On the way, Hozuki Suigetsu was practically buzzing with excitement at the thought of fighting Momochi Zabuza.
Yuto didn't bother dampening his enthusiasm—he only hoped Suigetsu would still be smiling afterward.
Truth be told, Yuto himself was curious about the outcome between Suigetsu and Zabuza.
Suigetsu's chatter at least kept the road lively. Kimimaro, after all, never spoke unless spoken to.
Thanks to Yuto occasionally pushing their pace, it only took a few days before the three stood before the gates of Kirigakure.
"Kiri… feels nostalgic," Suigetsu muttered, gazing up at the gates.
Kimimaro also lifted his head. His memories of the village went back only to childhood.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two figures appeared before them, clad in Kiri uniforms.
"Elder, you've returned," they said respectfully.
"Have Ringo Ameyuri and the others come back yet?" Yuto asked.
"Not yet, Elder," one answered quickly.
Yuto nodded. So they'd hit some trouble. Ranmaru's kekkei genkai was a dangerous tool for support. Still, with Ameyuri and Utakata, he wasn't worried.
The two guards only relaxed after Yuto and his companions disappeared into the village.
"Who were those with the Elder?" one asked.
"The white-haired one, I don't know. The other… he's from the Hozuki Clan… that's it—Hozuki Suigetsu!"
"No wonder he looked familiar. Things are about to get lively in the village," the older one chuckled.
…
In the Mizukage's office—
Mei blinked her large eyes at Suigetsu, who looked uneasy, and Kimimaro, expressionless.
After a long pause, she turned to Yuto, lounging lazily on the sofa.
"You're telling me these two are Hozuki Suigetsu, missing for years, and Kimimaro, the last survivor of the Kaguya Clan?"
Suigetsu she could understand. But Kimimaro? Wasn't his clan exterminated?
Mei was dumbfounded. He had left and returned with two people—both with remarkable identities.
"The Kaguya residence still stands, doesn't it?" Yuto asked suddenly.
"Yes. They were too warlike to live inside the village, so their compound was built out near the gates." Mei nodded.
"Good. Suigetsu's yours to deal with. Kimimaro, come with me—we'll go see your clan's place."
Yuto smiled, rising to his feet.
Kimimaro's eyes flickered. *Our clan's home…*
Everyone had a root somewhere, a place of belonging. For Kimimaro, more than ever, such an anchor was needed.
Yuto could have taken Orochimaru's path, making himself Kimimaro's sole attachment—but he disdained that.
Kimimaro and Haku were among the few untainted souls in this world. On this dark canvas, they were rare unblemished whites.
Their lives were tragedies in themselves.
Mei watched Yuto leave with Kimimaro, sharp light in her eyes.
He clearly valued that boy. A Kaguya survivor—it was understandable. She wondered… were there any survivors of the Yuki Clan left?
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Uh, Mizukage-sama, maybe I should follow them to the Kaguya compound too?" Suigetsu said weakly, glancing at how Yuto had tossed him aside.
Mei lowered her gaze to the three swords resting on her desk. A smile tugged at her lips.
"No need. That would only cause trouble," she said with a wave.
The smile on her face sent a chill down Suigetsu's back. *Maybe coming back was a mistake,* he thought grimly.
Knock, knock.
The door opened.
A middle-aged man entered. At the sight of him, Suigetsu flinched, his body nearly slipping into liquefaction.
"Clan Head of the Hozuki pays respects to Mizukage-sama. Thank you for looking after Suigetsu."
His tone was respectful, his words formal.
Mei narrowed her eyes slightly, shaking her head with a faint smile.
He hadn't thanked her as an individual, but as Mizukage, on behalf of his entire clan. This was no simple gratitude.
"I hardly did anything. If thanks are due, they belong to Yuto-dono."
Her voice was mild.
Surprise flickered on the Hozuki leader's face, but his eyes betrayed no change. He already knew Suigetsu had returned because of Yuto.
But knowing was one thing. Showing proper deference was another.
This was his chance to strengthen ties with the Mizukage.
The Hozuki Clan had long kept aloof. But times were different now.
And Mei… she was no longer the kind of Mizukage the village council could control. She had Yuto at her back.
Everyone knew the Elder lived with her.
And anyone could see she held an almost blind reverence for him. Perhaps more than that.
Yuto's age was tricky—he had been sealed for years, yet was not truly old.
All the more reason to invest early. Mei was accessible. Yuto was not.
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