[Kirigakure]
Different from the desolation of a few days ago, from the sadness lingering in the thin mist, today the streets were bustling with noise and excitement, countless people came out from their homes, just for the chance to see up close that legendary head of the "Snake Sage."
The boy who used to sell information booklets on the street, now had changed jobs, working as a newsboy.
Taking advantage of his nimble body, he climbed up onto the roof of a house, rolled up a newspaper to use as a telescope, and looked toward the end of the street.
"They're here! Ryosuke… is back!"
On the street, everyone craned their necks, one after another rushing toward the village entrance to welcome.
Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shizune stood on the second floor of the hospital, looking out the window at Ryosuke among the crowd.
The thin mist was broken apart by the rushing people, and threads of bright yet gentle light fell onto Ryosuke, glowing brilliantly, yet not dazzling to the eye, like a Monet painting.
The brilliance was not his alone. Everyone standing beside him, everyone walking on this road, was also bathed in this gentle glow.
Kakashi's gaze fell on the giant snake head on the carriage, "Lady Tsunade, that… is that the White Snake Sage?"
"Yes, that's it."
Tsunade kneaded her shoulder.
She felt she'd been tricked into coming here to do hard labor, from the very first day she arrived in Kirigakure she hadn't gotten a chance to rest.
The good news was, among those injured in the Kumogakure attack, not a single person had actually died. Even the most severely wounded, Takeshi, had now been moved out of the critical emergency ward.
Tsunade summoned a miniature Katsuyu and placed it on her shoulder.
Normally always gentle, always polite in greeting others when summoned, today, it hadn't said a single word.
It stared fixedly at the White Snake Sage's head.
Tsunade asked, "Between your true body and the White Snake Sage, who is stronger?"
It said, "The White Snake and I walk on two completely different paths. It, for the sake of power, fused itself into the earth."
"Borrowing the strength of the earth, naturally it had to bear the corresponding price. So, its great strength carries a fatal flaw, the sky."
"It is born of the earth, it dies in the sky. That is its path."
The Slug Sage is different.
It does not pursue destruction, power, or immediate change.
What it seeks is the return of chaos to oneness, the beauty of the past. Therefore, its derived power is healing.
Of course, the Slug Sage can also smash with its massive body, or corrode with acid.
But compared to its vast natural vitality, that bit of destructive power is just like the White Snake Sage's ability to fly, no more than a little garnish, barely worth mentioning.
Tsunade nodded slightly. She felt she understood, "So what you mean is, you can't trouble Ryosuke with 'force' the way the White Snake Sage could."
"And Ryosuke can't kill you either. Once he's exhausted himself beating on you, you can still spit on him to disgust him."
It said, "Uh… more or less, that's what it means."
Shizune said softly, "Ryosuke is growing too fast. I really can't imagine… if one day Konoha became his enemy, how could we possibly stop him."
"No, no need to worry."
Tsunade's voice was steady, carrying an unquestionable calm. She looked at Ryosuke walking with the common people.
"If Konoha truly became his enemy, then most likely… Konoha must have done something terribly wrong."
"Just like that idiot Fourth Raikage. If Konoha had done nothing wrong, and without reason suffered Ryosuke's attack..."
Kakashi and Asuma looked toward Tsunade.
Tsunade smiled and said, "That kind of Ryosuke, would no longer be 'Ryosuke,' but only a monster with enormous power. Not worth fearing."
Kakashi and Asuma looked at Tsunade in surprise.
"Not even in office yet, and you can already say such pretty words, is that the natural gift of a Hokage?"
"Of course."
Tsunade proudly puffed out her chest, then rubbed her hands together, leaned close, and said, "So, Kakashi, can you lend me some money? Once I become Hokage, when I get my salary, I'll pay you back."
Kakashi, "…No!"
———
Ryosuke's great victory return naturally could not go without celebration.
But this time it wasn't like when Terumi Mei became Mizukage, sending invitations far and wide. Ryosuke by nature didn't like that.
Only a dozen or so familiar friends, including Asuma, Guy, Naruto and the others who had helped during the Kumogakure attack, attended the feast.
The banquet was held at Iwamine's tavern.
Cup after cup of good sake went down, and the izakaya's atmosphere grew lively at once.
Under everyone's urging, Sasuke jumped up on the table, gesturing with both hands, narrating for everyone how he and Ryosuke killed their way through Ryuchi Cave and Kumogakure, rushing in and out seven times.
Sasuke exaggerated with flourishes. Ryosuke listened with a helpless smile, but seeing everyone so enthusiastic, he didn't correct him. He picked up a piece of sushi, just about to eat it.
A dish of soy sauce, held in a pale hand, was passed over.
Ryosuke looked up, met Iwamine's smiling eyes.
"Thank you."
He dipped the soy sauce, put the sushi into his mouth.
"You're welcome. I'm not serving you for nothing, I have a request."
Ryosuke put down his chopsticks.
He had known Iwamine for some time. She always appeared without desire or demand. This was the first time he'd ever heard the word "request" from her lips.
"Please speak."
Iwamine sat kneeling on the tatami, back straight as a rod, determination written in her bright eyes. She bowed slowly,
"Mr. Ryosuke, I would like to ask for your permission, to allow me to serve as a 'teacher' and give lessons at the night school."
Ryosuke was stunned.
He hadn't expected that would be her request.
Iwamine, in order to become an oiran, had undergone strict training, well-read and educated. From a cultural level, she was far ahead of the villagers.
On top of that, given her past, she had a deep understanding of the darker side of this world. For her to take charge of classes on politics and social structure, from a rational standpoint, was more than suitable.
Mayuri had also recommended her to Ryosuke many times.
But in the past, Ryosuke had not brought it up with Iwamine. He knew, if he asked, she would most likely agree.
But that would be no different from forcing her to tear open, again and again, before countless strangers, those scars that had long since scabbed over.
"You've thought it through?"
Iwamine slowly straightened up, "Yes."
"In order to protect Sasuke, Mr. Takeshi staked his life, stood in front of a jinchūriki."
"In order to protect us, you fought to the death against the ancient White Snake Sage, faced off against Kumogakure."
"Compared to you two, my bit of cowardice is too despicable. I want to take one more step."
She quietly gazed at Ryosuke, carefully, very seriously.
'This way, I can be a little closer to you.'
Ryosuke nodded, lowered his head, and glanced at his empty cup. Iwamine realized, picked up the sake bottle, and was about to pour for him.
"I'll allow it."
Ryosuke took the bottle, poured for them both.
Iwamine stared dumbly at the cup.
For so many years, it was always her pouring for others. Never before had anyone poured for her. Her thoughts seemed frozen, for a moment she didn't know what she should do or say.
Ryosuke raised his cup.
"From here on, I leave it to you, Teacher Iwamine."
That one word, Teacher, melted her frozen thoughts, and along with them, melted her heart.
Iwamine picked up her cup, clinked lightly against Ryosuke's, and downed it in one go.
Tears fell together with the sake. She only felt... an incomparable sweetness.
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