On the road to Konoha,
Shigure sent a scroll to Otogakure using a white dove.
To Sasuke.
This time, Shigure intended to kill Danzō—and he knew Sasuke would be more than interested in that goal.
He had no intention of explaining the entire truth behind the Uchiha Clan's downfall.
He only needed to say one thing:
Danzō was involved in the Uchiha Clan's massacre.
If nothing unexpected happened, Sasuke would definitely come.
Traveling at a calm pace, Shigure finally arrived at Konoha.
Standing before the great gate of the Village Hidden in the Leaves,
he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
It had been—
A very, very long time.
Especially entering through the main gate like a normal shinobi.
He vaguely remembered the time he returned after defeating Zabuza.
Back then, word of his victory had spread quickly, and a crowd of villagers had rushed out to cheer for him.
But now…those days felt distant.
"Lord Shigure!"
Kuji, who had sensed the change in Shigure's expression, called out with concern.
Shigure looked at him.
"It's nothing. Just a moment of sentiment."
Yuyuri studied him quietly.
"Lord Shigure must be remembering things from the past."
Shigure gave a small smile and nodded, saying nothing more.
Yuyuri wanted to continue, but at that moment, a familiar figure stepped out from the Village.
"Seeing you return at a time like this… I'm not sure if I should be welcoming you or worrying."
Shigure smiled the moment he heard the voice.
"Kakashi-sensei. How did you know I was coming?"
"Lady Tsunade told me," Kakashi replied.
Of course.
If Tsunade knew, it meant Jiraiya had already passed along Shigure's reply.
"But shouldn't you have returned more discreetly?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.
"With the situation in Konoha this tense, arriving with a group of Kirigakure-nin like this… it'll put both sides on alert."
Shigure shook his head lightly.
"I left openly back then. Why should I sneak back now?"
Kakashi chuckled softly.
"It's fortunate Naruto isn't in the Village right now. Otherwise… he'd probably run straight to you again."
"Not in Konoha? Where did he go?"
Kakashi sighed.
"After returning, Jiraiya noticed Naruto was troubled, so he sent him to Mount Myōboku for training."
Mount Myōboku?
So Naruto was starting Sage Mode training more than two years earlier than in the original timeline?
Could he succeed?
As they spoke, Kakashi's attention shifted to the Mist-nin behind Shigure.
The Kirigakure shinobi stood silent and disciplined, their expressions completely unchanged even when Kakashi appeared. Their presence alone radiated sharp pressure.
Every one of them possessed solid jōnin-level strength—and some… might even reach elite jōnin level.
Especially the one closest to Shigure, whose aura was as sharp as a drawn blade.
"Well then, Kakashi-sensei," Shigure said casually, "aren't you going to invite us in?"
Kakashi raised his hand and gestured for them to enter.
Shigure walked forward through the gate, his Mist-nin silently falling into step behind him.
Konoha had changed.
And so had he.
The atmosphere behind Shigure was markedly different now.
His standing in the Hidden Mist Village had changed—drastically.
Even the Mizukage wouldn't travel with such an imposing escort.
Twenty elite shinobi.
Each one radiated quiet strength.
And from several of them, a faint chill drifted through the air—an unnatural cold that didn't belong in this weather.
Upon entering Konoha, Shigure followed Kakashi toward Tsunade's residence.
The villagers gathered along the street, whispering as the Mist-nin passed.
Faces showed a mix of curiosity, wariness, and surprise.
And when some recognized Shigure, their reactions were even stronger.
His height, features, and bearing had changed since he'd left, but the familiar outline remained. Enough for old memories to stir.
"By the way," Shigure asked suddenly, "how is Team 7 doing now?"
Kakashi paused before answering.
"A new member has joined. Sakura Haruno has been reassigned from her medical training back to Team 7, and Danzō recommended a boy named Sai. The team has essentially been reformed."
Shigure smiled.
Just like in the original timeline—Sakura found her way back to Team 7, even though he had temporarily taken her place.
"That's good."
Before long, they reached Tsunade's temporary residence—a small courtyard that once belonged to the Senju Clan.
Since the Hokage succession hadn't been formally settled yet, Tsunade wasn't using the Hokage Building.
The Mist-nin halted outside to stand guard while Shigure and Kakashi entered.
Shigure also brought Ameyuri Ringo with him.
Inside, Tsunade was seated on the sofa, frowning in thought. But when she looked up and saw him, she broke into a smile.
"So you finally decided to visit your big sister."
Shigure found her overly warm attitude strange. Ever since she'd witnessed his Wood Release, Tsunade had treated him somewhat differently… maybe a little too differently.
"Ameyuri Ringo's treatment isn't completed yet," he said.
Tsunade waved a hand dismissively.
"I don't have time to treat your little girlfriend right now."
"…What?"
Ringo froze. Little girlfriend?
She cast a sideways glance at Shigure—
…It didn't sound too bad.
"Alright. Shizune, you all can step out."
Shizune nodded and guided Kakashi out with her. She also asked Ringo to accompany her for a check-up to gauge her current condition.
When everyone had left, Shigure sat across from Tsunade.
But Tsunade immediately stood up… walked around the table… and sat right beside him.
So close that Shigure blinked, confused.
What is with this woman today?
"Coming back with such a huge entourage… how exactly do you plan on killing Danzō?" she asked bluntly.
Shigure didn't flinch.
"I arrived openly. I'll kill him openly."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"You didn't bring all these shinobi just to kill Danzō. What else are you planning?"
"I need to take some people with me when I leave."
Tsunade exhaled slowly—finally understanding.
So he was trying to prevent anyone in Konoha from ever using loved ones against him.
"If your clansmen want to go with you, I won't stop them," she said.
"I want to take more than just clansmen."
"…Hm?"
Tsunade's brow creased. "Who else?"
Shigure gave an awkward little smile.
That alone told Tsunade everything.
"You little brat. Don't tell me you already have a girlfriend in the Mist… and now one in Konoha too?"
"You're mainly here this time to take a certain girl away, aren't you?"
Shigure hesitated.
…Maybe more than one…
"You shameless pervert," Tsunade muttered, but her tone was more amused than angry.
"Listen. If she doesn't want to leave, you can't force her. Don't worry—if she stays, I'll make sure she's protected here in Konoha."
She leaned a little closer.
"But you need to tell me…who is it?"
...
TN:
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