Chapter Fifty-Eight: Returning

Xianglin lifted her head, her glasses framing eyes that gazed at Higashino Yu with pitiful longing, but Higashino Yu still refused her gently, “It’s time to go.”

“…Alright.” Disappointment flickered in her eyes.

Yet that expression did nothing to sway Higashino Yu’s decision, though he offered a word of comfort, “We’ll meet again someday.”

“Okay,” Xianglin replied, still crestfallen, lowering her head so Higashino Yu could no longer see her face.

He felt he ought to say something more, but found himself at a loss, so he simply offered his final farewell.

“I’m leaving now.”

Xianglin said nothing, nor did her mother; perhaps, like Higashino Yu, they were not skilled at saying goodbye.

Without lingering, Higashino Yu strode toward the exit, sensing Xianglin and her mother following behind until they stopped at the doorway.

He took a few more steps, not far from the entrance, when Xianglin’s voice called from behind.

“Big brother!”

He paused, turning back; he seemed to catch a glimmer of something on Xianglin’s face.

“Big brother, Xianglin once said she would repay you someday. Xianglin will keep that promise.”

Higashino Yu was silent for a moment, then nodded and smiled.

“Alright,” he replied.

Without another word, Higashino Yu turned away, heading toward the main gate of the Hidden Leaf Village.

It was the hour of sunset, the golden afterglow bathing Higashino Yu in light so bright that Xianglin couldn’t see him clearly. She watched as he gradually faded from view, as if he were walking straight into the sunset itself.

…

Regaining his composure, Higashino Yu departed from the Hidden Leaf, heading for the town where he had arranged to meet Kakuzu.

Within the forest, after orienting himself, Higashino Yu used the Body Flicker Technique to hasten his journey; his figure vanished from sight.

After he disappeared, several masked ninja emerged from the shadows, searching the spot where Higashino Yu had stood, but their efforts yielded nothing.

“He’s gone.”

“Yes, let’s report back to Lord Danzo.”

“We have no other choice.”

Their brief discussion concluded, the masked ninja vanished as well.

Higashino Yu knew nothing of this; had he been aware, he might have stormed Danzo’s lair that very day.

After several consecutive uses of the Body Flicker Technique, Higashino Yu arrived at the town he’d agreed upon with Kakuzu. Using his mental abilities to search, he found Kakuzu in a local izakaya.

“My lord, you finished so quickly?” Kakuzu looked surprised.

“Mm, everything went smoothly enough.”

Higashino Yu glanced at the plates before Kakuzu and asked casually, “Is there anything good to eat here?”

“My lord, the tempura is quite good.”

“Owner, bring me some tempura as well,” Higashino Yu called out to the izakaya proprietor.

“Coming right up!” the owner replied.

Higashino Yu took a seat beside Kakuzu.

“So, what are your plans next?” he asked.

“Of course, I’ll continue to follow you, my lord.”

Higashino Yu thought for a moment. “I intend to teach you that money-making technique next.”

“Really?!” Kakuzu exclaimed, delighted.

“Yes, I’m in a good mood lately, so I’ll teach it to you.”

Kakuzu was about to say something excitedly, but Higashino Yu interrupted him.

“Don’t get too happy yet. I’ll teach you the technique, but to master it to the point where you can actually make money will require a lot of practice.”

“That’s fine. As long as I have the chance to reach that realm,” Kakuzu replied.

“I’ll formally teach it to you tomorrow.”

“Alright!” Kakuzu responded with anticipation.

Just then, the tempura Higashino Yu had ordered arrived. He tasted a piece and found it indeed delicious.

After their meal, the two found lodging at an inn.

When they parted for their rooms, Higashino Yu planted a seed of the power system inside Kakuzu.

With that seed, Kakuzu gained the qualification to learn Higashino Yu’s Transformation skill.

It was important to note that he could only learn the Transformation skill; others such as Swordsmanship or Illusion were unavailable to him, as those belonged to entirely different power systems.

Moreover, for Kakuzu to advance the skill’s level would be far more difficult than for Higashino Yu, who possessed a skill panel.

Having completed all this, Higashino Yu returned to his room and, as before, created a clone.

This clone was meant to instruct Kakuzu in the Transformation skill; once the lesson was complete, it would disappear under some pretext.

Meanwhile, Higashino Yu’s true self prepared to return to the Hidden Leaf.

His time gathering material had been long enough, and he felt he knew how to write the book, so there was no need to remain outside any longer.

Having finished everything, Higashino Yu sensed his clone in the Hidden Leaf, then teleported back.

The clone was alone in the living room, watching television. Upon returning, Higashino Yu dispelled the clone, then settled onto the sofa where it had been sitting and continued watching the program.

The experiences outside had been interesting, but home seemed more comfortable.

After watching TV for a while, when it was around ten o'clock, Higashino Yu washed up and went to bed. The ordinary, peaceful life had returned once more.