[Land of Fire, Konoha Village]
Kakashi Hatake, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, Might Guy.
Four of Konoha Village's top-level ninjas were currently standing at Konoha's village gate, just like reception ladies, waiting for the arrival of one "guest."
There were also numerous Anbu ninjas hidden in the shadows, disguised as civilians, ready at any time to provide support.
Such a battle-ready formation, and yet the person they were waiting for was only one,
Ryosuke.
One day ago, Jiraiya received a carrier pigeon sent by Ryosuke, and learned that he had already slain Orochimaru, and was on his way to Konoha Village, expected to arrive today.
In order to protect Sasuke, Jiraiya did not leave even half a step from the Clean Water Sphere.
The Third Hokage, considering Ryosuke's achievements since leaving Konoha, was afraid something might happen midway, and that this "fiend god" would start a fight inside Konoha, so simply sent out Kakashi and the other three.
Though it was called an escort or reception, anyone with eyes could see, it was surveillance.
"But is this really necessary?"
Asuma was usually a very easygoing person, but today, for once, he showed some impatience. He knocked out a cigarette, flicked a lighter to light it, and exhaled a long stream of smoke,
"It's just one guy. Do we really need all of us to tail him?"
Asuma had witnessed the battle between Ryosuke and Kakashi.
Very special ability, but… just that.
From the Uchiha massacre up to now, it had only been over half a year. Even if Ryosuke trained day and night, how much stronger could he have gotten?
"Surely it's not like in fairy tales, turning from a mortal into an immortal overnight, right?"
Kurenai Yuhi was quite interested in Ryosuke,
"Kakashi, you've fought him before, what kind of person is he?"
"Him?"
Kakashi leaned against the side of Konoha Village's gate, keeping one hand holding a book. When he heard this question, the focus in his eyes showed a subtle shift.
He was recalling that night's battle.
"He's a very interesting person. If not for this and that happening in the village, Ryosuke probably could've become an outstanding ninja."
When Kakashi mentioned "this and that," the remaining three all had slightly unnatural expressions.
Among the four responsible for receiving Ryosuke today, there were still no ninja from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Hyuga clan, or Aburame clan.
Only Asuma attended as the descendant of the Third Hokage.
This was also why Asuma showed his impatience, he could accept going on any dangerous mission as a Konoha ninja, but he didn't want to carry the identity of "Hokage's son" just to play the symbolic mascot.
Kakashi sighed lightly in his heart.
The people… were still the same people. Konoha… was still the same Konoha. But…
The feeling it gave off, was somehow different.
"Heh-hah! Heh-hah!"
Might Guy was still focused on doing push-ups.
Okay, Kakashi had to admit, Guy was still the same as always.
The four had different thoughts, thinking about their own matters. Suddenly, Might Guy stopped his push-ups, squinted his eyes toward the end of the ground line.
"Did you guys hear something?"
"Sound?"
The four followed Might Guy's gaze and looked into the distance.
Today's weather was not good, dark clouds covered the sky, the air was stuffy and humid, as if it was about to rain.
And at the end of their sight, accompanied by roaring wind and thunder, the thick, gloomy clouds were split open by a straight gash, as if a blade had forcefully cleaved through the clouds, pouring down a beam of blazing sunlight.
Kurenai faintly guessed what had torn the clouds, but she couldn't believe her own guess. She licked her dry, plump lips, "That, that is… what?"
Before the words even landed, the sound of wind and thunder arrived nearby.
They saw it.
Ryosuke stood atop the Ruin Greatsword, his entire body wrapped in golden lightning. A fierce wind surged from behind him, forcefully and unmistakably cleaving open the clouds ahead.
Because the gale opened a path ahead, Ryosuke, standing on the Ruin Greatsword, remained constantly bathed in a beam of sunlight, like he was draped in a thin golden veil.
Plop!
Asuma's cigarette dropped to the ground.
"No way… he really turned into an immortal?"
The sky had always been the domain humans most longed for. Some ninjas, through summons or ninjutsu, could soar through the skies, but… that kind of flight couldn't compare to the shock brought by Ryosuke.
The sound of wind and thunder roared over Konoha Village. Almost everyone stopped what they were doing and looked to the sky.
When Konoha villagers and ninjas saw Ryosuke tearing through the clouds, stepping on sunlight, flying toward them, they were all stunned in place.
No one knew who started it first, but one after another, the villagers of Konoha pressed their hands together in prayer toward the approaching Ryosuke.
Kakashi's mouth half opened, "Hey hey hey… isn't this a bit over the top?"
Suddenly, Kakashi noticed there was a woman, bound by strips of purple vine, hanging beneath the Ruin Greatsword. Faintly, one could hear the woman shouting, "Ryosuke, you, bastard!"
With the woman's shout, fierce wind poured into her mouth, breaking her words apart. Yet even so, Kakashi could clearly hear the anger in her tone.
"There's someone else? And it's…"
As they got closer, Kakashi saw clearly the red cloud on black robe worn by Konan.
"Akatsuki?!"
Kakashi and the other three exchanged glances.
Though they'd anticipated that Ryosuke's arrival might stir up all kinds of trouble, now it seemed…
The situation was far more troublesome than they had expected.
Wind howled. Under countless stares, Ryosuke put away the Ruin Greatsword and lightly landed before Konoha's village gate.
After Konan hit the ground, she couldn't stop coughing. Her small mouth opened, finger pointed, clearly about to curse, but Ryosuke threw a bottle of tea over, it was warm and comfortable in her palm.
"Drink it. Don't catch a cold," Ryosuke said. "I haven't fully mastered flight. I could only bring you this way. You've had a rough time."
Konan opened her mouth. With her gentle temperament, she still didn't end up cursing. She quietly drank the tea. Warm tea down her belly finally warmed up her frozen body.
Ryosuke slung the Ruin Greatsword on his back and saw Kakashi walking over.
Toward this ninja who had once helped him, Ryosuke felt some goodwill and nodded slightly, "Long time no see."
Kakashi sighed lightly, "You really had to make such a grand entrance?"
Ryosuke wasn't trying to intimidate Konoha, he had just come at the fastest speed.
"Where's Jiraiya?"
"Lord Jiraiya is guarding Sasuke. For these ten-odd days, he hasn't slept at all, has stayed by Sasuke's side without leaving. I'll take you there."
"Okay."
Kakashi walked in front to guide. The remaining three formed a triangle formation, placing Ryosuke and Konan in the center.
Konan whispered a reminder, "They're monitoring us."
"Not just monitoring," Ryosuke said.
Kakashi's group of four, on one hand, guarding against Ryosuke suddenly harming people; on the other hand, preventing Danzo and Root from going insane and causing unnecessary trouble.
Ryosuke raised his head and looked at the signboard above, carved with Konoha's emblem.
He hadn't expected that one day, he would revisit this old place.
But, this place, in the end, wasn't his hometown.
Ryosuke stepped one foot inside.
———
[Root's Base]
A Root ninja wearing a white dog mask kneeled on one knee before Danzo and said, "Lord, all personnel are ready, can act at any time."
Danzo slowly opened his eyes.
"No rush. Let him bring the 'small one' back first. Only then is it worth making a move."
Danzo stroked his right arm wrapped in bandages, and stared at the surveillance screen, on which Ryosuke was currently walking through Konoha's streets, "Since he's come… then don't think about leaving."
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