Following Veigar's words, Hiruzen looked at the Shinigami Blade at Veigar's waist.
"In that case, I'll take it."
After putting Samehada away, Hiruzen considered for a moment before speaking:
"Veigar, you've been out of the village for three years now. For the next few days, first familiarize yourself with the village's current situation."
"Three days from now, I'll make arrangements for you."
"What do you think?"
Regarding Veigar's assignment, Hiruzen decided to postpone it for a bit. He planned to discuss it with Danzō over the next few days before making a decision.
Nodding indifferently, Veigar replied:
"No problem."
Having been away for three years, Veigar indeed needed to first understand the current situation of the ninja world, so he agreed to Hiruzen's suggestion.
"Then, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Mm."
As Veigar turned to leave and opened the office door, he suddenly looked back at Hiruzen and said:
"Hokage-sama, returning Samehada to Kirigakure now is inconsequential."
"It's just an empty shell now; its soul has been erased by me."
With that, Veigar stepped out of the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen's expression was one of astonishment, then he turned to glance at Samehada, which lay under the desk.
"Is this a display of power, a threat, or...?"
Veigar's last words revealed too much information.
Hiruzen's headache intensified!
After leaving the Hokage's office, Veigar immediately turned and walked in the direction of the Konoha Hospital.
Three years had passed; he wondered how Might Duy was doing.
In a ward at Konoha Hospital, Might Duy lay paralyzed in bed. Attending to him was Might Guy, who had just returned from a mission and was resting in the village for a few days.
Knock, knock.
"Guy, are you in there?"
From the nurses downstairs, Veigar learned that Might Guy was visiting Might Duy, so upon arriving at the door, he first knocked.
"Veigar? Is that you, Veigar?"
Before even seeing Veigar, Might Guy immediately recognized the owner of the voice upon hearing it from outside the door.
Even though they hadn't seen each other in three years, Might Guy had never forgotten Veigar's voice, not only because they were friends, but also because Veigar had saved his father.
With that, Might Guy eagerly opened the ward door. The moment he saw Veigar, Might Guy instantly embraced him.
"Veigar, Veigar, you're back!"
At this moment, Might Guy was incredibly excited.
Three years. Veigar had finally returned.
"Dad can be saved!"
Might Guy remembered Veigar's words from their last meeting three years ago, after he had taught Veigar the Eight Gates Formation.
"Guy, if I can return successfully in three years, perhaps I can cure your father."
Those words, spoken by Veigar, had remained etched in Might Guy's mind.
This was the main reason for Might Guy's excitement.
"Guy, let go!"
Caught off guard, Veigar, after being embraced by Might Guy, quickly pushed Might Guy away with a palm, making him release his grip.
If anyone saw him being hugged by another man, Veigar simply couldn't think of any excuse to explain it.
Should he try to prove himself?
I, Veigar Koshima, male, fond of women, currently single, enjoys pretty ladies.
Cough, cough!
Such things only make matters worse!
What a situation!
If Might Guy were a girl, Veigar wouldn't consider it either.
It's truly because of Might Guy's appearance; if he were a girl...
Cough, cough, cough...
Unimaginable. The image is simply too vivid!
Even though Might Guy's strength wasn't weak, Veigar's power far surpassed his, so Might Guy was easily pushed away by Veigar.
"Veigar, when did you get back?"
Might Guy completely ignored the fact that Veigar had pushed him away in apparent distaste, still looking at Veigar with immense excitement.
"Guy, don't get so worked up!"
Veigar's posture was a bit like someone fending off a thief; he was worried Might Guy would pounce on him again and hug him tightly.
"I just got back today."
"I just came from the Hokage-sama's office, and then I came straight here."
Hearing Veigar's explanation, Might Guy immediately shed tears of excitement and tried to hug Veigar tightly again. This scared Veigar into directly dodging and entering the ward.
Seeing that he hadn't managed to hug Veigar, Might Guy paused for a moment, then stood alone by the door, shouting with tears of excitement:
"This is youth!"
"Veigar came to visit my dad first thing; I'm so touched!"
In some aspects, Might Guy was indeed quite amusing.
Ignoring Might Guy playing the fool by the ward door, Veigar entered the room. Seeing a very lucid Might Duy, Veigar politely greeted him:
"Duy-jisan, hello!"
"It's our first meeting. I am Veigar Koshima."
In a way, this truly was Veigar's first meeting with Might Duy.
Before this, Might Duy had always been unconscious in Veigar's eyes.
"Ve... Veigar, hel... lo!"
"Thank... you."
Although Might Duy was quite lucid at this moment, it was difficult for him to speak.
Even with Tsunade's medical ninjutsu, which allowed Might Duy to regain consciousness and speak occasionally, his current state was the limit of what Tsunade could achieve.
At the time, Might Duy himself was quite surprised that he had survived after activating the Eight Gates Formation.
He had never expected it.
"Duy-jisan, don't mention it!"
"You're a hero of the village; it's my duty to do everything I can to save you."
"Besides, Guy and I are good friends."
At this point, Might Guy had finished his antics; his tears stopped as quickly as they started.
This ability was peerless!
"Dad!"
"Veigar and I are very good friends!"
Standing beside Veigar, Might Guy said with immense pride.
Nodding silently, tears of emotion also streamed from Might Duy's eyes.
"Guy... to have a... friend like... Veigar..."
"Your father... is proud of... you."
Watching Might Duy speak tearfully, word by word, Veigar had to admit:
The ability to cry could also be inherited.
"Dad, this is youth!"
Instantly, Veigar watched Might Duy and Might Guy, embracing each other tightly, a myriad of dark lines appearing on his forehead.
Calming himself down, Veigar finally stated his purpose.
"Guy, do you remember what I said three years ago?"
Might Guy turned, his eyes fixed on Veigar with expectation, and asked:
"Are you... are you saying..."
Veigar nodded and said:
"Perhaps it's possible..."
"But we'll only know for sure after trying."
Three years ago, Veigar couldn't heal Might Duy because he hadn't mastered Sage Mode.
But now, it was no longer certain.
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]