Chapter 10: Returning home

< after the events of the last chapter >

[Kagami P.O.V.]

Phew... We're finally done. After Ginkaku's death their morale went down making it easier for us to overwhelm them.

That pressure I felt during the fight it could only be Ryo. Why were they here? An where were they now?

I'm not too worried about them, they might be young but their power was undeniable.

"Koharu, Hiruzen we need to go assist the Lord Hokage." the three of us were the only ones still able to fight.

The whole Anbu group that had followed us secretly was wiped out. Somehow none of the original escort team died but Danzo and Homura were severly wounded and had to rest, Torifu was exhausted and could barely stand anymore.

We were about to make our way to the next battlefield when an enormous pressure pushed us back. All my insticts were telling me to turn around and run!

Is that Kinkaku?!

It doesn't matter who it is, I have a duty to uphold I need to go help.

We started flickering through the forrest when a massive amount of chakra was release cutting through trees and boulders as if it was butter.

The three of us couldn't believe what we just saw. We got pushed back by the wind the technique generated. There's no way someone could survive that attack. The question was who's attack was it?

It took us a while to recompose ourselves and continue, we still had to assist Lord Hokage!

But when we arrived all we saw was a gigantic crater and a young boy throwing up next to a dead body. I approached my puking and crying pupil. When I was close enough I was able to see the boy trembling and a kunai stuck inside the dead man's head.

His first kill. I see.

There was not much I could do to help. If he wants to become a shinobi then he'll have to overcome this.

"Kagami, I found the Lord Hokage and the Raikage! There is also another boy here unconsciouss." said Hiruzen.

Koharu added to that: "Here is another one. Aren't they part of your team Kagami?"

"They are, Hiruzen how are the Kages?" I rushed to his side after comfirming that my two pupils were very much alive.

"They'll survive but it will take them a while to fully heal. What a mess, this isn't the time to have Lord Hokage bedridden..."

Koharu put the Lord Hokage on her back while Hiruzen took care of the Raikage, I grabbed Eichi and Ryo each in one hand and went to Mikoto.

"Mikoto we need to leave, you did the right thing and I know you're still processing but there is no time now, we aren't safe here." I said grimly hoping that he would listen to me.

He simply nodded and cleaned his face up. He stood up taking one last glance at the dead body before following his team leader.

...

< 1 week later >

[Eichi P.O.V.]

I was lying in a hospital bed in Konohagakura. My whole body was a mess.

It looks like my body isn't fit enough to properly wield Zangetsu yet, well I had a 10 year old's body so that really doesn't surprise me.

It has been 2 days now since I awoke and oh god do I regret my decision to do that.

My mother had been scolding me non stop, on every occasion and the problem was I couldn't even fault her for that. Her 10 year old son suddenly disappeared and 2 days later gets brought back unconsciouss. I was out for 5 days, damn, it really took a toll on me.

Ryo and Mikoto had visited me yesterday telling me what happend after I passed out.

Tobirama-sensei was back at his office job as Hokage, he was still injured but it wasn't hindering his work.

After Hiruzen handed the Raikage over to the remaining Kumo-nin they thanked him with tears in their eyes. Looks they really like their Kage.

When he woke up he offered not only a truce but a long lasting alliance. He was thankful that the Konoha-nins not only killed the traitors but they even handed his defenseless body over without demanding anything in return. He thought that such actions could only deserve his respect and therefor pushed for a longlasting friendship between both villages.

Things were going well, Tobirama survived, Konoha was able to form a proper friendship with Kumo and I was finally able to unlock my shikai. It's even the true Zangetsu and not the restricted version! But the strain it put on my body was too great, I wish I could grow up faster!

I wasn't the only one that benefited from this. The fight against Kinkaku helped enlighten Ryo, apparently getting the shit beaten out of you is able to help you transform into your hybrid form. Who would've guessed? He even managed to learn hardening, it the color was still very weak but at least he got it now!

The problem was Mikoto... He was feeling useless. He had no role in the fight his weak physique didn't let him to approach Kinkaku the way we did.

Ryo told me that he was training everyday now to improve his physique, he even started actively learning to use his power in more efficient ways. Ryo said that he even asked Tobirama-sensei to teach him to use multiple jutsus like he does.

A sudden knock on the door taking me out of my thoughts.

"Come in."

I was preparing myself for yet another scolding session by my mother but thankfully it wasn't her that entered the room but Tobirama-sensei.

"How are you feeling?"

"A lot better now thanks."

Sitting down next to me he continued:

"Eichi. I'm quite conflicted you know...

On one hand the three of you left Konoha without permission, disobeyed my direct orders and entered a conflict you had no buisness with!

Yet... on the other hand I owe the three of you my life, and not only that but thanks to you we were able to forge a solid relationship with Kumogakure for now."

"I'd say the good outweights the bad by a lot no? Hehe" I knew he wanted to scold us but we did save the day.

"You're right, you have proven your worth to the village and once you're healed and at your peaks again, I'll send you to participate in the war to assist our troops.

I already talked to the other two morons about this so they are already informed, Kagami will go with you and will make sure you won't do something stupid again."

I was about to say something when he spoke again:

"Oh right your punishments will wait for after the war is over. Do look forward to it, i'll have plenty of time to come up with something until then. Hahaha", and laughing like a devil he left me alone in the room.

I had only one thought in my mind, we were doomed.