The Journey Home
That night, Shirõ and the others repeated their previous strategy. Shirõ deployed Displacement Magic to create puppet decoys that misled the enemy's sensory detection. But this time, because of Shirõ's worsening condition, they also relied on Toyota's Perception Ninjutsu to further scramble enemy detection.
Together, they disrupted the perception of nearby shinobi, allowing the team to slip out of Hidden Hot Water Village undetected.
Once outside, they immediately headed into the surrounding forest. It was a longer route, but also the safest. None of them cared for shortcuts anymore—the current Shirõ could not endure unnecessary battles.
Even after only a short distance, Shirõ was already panting from the chakra and magical strain of using Displacement Magic. He looked nothing like his usual calm, calculating self.
They pushed through the dense forest overnight before stopping to rest in an open clearing. While the others took turns standing guard, Shirõ lay down and forced himself into meditation. He couldn't hope for a full recovery in such a short span, but even slight improvements would help with what he had planned.
By dawn, when the group was ready to depart, Shirõ finally opened his eyes and said quietly,
"Wait. Give me a little more time—I have a better way for us to return to Konoha."
The others exchanged surprised glances but voiced no objection. Shirõ had repeatedly proven his versatility and reliability; they trusted him.
Their trust touched him deeply, but he pushed the thought aside. Right now, the only thing that mattered was ensuring their safe return.
Moments later, he inhaled deeply and formed a hand seal.
"Summoning Technique—Giant Bird No. 2!"
With a loud puff of smoke, a massive, metallic bird-like construct spread its wings in the clearing.
Taiyi's jaw nearly dropped. "What the heck is that?"
"Hah… huff…" Shirõ steadied his breath. "A type of summoning puppet, modeled after my Dragon Tooth Soldiers. It's… something like my clan's secret art. Different from the puppet techniques of Sunagakure."
Nakamura's eyes narrowed in thought. "This alone could change the strategic balance of war. If the village could mass-produce it—"
Shirõ shook his head firmly. "Impossible. Each unit requires components that only I can craft with my family's techniques. Production is too limited, and I can't abandon training to make them in bulk. Besides… Sakumo-sensei wouldn't permit it."
Still, he had provided the village with simplified schematics, leaving only the critical core assembly to him. This ensured some benefit for Konoha, while preventing dangerous misuse.
"As for why it's No. 2…" Shirõ trailed off with a sigh. "No. 1… well, it crashed during its first flight test. Beyond repair."
"…Bird-crashed?" Taiyi muttered, pinching his forehead.
Shirõ nodded with all seriousness. "So this one is Giant Bird No. 2."
"….."
Nakamura chuckled faintly, while Taiyi groaned. "Why does Nakamura-sensei still trust you with naming things?"
"Enough chatter," Nakamura cut in with a smile. "Mount up. Let's return quickly—Shirõ needs more rest."
One by one, they climbed onto the puppet bird, which took off into the morning sky with powerful wingbeats.
---
From above, Shikamaru glanced back toward Hidden Hot Water Village. His expression darkened.
"Nakamura-sensei… do you think it was wise to leave them those documents?"
"I don't know," Nakamura admitted. "That decision belongs to the Hokage."
Shikamaru clenched his fists. The memory of the corpse pit still made his stomach churn. "If they truly succeed in creating those monsters, another war will break out. The peace we just gained…"
Shirõ also looked back—but his gaze was far more detached. Unlike Shikamaru, he remembered the future of the original timeline. Hot Water Village would eventually fade into obscurity, remembered as the village that forgot war.
Whatever their ambitions, their plan would never succeed. The Five Great Nations would never allow it. If not for their intervention, then Anbu would soon descend to erase the threat.
That was the natural course of history.
Satisfied with this thought, Shirõ turned away.
---
For him, the mission had been fruitful. Not only had they secured their reward, but Shirõ had also tested his limits and seen his own shortcomings.
Still, he regretted fainting too soon. He hadn't been able to confirm whether Hidan had already joined the cult known as Gakin-kyō. Based on Nakamura's report, however, they had found neither Death Possession Blood nor any trace of Jashinist techniques.
Most likely, this was only a branch cell—or perhaps a false front entirely.
Either way, Shirõ didn't concern himself further. Hidan? In time, he'd be nothing more than a disposable pawn.
With that settled, he devoted himself once more to meditation. When his mind tired, he switched to studying magical scrolls.
Meditation, after all, wasn't relaxation—it was mental training. It fatigued him, but once completed, it left his mind sharpened in a short burst of heightened focus. He called this period of clarity "Sage Time."
(And no—it wasn't what anyone else was thinking.)
Though he could barely sustain it for a minute, even that brief span was equal to hours of normal study.
Thus, throughout the journey, Shirõ alternated between resting, meditating, and studying. His diligence embarrassed the others into training as well, though their focus wavered—it was, after all, their first time flying on a puppet bird.
Shirõ, however, remained calm. He had done this before.
---
After three days of travel, they finally reached Konoha.
At the gates, Shirõ parted ways with Nakamura and the others. Taiyi escorted him home while Nakamura went to file the mission report.
"Alright, we're here." Shirõ gave a tired smile. "I can handle it from here. Thanks, Taiyi."
"Haha, don't mention it. We're teammates—it's nothing. Just take care of yourself."
"Mm. See you."
"See you."
And with that, Shirõ stepped back into the village he now called home.