Kirigakure.
Unlike the gloom and sadness shrouded in mist a few days ago.
Today, the streets are bustling with noise, and countless people have come out of their homes, just to get a close look at the head of the legendary "Snake Sage."
The boy who used to sell information booklets on the street has now changed jobs and become a newspaper boy.
He used his nimbleness to climb onto a house, rolled up the newspaper as a telescope, and looked towards the end of the street.
"They're here! Linto... is back!"
People on the street craned their necks, all welcoming him towards the entrance of the village.
Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shizune stood on the second floor of the hospital, looking at Linto in the crowd through the window.
The mist was shattered by the rushing crowd, and strands of bright and soft light fell on Linto, shining brightly, but not dazzling, like a Monet painting.
The brilliance was not exclusive to him; everyone standing beside him, everyone walking on this road, was illuminated by this soft light.
Kakashi's gaze fell on the huge snake head on the carriage: "Tsunade-sama, is that... the White Snake Sage?"
"Yes, that's it."
Tsunade rubbed her shoulders.
She felt like she had been tricked into doing hard labor. She hadn't had a break since the first day she arrived in Kirigakure.
The good news is that none of the victims of the Kumogakure attack actually died. Even Kohaku, who was the most seriously injured, is now out of intensive care.
Tsunade summoned a mini version of Katsuyu and placed it on her shoulder.
Katsuyu, who is always gentle and polite and greets everyone when summoned, did not say a word today.
It stared straight at the head of the White Snake Sage.
Tsunade asked, "Katsuyu, which is stronger, your main body or the White Snake Sage?"
Slug Katsuyu said, "White Snake and I are on completely different paths. It integrates itself into the earth for power.
Borrowing the power of the earth naturally requires bearing the corresponding price. Therefore, its power has a fatal flaw, which is the sky.
It is born of the earth and dies in the sky. That is its path."
But Slug Sage is different.
It does not pursue destruction, power, or immediate change.
It pursues the unity of chaos and the beauty of the past. Therefore, its derived power is healing.
Of course, Slug Sage can also crush people with its huge weight or corrode them with acid.
But this destructive power is like compared to its vast natural power, it's the same as the White Snake Sage being able to fly – just a little bonus.
Tsunade nodded slightly, she understood: "So you mean that you can't cause trouble for Linto in terms of 'force' like the White Snake Sage can.
Linto also can't kill you, and when he's tired of hitting you, you can still spit on him and disgust him."
Slug Katsuyu: "Uh... that's roughly the idea."
Shizune said softly, "Linto is growing too fast. I can't imagine how we would stop him if Konoha became his enemy one day."
"No, don't worry."
Tsunade's voice was steady, but with undeniable calmness. She looked at Linto walking with the common people.
"If Konoha becomes his enemy, it's probably because... Konoha did something very bad.
Just like that idiot Fourth Raikage. If Konoha didn't do anything wrong and was attacked by Linto for no reason—"
Kakashi and Asuma looked at Tsunade.
Tsunade smiled and said, "That kind of Linto would no longer be 'Linto,' just a monster with immense power, not worth fearing."
Kakashi and Asuma looked at Tsunade in surprise.
"You can say such nice things before you even take office. Is this the Hokage's talent?"
"Of course."
Tsunade proudly puffed out her chest, then rubbed her hands together and leaned over to say:
"So, Kakashi, can you lend me some money? I'll pay you back when I become Hokage and get paid."
Kakashi: "...No!"
…
Linto's triumphant return called for a celebration.
However, this time it wasn't like when Terumi Mei took office as Mizukage, inviting guests widely. Linto's personality didn't like that either.
Only a dozen familiar friends, including Asuma, Guy, Naruto, and others who helped during the Kumogakure attack, attended the banquet.
The banquet location was set at Iwamine Yako's bar.
With cups of fine wine, the atmosphere of the bar immediately became lively.
Under the urging of the crowd, Sasuke jumped onto the table, gesturing with his hands to explain to everyone how he and Linto rampaged in Ryuchi Cave and Kumogakure, going in and out seven times.
Sasuke's embellished descriptions made Linto laugh, but seeing everyone so excited, he didn't correct him, picking up a piece of sushi to put in his mouth.
A dish of soy sauce was handed over in a fair palm.
Linto looked up and met Iwamine Yako's smiling eyes.
"Thank you."
He dipped the sushi in soy sauce and put it in his mouth.
"You're welcome. I'm not just trying to please you for nothing. I have something to ask."
Linto put down his chopsticks.
Linto and Iwamine Yako had known each other for some time. She had always seemed to have no desires, and this was the first time he had heard the word "ask" from her.
"Please speak."
Iwamine Yako knelt on the tatami, her back straight, determination written in her bright eyes. She bowed slowly:
"Mr. Linto, I would like to ask for your permission to be able to teach at the night school as a 'teacher'."
Linto was stunned.
He didn't expect her request to be this.
Iwamine Yako had undergone strict training to become a courtesan, and was well-read. In terms of literacy, she was far superior to the people of Hope Village.
In addition, with her past background, she could understand the dark side of this world more deeply. It would be more than appropriate for her to be responsible for courses on politics and social structures from a rational point of view.
Mayuri had also recommended her to Linto many times.
In the past, Linto had not asked Iwamine Yako. He knew that she would probably agree if he asked, but that would be tantamount to tearing open her past scars, which had already crusted over, again and again in front of countless strangers.
"Have you thought it over?"
Iwamine Yako slowly straightened up: "Yes."
"To protect Sasuke, Mr. Kohaku bet his life and stood in front of a Jinchuriki.
To protect us, you fought with the ancient White Snake Sage and confronted Kumogakure."
"Compared to the two of you, my cowardice is too vile. I want to take another step."
She quietly looked at Linto, carefully and seriously.
"This way, I can be closer to you."
Linto nodded, looked down at the empty wine glass. Iwamine Yako reacted and picked up the wine bottle to help him pour wine.
"I'll do it."
Linto took the wine bottle and poured a glass for each of them.
Iwamine Yako stared blankly at the wine glass.
For so many years, she had always poured wine for others, and no one had ever poured wine for her. Her mind seemed to be frozen, and for a moment she didn't know what to do or say.
Linto raised his glass.
"I'm counting on you in the future, Teacher Iwamine."
This "teacher" melted her frozen thoughts, and with it, her heart melted.
Iwamine Yako picked up her glass, gently clinked glasses with Linto, and drank it all in one gulp.
Tears and wine fell together, she only felt...
Unparalleled sweetness.
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