After finishing, everyone once again expressed their gratitude.
Standing to the side, Fūka Koyuki's admiration for Shigeo only grew deeper. She was only a little younger than him, yet in front of him, she felt like nothing more than a helpless doll. He, on the other hand, handled everything in an orderly fashion, calm and mature like an adult, always thinking several steps ahead.
Shigeo distributed the compensation money to all the victims' families according to the list, and then divided the rest based on each miner's work hours. Everyone received their due portion, along with travel expenses for the journey home.
When they reached the town at the foot of the mountain, Shigeo used Wood Clone Technique to send his clone with the gold and the records, ensuring the compensation reached the families of those who had died.
Finally, he had time to examine his own body. After three or four days of recovery, he no longer felt weak or feverish. Checking his arm, he was shocked to find that Orochimaru's Cursed Seal of Heaven had vanished.
"What… how is this possible?" He rubbed his arm again—no trace of the fang-like mark remained.
The five small tailed beasts around him looked equally puzzled. Shigeo checked carefully all over his body: nothing. Gathering chakra felt completely normal, even using Sage Mode caused no issues.
"Did I… absorb the cursed seal?" he wondered.
The possibility made sense. Orochimaru's cursed seal originated from Jūgo, whose body could absorb natural energy but suffered backlash, turning violent and unstable. Shigeo, however, was uniquely capable of harmonizing all forms of natural energy. His rainbow Sage markings already proved that.
So Orochimaru's curse, instead of corrupting him, had simply been absorbed and converted into strength.
"Hah… Orochimaru, you'd never have guessed. You planted your mark to control me, but I just took it and made it mine."
Not only that, but since then, his Sage Mode activation had shortened from five minutes to barely over ten seconds. Truly, a blessing in disguise.
"Alright, you five can return now." Shigeo brushed his hand, and the five little tailed beasts happily re-entered his body, continuing to feed on his chakra and grow.
Outside, Koyuki's voice called:
"Little brother, are you alright? I brought some fruit—do you want to eat?"
Shigeo quickly dressed and opened the door. She stood there with a tray of fruit, looking even more lovely and refined after changing clothes, though her face was shadowed with sorrow.
"What's wrong, Koyuki? Did something happen?"
Her eyes reddened, tears falling as she spoke:
"Little brother, I don't even know your name yet. What do they call you? I… I have to leave soon. Sandayū has come for me. I can't stay—if I do, my enemies will surely find me. They may already be near. I'm sorry, but I don't want to leave you!"
Shigeo gently pulled her into the room, setting the tray aside.
Sandayū—the loyal minister of the Land of Snow, devoted to her and to the country itself. So he had arrived?
"Where are you going?"
"Sandayū said we're heading to the Land of Fire. But, little brother, you still haven't told me your name."
Shigeo stroked her hair softly. "My name is Hyūga Shigeo."
She cried harder, nodding through her tears. "Shigeo-nii, you won't forget me, right? We'll meet again, won't we?"
"Yes. We will. Koyuki, do you want to return to the Land of Snow?" He asked because he wanted her to choose her own path—whether to reclaim her country or pursue her dream as an actress.
"I…" She faltered, clearly torn, then finally whispered: "I'm scared."
"Some things you'll have to decide for yourself. If you wish to return, I'll help you. If not, take your time. Here—"
He placed a summoning charm in her hand. "When you want to go home, light this. I'll come."
"Thank you!" She threw herself into his arms, sobbing. "Shigeo-nii, I'll never forget you. Don't forget me either!"
"I won't," he promised firmly.
After parting with Koyuki, Shigeo used Reverse Tracking Technique to locate Tsunade-sama and Shizune.
They were traveling in the Land of Rivers. The moment he appeared, Shizune ran to him with joy.
"Shigeo! You're here! We went back to Konoha not long ago but couldn't find you. I thought about using the summoning charm, but I was afraid I'd interrupt your training. So you came to see us instead!"
She hugged him tightly in her excitement.
"Shizune-nee, I'm already this big. Don't hug me like that anymore!" Shigeo struggled helplessly.
She laughed. "I'll hug you if I want, no matter how old you get! Hahaha. Besides, I heard you won first place at the big joint exams. You're incredible!"
"It's nothing," Shigeo muttered, wriggling free and bowing to Tsunade. "Tsunade-sensei."
"You've grown taller… and stronger," Tsunade said warmly.
"Sensei, I came to learn Medical Ninjutsu from you, and… to ask for guidance." Shigeo's expression turned serious.
(End of Chapter)
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