Chapter 38: Returning to Konoha

By the time Yuto saw Konoha in the distance, it had already been half a month since he left.

After acquiring the gold and silver from Takeda Takeshi, he exchanged the money that very night and purchased a large amount of chemical and medical supplies. He then established two more underground secret bases in the Land of Rain and the Land of Waterfalls.

Owl's body had been obliterated, leaving no trace behind, so there was no need for any special disposal. As for Takeda and Kaoru's bodies, Yuto buried both of them in the Land of Waterfalls, a place with massive waterfalls and mountains. According to his previous life's sayings, it had excellent feng shui. Maybe in the next life, they could become a pair of inseparable lovers.

The tasks seemed few but were quite tedious, requiring immense patience. Just finding Kaoru's corpse remains with his Byakugan took considerable effort from Yuto.

When he left the village, the snow reached his calves. Now, upon his return, spring buds had sprouted, and trees had new branches.

Winter in the world of shinobi had ended. It was now the early spring when everything began to grow again.

Smelling the faint fragrance of wildflowers and stepping on the slightly moist soil, Yuto walked towards the towering Hokage Rock, re-entering Konoha.

As soon as he passed through the gate, Yuto noticed an unsettling discord.

It was clearly the lively early spring, yet there was little joy in the village. Many people had furrowed brows, their steps heavy and hurried.

The winds of total war had finally blown to the most stable village, Konoha.

Sighing, the young branch member of the Hyuga clan walked straight into the Senju compound.

Half a year ago, upon returning from a mission, he first visited the Hyuga clan head and then reported to the Hokage. However, now, as Tsunade's disciple and having received her permission to leave the village temporarily for training, Yuto naturally went to find his teacher first upon returning.

Stepping into the Senju compound, he barely took a few steps before leaping into the air.

The next moment, a deep pit appeared where he had just stood.

A blonde woman smashed her hand into the ground, the resulting stones flying with more force than a standard shinobi's kunai throw.

"What a peculiar welcoming ceremony, Tsunade-sensei!"

Yuto grinned and charged at Tsunade, throwing a punch.

Boom...

Yuto had reached a decent level of Chakra Enhanced Strength, making their battle seem earth-shaking. Dust rose throughout the Senju compound, and several buildings collapsed.

In the end, Tsunade was still superior. Using a technique akin to gentle fist, she subdued Yuto, pinning his arms behind him and pressing him down while panting heavily.

"You've gotten a lot stronger, kid..."

A strand of her blonde hair fell onto Yuto's cheek, tickling him.

Yuto chuckled, "Sensei is one of the Legendary Sannin, a mountain I could never hope to surpass."

"Cut the flattery..." Tsunade snorted, releasing his arms. She scrutinized her disciple carefully.

"You've grown quite a bit taller since you left... Well, you're only thirteen, still growing."

"Not as tall as Sensei."

"Your timing, the rhythm of your strikes, and the control of your chakra bursts are vastly improved compared to a few months ago. More importantly, your fists are much harder. You've been training diligently, Yuto."

"Not as hard as Sensei's."

"Hmph..." Tsunade grinned mischievously, messing up his hair. "People say the Hyuga prodigy is calm and composed. I see everyone's been fooled by you, little rascal."

Yuto, now standing at Tsunade's ear level, felt most comfortable with the height difference. Tsunade, like a delinquent girl, slung her arm around his shoulder as they walked to her place.

"Tell me, Yuto," Tsunade said, sitting on the tatami mat, leaning back on her arms. "Who wanted to send a letter to Jiraiya?"

Yuto tidied his hair and replied, "The leaders of the Akatsuki organization in Amegakure: Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato."

Tsunade tilted her head. "I don't know them."

Yuto described their appearances, triggering her memory of the three orphans they encountered during the Second Shinobi War in Amegakure.

"Those poor kids... I didn't expect them to become capable shinobi."

"Sensei, what is Jiraiya-sama's relationship with Yahiko and the others?"

"Jiraiya stayed in the Land of Rain for a while and taught them." Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "The letter has already been delivered to Jiraiya by a reliable person. He appreciates your help."

"Oh..." Yuto blinked.

'Just a thank you? Wait, that's not right. Jiraiya, known as the Gallant, was generous and wealthy. Delivering a letter might be a small favor, but a mere verbal thanks? He should at least treat me to a lavish meal...'

Yuto might never know that Jiraiya's 'thank you gift' had already arrived at the Senju compound a few days ago.

Tsunade, upon receiving it, was infuriated.

Jiraiya's gift was none other than the manuscript of his work, "Icha Icha paradise"!

Although not yet published, the draft showcased vibrant language, exquisite illustrations, and bold, unrestrained techniques, setting a new precedent in the shinobi world.

Tsunade tore the book apart in anger.

'Damn Jiraiya, can't you be serious? My disciple is only thirteen! Such an innocent boy, pure as a blank sheet! And you send him this kind of material...'

Clearly, he wasn't beaten enough.

Tsunade thought, clearing her throat before continuing, "Let's put Jiraiya aside for now. How's the development of your new jutsu?"

"Almost complete. The offensive part is fully developed; only the defensive part remains."

As Yuto spoke, he unwrapped the bandages on his arms, revealing scarred skin.

"Using it once destroys seventy percent of the skin and fractures the bones. Using it a second time will likely evaporate all blood and dehydrate muscles completely... If used a third time consecutively, I'll lose the entire arm."

Tsunade straightened, examining his arm. As a master of medical ninjutsu, she could infer the jutsu's immense power just from the scars.

"Show me the jutsu on the back mountain tomorrow morning," she said seriously. "Leave the rest to me."

TN: I just found out, "Icha Icha paradise" translates to "Make-Out Paradise" in English LoL

(End of Chapter)