The night air was cool, and the evening breeze rustled through the tree behind Kaoru , making a soft, whispering sound.
Her golden hair swayed gently in the wind.
Even though it was already late, Kaoru was still at the training ground.
Now that Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Kushina, and Hiruzen Sarutobi were all helping her develop Paper Release, it was no longer just her own matter.
Without realizing it, she had begun carrying all of their expectations.
Try a ratio of 1.25 to 8.75 for Water and Earth chakra this time…
Just as Kaoru continued her training, Kyūsei appeared beside her at some point, carrying a lunchbox.
He sat quietly to the side, watching her without disturbing her.
As time passed, Kaoru slowly opened her eyes and looked at the lump of mud in her hand with a hint of disappointment.
Another failure.
"It's fine."
"Paper Release isn't something you master overnight."
"Relax a bit."
"Eat first."
Seeing she had stopped, Kyūsei opened the lunchbox and handed it to her.
"Mm…"
Kaoru took it, still a little downcast.
But when she looked inside, she froze.
Golden eggs. Red tomatoes.
"…What's wrong?"
Kyūsei scratched his head, confused.
Kaoru slowly looked up, as if coming back from a distant memory, then shook her head.
"No… it's nothing."
A soft smile appeared on her face.
"I remember the first time you cooked for me… it was tomato and scrambled eggs too."
"Seeing this just now… reminded me of that time…"
She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite.
The egg, coated in the red sauce, melted in her mouth.
Sweet. Sour.
The warmth of the food filled her senses.
"Wen Nuan."
"Hm?"
Kyūsei responded instinctively.
Then paused.
Wait—that wasn't right.
Only Kaoru knew his real name.
Well… and the Nine-Tails inside him. And Senju Hashirama in the necklace.
"Hehe~~"
He turned his head.
Kaoru was smiling mischievously.
Kyūsei sighed helplessly, then reached out and gently patted her head.
Kaoru leaned into his hand like a small cat, rubbing against it while still holding her chopsticks.
Before long, she finished dinner and returned to her training.
Kyūsei stayed by her side.
He didn't leave.
The moon traced its path across the night sky.
Then dawn slowly broke.
—
Kyūsei felt something tickling his nose.
It was itchy.
Half-asleep, he opened his eyes—
And saw a blue paper crane hovering in front of him, pecking at his nose.
…Where did a paper crane come from?
Wait.
A paper crane?
His eyes snapped fully open.
He looked around—
The air was filled with paper cranes of every color, circling him.
Blue. Red. Yellow. Orange. White. Purple. Green…
And in front of him—
A golden-haired girl stood against the rising sun, smiling brightly.
This was—
She succeeded?
In less than five days… she had already mastered Paper Release?
"Kaoru …"
"You did it…"
—
Hokage Building – Office
A black hawk cut through the sky like an arrow and landed on the office window.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, as usual, removed the letter tied to its leg.
But the moment he read it—
His expression darkened.
The letter was from Akatsuki.
From Uchiha Hikari.
Uchiha Hikari:
Third Hokage,
The current state of the ninja world is divided between two powers—Akatsuki and Zanyang. Though things may appear stable on the surface, irreconcilable conflicts still remain between us.
The previous war has brought devastation and suffering—something no one wishes to see repeated.
Recently, tensions have once again begun to rise.
Therefore, in order to ensure long-term peace and development, I propose a negotiation regarding the future of peace.
Let us work together to build a better world.
I hope the Third Hokage will consider the well-being of all and attend in person.
The Raikage and Tsuchikage will also be present.
Each party may bring two guards. I hope the Hokage will do the same.
I look forward to meeting you in five days, in the Land of Iron.
—Uchiha Hikari
After reading the letter, Hiruzen sat in silence.
They had just clashed.
Hatake Sakumo had died due to their schemes.
And now they were talking about peace?
Ridiculous.
A banquet is never without purpose.
A meeting is never without hidden intent.
If they truly wanted peace, they would have sent a representative directly to Konoha.
Hiruzen tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, frowning deeply.
He let out a long sigh.
His aged hand pressed against his chest.
It still ached faintly.
During the surprise attack on Sunagakure, he had been poisoned by Chiyo's toxins.
Though Tsunade had treated him quickly—
He was still old.
And after recovering, he had immediately led Jiraiya in an assault on Kumogakure.
Recently, he hadn't had a single proper night's sleep.
Handling government affairs was becoming increasingly exhausting.
Perhaps… it's time to choose the Fourth Hokage…
As for this so-called peace meeting—
He had no intention of attending.
Uchiha Hikari had the ability to alter memories.
Go there?
Just to become an enemy of his own people?
What a joke.
—
Just as Hiruzen made up his mind—
An orange paper crane fluttered into the room.
Under his watchful gaze, it unfolded into a letter.
Only a few words were written.
Old man,
Kaoru has mastered Paper Release.
Fire and Wind integration is progressing at the same time.
Prepare the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags.
—
Kyūsei's tone.
Seeing those words, the heaviness in Hiruzen's heart instantly lifted.
With a chuckle, he pulled out a scroll from his drawer—
One he had already prepared.
The scroll of Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags.
Kaoru mastering Paper Release was excellent news.
As for Fire and Wind—
That wouldn't take long.
After all, she had already mastered both their nature and shape transformations.
Hiruzen trusted her talent.
But now that Paper Release was complete—
The next step was clear.
Regroup.
Return to the Dragon Vein.
Even if they couldn't seize it—
They had to seal it temporarily.
…
Wait.
Didn't Uchiha Hikari's letter just say—
The Tsuchikage, the Raikage… and she herself—
Were all in the Land of Iron?
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