The next day, negotiations over the terms of surrender proceeded surprisingly smoothly.
Even the two Akatsuki ninjas who had joined them found it hard to believe. Not a single argument broke out between both sides—it was eerily peaceful.
Only after Yahiko signed and sealed the document did they finally snap back to reality.
Tucking the documents into his chest pocket without ceremony, Yahiko led several people back to the inn.
Tomorrow, they would be leaving again!
Luckily, this time they wouldn't be alone—Nawaki and Minato would be accompanying them with a full-scale Konoha military force.
As for the target of this expedition, naturally, it was the Land of Wind and the Land of Lightning.
According to the prior arrangement, Akatsuki Village would also dispatch personnel to join them, forming two mixed armies that would simultaneously launch offensives against Wind and Lightning.
Meanwhile, Tsunade had already requested additional manpower from the Fire Daimyō, which would soon arrive and occupy the territories captured by Akatsuki ninja.
Due to the vast size of the newly acquired lands, Konoha didn't have enough personnel on hand, so naturally, they had to ask the Daimyō for more help.
As for the Fire Daimyō, he was overjoyed—one hundred thousand times delighted. He felt incredibly lucky to have supported Tsunade as Hokage in the first place.
This cousin definitely hadn't been picked at random. She even ensured he reaped all the rewards.
He hadn't lifted a finger—blink once, blink twice—and suddenly, he was about to become the Daimyō of the entire Ninja World.
What a blissful little life he led!!!
"Go out and take a look around today too."
"Konoha's got a pretty good vibe."
After properly storing the documents, Yahiko stepped outside and immediately ran into his two subordinates.
On their final day in Konoha, there was no way he intended to sit idly in the inn. Going out with Konan for some sightseeing sounded much more pleasant.
"Do you think that's alright?"
One of the Akatsuki ninjas showed some interest but still hesitated, wary of being watched by Konoha Anbu.
It just felt wrong to be followed around like that.
"What's not alright about it?"
"Do you really think you two could stir up any trouble here?"
"Go on, enjoy yourselves."
Yahiko adopted Pain's usual tone and put them down a bit.
"Heh-heh…"
"That's true."
"All business is done now. I'm sure no one's monitoring us anymore."
Indeed, the two of them weren't bothered at all—they even exchanged smug speculations.
"If you're really that uneasy…"
"I can ask the Hokage to get you a guide."
Yahiko finally understood their concerns and looked at them with slight helplessness.
How could Teacher and Teacher's Wife possibly send someone to monitor them? That would be a laughingstock internationally!
"No, no."
"We'll manage on our own."
One of the Akatsuki ninjas waved both hands in refusal. Having strangers accompany them just didn't suit their habits.
"In that case, then we'll go ahead. I'm leaving."
Just then, Konan also came out of her room to meet Yahiko. She'd changed into casual street clothes.
The outfit she wore to the meeting had felt too stifling. She didn't like it.
"Wait, Leader-sama."
"The sake we brought back yesterday—from which shop was it bought?"
"It tasted pretty good. I'd like to buy some to bring back."
One of the Akatsuki members, clearly a sake enthusiast, blurted it out sheepishly.
"Uh…"
"Kisame bought it—I don't really know."
Yahiko instantly paused mid-step but couldn't exactly reveal it came from the Hatake family.
So he decided to tell a white lie instead. Anyway, Kisame and Nonou had left earlier than him.
At this moment, those two could search high and low and still never find him.
"Alright then."
"I'll take a shot at it myself."
When Yahiko said this, the Akatsuki ninja still felt a twinge of frustration.
Just thinking about not being able to drink that premium sake again gnawed at him.
"Here's the deal: I'll have Yahiko buy you some more later."
Yahiko thought since he had to go home for dinner anyway, bringing back some sake would be an easy favor to do, so he took the responsibility upon himself.
"That's too much trouble for you."
"Please thank Lord Yahiko for me."
Though he said it was troublesome, he didn't bother being polite at all. His earlier frustration had vanished completely.
"Alright, alright."
"See ya."
With his back to the two of them, Yahiko waved and gradually walked away, leaving behind the Akatsuki ninja who was secretly delighted in place.
After exiting the inn, Nagato and Konan wandered around Konoha like headless chickens.
They wandered wherever their feet took them, with no plan at all.
Their only rule was to go with the flow—being together was what counted.
Meanwhile, Nagato and Nonou had a clear agenda.
Their first stop was the apartment where Nonou once lived.
Although it had been many years since she left Konoha, that small apartment held countless days and nights of memories for Nonou.
Standing in front of the apartment door, Nonou pulled out a somewhat rusty key from her pocket.
After so many years of wandering outside, most of the things she had brought with her from Konoha were lost along the way, but she'd held onto this key.
She shoved the key into the lock, which proved a bit difficult, but eventually it went in.
With a forceful twist, the lock clicked open.
Creeeak~
With a long, piercing sound, the door was pushed open by Nonou.
"Not surprised—of course it's a mess!"
Looking at the filthy interior, Nonou burst into laughter.
"We've got our hands full."
Nagato helplessly shrugged his shoulders. He knew she wouldn't give up after just one look.
"You know me too well."
Nonou 'slapped' the door shut again and quickly dragged Nagato downstairs.
"We're going shopping."
As she ran, she shouted, and Nagato watched her face, watching her long hair flowing in the wind.
Once they'd finished their shopping spree, they returned once again in front of the apartment door.
"Time to begin!!!"
Nonou handed Nagato a mask and shouted loudly before charging inside.
After watching Nonou work for a while, Nagato finally joined in the big cleanup effort.
Sweeping, mopping, wiping windows, scrubbing furniture.
Ooooh...!
[Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade]
By the time the two finished tidying up the small apartment, they were both drenched in sweat.
"We're something else, huh?"
Looking at the refreshed little room, Nonou felt a strong sense of accomplishment.
All the arrangements looked exactly the same as when she left, as though she could once again see the version of herself who used to live there.
"I'm hungry."
Patting his stomach, Nagato ruined the moment a bit.
"Well, I guess I am hungry too."
Right on cue, Nonou's stomach let out a loud 'gurgle'.
"You set up the beds, I'll cook dinner."
Handing the new bedding supplies to Nonou, Nagato headed into the kitchen with the ingredients.
Although dining out would be more convenient, she insisted on cooking a meal here to share with Nagato.
"After all these years, I hope your cooking skills haven't gone downhill?"
Nagato didn't spoil Nonou's mood at all and never suggested going out for food.
He grabbed the newly bought mattress and started spreading it onto the bed, moving quite swiftly.
"How could that be?"
"Have you forgotten my title as Konoha's Little Chef?"
Nonou had not stepped into a kitchen in years and wasn't even sure about her current culinary abilities herself,
but she still put on a brave face. She had no intention of appearing weak in front of Nagato.
"You gave yourself that title—does that even count for anything?"
"Just hope you don't poison me."
A faint smile appeared on Nagato's face, his eyes laced with mockery.
"Hmph~ Just wait and see."
"Don't end up eating your words later."
Nonou let out a defiant snort, lifting her chin slightly.
Moments later, rhythmic chopping sounds began echoing from the kitchen.
"Anyone can talk big, right?"
Their verbal sparring was far from over—exchanging blows, neither willing to back down.
One was making the bed in the bedroom, the other cooking in the kitchen—their mouths never stopped, not even for a second.
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