Kurama opened his eyes and moved his arm slightly, smiling as he said, "Tsunade's medical skills are really impressive. This shadow clone's fluidity is much better than last time."
Naruto, standing nearby, looked curious. "By the way, Kurama, you said you want to get stronger, but what exactly do you plan to do? Are you going to find the other tailed beasts?"
"Sort of," Kurama nodded. "But it's a bit different. I used to think I needed to find all the tailed beasts and ask them for chakra. But just now, I came up with a simpler method, so after I get back, I'll take you with me."
"What method?" Naruto's eyes lit up.
"You'll find out when the time comes," Kurama waved his hand. "For now, my mind will stay focused on that side. If you need my chakra, just come into the sealing space. You already know how to draw it out, but I'll remind you, don't use too much at once."
Naruto pouted, clearly not liking how Kurama left things hanging, but after hearing Kurama's words, he still nodded. "I understand."
Seeing the way Naruto looked, Kurama rolled his eyes.
But he didn't bother to say anything more. He could sense when Naruto took chakra from him. If Naruto used too much, he'd just check when he returned, and it wouldn't make much difference. It was just that he wasn't used to the idea of not being able to mess with Naruto for a while.
It doesn't matter, there's still the honest Gyuki who can be bullied.
"Let's go," Kurama waved and disappeared out the window.
"Be careful on the way," Naruto instinctively waved his hand, but then froze. He stared at Kurama's retreating figure, suddenly pulling his arm back and looking at his palm. A strange sense of joy filled his mind.
After a moment, Naruto took a deep breath and softly spoke to the distance where Kurama had disappeared. "I'll wait for you to come home, Kurama."
As the night passed, in the forest two kilometers outside the Short Book Street, a campfire burned slowly, casting its light on a large man sitting next to it. His expression was heavy, as though he was going through something painful.
Kurama landed beside him, watching this man,
the usually 'energetic' Killer Bee, who now seemed completely silent, as if something was wrong.
"What's up with your Jinchuriki?" Kurama asked, curious, speaking to Gyuki in Killer Bee's inner world.
Gyuki shrugged, his eight octopus tails twitching lightly. "Oh, he can't come up with new lyrics for a song, so he's shut himself down."
Kurama: "..."
As expected of you, rap genius Killer Bee.
Kurama rolled his eyes and sat down by the campfire. "When are we leaving?"
Gyuki casually answered, "We just need to wait for Killer Bee to come up with the lyrics. Don't worry, it won't take long."
Even though Killer Bee's singing was off-key and he wasn't naturally talented at rapping, and he liked to mess with people's minds, he really was a genius. Coming up with lyrics would take no time at all.
"Fine," Kurama said, not in a hurry. After all, there was still time.
The night passed slowly, and when the sun rose as usual, Killer Bee, like an old man who had been constipated for days and suddenly found relief, eagerly rapped to the rising sun. It shocked Kurama so much that he almost dispelled his shadow clone.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Naruto and the others were on their way back to Konohagakure. Time seemed to pass by slowly, and in the blink of an eye, three days had gone by.
At the entrance of Konohagakure, Naruto, with a backpack and an excited look on his face, shouted loudly at the gate, waking up the lazy gatekeeper ninja and scaring the resting birds into flight.
"Konohagakure! I'm back!"
Tsunade immediately landed a punch on Naruto's head and said irritably, "It sounds like you've been gone for ages."
Naruto covered his head, tears streaming down his face, but his expression was defiant. "Granny Tsunade, you've been gone from the village for so long, don't you miss it at all?"
"I don't," Tsunade replied coldly. "Only kids like you who've never seen the world would miss home after leaving it."
"I agree." Jiraiya, who had been lost in the ninja world, nodded in agreement.
Shizune awkwardly smiled but didn't speak. From the look on her face, it seemed like she didn't miss Konohagakure much either. After all, she had always been by Tsunade's side since childhood, and her trips back to the village had been few and far between.
Naruto scratched his head. He hadn't expected that.
But it made sense. Jiraiya was used to freedom. Every time he returned to the village, Sarutobi Hiruzen would grab him and talk about making him Hokage. It drove him crazy, and to avoid being Hokage, he would run off, sometimes to find Orochimaru.
As for Tsunade, Konohagakure was her painful place. Until she resolved her emotional baggage, not only did she not miss Konohagakure, but every time she passed through, if she didn't spit, it was a miracle. And that old man was just like Jiraiya. How could she ever miss Konohagakure?
Right... that old man.
Tsunade sighed deeply as she looked at the bustling scene of Konohagakure. "That's why I hate that old man. He always says it's for Konohagakure, but why doesn't he ever think about us disciples? I'm definitely going to spit on his tombstone later."
Shizune gave a wry smile.
Jiraiya, standing next to them, laughed quietly. Tsunade was tough on the outside but soft on the inside. It wasn't the first time. Spitting on his grave? She'd probably cry later. If she didn't, he'd be surprised.
The group walked into Konohagakure, and at first, the gatekeeper ninja, still groggy from being woken up, looked confused. But as soon as he recognized them, his eyes widened in shock. He quickly stood up from his seat, staring in amazement at Jiraiya and Tsunade, his voice trembling, "Tsu- tsunade-sama?"
Tsunade glanced at him.
"What's wrong, don't recognize me anymore?"
"No, no, no!!!" The ninja shook his head frantically, swallowing nervously before saying, "We've been waiting for you for a long time."
As he spoke, the ninja's voice held a touch of emotion, and his nose seemed to be tingling.
Yeah, they had been waiting for a long time. It wasn't just the higher-ups who were waiting for Tsunade. Even these ninjas were waiting for her, just like the Third Hokage had been waiting for Tsunade to return to take charge. They were all waiting for her return.
Tsunade-hime, one of the legendary Sannin and the creator of the medical ninja system who had brought medical ninjutsu to benefit the entire Konohagakure, was needed now more than ever. In Konohagakure's declining state, there wasn't a single ninja who didn't hope to see Jiraiya or Tsunade come back.
Just like the unshakable Will of Fire that the Third Hokage represented in their hearts, the three Sannin symbolized stability, the self-confidence of Konohagakure!
Tsunade chuckled lightly, casting a deep glance at the gates of Konohagakure. Instead of registering like other returning ninjas, she lifted her foot and walked right in, leaving behind a not-so-loud declaration that echoed in the ears of the gate guards.
"I'm back."
The gate guards clenched their fists, took a sharp breath, and then bowed deeply to Tsunade's back. Their voice trembled but was as firm as a rock: "Welcome back to the village, Tsunade-sama!"
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