"Sigh…"
"What exactly does the Ryumyaku do?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe, smoke drifting lazily through the office as his gaze settled on Yagami.
Among everyone present, there was only one person who had actually come into direct contact with the Ryumyaku and that was Yagami. Naturally, Hiruzen wanted his opinion.
"If you ask me," Yagami said after a brief pause, "the safest option is to send sealing specialists to Rōran and completely seal the Ryumyaku."
He spoke calmly, laying out his thoughts.
At the moment, the Ryumyaku was only suppressed—not truly sealed. And since sealing techniques weren't his specialty, leaving it in its current state was risky.
If they wanted absolute safety, professionals had to handle it.
"…Very well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen considered it for a moment before nodding.
The immense power contained within the Ryumyaku was undeniably tempting.
However, its location lay within the Land of Wind's territory.
If no one could safely make use of it, then sealing it away was the most reasonable choice.
"There's also something else," Yagami continued.
"The Queen of Rōran is the only one capable of closing the Ryumyaku completely."
"If possible, it would be best to relocate Rōran into the Land of Fire. Rōran doesn't have many citizens to begin with."
As he spoke, Yagami gestured toward the half-opened envelope in Hiruzen's hand.
It was only a suggestion, of course.
After all, the final decision wouldn't be made by the Hokage alone but by the daimyō.
"The Queen of Rōran is the key to sealing it…?"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
He pulled the letter fully from the envelope and began reading.
A few moments later...
He suddenly laughed.
"Don't worry," Hiruzen said cheerfully. "After seeing this letter, the daimyō won't refuse."
"…Eh?"
Yagami blinked, visibly confused.
He hadn't opened the letter on the way back and had no idea what was written inside. Seeing the Hokage so confident only deepened his curiosity.
Hiruzen smiled and waved the letter slightly.
"It's nothing complicated—just a generous amount of money and supplies. Quite a lot of it, in fact."
Yagami froze.
He had expected this to be a complicated political problem, not something that could be smoothed over with funding.
So the Land of Fire really did value wealth above all else…
Letting out a quiet sigh, Yagami shook his head helplessly.
Still, with the matter settled for now, he bid farewell to the Hokage and left the office.
…
"Are you really planning to seal the Ryumyaku, Sarutobi?"
After Yagami departed, Danzō finally spoke.
Supporting an entire nation like Rōran with that level of energy was no small thing. There was no way he didn't feel tempted.
"What—do you have other ideas?"
Hiruzen glanced sideways at him, his tone carrying a warning.
"It lies within the Land of Wind. Don't stir trouble there."
"Hiruzen, can't you see what this means?!"
Danzō's voice rose sharply.
"That's virtually unlimited energy! It could revolutionize Konoha's technology and development! Are you really not tempted?"
Watching Hiruzen so readily choose sealing over exploitation made Danzō feel physically pained.
"I think what you want," Hiruzen said coldly, "is to start a war."
With that, he ignored Danzō entirely.
…
Leaving the Hokage Building, Yagami didn't head home.
It was already afternoon, so instead, he made his way toward the Uchiha district.
He hadn't seen Mikoto in several days.
And to be honest—he missed that shy girl quite a lot.
"Mikoto!"
Just as he reached her door, it slid open and a beautiful figure stepped out.
Yagami called her name without thinking.
"Yagami!"
Mikoto froze for a split second when she saw him—then her eyes lit up.
The two of them stood there, smiling at each other, the quiet joy of reunion filling the air.
"You finished your mission already…"
Mikoto's voice carried unmistakable happiness.
"Yes," Yagami replied with a grin.
"I came to see you the moment I got back."
He said it plainly, without hesitation.
After all, one look at Mikoto was enough to tell him she'd been thinking about him too.
Her cheeks flushed at his straightforward words.
"Are you heading out?" Yagami asked, glancing at the basket in her hands.
"U-Um… I was going to pick… some mushrooms…"
Mikoto lowered her head slightly, clutching the basket with both hands as she spoke in a soft, hesitant tone.
"Mushroom picking?" Yagami's eyes lit up.
"That's my specialty!" ( PS: Lol )
He quickly stepped forward, took the basket from her hands, and smiled eagerly.
"I'll go with you."
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