Chapter 123 – The Journey
"Little kitten, you shouldn't be picking a fight. Just go back. I've got other things to take care of, and I'd rather not get angry," Hatake Yusuke said with a faint smile.
"Human… who exactly are you? Why does your presence feel… so familiar?" The voice of the Two-Tails, Matatabi, echoed in Yusuke's mind.
'Oh? Your senses are sharper than that octopus guy's. Return to your slumber. The child spoken of by the Sage of Six Paths has yet to appear. Stop stirring up trouble. I've already given the octopus a good lesson,' Yusuke responded inwardly.
"I see… But… was the old man's prophecy true?" Matatabi asked, her voice filled with doubt.
"Of course it is. The child capable of calling you all by name will appear soon. Just wait a little longer," Yusuke said calmly in his thoughts.
"…Understood." Matatabi's chakra began to recede.
Her massive form shimmered and shrank, eventually transforming into a blonde-haired woman radiating a strong yet serene presence.
"Well then, Uncle Raikage. That's settled. Now, hand over the Black Lightning," Yusuke said without missing a beat.
"Follow me," the Raikage replied in a low voice, leading Yusuke into a side room. He opened a drawer and pulled out a scroll.
"Just as I thought. You're as generous as ever, Uncle Raikage. Well then, I'll be going. Don't miss me too much," Yusuke said with a cheeky grin.
"Hold it. The woman with you… Isn't she Princess Tsunade of Konoha?" Raikage's tone sharpened.
"She is. Got a problem with that?" Yusuke narrowed his eyes. His expression remained light, but no one could read his true intent.
"You injured Darui. Badly. And in this entire shinobi world, only Tsunade from Konoha might be able to fully heal him," Raikage said, his words firm.
"Oh, that? Treatment fees don't come cheap, Uncle," Yusuke replied with a mischievous smile. He knew full well how badly he had wrecked Darui using a mix of Conqueror's Haki and Monster Strength.
Tsunade alone had become Hokage with just her raw strength. With Conqueror's Haki added, Darui's injuries were bound to be catastrophic.
"What do you want?" Raikage asked, trying hard to suppress his anger.
"Hmm… twenty servings? No, make that fifty servings of Yukigakure's special manju—soybean paste and cream flavor!" Yusuke declared with a straight face.
"What?!" Raikage and the surrounding shinobi, including Samui, stared in disbelief.
"Fifty. Not a single one less. Or I'm leaving," Yusuke repeated, this time dead serious.
"…Fine. I agree," Raikage muttered, not expecting negotiations to turn into something this ridiculous.
"Deal."
Raikage escorted Yusuke to the medical ward, where Darui lay resting.
"Raikage-sama… you came," Darui tried to sit up.
"No need to get up," Raikage said, waving him down.
"Princess Tsunade, if you would—"
"Who said I agreed? Get someone else," Tsunade cut him off. She knew Yusuke's abilities far surpassed her own medical ninjutsu.
"What do you mean?" Raikage frowned.
"Relax. Leave this to me," Yusuke said with a grin.
"Blue Flame of Resurrection."
A pale blue flame flickered in Yusuke's palm. He gently tossed it toward Darui's body, enveloping him in glowing fire.
"You bastard! What are you doing?!" Raikage lunged, lightning crackling around him.
But Yusuke calmly activated his Limitless Technique, redirecting the attack with a wave of his hand, sending Raikage skidding backward.
"Water Style: Water Colliding Wave!"
A nearby shinobi tried to extinguish the flames with a water jutsu, but it had no effect. The blue fire remained, burning gently.
"You brat! You broke our deal!" Raikage roared, lightning surging through his body once again.
"Raikage-sama, wait!" Darui suddenly shouted. "These flames… they're warm. I can feel my body healing."
"What…?" Raikage's eyes widened in disbelief as Darui's grievous wounds visibly began to mend.
"You're so dramatic," Tsunade muttered, shaking her head.
"Hmph." Raikage snorted like a sulking child.
"Get those fifty manju from Yukigakure—now!" he ordered his assistant.
"Don't forget! Soybean paste and cream!" Yusuke added cheerfully.
A few moments later, a shinobi returned with a large box filled with the special manju. Yusuke accepted them with glee and prepared to leave.
"Well then! Farewell, people of Kumogakure! Thank you for the snacks, Uncle Raikage. I'll be sure to visit again. The food here is amazing!" Yusuke said with a wide smile, waving while the shinobi around him looked on with mixed feelings of awe and disgust.
And with that, Yusuke and Tsunade vanished from sight, using Space-Time Ninjutsu.
"Space-time techniques really are convenient," Tsunade said as they landed back in Konoha.
"Yeah, though I find them a bit boring. Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination," Yusuke replied, waving lazily at the wind.
"Tch. You sound like an old man," Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"I'm serious. Life—from birth to death—is just a journey through scenery. If it weren't, why would we be born into a world so full of suffering?" he said with a somber tone.
"…Still, I don't understand why you went through all that trouble just for manju. Don't tell me that's your only reason," Tsunade sighed.
"It's simple. I like Kumogakure's vibe. They're rough, sure, but they're honest. Want a bite?" Yusuke offered her a manju.
Tsunade blushed slightly, then took a bite.
"…It's good. Didn't expect Kumogakure to have something this tasty," she admitted while chewing.
"Told you," Yusuke chuckled.
"But you like the vibe? They're all muscles and more muscles," Tsunade teased.
"And that's what makes them different. Kumogakure is strong, but their hearts are clean. They're loyal to Raikage, and he leads them with fairness. No politics. Skill is respected, period. Not like Konoha... full of snakes in disguise and parasites," Yusuke muttered with a sigh.
"Yeah… Konoha today isn't what it used to be. My grandfather would be heartbroken to see it like this," Tsunade said sadly.
"You mean the First Hokage? What was his real dream?"
"He just wanted peace. He dreamed of building a village—a home for everyone," she replied softly.
"But he was too naive. Both Hashirama and Madara had the power to crush every enemy. But peace... peace only lasted so long. Where there are people, there's always a thirst for power," Yusuke said plainly.
"…Maybe his dream was never meant to be realized," Tsunade murmured.
"No. It can be. Peace will come," Yusuke said firmly.
"…You believe that?"
"I do. And I believe we'll see it together. Come, Tsuna-chan. Let's go see the world," he said with a warm smile.
"…Alright. I want to see this world too. To walk beside you through its mountains and rivers," Tsunade replied with a soft smile.
"I'll talk to Father and Kakashi, then we'll head out."
"Okay."
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