Early the next morning…
After breakfast and preparing various necessary travel items, he left the house.
Sure enough, no sooner had he left than three Anbu's members silently appeared.
After carefully searching the place, these Anbu skillfully took the diary placed on the table and brought it back.
"Hokage-sama, we've brought the item. Please examine it."
The Anbu respectfully placed the diary on the desk, then vanished with a whoosh from Sandaime's presence.
Sandaime looked down, opened the diary, and saw the title of the entry.
'Notes on My Mental Preparation for Going to Find Tsunade-sama'
'Hmm... It seems I need to read this carefully.'
Sandaime's expression became serious as he carefully picked up the diary and read.
[I can't believe Hokage-sama actually agreed to my selfish request.]
[I'd heard before that Tsunade left the village because of some conflict.]
[To save our classmate Sasuke, he's even willing to reach out to a former student he had a falling out with.]
[As expected, Hokage-sama is so magnanimous.]
[After Sasuke is cured, I must make sure everyone properly thanks Hokage-sama.]
…
"Huh?"
Reading Takumi's diary, Hiruzen was once again moved, especially by the line [make sure everyone properly thanks Hokage-sama], which made his eyes light up.
Thinking about it, that was true.
This matter, if properly publicized… everyone would see that Sandaime, holding no grudges, took the initiative to recall a student he had fallen out with, all to save a student from the Academy.
It would definitely become a positive story spread throughout the village!
His image would then become even taller and more majestic.
Once he held the initiative, Tsunade wouldn't be able to threaten his position as Hokage either.
'Thinking about it this way, it seemed that… recalling Tsunade might actually be a good thing?'
"It seems this kid Takumi is really my lucky star."
Hiruzen chuckled happily, putting down the diary in his hand.
"Hmm, not bad."
"Keep up the good work, kid Takumi!"
…
On the other side.
Takumi, having prepared his things, didn't set off immediately.
Instead, he first found Rin.
He had looked at the map, and knew this trip would take a long time, there and back.
He was worried that if he went too long without 'charging', Rin might disappear.
So he specifically came to her for a 'charge'.
After Rin agreed with a blushing face, Takumi was busy until noon before leaving Rin's house.
After a short rest, his stamina recovered.
Then, carrying his luggage, he left Konoha.
However, not long after leaving, he felt someone following him.
"Who's there?"
He frowned and turned around.
He saw Sakura, Ino, and Hinata walking out with awkward smiles.
"I said it's dangerous, didn't I?"
"How could it be dangerous!"
Sakura retorted.
"We're just looking for someone, not going on a dangerous mission."
"Even if there are Shinobi stronger than Takumi-kun, it's not like we'll run into them by sheer coincidence."
Ino added.
"Besides, we can be of some help too."
Ino pulled Hinata forward.
"I-I can use my Byakugan to check the surroundings."
Hinata said softly.
"Takumi-kun, we really want to help."
Looking at their pleading faces, Takumi sighed and said helplessly, "You... ah, forget it. You must listen to me, understand? Absolutely do not leave my line of sight."
"Yay!"
Ino cheered excitedly.
"I knew Takumi-kun is the best!"
She jumped forward and grabbed Takumi's right arm.
"Ah!"
Not to be outdone, Sakura rushed forward and hugged Takumi's left arm.
Somehow, they seemed to have gotten used to doing this.
Takumi wasn't like Sasuke, who was very cold towards them.
This also led to them instinctively sticking close to Takumi whenever they saw him.
And actions like hugging his arm, which resembled something between boyfriend and girlfriend, became a way for the two to compete.
"I got here first, Ino-pig!"
"Obviously I was first, forehead-girl!"
"Alright, alright."
Takumi said helplessly.
"We still have to travel."
"And aren't you making Hinata laugh at you?"
Hinata, standing behind them, was already slightly blushing from the two girls' proactive and bold behavior.
Hearing Takumi bring the topic to her, she quickly waved her hands and said.
"No, I'm not..."
Although she said that, seeing the other two being so bold, Hinata was actually very envious, thinking to herself, 'When would I be able to be like them...'
'I also wanted to get close to Takumi's body.'
…
Since it was their first time traveling far from home, Ino and Sakura were extremely excited.
They kept asking questions non-stop along the way.
Even though they had learned these things in the Academy, it didn't stop them from hearing them again from Takumi's mouth.
Whatever Takumi said, even if it was nonsense, they loved to hear it.
Hinata followed obediently behind.
Occasionally, following Takumi's instructions, she would activate her Byakugan to check the surroundings and find suitable places to rest.
But when night fell, an awkward situation arose.
The three girls had only thought about sneaking out to help and hadn't considered preparing anything at all.
However, Takumi had only prepared his own tent.
Although it was an adult-sized one, it was still a bit cramped for four people.
"Maybe I should sleep outside. I can keep watch for you all."
Takumi said with a righteous expression, standing outside the tent.
"No!"
Ino and Sakura said in unison.
The two looked at each other, their gazes seeming to spark with flames.
"We were the ones who insisted on coming. How can we let you work so hard?"
"Let's draw lots to decide the watch order!"
"That way everyone can get some rest."
Between the two of them, Ino and Sakura arranged the night watch schedule.
The watch teams were divided into two pairs.
One pair responsible for the first half of the night, the other for the second half.
After drawing lots, Ino and Sakura were responsible for the first half, while Takumi and Hinata were responsible for the second half.
"Darn it!"
Ino gritted her teeth, looking at the short stick in her hand.
She sharply looked up at Sakura, finding Sakura looking back at her with the same expression.
"What are you looking at, forehead-girl!"
"What did you say, Ino-pig!"
Watching the two argue, Takumi tried to mediate helplessly.
"Alright, alright, stop arguing."
"Have you forgotten what you learned at the Academy?"
Takumi's words were like absolute truth to the two girls.
They immediately quieted down.
Seeing this, Takumi satisfiedly took Hinata into the pitched tent.
"Don't be too reserved."
Takumi said to the shy Hinata with a smile.
"We'll sleep on opposite sides."
"You must be tired after walking all day. Rest well. We need to keep watch during the second half of the night."
"Mhm, okay."
Hinata nodded, her voice as faint as a mosquito's.
Her face was completely red.
Then, without even taking off her jacket, she immediately turned sideways, with her back towards Takumi, and lay down on one side of the tent.
Takumi couldn't help but smile looking at her back.
Although she was still young, her future full figure was already gradually becoming apparent.
He believed it wouldn't be long before Hinata's flower would bloom.
Setting his thoughts aside, Takumi also closed his eyes to rest.
Mainly because he had expended too much energy charging for Rin back in the village.
---
FOR EVERY 50 POWER STONES, I'LL UPLOAD ONE CHAPTER