Now, Hidan wanted to escape—but that was a luxury he no longer had. Without warning, multiple fireballs materialized around him, their heat searing the air. In an instant, they exploded in succession, engulfing Hidan in a barrage of flames.
He tried to flee, but the fire clung to him like molten plaster.
Using his psychokinesis, Inoiki kept the flames burning and bound tightly to Hidan. This was one of the few methods known to possibly kill him.
Hidan screamed and cursed in agony the entire time, his voice grating and filled with fury—an unpleasant sound that grated on everyone's nerves.
To prevent the noise and heat from escaping, Inoiki erected an invisible barrier using psychokinesis. Within that barrier, the torment continued, but outside, there was silence and calm.
Kakashi, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, "Did you master some form of space-time ninjutsu? The teleportation you used just now—there's no way that was just raw speed."
Inoiki nodded. "You're right. When I was on the verge of death, I broke through to a new level with my psychokinesis. That allowed me to develop and master a form of space-time ninjutsu. It's what enables me to teleport."
He glanced at the ornate ice throne beneath him.
"Otherwise, how do you think I'm moving like this? My legs aren't even functional right now."
Kakashi nodded, confirming his earlier suspicion.
Naruto added, "It's good that you're back. We were all so sad, you know."
His signature "you know" at the end brought a familiar comfort.
Inoiki smiled at the sound of it.
Asuma chimed in, "You know, all of these guys were training like crazy, thinking you were dead. Just to avenge you."
Inoiki looked around at his friends, emotion in his voice.
"Thank you... truly. I don't know what else to say. I'm really touched."
For the next fifteen minutes, they talked and joked around, completely ignoring Hidan—still burning inside the psychokinetic barrier. Since no sound or heat escaped it, they didn't feel disturbed in the slightest.
During the conversation, they also learned about Inoiki's condition—how he was currently unable to use his legs due to his injuries. However, there was hope: Tsunade could definitely heal him. That news came as a great relief to everyone.
Finally, after those fifteen minutes had passed, Hidan was no more. His body had been reduced to nothing but charred remains—burned into charcoal by the relentless heat within the sealed space.
The death had been brutal. Hidan had spent the entire time trying to escape, pounding the barrier with all his strength. But it was futile. Nothing worked.
And now... he was gone.
Inoiki said, "Now that the mission objective is complete, let's head back to Konoha."
Everyone nodded in agreement. After sealing the corpses of Kakuzu and Hidan, Inoiki used his psychokinesis to lift a large chunk of land—roughly ten meters in diameter—into the air. The floating platform rose steadily, carrying both Team Asuma and Team Kakashi as it began gliding toward Konoha.
As they flew, Sakura commented, "No matter how many times I fly like this, it always feels so refreshing."
Naruto grinned. "Yeah, me too. This is awesome."
The group stood or sat wherever they felt comfortable, enjoying the smooth ride through the sky. They chatted casually, exchanging light-hearted small talk as the wind flowed past them—calm, peaceful, and free of any more danger… for now.
After returning to Konoha, Inoiki didn't go to the Hokage's office. By the time they arrived, dusk had already settled—the sun had set, bathing the village in a soft, amber glow.
Inoiki went straight home with his sister, Ino. Thanks to his observation haki, he already knew their mother was no longer at the hospital and had returned home. So, without delay, he led Ino there.
When they arrived, the comforting aroma of home-cooked food greeted them. Their mother was in the kitchen, preparing dinner for the whole family.
Both Inoiki and Ino rushed over, visibly concerned.
"You should be resting, Mom," Ino said.
"You just got discharged today," Inoiki added. "Let us handle this."
But their mother smiled warmly and shook her head. "My son came home alive and safe. Let me celebrate in my own way."
Their father, Inoichi, stepped in with a sheepish grin. "I tried to stop her, really—but she wouldn't listen. She said she had to cook for her children tonight. And, well… you know how it is. I can't really argue with your mother."
Ino and Inoiki exchanged glances—equal parts amused and helpless.
"Yeah," Ino said, sighing with a smile. "That does sound like Mom."
That evening, Inoiki's mother prepared a full spread of traditional Japanese food. The whole family gathered around the table, sharing a heartfelt meal.
As they ate, Inoiki recounted his experience—how he fought against Paths of Pain, how he barely escaped, and how he spent nearly a month recovering in a small village that had taken him in. He spoke about how he repaid the kindness of the villagers before finally making his way back to Konoha.
Listening to his story, the family felt the weight of his suffering. His mother and Ino both had tears in their eyes, unable to hold back their emotions.
But Inoiki, ever the one to carry the burden lightly, cracked a few jokes and reassured them with a calm smile. Slowly, the atmosphere softened. The tears faded, replaced with laughter and light conversation once more.
They continued talking late into the night, their voices low and warm. Finally, after midnight, the family turned in for the night.
For the first time in days, Inoiki slept peacefully. The long journey from the Land of Grass to Konoha had left him constantly on edge, wary of an Akatsuki ambush at any moment. Now, he could rest without fear.
----
The next morning, after breakfast, Inoiki sat in a standard wheelchair—one his father had brought from the hospital earlier that day. He controlled the wheels with his psychokinesis, smoothly directing it through the streets of Konoha.
His destination: the Hokage's office.
It was time to see Tsunade, so she could examine his injuries—and, hopefully, begin treatment to restore his ability to walk again.
----
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