章 133: Chapter 133: Mission Complete, Prelude of Returning to the Village

Jiraiya and Yuto were not very familiar with each other. Throughout the war, they often fought on different fronts, rarely meeting.

Their interaction was quite formal and businesslike. Yuto organized the collected data methodically, and Jiraiya, without any airs, accepted it harmoniously.

As their meeting concluded, Jiraiya felt a bit weary. He stretched, walked outside, and leaned on the railing, gazing into the distance.

His broad back and wet white hair clung to his clothes, making him look like a solemn statue.

"Yuto-kun," Jiraiya suddenly spoke, "how's your sensei doing lately?"

"She's in quite a good mood."

Yuto thought about the secret games with the blonde woman. Even the briefest touch between them, as fleeting as it was, Yuto's Byakugan could capture the faint blush that spread across Tsunade's delicate skin.

"Actually, she's in a very good mood," Yuto added.

Jiraiya sighed, "You've had a tough time, Yuto-kun. Your sensei is strong, but she also needs care. When you return to the village, please convey... oh, never mind. Don't pass on any message. Happiness is not something a woman should seek."

Jiraiya shrugged and continued staring into the distance, "In that direction lies Amegakure. Perhaps Nagato is watching us too."

"Yuto-kun, you have met Nagato and even delivered messages for them. Do you think we ever had a chance to avoid this conflict?"

Yuto stepped forward, also letting himself get drenched by the rain, but said nothing.

Jiraiya fell silent again. He didn't expect Yuto to console him. As one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya knew that the chances of reconciling Konoha and Akatsuki were slim.

'Nagato, are you the Child of Prophecy as the Toad Sage foretold? Perhaps the current you will drag the shinobi world into the abyss...'

Jiraiya kept staring in the direction of Amegakure, his gaze unwavering.

...

Yuto donned a raincoat and left the Konoha camp.

In six hours, dawn would break. By then, he would lead the wounded and a group of battle-worn shinobi back to the village.

After the Moon God encirclement battle, the shinobi secretly spying on him gradually withdrew. Today, Jiraiya officially took over as deputy commander, allowing Yuto to relax and handle his personal affairs before leaving.

He wore his raincoat, walked through the frost-covered forest for a long time, taking a detour to the agreed location.

Kitsu Yoshihiro was already waiting there.

"You are too flamboyant," Yuto said, rubbing his forehead with a wry smile. "Yesterday, I received a battle report saying you used your jutsu to skewer Konoha and Suna shinobi like candied fruits, turning the place into a bloodbath. Konoha is planning an attack on you. Be careful."

"I know what I'm doing," Kitsu replied nonchalantly. He looked like a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy with a gentle appearance but aggressive actions. "Such provocations won't be tolerated by the major shinobi villages. They will come to kill me. When that happens, I'll just slaughter them all. With Nagato covering me, I can quickly grow in battle, reaching the level where you can devour me."

"You really want me to devour you?"

"Every moment, every second."

"Why..." Yuto was curious.

"Why?" Kitsu Yukihiro was stunned for a moment, frowning. "If you ask me why... I don't know."

"Think about it. Even if someone doesn't know the meaning of life, they wouldn't commit suicide for no reason."

"Living is the meaning. The meaning is living."

"Do you understand? I am... incomplete."

"To me, nothing is more meaningful than growing quickly and being devoured by you."

Yuto was suddenly flattered, "I didn't expect my status to be so great in your eyes."

Kitsu rolled his eyes, "Thanking me is as pointless as bowing to your own pinky finger."

"Haha..." Yuto laughed and advised, "I just wanted to tell you to be cautious, but since you have a plan, I won't interfere."

"Don't be too optimistic, main body," Kitsu said softly. "My ultimate goal is to be successfully devoured by you. I don't care about anything else. No matter how big the trouble, I don't mind. At least, that's what I think."

Yuto waved his hand and turned to leave, "As long as you know what you're doing. Who knows when we'll meet again. Take care of yourself."

"I hope next time we meet, you'll devour me."

...

After parting with the Senju clone, Yuto went to the underground base alone, organized the experimental potions and materials, cleaned the floor and walls, and sprinkled desiccants and insect repellents.

Finally, he moved the medical tanks containing Meiko and Shinosuke to the Shikkotsu Forest for easy access.

Due to the creation of the Senju clone and Konoha's "enhanced protection of the Byakugan" policy, he had only obtained three corpses of his clan's Genin during this period. He couldn't make the God's Mask and had to put it aside for now.

After finishing everything, Yuto returned to the Konoha camp as dawn approached.

He lay down for a short while before Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki arrived.

"Yuto-kun," Kushina handed him a package, "These are sweets and trinkets I collected in the Land of Rain. Please give them to Tsunade-sama."

"Sure."

Minato Namikaze put his arm around Yuto's shoulder, smiling as he turned back, "I need to have a word with Yuto-kun."

Then he pulled the white-eyed boy into the room, whispering mysteriously, "Yuto-kun, I have a favor to ask."

"Minato-senpai, just say it."

"I plan to marry Kushina."

"Huh? Oh! That's great news! A battlefield wedding?"

"Yes, Kushina often comes to my command office. As a man, letting this ambiguous situation continue would be irresponsible." Minato's blue eyes flashed with anticipation and happiness. "According to the traditions of the Land of Fire, we will invite a female companion and a male companion. Kushina will write to Tsunade-sama about this, and for the male companion, I want you."

Suddenly, Yuto felt a bit complicated.

'In Minato's eyes, am I already someone he can discuss such matters with...'

Thinking it over, although Minato was popular in the village, he had no true life-and-death friends. No one had ever put the user of the Flying Thunder God in mortal danger.

Yuto was Minato's direct subordinate, having followed him from the eastern to the western front. Moreover, he would be fifteen in a few months, barely suitable in age. There really wasn't a more fitting person in Konoha.

"Alright, Minato-senpai," Yuto nodded, hesitated for a moment, and softly said, "May you always be together."

(End of Chapter)