Chapter 54: Just a Simple Light
By evening, they'd completed the reconnaissance mission and returned to camp.
Only now did the humiliation fully settle over Taguchi.
Hmph! Someone like that will get what's coming to him eventually!
He could only repair his fragile ego this way. But when Kakashi seemed to notice his gaze and looked over, Taguchi immediately turned his head away.
"Pfft!"
Uchiha Naka leaned against a tree trunk, chewing field rations, his eyes full of contempt.
Taguchi spun around, glaring at him. "What are you laughing at?!"
"I thought of something funny. Problem?"
"You—!"
"What?" Uchiha Naka's Sharingan flared to life. "You think you can tell me what I can laugh at?"
Taguchi wanted to explode just as violently. But in the end, it only emerged as a heavy "Hmph!"
Meanwhile, Kakashi found Uchiha Shisui the moment they returned to camp, reporting their mission results.
"The Cloud Village's main force hasn't entered Moon Country. Most are stationed at Lightning Country's border. The possibility of active aggression is low. But they have numerous reconnaissance teams operating in Hot Water Country. I recommend strengthening our defenses and patrols. If they find the right opportunity, there's no telling what might happen."
"Understood." Shisui nodded. "I'll report to Lady Tsunade immediately and make targeted adjustments."
"Good." Kakashi paused, then continued. "There's one more thing."
"What?"
"About a chunin in my squad named Taguchi." Kakashi's tone grew serious. "During the mission, he independently suggested violating orders and attempted to incite other squad members to act together—to actively attack the Cloud Village's reconnaissance team."
The word "actively" carried weight. Shisui understood. "Why would he do that?"
"He wanted glory."
Shisui remained silent for several seconds before sighing. "Regardless, we don't need ninja here who are self-important and endanger their teammates. I'll report to Lady Tsunade and have him sent back to Konoha for punishment."
"Thank you."
"It's necessary."
Two more days passed. The border remained in a strange state of calm.
The Cloud Village's movements seemed more like a response to Konoha's actions. But whether they'd actually attack, no one could say. They could only continuously strengthen patrols and reconnaissance as a precaution.
Similarly, Konoha's abnormally large mobilization left the Cloud Village uncertain. They could only speculate that Konoha was making an obvious move to hide their true intentions. Until they understood Konoha's real purpose, they didn't dare act rashly.
A delicate balance formed.
Both sides walked on eggshells. Under this high-intensity vigilance, Hot Water Country and Moon Country—caught in the middle as buffer zones—suffered.
On the third day.
With the troublemaking chunin gone from camp, the squad's atmosphere actually relaxed considerably. Though the remaining members still had issues with Kakashi, at least the underhanded tactics had completely ceased. Mission execution went much more smoothly.
Today's task was reaching a designated point to receive supplies transported from the rear.
When the squad arrived at the target location, someone completely unexpected appeared.
"Yo! Kakashi!"
Accompanied by an energetic shout, that signature green jumpsuit immediately appeared before him.
"My eternal rival!" Might Guy flashed his gleaming white teeth. "Surprised to see me here?"
Kakashi sighed. Before he could say anything, Guy rushed forward and threw an arm around his shoulders.
"Don't worry—it gets better! Your squad is one person short, right? I specially petitioned the Hokage and successfully applied to transfer here and fill the vacancy!"
"Kakashi, we can fight side by side again! Let youth burn with passion!"
Kakashi tilted his head slightly, looking at Guy's face glowing with excitement. His eye twitched involuntarily.
"Do whatever you want. I need to inspect the supplies."
In the Fire Country capital, Konan pushed open the gate to the estate—her temporary lodging.
The courtyard held several bare cherry trees. Their branches swayed in the night wind, producing soft rustling sounds. She walked to the main building's entrance and reached for the door. Suddenly—
"Who's there?"
Paper-like cracks appeared across Konan's skin. Several sheets thin as cicada wings slid from her sleeves, revealing explosive tag patterns.
The next second, a Venus flytrap-shaped plant rose from the ground, revealing the half-black, half-white figure of Zetsu.
White Zetsu called out in his usual flippant tone. "Yo, Konan! Finally back? I thought you'd wander around until midnight."
Konan ignored White Zetsu's teasing, only looking at him calmly. "What is it?"
"Yes." Black Zetsu's low, raspy voice took over the conversation. "The Cloud Village has assembled troops at the border. Konoha has also strengthened its defenses. Both sides are like beasts ready to pounce at any moment. War could break out any time. Pain couldn't decide and sent me to tell you to return to Rain Village."
Konan nodded. "I understand. But... I still have some things to wrap up here."
"How long do you need?" Black Zetsu asked.
"Two days at most before I'll depart."
"Fine then." White Zetsu shrugged. "War won't start that quickly anyway. I'll go back and tell Pain."
With that, Zetsu's body slowly sank into the ground as if nothing had happened.
Konan stepped inside and sat on the tatami, quietly watching moonlight through the window.
After waiting long enough to ensure Zetsu had completely left, she pulled the journal from inside her clothes and opened it with a certain hope.
"There really is new content?"
[The geothermal device is finally installed. The Land of Snow's workers only charged symbolic cost fees and even generously allowed us to defer payment temporarily.]
[I know this preferential treatment comes from the friendship between Hyuga Kiyonari and Kazahana Koyuki. But regardless, I'm sincerely grateful to them.]
[With the geothermal device, the Land of Rain has a stable power source again. Kiyonari and I worked together, digging out the long-abandoned streetlights throughout the village, replacing bulbs, and connecting circuits to the geothermal energy.]
[At dusk, villagers still remaining near Hidden Rain Village gathered from all directions, spontaneously clustering beneath the streetlights, looking up and waiting.]
[When night fell, the lights gradually came on. Bright, warm illumination pierced through the darkness that had lingered so long. The crowd erupted in wave after wave of cheers.]
[They just kept looking up like that.]
[It was just an ordinary streetlight.]
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