Early the next morning, Kazuyama Gekkō set off with his wife Pakura and three attendants carrying their luggage.
"Sensei, why do you have so much luggage?!"
"Six big boxes?!"
Obito was dragging two boxes and carrying another on his back, his face turning the color of a bruised eggplant.
So heavy... seriously heavy.
Kakashi was in the same boat, two boxes in hand and one on his back. Only Rin carried nothing. As the team's medical ninja—and a girl—Kazuyama naturally wouldn't let her carry any burdens.
"You don't get it. I have high hopes for you and Kakashi. You two will be the backbone of the village one day!"
"Training never stops, not even for a moment."
Kazuyama smiled as he fanned himself, glancing happily at his two students.
Training? Who was he kidding? He just had too much luggage.
After all, this wasn't a mission. It was a vacation.
There was nothing to worry about in Takigakure—it was practically his second home...
Takigakure, Land of Waterfalls.
Yahiko and a group of others were in a meeting. In just a year, Yahiko had firmly established himself in Takigakure through his own strength and had become one of the key Jōnin in the village.
News of Konohagakure's arrival had the upper ranks of Takigakure on high alert.
After all, Konoha had taken no major losses during the Third Shinobi World War and had made quite a name for itself.
"Konoha last invited us to the Chūnin Exams five years ago, didn't they? And now, right in the middle of the war, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi is making such a grand invitation to all the surrounding ninja villages. Heh... that old monkey is certainly confident."
"So, should we send our Genin to participate in the Chūnin Exams this time?"
The speaker was a middle-aged man who looked aged but had sharp, unwavering eyes. He was Bobo, the current Village Head of Takigakure and widely recognized as the village's strongest ninja.
Even Yahiko had to admit the man's strength. His Wind Release ninjutsu was peerless—he had pushed a single elemental technique to the pinnacle.
"The war is currently in a lull, and Takigakure has never taken part in any wars, so sending a team to the Chūnin Exams wouldn't hurt."
"Konoha's overall strength remains undiminished, and their rising talent is formidable."
"There's no downside to strengthening ties."
This came from another elder, clearly one of the village's senior advisors.
Bobosai nodded and looked around at the rest of the representatives, all of whom voiced their agreement.
Finally, his gaze fell on Yahiko.
"Yahiko, what's your opinion?"
Yahiko nodded but offered a different perspective.
"Village Head, while I agree that we should go to Konoha for the Chūnin Exams, my reasoning is a bit different."
"The war hasn't truly ended—it's just paused. Even though Takigakure has stayed out of the fighting, a ninja can't grow by staying complacent."
"Leaving the village to train and compete in other villages is a great way to improve our combat abilities."
"Peace is precious, but to protect peace, we can't forsake strength."
Thanks to Kazuyama's occasional brainwashing, Yahiko's perspective on peace had shifted.
As he said, to protect peace, strength was essential.
Bobosai's eyes lit up—clearly, he was pleased with Yahiko's words.
"Well said. Yahiko may be new to Takigakure, but his efforts this past year have been obvious to all."
"I'm entrusting you with receiving the guests from Konoha."
"Let them see the strength and spirit of our Takigakure ninja."
...
After the meeting, Yahiko returned to his residence.
Konan and Akaashi came out to greet him.
"The Konoha ninja are returning to the village. I'll go greet them. Konan, come with me."
"Alright. Let Yugito know—she'll be joining the Chūnin Exams too."
Yahiko's words caught Konan off guard.
Yugito, taking the Chūnin Exams?
"Isn't it too soon? How old is she anyway?"
"It's not too soon. She may be young, but her strength is well recognized."
Yahiko's eyes gleamed with confidence. He knew Yugito's power better than anyone—her strange close-quarters combat style combined with her Fire Release tracking techniques made her more than a match for most Chūnin.
"Alright then, who's going to lead the team to Konoha?"
"Who do you think?"
Yahiko glanced at Konan with a small smile.
"You'll go."
"You'll lead the team. With you and Yugito, I'm sure Kazuyama will be thrilled."
At the mention of Kazuyama Gekkō, the three of them smiled. The success they had achieved in Takigakure was thanks in no small part to his help.
But this was just the beginning. Sooner or later, they would return to Amegakure and save it.
"Okay, I'll go tell Yugito."
"Start preparing."
Since leaving Amegakure, Konan had become more open and cheerful. She still enjoyed going out on missions—especially with Yugito by her side.
...
Meanwhile, in Iwagakure—
"Damn it! It's been a whole year! We've searched for an entire year and still found nothing?!"
Boom!
A poor desk was reduced to splinters in a burst of fury.
"Lord Tsuchikage, does Madara Uchiha really exist?"
"Could it be a trick by the enemy?"
Mahiru stood off to the side, frowning. Over the past year, Iwagakure had been on edge because of the mere mention of Madara Uchiha.
On top of that, waves of serpent and insect disasters had plagued the country, forcing the entire village to work nonstop.
"Hmph, no mistake. It's definitely him."
"According to our intel, both the Third Mizukage and the Third Kazekage disappeared at the same time. I believe they're already dead."
"No one else could take out two Kage in such a short span!"
Ōnoki's expression was dark. He knew just how terrifying Madara's power was—that suffocating, overwhelming force was burned into his memory.
Yet doubts lingered in his mind. From the Third Kazekage to the Third Mizukage—that kind of leap was too abrupt.
What was Madara planning?
"Lord Tsuchikage, the latest report—Konoha has sent out invitations to the surrounding villages for the Chūnin Exams."
"They're planning to start a new year's round of exams."
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the office.
It was Sumashi, Iwagakure's Special Jōnin.
Upon hearing the news, the veins on Ōnoki's forehead throbbed in fury.
"Damn that Hiruzen Sarutobi! He's treating us like we don't even matter!"
"The war might have calmed down, but it's far from over! And he's holding Chūnin Exams at a time like this?!"
"This old man's had enough!"
The Third Tsuchikage exploded in rage, his fury flooding the entire office.