"God, how dare you?"
"No... you actually dared... You even dared to steal people, let alone a Tailed Beast..."
"And you're even skilled in sealing techniques... Tailed Beasts...."
"Chizan, I've realized, you're really like a deep pool. No matter how much I try to explore, you always show me this isn't your deepest part...."
Pakura looked at Chizan with a trace of awe in her eyes. She had thought she already understood this man before her well enough.
But now it seemed she had really been adorably foolish.
Chizan stepped forward, took Pakura's hand, and chuckled mischievously.
"I've told you all my secrets, so you better be my proper wife now."
"Hmph! I'll think about it!"
"Huh???"
...
The night was never long enough. Laughter and certain breathless sounds rose and fell.
Morning in the Land of Birds was truly beautiful. Gekko Chizan and Pakura gazed at the sky. Pakura had shed her battle attire and was now wearing a long green dress, looking stunning.
"Let's go, Pakura. We still need to return to the village."
"Let's make this our vacation spot from now on. Oh, and the hot springs here are wonderful. Next time, let's go there."
At the mention of hot springs, Pakura shot him a glare. Wasn't it precisely while soaking in a hot spring that this bastard had tricked her away?
"Let's skip today's lesson. Stay home and rest for a day."
"How could that work? I promised Kakashi and the others I'd help train them."
"Those three little brats, training? I'll go later. Always bothering their teacher's wife, hmph!"
With a flash, Flying Thunder God activated, and the scene before them instantly changed to a familiar courtyard.
Only this time, the courtyard was silent. The two exchanged a glance; it seemed Gekko Hayate had already gone to school.
"Hmph, you sure use this technique skillfully."
"Hehe, well, yes."
Pakura stretched her slightly tired body. After all, staying up half the night was exhausting even for her physique.
Then she looked at the man beside her—hmph, not tired at all? How ridiculous.
"Pakura, we've decided then. We'll hold the wedding soon?"
"I'll leave that to you."
Gekko Chizan nodded. After all, he was the clan head of the Gekko clan—though there were only two members—but weddings meant receiving gifts. And gifts mustn't be missed.
The thought of the wedding made Gekko Chizan grin. He immediately started thinking about making invitations.
But how should the wedding be held? Normally, he spent all his time pranking others; holding a proper wedding would surely invite revenge.
He needed to plan this carefully. He bullied others—how could he let them bully him instead?
This needed a proper plan.
"Let's go. I still have to go to the school. Hmph, all because of you."
"Hehe, I'll go with you."
Since last night, Gekko Chizan had been smiling non-stop, making Pakura both annoyed and amused.
...
The village morning wasn't too crowded. Besides kids heading to school, there were only some merchants.
And of course, the ANBU stationed in the village. The moment they saw Gekko Chizan, their shock was beyond words.
After all, since the war began, Gekko Chizan's name had spread everywhere. Both high-ranking officials and ordinary shinobi had heard of him.
Especially the last battle at the Land of Rivers battlefield, where he had single-handedly taken the Tailed Beast away and then vanished. His popularity skyrocketed, rivaling even the Yellow Flash Namikaze Minato.
"Inform Hokage-sama that Gekko Chizan has returned."
"Yes!"
Soon, ANBU were sprinting toward the Hokage building.
...
At the school gate, Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and others were present.
"Guy, stop messing around. I'm not in the mood to spar lately."
"Huh? Kakashi! You actually refused me! Fine, I know it's because of Chizan-sensei. Obito, let's spar instead!"
Might Guy, dressed in green, looked at the gloomy Kakashi and turned to Obito, only to be refused as well.
"Guy, I'm not in the mood either. We promised Pakura-sensei... Sigh, Chizan-sensei's been missing for months, and Pakura-sensei...."
War made people grow fast. The three kids, after experiencing it, had lost much of their immaturity and gained some steadiness.
Guy wanted to say something but was stopped by Nohara Rin, who shook her head at him.
The only reason they were all together now was because the war had entered a stable period. Most Genin had returned to the village, leaving only the necessary forces at the frontlines.
"Hayate, you're here for school?"
Suddenly, Obito spotted a familiar figure and immediately waved.
The short boy smiled faintly when he saw Obito. He looked a bit frail. This was Gekko Chizan's younger brother, Gekko Hayate.
"Obito-san, good morning."
Obito looked helpless but quickly grinned again.
"Don't worry. Even if Chizan-sensei isn't here, you have us. If anyone bullies you, tell me!"
"Hey, Obito, stop talking nonsense! Don't lead Hayate astray!"
Rin pushed him aside and looked gently at the boy before her.
"Hayate, I made you a lunchbox. Take it to school."
"Study well with Pakura-sensei, okay?"
Rin's gentleness came from the heart. She turned all her worry for the teacher into care for Gekko Hayate.
Even Kakashi, usually so cold, stepped forward and took out a short blade.
"Hayate, this is a short blade I forged, a craft of the Hatake clan. I think swordsmanship suits you."
"And this—I exchanged my war merits for a kenjutsu scroll called: Konoha Style: Crescent Moon Dance."
"This technique requires Shadow Clone to use. I've also written down the training method for Shadow Clone Technique inside."
Hayate took the short blade and scroll, his face full of excitement.
"Kakashi-san, I'll practice hard!"
"Swordsmanship, huh! I like it."
Obito: ...Damn you, Kakashi!
Rin: Wow, as expected of Kakashi. I didn't think he'd win little Hayate over like that.