3.44

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It was only after the fact that I realized what had happened.

Jibiki Funato, Third Mizukage of Kirigakure, was old. Too old.

Some of the geezers in Naruto had been shown to still be quite strong in their elder years, especially Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, and Danzo Shimura, who were still strong among Kage-level figures despite their old age. But even them had grown weaker.

As for Jibiki, he was older than them both. He was of Hashirama and Madara's generation. After all, he had been a bodyguard for the First Mizukage. Maybe he was a bit younger, but to be the Mizukage's bodyguard he had to be quite strong.

And even Madara, by the end of the Third War, was too old to fight. But since Jibiki was still the Mizukage, I didn't think of his age.

But the truth was that he was already several years beyond being capable of fighting any real battle. Well, at least he had a worthy death, as others did not see a geezer incapable of fighting, but an absolute monster who killed a Kage in a single attack.

After that, Jibiki's men did not even try to continue fighting as they immediately surrendered. Their siege on me had already lost them some of their best men, so they were outnumbered by my men. Moreover, as I had killed their Mizukage, nothing stopped me from joining the fight.

A day had passed since then, and along with numerous changes in Kiri, the news had already started spreading to the rest of the world.

The peace had finally been cemented. If others doubted of the Akatsuki before, what I had done should be more than enough to turn the Akatsuki into something to fear.

As for me, having done what I come to do, I had left the village upon the agreed time. The way Sumichi's crew looked at me had changed though. They knew I was strong before, but I felt like a monster now.

Having heard of my previous achievements, Sumichi was not that much different from before though.

"It's a pirate thing to steal a treasure from a country." she commented, holding the rudder of the Flower Princess.

Holding onto Samehada, my eyes closed, I replied, "It's not theft if they agreed to give it to me."

She snorted in response, "It is theft if you don't leave them a choice."

I would have argued that I did, but it was true that they could hardly say no to me after what I did. So I instead said, "Borrowing this for a few months is hardly payment enough for what I did for them."

"Don't you do this for the selfless grand purpose of world peace?"

I paused, as I realized she got me, "Fine, I'm an evil thief. Now let me focus on my training."

She softly snorted, but said nothing as I focused on Samehada's draining force.

When I left Kiri, I also asked to borrow Samehada for a few months, until I would leave this world, when I would have someone bring the sword back to them.

I did not borrow it to use it, of course, I was satisfied with Shiroishi. The reason I brought it was to study Samehada's power.

My Force Draining was, just like in the Star Wars universe, limited to absorbing lifeforce. However, I believed that with training, I should be able to extend that absorption to Spiritual Energy.

The reason it never went beyond lifeforce, or Physical Energy, in the Star Wars universe was probably that there was no need for it, as Spiritual Energy might not even be a thing in that or Universe, or an ill explored one.

But since the Force interacted with Spiritual Energy, for me at least, then there was no reason for me not to be able to improve the Force Drain ability.

---

After a few hours of sailing, we reached the Land of Fire, as Sumichi had proposed to directly drop me there to shorten my journey.

Then, I walked all the way to the center of the country, where the legendary Konohagakure was.

The Hidden Leaf Villages was surrounded by a tall, circular wall, and quite gigantic. It was larger than Kiri, at least.

Walking to the gate, two Chunins of the Hidden Leaf there to write down everyone who came in and out of the village sat. But the moment they saw my robes, they started furiously scribbling down. Then, one of the two got up and cautiously approached me, despite my smile, and said, "Welcome to Konohagakure, Sir. You did not notify us of your arrival."

I looked at him in surprise as I asked, "You know me?"

He made an awkward smile as he replied, "Of course I do."

I nodded, and asked, "Is it a problem if I didn't announce my visit?"

I didn't intend on being threatening, but he paled nonetheless, quickly answering, "Of course not! But you should probably go see Lord Hokage. Guests of status such as yours-"

I waved my hand, making him stop, and I said, "It's fine, I will see him. I suppose he is in the Hokage Tower?"

The Chunin nodded, and I walked away, somewhat pacifying the two. Well, last time I got to a village, I killed the Kage, so them being at least a bit worried was to be expected I guess.

I took my time though as I walked through the village, taking a good look at the city. I received quite a few gazes, as while most people didn't know who I was, everyone knew who the Akatsuki was, as we had members in every village. They probably also knew that the more clouds someone had, the higher ranked they were.

By the time I reached the Hokage's tower, I felt several presences tailing me, but I did not really take offense to that.

Walking into the tower, I was greeted by a receptionist, who informed me, "Lord Hokage is waiting for you, Sir."

I nodded, and entered the office.

It was just like in the anime. Rather small, with a desk in the middle and windows behind that looked over the village.

Standing beside those windows, was Minato Namikaze, who had become the Fourth Hokage since we last saw each other.

He looked at me with a smile as he greeted, "Welcome to Konoha. How do you find the village so far?"

I smiled back, replying, "Great. It's good to finally see the sun for once, after a year spent in the snow of the Land of Iron."

Minato grew serious as he commented, "This was not your first destination though."

Seeing how tense he was, I decided to reassure him with an easygoing answer, "Kiri was stormy, unfortunately. But yes, you must be wondering why I am here."

"Guilty as charged."

I chortled, and revealed, "Nothing serious. With the last threats to the peace eliminated, I want to experience the world. That's why I would like to live in Konoha for the next few months."

Minato looked genuinely surprised at my words, before he chuckled himself, "I definitely did not expect that. But yes, of course, you are welcome to stay here. We would be honored to have you here."

He took a look outside, and added, "How about I show you around the village?"

I raised my hands, shaking my head, "Please don't, I don't want to take you away from your job."

However, Minato sent a despairing look at the pile of papers on his desk, and asked, "Are you sure?"

I snorted in amusement, and relented, "Fine, let me borrow some of your time and have you show me around the village."

Minato grinned, and practically skipped to the door, "Follow me!"

I rolled my eyes at the overly enthusiastic Hokage and followed him.