Kirigakure.
Unlike the usual gloom and mist that had hung over the village for days, today was different.
The streets were alive with people. Excitement buzzed in the air as countless villagers poured out of their homes, eager to catch a glimpse of the head of the legendary "Snake Sage."
The boy who used to sell information pamphlets had switched jobs and was now working as a newspaper boy. Agile and quick, he climbed to the rooftop of a nearby house, rolled up a newspaper into a makeshift telescope, and scanned the end of the street.
"She's here! Logan… is back!"
The announcement triggered a wave of movement. Everyone on the street craned their necks and rushed toward the village entrance.
Inside the hospital, Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shizune stood by a second-floor window, watching as Logan walked among the crowd.
The mist parted where the crowd moved, and strands of golden sunlight poured down, illuminating Logan's figure in a soft, ethereal glow. It was not blinding—more like a gentle brushstroke from a Monet painting.
But the brilliance didn't belong to him alone. Those beside him, those walking the same path, all stood under that same gentle light. He was not alone in glory.
Kakashi's gaze fell on the enormous snake head perched atop a carriage.
"Tsunade-sama," he said, his voice low, "is that… the White Snake Sage?"
Tsunade nodded. "Yes. That's it."
She rubbed her sore shoulders with a groan. Since the moment she'd arrived in Kirigakure, she had barely stopped working.
Still, there was good news. Despite the brutal attack on Cloud Shinobi Village, none of the injured had died. Even Amber, who'd been in the most critical condition, had recently been moved out of the intensive care unit.
Tsunade summoned a miniature version of Katsuyu and placed it on her shoulder.
Normally, the gentle and polite Katsuyu would greet everyone warmly. But today, it remained silent, its eyes fixed on the severed head of the White Snake Sage.
Tsunade broke the silence. "Katsuyu, who's stronger? Your original body or the White Snake Sage?"
Katsuyu responded softly, "The White Snake and I follow completely different paths. It draws its strength from the earth, integrating itself into it completely. But with such a gift comes a cost. Its greatest flaw lies in the sky."
"The sky?" Tsunade repeated.
"Yes," Katsuyu continued. "It is born of the earth and dies beneath the sky. That is the cycle it follows. Its power is immense, but it comes with a natural contradiction."
Katsuyu paused, then added, "Unlike it, my original body doesn't pursue destruction or raw power. My strength lies in healing, harmony, and the beauty of life's continuity. That doesn't mean I lack offensive abilities—I can crush enemies with my weight or burn them with acid. But these are secondary powers, just as flight is for the White Snake Sage."
Tsunade nodded in understanding. "So what you're saying is—unlike the White Snake Sage, you can't pose a threat to Logan in a fight. But if he wears himself out beating you, you can just spit at him to gross him out?"
"Uh… that's one way to put it," Katsuyu muttered.
Shizune whispered from behind, "Logan is growing too fast. If one day he turns against Konoha… I don't know how we'd even begin to stop him."
Tsunade's voice was steady as she replied, "Then that would mean Konoha did something terrible. Just like the Fourth Raikage. If Konoha is attacked without reason, that would mean Logan has stopped being Logan. He'd be a monster driven by power, not reason. And monsters—monsters don't scare me."
Kakashi and Asuma turned to look at her.
Tsunade smiled. "What? I haven't even taken office yet, and I'm already making bold speeches. Maybe that's a Hokage trait."
Kakashi shook his head with a smirk. "You sound very confident."
"Of course." She puffed out her chest with pride, then leaned closer. "So, dear Kakashi… can you lend me a bit of money? Just until my Hokage salary kicks in?"
"...No thanks."
---
Logan's return was cause for celebration, but unlike Terumi Mei's formal Mizukage ceremony—which had involved dignitaries and invited guests—this was more low-key, just the way Logan preferred it.
The only attendees were close friends: Asuma, Guy, Naruto, and others who had stood with him during the Cloud Shinobi Village incident.
The celebration was held at Iwamine Genmako's izakaya, a modest but cozy tavern.
As the wine flowed, the mood became increasingly lively. Encouraged by the others, Sasuke leapt onto the table and animatedly reenacted their battles in the Dragon Cave and the Cloud Shinobi Village, gesturing wildly and exaggerating for effect.
Logan found it amusing, though he knew Sasuke was stretching the truth a bit. Still, seeing everyone so cheerful, he didn't interrupt. He simply picked up a piece of sushi and brought it toward his mouth.
Just then, a dish of soy sauce slid into view, held by a pale hand.
Logan looked up and met the gentle smile of Iwamine Genmako.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
"You're welcome. But I'm not doing this for nothing. I need a favor."
Logan paused, placing his chopsticks down. He and Genmako had known each other for some time. She had always seemed like someone with no expectations, no desires. For her to make a request was… unusual.
"Go ahead," he said.
Genmako knelt on the tatami mat, back straight, her eyes shining with conviction.
Then she bowed deeply.
"Logan, I'd like to ask for your permission to teach night classes… as a teacher."
Logan blinked in surprise.
Of all the things he expected, this wasn't one of them.
Genmako, once trained to become an oiran, had received one of the most rigorous educations in history, literature, etiquette, and philosophy. Her level of knowledge far surpassed that of most villagers in Hope Village.
But more importantly, her life experience allowed her to understand the world's darker corners—the very places the younger generation needed to learn about.
Mayuri had suggested her name more than once, but Logan had never approached her. He knew asking her to teach would be like ripping open old wounds—wounds she'd worked hard to bury.
So now, hearing her ask—ask—was unexpected.
"Are you sure?" he asked gently.
Genmako straightened and nodded. "Yes. When Amber-san risked his life to protect Sasuke, and when you stood against the ancient White Snake Sage and Cloud Shinobi Village… I realized how cowardly I've been in comparison."
"I want to take another step forward," she said, looking into his eyes. "I want to be closer to you."
Logan looked down at his empty wine glass. Before he could speak, Genmako moved to pour him more.
"I'll do it," Logan said softly, taking the bottle from her hands. He poured wine into both of their glasses.
Genmako stared at the glass in front of her. In all her years, she had always poured drinks for others. No one had ever poured one for her.
The act made her freeze—her mind blank.
Then Logan raised his glass. "I'll leave the rest to you… Teacher Iwamine."
The word "teacher" shattered her frozen thoughts. Her chest swelled with emotion.
Genmako raised her glass, clinked it gently against Logan's, and drank it all in one go.
Tears slid down her cheeks and mixed with the wine, but she didn't wipe them away.
All she could feel—
Was unparalleled sweetness.
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