The rain gradually ceased, leaving only the residual sound of water dripping from the eaves.
Inside the hut, Konan was focused on folding a blank sheet of paper into a complex flower shape, seemingly out of thin air.
Her kekkei genkai allowed her not only to transform her body into paper but also to directly manipulate other paper—a composite ability combining physical transformation and elemental release.
Therefore, besides Yang Release training, Hii Kōri had devised an additional exercise program for her. For example, using only telekinetic chakra manipulation to fold paper into various complex shapes without using her hands.
A person's energy is limited. Even Hii Kōri, who no longer slept and could divide his thinking, couldn't master every skill.
Compared to Yang Release—which couldn't be rapidly improved and required years of painstaking effort—prioritizing paper manipulation skills and chakra control precision became the fastest way for Konan to increase her strength.
This would not only improve her proficiency in conventional combat methods like Wind and Water Releases but also make her paper ninjutsu—her trump card—more precise and stealthy.
Hanzō had repeatedly been held up by Hii Kōri as a negative example of a 'ninja whose methods had been figured out.' Konan and the others were quite impressed by this.
If the abilities you master aren't the type difficult to counter, don't let too many people know about them.
Honestly, this level of chakra control was indeed too difficult for children who had only been studying ninjutsu for a few months. But Konan, who already loved origami, quite enjoyed it.
Moreover, she didn't want to disappoint her teacher.
Nagato's rapid ascent to peak chūnin realm in less than half a year was thanks not only to his talent but also significantly to those Rinnegan.
While Yahiko and Konan weren't mediocre, they were somewhat inferior to Nagato. They were somewhat aware of this, but not particularly anxious.
After several mistakes, nearly crumbling the paper, Konan pouted and decided to rest before continuing. But before she could rest long on the table, she suddenly felt a tremor.
"Huh? Teacher's back!"
Her clear, almost transparent gray eyes widened slightly. With a little hop, Konan jumped down from the slightly too-high stool and called out to Yahiko and Nagato, who were huddled together studying Water Release notes.
The paper crane charm she'd given Hii Kōri before he left was actually made from paper formed from her hair. Within a certain distance, she could naturally sense it.
Though Konan had initially harbored only a little secret hope, being able to confirm Teacher's return early was enough to make the simple girl feel joy.
Patapatapa—the girl ran to the door. Yahiko and Nagato followed closely, pressing against the gap left in the door to look outside. A figure was unhurriedly crossing the sparse woodland toward the hut.
Though his loose clothing from before departure had somehow been changed, Hii Kōri's white-streaked red hair was quite conspicuous in the dim, rainy day.
After theatrically judging for a moment, the three children happily pushed open the wooden door and trotted out to greet their teacher.
"Teacher, you're back!"
Konan's voice carried obvious joy as she clingingly hugged his waist.
Hii Kōri stopped, habitually reaching up to ruffle her hair: "You child... didn't I tell you not to run around?"
"But I sensed Teacher..." Konan explained softly, not letting go at all.
Yahiko, who considered himself a man, and the reserved Nagato naturally weren't so clingy. But the former also looked at Hii Kōri expectantly: "Teacher, is your business finished?"
Clearly, four or five days of free activities had left Yahiko, already accustomed to studying, bored to death.
"Mm, it's more or less settled for now. But lessons won't resume anytime soon."
Hii Kōri knew exactly what Yahiko was thinking. Holding Konan's hand, he patted Nagato's back with the other as they walked toward the hut, responding.
"I mentioned before that I came here to find someone. Though the process was much more troublesome than expected, my objective has tentatively been achieved."
Back inside, Hii Kōri casually pulled over a chair, lazily sprawled in it, staring at the ceiling.
Seeing Teacher so tired for the first time, the three children considerately poured a cup of warm water and placed it by his hand.
"So, Teacher, are you taking us back to Suna now?"
Yahiko blinked, naturally understanding Hii Kōri's meaning.
"Hmm... plans might have changed a bit. I need to return to the front lines first, then assess the situation to arrange someone to escort you to Suna."
Downing the water in one gulp, Hii Kōri let out a long breath. He tapped the floor with his heel, and his shadow rippled like water disturbed by a stone.
Dark ripples spread. Then, Tsunade, tightly bound with black ropes, was 'spat out' by the shadow.
Hands tied behind her back, firmly restrained from head to toe, the disheveled kunōichi squirmed on the floor like a caterpillar. Even with her mouth gagged, her anger could be read from her muffled whimpers and glare.
Probably cursing Hii Kōri's 'going back on his word'—hadn't he said earlier there was no need to lock her up? Then he turned around and had his clone bind her like this.
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were all stunned by this sudden scene. Their eyes darted between Tsunade and Hii Kōri, momentarily at a loss for words.
Of course, the three children recognized Tsunade. In fact, they had witnessed the Sanin's battle with Hanzō, which was why they'd tried to chase the Konoha ninjas to learn ninjutsu.
Everyone knows what happened next—they didn't catch the Sanin, got lost in the wilderness, and were eventually found by Hii Kōri.
And now, to 'reunite' like this—even children could feel how complicated this was.
"Teacher? This is..."
"Consider it spoils of war? Or perhaps 'bonus' is more appropriate."
Hii Kōri, having poured himself two more glasses of water and downed them in one go, sounded somewhat complicated. After all, his original target had only been Katō Dan—he never imagined things would escalate to this point. Capturing Tsunade was truly an unexpected bonus.
"Thanks to her, this war should end soon."
Leaning against the sink, Hii Kōri thought for a moment and added: "I'll explain the details later. You'll probably be spending quite some time with her inside my shadow. For now, get acquainted."
***
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