The first year at Hogwarts had come to an end.
The summer sun shone brightly on the Hogwarts Express as it sat at Hogsmeade Station, its gleaming red engine ready to carry students back home.
Students bustled around the platform, their trunks being loaded onto the train by house-elves while owls hooted inside their cages.
There was an air of excitement as friends promised to write over the summer and shared last-minute goodbyes.
Kouchi boarded the train quietly, his belongings already stored in his cabin. His movements were unhurried, a stark contrast to the excited chatter and hurried steps around him.
He found an empty compartment, slid the door shut, and settled into the seat by the window.
Outside, clusters of students passed by, their laughter filling the air, but none of them spared a glance in his direction.
The faint whispers about him that had persisted throughout the year seemed to have followed him to the train.
Kouchi noticed how some students peeked at him through the compartment windows, only to quickly look away when he glanced back. Others deliberately avoided his cabin altogether, their steps quickening as they passed by.
Kouchi leaned back in his seat, his expression calm, though inwardly, he found the isolation slightly amusing.
His reputation had grown into something almost mythic among the students.
Between his Sharingan-induced ghost incident, his high marks on the exams, and his mysterious demeanor, it seemed most students preferred to keep their distance.
The train whistled sharply, signaling its departure.
Kouchi turned his gaze to the window as the scenery began to shift, the castle and its grounds gradually disappearing from view.
The chatter in the corridors faded into the background, and for a while, Kouchi allowed himself to relax.
As the train sped toward London, Kouchi mentally reviewed his mission. His first year at Hogwarts had been more eventful than he had anticipated.
The strange magical world had proven both fascinating and unpredictable, and he had learned far more than he had expected.
The Philosopher's Stone, the three-headed dog, the unique forms of magic, and the dynamics of the wizarding world—all of it had been valuable knowledge to take back to his village.
When the train finally pulled into King's Cross Station, the platform was bustling with activity. Parents hugged their children, trunks were hauled onto carts, and the cacophony of chatter filled the air.
Kouchi moved with purpose, blending into the crowd as he disembarked.
He slipped past the barrier into the Muggle world, where the noises of the bustling train station enveloped him.
Before heading back to his village, Kouchi decided to make a few stops. He had observed the wizarding world closely, and there were items that might be useful for research back home.
Walking through the streets of London, Kouchi entered a small shop in a hidden alley that sold a peculiar mix of magical and mundane items.
He picked up a few trinkets—quills enchanted to write on their own, a pocket-sized book on basic potion-making, and a few samples of magical ingredients that he thought could be analyzed for their properties.
From there, Kouchi ventured into Diagon Alley, keeping his hood up to avoid drawing too much attention.
He visited shops he had scouted earlier in the year, purchasing a variety of magical tools, such as enchanted glass vials, spell parchment, and a curious device called a Sneakoscope, which supposedly detected untrustworthy individuals.
Satisfied with his purchases, Kouchi made his way to a secluded area and summoned his ninja summon, a hawk named Tenmaru.
Tenmaru flapped its wings gracefully, landing on Kouchi's outstretched arm. "Let's head back," Kouchi murmured. With a puff of smoke, Kouchi and Tenmaru disappeared from the streets of London, reappearing just outside the Hidden Leaf Village.
The village was as lively as ever, the sounds of chatter and laughter filling the air. Kouchi made his way to the Hokage's office, passing by familiar faces and nodding at the occasional greeting.
The towering presence of the Hokage's building came into view, and Kouchi quickened his pace, eager to report his findings.
Kakashi was waiting for him, lounging in his usual chair with his infamous book in hand. The moment Kouchi entered, Kakashi lowered the book, his one visible eye crinkling in greeting. "Welcome back, Kouchi," he said.
Kouchi bowed slightly before taking a seat across from Kakashi. "I've returned, sensei."
"Good. I trust your mission went well?" Kakashi asked, his tone casual, though there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"It was... eventful," Kouchi replied, carefully choosing his words. He began his report, detailing everything he had observed and experienced during his year at Hogwarts.
He spoke of the magical creatures, the spells, the Philosopher's Stone, and the unique magical system that differed greatly from ninjutsu.
Kakashi listened intently, occasionally nodding or asking a question. When Kouchi mentioned the Philosopher's Stone and its potential for immortality, Kakashi's gaze sharpened. "You brought back samples, didn't you?"
Kouchi nodded. "I made sure to collect as much as I could without drawing attention. I also left a fake stone in place of the real one, so they shouldn't suspect anything—for now."
Kakashi leaned back, thoughtful. "Good work. The information you've gathered will be invaluable. The wizarding world seems to operate on a different set of rules, but their power is undeniable. We'll need to study this further."
As Kouchi finished his report, Kakashi gave him a rare smile. "You've done well, Kouchi. Take a few days to rest. You've earned it."
Kouchi nodded, rising from his seat. "Thank you, sensei."
As he left the Hokage's office and stepped back into the bustling streets of the village, Kouchi felt a sense of accomplishment.
His mission had been a success, but he knew it was only the beginning. The wizarding world held many secrets, and Kouchi was determined to uncover them all—one step at a time.
For now, though, he was content to return to the familiar rhythm of the ninja world.
The trials of Hogwarts were behind him, but the lessons he had learned would stay with him, shaping his path as both a shinobi and a student of the unknown.