Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

Like Sunagakure (the Hidden Sand), Kirigakure (the Hidden Mist) was facing numerous difficulties. After signing the truce, the battles between the villages shifted focus from direct warfare to development.

It was well understood in the ninja world that another great war was inevitable. Before that time came, strengthening each village was crucial for better outcomes.

For the sake of greater interests, Kirigakure had temporarily set aside its grudge against Amegakure (the Hidden Rain). The village needed to appoint a new Mizukage swiftly, negotiate with the Daimyo of the Land of Water for funds, and accelerate its development.

.....

In Konoha.

Tsunade and Jiraiya were sitting together in a small, empty tavern, secluded in a corner.

Two empty sake bottles lay on the table, with a half-full one still standing. Fine, small porcelain cups filled with sake sat in front of Tsunade and Jiraiya.

Tsunade's cheeks were flushed, her body exuding a faintly intoxicating scent, a sign that the sake was strong. She rested her arms on the table, staring absentmindedly into her cup. Her mature, alluring face reflected in the clear liquid.

Jiraiya picked up his cup, drank it quietly, poured himself another, and looked at Tsunade.

"A true master always thinks about their students, right?" Jiraiya said suddenly.

Tsunade looked startled and then gave a wry smile as she toyed with her cup. "Are you lecturing me?"

"No…" Jiraiya sighed softly. "I'm just trying to convince you, but I know saying more won't change anything."

Jiraiya added, "You're just like Orochimaru. Once you make a decision, no one can interfere."

"I'm not the same as Orochimaru, Jiraiya. Don't lump us together," Tsunade replied firmly.

Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly before asking seriously, "How about waiting a little longer?"

Tsunade shook her head.

Jiraiya continued, "Tsunade, once I've fulfilled my duty as a teacher, maybe it won't be too long. Just wait a little longer."

Tsunade stayed silent.

Jiraiya said quietly, "As a mentor, shouldn't you also give Kushina an answer?"

Tsunade looked at Jiraiya and sneered. "You're truly concerned about the village now, aren't you?"

Jiraiya scratched his head with an awkward laugh before replying seriously, "I want to give Minato all my support and watch him grow. Sometimes, I feel like I can understand the old man's feelings—seeing your student surpass you is a good feeling."

Tsunade scoffed, but her mind drifted to Kushina, recalling her joyful face and excitement when she successfully learned something, implicitly agreeing with Jiraiya's perspective.

"You're finally growing up, Jiraiya," Tsunade said calmly.

Hearing Tsunade's mature words, Jiraiya's face darkened, the flush of alcohol replaced by irritation. "You talk like you're a generation older than me."

Tsunade raised her cup, drinking it down, and said self-deprecatingly, "Out of the three of us, you're the only one who's made something of yourself. Minato will definitely make a good Hokage."

Jiraiya fell silent, thinking of Orochimaru, and then of Ye Zi, sighing deeply in his heart.

"Tsunade, does this mean you agree?" The shift in conversation wasn't jarring between them.

Jiraiya saw that Tsunade seemed open to his suggestion.

"I'll stay in the village for a while—for myself and for Kushina." Tsunade raised her cup again and drained it.

Jiraiya felt a wave of relief and quickly refilled her cup, smiling.

Tsunade's willingness to stay in the village was a positive sign. He would continue training Minato in Sage Jutsu at Mount Myoboku, and when Minato was ready, he would leave him there to train alone, returning to Konoha to watch over Tsunade.

"Is there any word from Sunagakure?" Tsunade asked suddenly.

Jiraiya shook his head. "Even if they wanted to act, Sunagakure doesn't have the strength."

The information from Sunagakure had led Pakura and others to leave Konoha, but the intention of an alliance had been left behind.

Tsunade scoffed and said, "Amegakure's ambitions are clear. What's the village's stance?"

Jiraiya drank his sake and replied seriously, "Officially, we're holding back. Secretly, though, we're gathering intel on Amegakure. According to Sand's reports, it's not just Ye Zi who can use Wood Release—there's also Kotoe!"

"Is that the same Kotoe who defected to follow Ye Zi?" Tsunade's expression grew serious. Only her grandfather could use Wood Release, yet now even a defector from Kusagakure could use it.

Jiraiya nodded. "Yes. The village once conducted research on Wood Release, sacrificing many volunteers without success, so the project was sealed. If the other side has figured it out, Orochimaru might be involved."

Tsunade bit her thumb, memories of her and Orochimaru's first encounter with Ye Zi coming to mind.

"The higher-ups are very interested in this," Jiraiya said, pointing a finger upward. "They're keen on gaining this knowledge, so the goal is intelligence gathering while avoiding open conflict. If necessary, obtaining a live specimen would be ideal."

Tsunade's eyes flickered. "So, human experimentation?"

Jiraiya's face grew somber. "If we can't find answers through intel alone, it might come to that."

Tsunade scoffed. "The village drove away one of its own talents."

Jiraiya knew what she meant. "Without Orochimaru, you and… Kushina are the only viable options."

Tsunade's face immediately turned cold, and she glared silently at Jiraiya.

Were they considering involving Kushina in such research?

Jiraiya met her icy stare, shrugged, and said with a bitter smile, "I can't influence that decision, but I'm a shinobi of Konoha. I'll always consider the village's interests."

Research on Wood Release and related knowledge couldn't be conducted by a corpse-collecting division. Orochimaru was their top choice, followed by Tsunade and Kushina.

If it came to that, Kushina might very well be tasked with carrying it out.

"I'll still choose to stay in the village for a while—for Kushina and for myself."

Tsunade's tone was colder, and the weight of her words was evident.

Jiraiya could only respond with a wry smile.

…

In the Land of Wind, amidst barren landscapes filled with sand and ruins, a figure stood before a towering, crumbling stone pillar, covered with a thick layer of sand, indicating he had been there for some time.

This figure was Orochimaru.

In his cold, serpentine eyes, the faded and illegible inscriptions on the pillar were faintly reflected.

"This… will do," he muttered coldly, pressing his hand against the pillar, which quickly crumbled into sand and scattered into the winds.

Orochimaru turned and walked away.

"Ye Zi, you'd surely be interested in what I'm after now."

…

"Brings back memories,"

On a beach near the sea, a slender figure in a cloak stood, gazing at a particular spot as if recalling something.

Ye Zi, observing the slender figure, felt a bit uncomfortable and said, "Let's rest a bit before moving on."

That figure was Sasori. The two had traveled from Amegakure to this impoverished nation of the Land of Waves.

"Shall I find another boat?" Sasori asked, turning to look at Ye Zi.

"No need."

Avoiding Sasori's gaze, Ye Zi replied coolly, "I suggest you find a suitable living body and replace your current one as soon as possible."

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Currently on Chapter 390 - A Racing Heart