Chapter 312. After the End
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On the other side—
At this moment—
The match had ended.
Yuto had quietly returned as well.
Most of the ninjas and spectators were now celebrating. After all, they had just witnessed a fierce battle and watched an intense match. Everyone had been on edge, and now that it was over, of course they had to celebrate a little~
And Kumogakure knew it had been their own management failure this time, so all kinds of events suddenly popped up within the village, with pretty generous discounts.
Especially for high-grade beef...
Large chunks could be ordered for less than half the usual price!
As for Hashirama and the others… they had already left. Tsunade, who had rushed over, had originally wanted to see her First Grandpa and Second Grandpa, but unfortunately, she was still too late. Still, hearing that they had watched her match and were very happy about it, her heart wasn't quite as sad.
However—
Orochimaru had actually completed that Forbidden Jutsu?!
When she heard that—
She felt a mix of melancholy, anticipation, and helplessness.
Then… she told Shizune not to follow her, wanting to be alone for a while.
Jiraiya, who wanted to comfort her, sighed deeply too. In the end, he decided to just let his dear friend have some time to herself~
He had heard Tsunade wasn't doing so well recently either!
She had even sold off a good portion of her inheritance—just that alone said enough.
Especially after hearing the village's plans, she was already upset… and now this… her feelings must be really complicated and painful.
My two partners... have had a lot of trouble because of money~
Jiraiya let out a sigh, got his van fixed, then returned with a cheerful expression, ready to enjoy tonight's banquet.
At this moment—
Obito had also taken off his mask, returning to his identity as Uchiha Obito. As for the masked guy from the battlefield… sorry, that really wasn't him!
Even if people said it was, he wasn't going to admit it!
"It was you, wasn't it?" Though she had lost the match, Nii Yugito was quite satisfied just being able to run around the venue. Smiling at Obito, she said, "I already watched the replay! I can't believe you actually used that move!"
"…"
He had refused at first!
This was all Asuma's fault!
Obito looked at Nii Yugito with righteous indignation. "It wasn't me! That was Uchiha Yuto!"
"The founder of the Yuto Group?" Nii Yugito chuckled. "Come on, don't joke around! How could someone like that know such ninjutsu?"
"You might not believe it, but he taught it to me back in the day!"
"???" Nii Yugito stared at Obito, who suddenly looked melancholy and lifted his head to gaze at the night sky, like a man weighed down by thoughts.
But after thinking for a moment, she flicked her ponytail and said, "Forget it! Let's not talk about that! I'll take you on a little tour! Though Kumogakure doesn't have a Valley of the End, there are still lots of really fun places! Especially at night… there's a spot where you can see a sky full of stars!"
As she spoke—
She grabbed Obito's arm and ran off with him.
After all, she had said—
If he came, she'd give him a proper tour.
As the two of them walked forward, a few sneaky figures quietly followed from behind.
"Ah~ back then, the whole thing with Kakashi, Obito, and Rin really gave everyone a shock!" Shiranui Genma took out a senbon, watching the pair ahead. "Who would've thought Obito ended up in an online relationship."
And now…
Kakashi was a team leader, always busy leading missions, and Rin worked in the medical department. They rarely saw each other. No one knew if they'd ever end up together.
Maybe this is what Guy meant by Youth!
Speaking of which, looking at the silly grin on Asuma's face, Genma nudged him. "Did something good happen? Ever since we left the venue, you've been grinning like an idiot!"
"It's nothing!"
Asuma wiped some drool off his face. What, like he was going to tell them he got autographed photos from the First and Second Hokage?
Looking at Genma, he said, "What were you just saying?"
"Oh, just about Kakashi and Rin!"
"Why do you, a single guy, care so much about other people's love lives?" Asuma shot him a look of disdain. "If anyone should be concerned, it's me, your Uncle Asuma!"
"You're talking so big, did you hit the jackpot or something?"
"N-No!" Asuma shook his head and looked ahead. Then he suddenly waved his hand. "Let's go, let's go! We have to keep up! Everyone in the village is waiting for our livestream of Obito's love story!"
Just as he said that—
Genma, who had just raised his foot, suddenly froze, then shook his head with a serious look. "I don't think we should. This is Obito's private matter! Let's leave it at that!"
"What are you talking about? We already agreed we'd record this! Then when we get back, they'll throw a banquet at Yuto Restaurant! All-you-can-eat!"
"That's nonsense! I'm going back!"
"???" Asuma was stunned, turning to see Genma seriously walking away. "Hey, hey, what are you doing?" he muttered to himself. "Fine, if you won't go, then I'll just—"
Before he could finish—
He suddenly froze.
Then stiffly looked up—
Only to meet Obito's blood-red Sharingan, staring silently at him.
Asuma laughed nervously. "Oh, I was just going to the bathroom! Haha~ Huh, Obito, what a coincidence! Weren't you off on a date?"
"…I heard everything."
"…"
Asuma fell silent, then let out a wistful sigh. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a melancholy drag, and said, "Remember the days we spent studying at the Ninja Academy? Those were such happy times—I still can't forget them. I…"
He looked up at Obito with emotion in his eyes. "I always thought we were friends. Good friends! It's getting late. Have fun. So much has happened today—I'm a bit tired. I'll head back first."
"Hehe!"
"Wait, wait, wait! Why are you forming the Tiger Seal? Obito, just stop already! You're basically clean now!"
"Hehe!"
"C-Can I go back to the village? I don't really trust the doctors here, seriously! I have professional doctors in Konoha!"
"Hehe!"
"I've had it! A mere shadow clone dares to act tough in front of me, Asuma?! I'll take you on!"
That night—
Asuma charged forward.
That night…
Fortunately, he didn't get seriously injured, but he still dragged himself back to the dorms and beat up that traitor Shiranui Genma.
…
Meanwhile—
In a forest somewhere in Kirigakure.
"So you really are here?" The Third Tsuchikage looked at Roshi before him and said calmly, "When I saw the Four-Tails' mark and chakra, I had my suspicions. I didn't expect you… to have fallen this far."
Years ago, due to political differences, Roshi had left Iwagakure.
And now—
He wasn't even a ninja anymore.
"Times have changed, Tsuchikage-sama." Roshi didn't care for the Tsuchikage's words. He sighed with a trace of melancholy. "All the other villages are trying to adapt and change, but Iwagakure is still clinging to outdated ways. That's why you're the only ones who failed this time! If you had succeeded… those villages with internet access would've declared war on Iwagakure immediately!"
After all—
It was all about money!
As he finished speaking—
The Third Tsuchikage fell silent and said nothing.
Seeing him like this, Roshi simply waved his hand, turned, and prepared to leave. "Forget it. I won't say any more."
Most likely, the compensation from this incident…
It would finally make those old fossils quiet down and start thinking about what to do next.
Walking out of the forest grove—
Suddenly—
He saw a figure leaning against a tree.
Roshi tensed up, then relaxed and smiled cheerfully. "What are you doing here?"
"You looked like you had a lot on your mind, so I followed you," Biwa Juzo casually tossed him a cigarette, lit one for himself, and said, "Are they still the same group of stubborn old men?"
"Who knows? Whatever, forget about them!" Roshi threw his arm around Juzo's shoulder and laughed loudly. "It's great! It's actually first place! Champion Biwa Juzo! I haven't even made it back yet and I'm already getting calls. Business is booming!"
"Get off! I told you, first means first! That investment was worth it, right?"
"Worth it! Worth it!"
"Are you really okay?"
"Really okay!"
"Then let's go! We have to celebrate properly tonight!"
"Of course! I've been ready!"
Roshi walked forward with Juzo, both laughing heartily.
However—
After just a few steps, they fell silent again, quietly walking on.
No one knew how long they walked in silence—
"Juzo… what do you think about me going back to the village to start a factory?"
"What, build a factory in Iwagakure and provide jobs? Does the Tsuchikage offer any business incentives?"
"There… probably will be~"
Roshi shook his head with a smile, said no more, and continued happily walking forward.
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