"Since that's the case, first take me to your gathering place. Then I'll set off back to Konoha and discuss this with the Hokage." Torifū then added, "Regardless of the outcome, I will inform you."
Arashi's face broke into a smile: "Alright, let's head out now."
Just as Arashi was about to lead Torifū, something suddenly occurred to him: "By the way, are your two cranes alright?"
Torifū waved his hand: "Don't worry, they're quite robust. They've probably run off somewhere by now."
Since Torifū said so, Arashi didn't waste any more time and immediately ran off into the distance. Arashi moved swiftly through the forest, with Torifū following closely behind. Their pace was quite fast, and it didn't take long for them to reach the Tsuchigumo clan's encampment. However, the encampment was now empty, and most of the huts had been destroyed by their recent battle.
"I told them to withdraw west. I don't think they would have gone too far."
Torifū said nothing, while Arashi sprinted westward. The two traveled like this for about ten minutes until they found the Tsuchigumo clan members in a relatively open area. At first, the clansmen thought that pursuers were taking advantage of their clan head's absence to hunt them down. But upon closer inspection, they realized it was their clan head. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Just as they were about to step forward and inquire with their clan head, Torifū emerged from the bushes. This immediately made the clansmen tense again: "Lord Clan Head, what's going on? Why is the enemy here?" The scene became chaotic for a moment, and everyone felt a sense of dread.
Arashi waved his hand, signaling his clansmen to relax, then said, "This is a ninja from Konoha Village, not a pursuer. Everyone, rest assured."
Hearing their clan head's words, the clansmen were somewhat confused. Hadn't he said they'd encountered pursuers, which was why they had to retreat so far? The battle they had just witnessed was terrifying, with sand and stones flying everywhere, and trees thicker than a person's waist soaring through the air. And in the end, they had been fighting someone from Konoha Village? This was the very village they sought help from. This first impression certainly wasn't good, and it seemed their hopes were dashed again.
Some women and children even started crying; it wasn't that they were being overly sensitive. It was simply that they had endured a life on the run for too long, and just when a sliver of hope appeared, it was extinguished. They had experienced too many disappointments before, so they had placed all their hopes on Konoha Village accepting them.
Seeing this scene, Arashi was at a loss for how to respond. His clansmen's disappointment had reached its peak. He also began to blame himself for attacking without investigation, because he hadn't believed that a Konoha Village ninja would come to such a remote place, leading to his subjective judgment. Torifū roughly understood what the Tsuchigumo clan members were thinking, but in reality, it wasn't that serious. Arashi hadn't intentionally tried to kill him; he was merely protecting his clansmen.
"I am an Elite Jōnin from Konoha Village. Your clan head has told me about your clan's experiences. I will now return to Konoha and report to the Hokage-sama." Torifū added, "If Hokage-sama agrees, then you can join Konoha Village."
Although Torifū said this, the people of the Tsuchigumo clan didn't seem to feel any better. They all believed that Torifū was just looking for an excuse to leave and wouldn't return after departing. However, there was nothing they could do, as they were the ones who had made the initial mistake.
"I will return tomorrow with your answer."
With those words, Torifū summoned Aokumo and Ryūfū. Seeing that they were both fine, he rode Aokumo and headed back to Konoha Village.
"Lord Clan Head, do we still have hope?" After Torifū left, a small girl among the clansmen timidly asked.
Arashi walked to her, knelt down, and patted her head: "Don't worry, he is a disciple of the Shodaime Hokage-sama of Konoha Village, much stronger than I am. There's no reason for him to lie."
"Lord Clan Head! Do you mean, you were defeated by that child just now?"
Although he didn't want to admit it in front of his clansmen, Arashi finally nodded: "Yes, he's much stronger than me. If he had been serious, I would have died long ago."
The clansmen found it hard to believe that their clan head had been defeated, especially since he possessed the clan's forbidden jutsu. They had managed to escape all the way from the Land of Water to the Land of Fire precisely because of their clan head's forbidden jutsu.
"Then perhaps, that child really will return after all."
As soon as that sentence was uttered, a sense of hope entered the hearts of the Tsuchigumo clan members. Everyone also recovered from their sadness.
Arashi immediately encouraged them: "Everyone, cheer up! I believe that person will bring us an answer!" He continued, "Even if Konoha Village doesn't accept us, the Tsuchigumo clan will never perish! We've survived countless pursuits! What is this compared to that!"
Arashi's words had some effect, and the clansmen's spirits were no longer so low. After all, Arashi had only recently become clan head, and bringing his clansmen to the Land of Fire without significant casualties was already a great achievement. The clansmen initially had some reservations about their young clan head, but along the way, countless crises had been resolved by him, and so they accepted Arashi. Now, they all eagerly awaited Konoha Village's acceptance, hoping to find a place to call home.
Meanwhile, Torifū was leisurely sitting on Aokumo's back, gazing down at the beautiful mountains and rivers of the Land of Fire.
"Are you two alright with your injuries?"
Aokumo rolled its eyes. 'We're almost back to Konoha Village, and you're just now realizing we're injured? Isn't that a bit late?'
However, it was true that there wasn't any major issue.
"No need to worry, just minor injuries. They've already healed."
Ryūfū also chimed in: "When we get home, don't tell Mom. Don't make her worry."
Torifū agreed to keep silent, as telling Snowflake about this wouldn't do any good, it would only make her worry unnecessarily. It was strange, really. It was Aokumo who had initially discovered the high natural energy here, which was why Torifū had intended to practice Sage Mode. Yet, he hadn't made much progress with Sage Mode, instead, he got into a fight and might even bring back a clan. There was no explanation for this other than sheer coincidence.
He had 'acquired' the Oyashirō clan from the Land of Lightning, and now he didn't even have to leave the country; he could 'acquire' a clan right here in the Land of Fire. He hoped next time it would be even easier, and he could just pick up a clan right outside Konoha Village.
During his fight with Arashi, Torifū hadn't used his true strength. Even the Cloud Dissipation and Illusion's Demise Jutsu he used at the end was only at half power. Otherwise, let alone the ice surface, the entire lake could have been sucked dry! Even if the Tsuchigumo clan members had run further, they could have been sucked back and completely annihilated.
[T/N: I gave up on finding correct names for Jutsu. Will just make sure that it isn't some chinese Feng Shui no Immortal Formation From Heavenly Palace Jutsu...]