"We're pretty much there," Jiraiya said as they walked. "The terrain around Kannabi Bridge is treacherous, so rebuilding it would be a massive undertaking. I actually considered blowing it up myself to buy us some time, or at least force Onoki to retreat."
"Meow!" Takeshi nodded from his perch on Jiraiya's shoulder.
This area was perfect. Later, he'd send the most dim-witted cat to scout it out. If the cat managed to pinpoint the location, great. If not, no real loss.
'A perfect plan,' he thought.
"I'm serious, don't stir up any trouble," Jiraiya's voice carried a heavy warning. "We all need to focus on development and recovery. Konoha's strength has already declined these past few years."
If this were any other cat, he wouldn't bother reasoning with it. Most wouldn't understand, and the arrogant ones only responded to fists. But that approach wouldn't work on Takeshi. The damn cat was simply too strong.
Besides, he was clever. He understood these things perfectly, otherwise, he couldn't have concocted so many elaborate story plots. He was just mischievous. If Jiraiya didn't issue a proper warning, he genuinely worried Takeshi would go cause trouble and complicate everything.
"Meow! Trust me, I want a vacation too. These last couple of days, I've been tempted to break Onoki's back again, just to send him home early," Takeshi said, licking his paw. A sharp, murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don't you dare!" Jiraiya was instantly alarmed.
If Takeshi actually broke the Tsuchikage's back, the ninja of Iwagakure might launch suicide missions just to destroy Konoha. Onoki was the longest-serving and most respected Tsuchikage in their village's history. Even reimbursing all the medical expenses wouldn't begin to calm that storm.
Of course, Takeshi knew this. He was just talking big. Thanks to Tsunade's careful treatment, Onoki was nearly recovered anyway. In another day or two, he'd be ready to head home.
Jiraiya went back to scribbling in his notebook. He needed to prepare for his travels. The second royalty payment hadn't arrived yet, but it should be soon. Combined with his life savings, it would be enough to roam the entire shinobi world.
'Such hard-earned peace...' He sighed in relief.
A moment later, Jiraiya paused and said with a tinge of emotion, "I wonder how Nagato is doing now."
'Why bring that up in front of me?' Takeshi thought. Suspicious. After all, he was the one who had tossed Nagato, his two friends, and the whole Akatsuki organization all the way to the frozen north in the Land of Snow. Most people in the shinobi world had no idea where they'd gone or how to get there. For Jiraiya to mention it now... Takeshi didn't think Jiraiya was a fool. Quite the opposite, he was a very smart man.
"Meow?"
"It's nothing, just thinking out loud." Jiraiya smiled wistfully. "The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku once told me that one of my students would change the fate of the shinobi world. I used to think it was Nagato. But now... maybe Minato's chances are a bit higher."
Takeshi's eyes narrowed in disdain as he spat out the harsh truth. "What prophecy? It's just an excuse to make you train students nonstop. As long as the student has any talent, even blind guessing would eventually produce one or two powerful disciples."
Jiraiya froze, staring at the black cat.
Man and cat locked eyes, neither backing down. After a long moment, Jiraiya sighed and looked away. There was no point in explaining. They had different ideals.
Even if the toad sage's prophecy was just that, a prophecy, he believed in it. It was the reason he worked so hard.
Takeshi had no interest in convincing him otherwise. It was just something to say. The Sandaime had once remarked that Jiraiya lacked a clear goal. He respected his ability, but without the prophecy giving him a lifelong ambition, Jiraiya's personality might have kept him from ever reaching his full potential. In the end, one was willing to give, and the other was willing to receive. There was no real debt between them.
With that, Takeshi settled back into a lazy nap.
--**--**
The next day, Onoki was escorted out of the Land of Fire. His back injury wasn't fully healed, but the rest of his treatment could be handled by ordinary med-nin. Tsunade had no intention of wasting more resources on him. Returning to his own village was the right move.
Besides, it wasn't just about choosing the next Hokage. Every day the frontline ninja remained deployed cost money. With Onoki gone, the rest of the group eagerly started back toward Konoha.
Asuma's team left on the final day. He felt reluctant. They'd gone all the way to the front, done nothing, taken a sightseeing trip, and were now returning...
Meanwhile, Guy and his team were full of vigor. Watching the tireless Guy dash back and forth with boundless energy, Asuma felt a twinge of jealousy.
Naoki Gekko, however, felt serious pressure. With such a subordinate, his upcoming journey as a jonin might not be safe. 'After we get back to the village, a period of sick leave seems like a fine idea,' he decided. Whoever wanted to deal with that mess could have it. It wouldn't be him.
--**--**
In Konoha, people crowded the streets flanking the village gate, waiting for the heroes to return.
The wars had ended.
Some ninja had already returned earlier, the vanguard, sent back to deliver the remains of the fallen. Now the main force was coming home.
"They're back! They're back!"
"Don't run on the road! Watch from the side."
Parents held their children back as the Sandaime appeared at the gate with a Body Flicker. He stood quietly smoking, waiting for the main force to arrive.
He hadn't expected the wars to end so quickly. From the moment it began, he'd thought it would take at least four or five years to conclude. But now, barely a year had passed. A quarter of the expected time! The biggest credit went to Takeshi and Minato, followed by Tsunade.
Sandaime was still struggling with how to properly reward them. Minato would be easy, coming from a line of Hokage candidates, his gentle, sunny nature meant he wouldn't make a fuss.
But that black cat...
'Hmm. He won't be so easy to placate,' the Sandaime thought, taking a long drag from his pipe.
In the distance, he could see a few figures approaching. It was Minato and Jiraiya. And perched on Jiraiya's shoulder, no, on his head, was Takeshi. The Sandaime couldn't help but smirk. For Jiraiya to willingly carry the cat all the way back was nothing short of a miracle.
"Meow~"
"Hey, get off my head!" Jiraiya fumed. "We agreed you'd stay on my shoulder!"
"What's the big deal, meow? The view is better from up here. Besides... do you want that second royalty payment or not?"
"Damn it," Jiraiya muttered through clenched teeth.
Even heroes have trouble without money, and an author needs funds for an inspirational trip. For the sake of his savings, he decided to sell a bit of his dignity.
Minato wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, trying not to smile. So that was why his teacher had carried Takeshi all this way. It was a business transaction. 'So Takeshi gets a cut of Sensei's earnings, too...'
"By the way, meow," Takeshi said. "Are you having any trouble with your plot? You should ask now, because I'll be traveling soon myself."
"You're leaving Konoha, too?" Jiraiya asked.
Now it made sense. Even Jiraiya planned to sneak off. No wonder he was fussing over a mere one million ryo. Takeshi was completely unconcerned now. If someone of Jiraiya's stature was leaving to travel, then a mere jonin like himself had nothing to worry about. Any complaints would be aimed at Jiraiya first. Hardly anyone would bother with him.
In fact, some folks might even be happy. Like Naoki my close buddy. As a neighbor, after getting back, he'd drop by Naoki's place. And have a nice talk with his "nephew." The thought of Hayate Gekko calling him "uncle" made him chuckle.
"Hero!"
"Jiraiya-sama!"
"Minato-sama! Takeshi-sama!"
The shouts from the crowd grew louder. At first, Jiraiya had been worried about how ridiculous he looked with a cat on his head, but as they entered the village, he realized people were too busy cheering to notice.
In fact...
"Mother, that cat is so cute!" a child shouted.
"Don't be silly," the mother corrected gently. "That's one of Konoha's Jonin, Takeshi-sama."
"Really?"
The children spoke with innocence, but their parents knew the stories. He might not look like much, but Takeshi was a terrifying ninja beast, said to be on par with a Kage, or even a Tailed Beast.
Jiraiya's nerves began to settle. Seeing the warm welcome, he started to feel a swell of pride.
From his perch, Takeshi waved a paw to the crowd. For a moment, he felt like a world leader, especially with the fine carriage at the front of the procession. It was a shame it wasn't Tsunade's, but he knew she had an image to maintain now that she was set to become the Yondaime. He hadn't dared to ask, lest her welcome come in the form of an iron fist.
"You're back," the Sandaime said, his voice thick with emotion. "Good. Very good."
He looked from Jiraiya to Minato, then up at the black cat on Jiraiya's head, and for a moment, he wasn't sure who to address first. Thankfully, Tsunade and the others arrived just then, saving him from the decision.
===============
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