As Jiraiya came out, he briefed others about the preparations they needed for departure and then started iing every arra himself, not before instrug Shisui to stay with Kaida, Itachi, and Kabuto. Now that they had showalent, it was certain other vilges would be ed about their future aplishments.

  After that, Jiraiya moved quickly, arranging the details of their departure from Kumogakure with a serious yet effit demeanor. Alongside several high-ranking officials, he anized provisions, ehe Daimyo’s security, and coordinated with Kumogakure representatives to facilitate a seamless exit from the vilge.

  “Lord Daimyo, you are leaving so early! Please give us a ce to cater to you a little longer,” one of Kumogakure’s officials, who was also an elder, said in a meeting with the Daimyo.

  “I would have loved to enjoy my stay here a little longer as well, but I have urgent busio attend back at the Fire Capital,” the Daimyo replied.

  “I agree with you, Lord, but I am sure a single week will not have much effe the Fire try, si is so prosperous under your rule.” The elder tried his best to persuade him, using his silver tongue.

  The Daimyo, however, uood and had already guessed the reason behind such attempts. “I would definitely have stayed, but I already extended my stay by two weeks due to the ‘act’ during the third stage, so staying further is not possible for now. But perhaps ime I visit.”

  ‘This sly fox,’ the elder thought, realizing that with the Daimying up that topic, there wasn’t much left tue.

  “Then I, and all of Kumogakure, will eagerly await your visit, Lord Daimyo,” the elder said, then took his leave.

  …

  “I apologize, Raikage-sama, but the Fire Daimyo is insistent on leaving Kumogakure tomorrow,” the elder reported, sitting in front of A in his office.

  “o apologize. I already suspected Jiraiya wouldn’t risk staying here. But what is this about taking a bear with them?” Raikage asked, reviewing the report in front of him.

  “Apparently, the Konoha team tamed a bear when they were in Lightning Valley and want t it back with them. It’s not surprising; they’re still children, after all,” Mabui said, standing behind Raikage.

  “Iing. They’re in a hurry to leave with their tails between their legs but still have time for such things... Tell them they fetch the bear themselves. Also, send two Anbu squads with all Jonin. If they be eliminated without giving them a ce to escape, do it.”

  “Sir, we could send more teams, and it wouldn’t be a risk but a certainty,” Mabui suggested.

  “They have both Jiraiya and Shisui with them, and from what I saw, they’re not weak themselves. If we truly wish to elimihem, both Bee and I would o get involved. But with the three Daimyo still in the vilge, we ’t afford that. This is only in case they let their guard down,” A said.

  Mabui bowed ahe office.

  …

  Meanwhile, Kaida, Kabuto, and Itachi were waiting in their room after pleting preparations for the journey, which mostly involved buying food and ies to distribute during their travels.

  Even though they k was just a temporary solution, there were too many people in the world living in misery. If their efforts could alleviate suffering even briefly, it was better than doing nothing.

  As they rested in their rooms, a ninja with a Kumogakure headband arrived at their hotel and called the three of them to the lobby.

  “You’re permitted t that bear with you, but only oskirts,” a Kumo official informed them sternly, with an almost amused expression. “Once you reach the outskirts, the bear join you for the rest of the journey. But we ’t allow it ihe vilge, for obvious reasons.”

  Kaida grinned. “Thank you! This is perfect!”

  After delivering the message, the official left, and the group went to Shisui’s room to share the news.

  …

  “Then we’ll go to Lightning Valley two hours before the caravan leaves; that should give us enough time t the bear back, right?” Shisui asked.

  “Yes, brother,” Kaida replied.

  “Do all three of us o go? Only Kaida should be enough sihe bear typically listens to all his ands,” Kabuto said.

  “Good point. Only Kaida and I will go to Lightning Valley. If they have any pns, it’s better for only two of us to go—I protee of you more easily than all three,” Shisui replied.

  “For some reason, this feels like an unnecessary risk,” Kabuto muttered, noting how u seemed to separate in an enemy vilge, especially for a bear.

  “It’s fine. I hahis,” Shisui reassured him with a smile.

  ---

  *The Day*

  Preparations were plete, and the caravan was ready to move. The Daimyo was having a final meeting with a few ministers before departure.

  “Shisui, ensure you and Kaida stay alert. While I doubt Kumogakure would be foolish enough to attaow, if anything happens, prioritize escape over frontation, as it may be a trap. Take this seal as well; if aacks, burn it, and I’ll e to you as fast as I ,” Jiraiya instructed.

  “Don’t worry, Jiraiya-sama; we’ll be ba no time,” Shisui assured him.

  “Yeah, Sensei,” Kaida added.

  With that, they left Kumogakure, heading toward Lightning Valley at full speed.

  …

  The bear was in his cave, looking toward the new cave o his, previously occupied by his friend who used to feed him such tasty food that he no longer wao eat raw meat. What was once a delicacy—deer meat—had beundane. When his friends left, he wao follow, but they had something important to do and couldn’t bring him.

  They had promised to return for him, but it had been so many days now. ‘Are they going to leave me too, like my mother?’ he wondered when he heard a sound outside his cave.

  ‘Guah!’ With a roar, the bear emerged, ready to crush whatever made the sound, but as soon as he saw the boy in front of him, his expression transformed into pure joy.

  “Guah!” he said, nuzzling his head into Kaida’s chest.

  “I’m back, buddy,” Kaida said, patting the bear’s head.

  “Wow, he really is docile,” Shisui remarked from behind, at which the bear suddenly became alert.

  “Don’t worry; he’s my brother—a friend,” Kaida soothed him.

  The bear tilted his head, looking from Shisui back to Kaida, then nodded.

  “So smart,” Shisui ented.

  “Yeah, I was surprised too,” Kaida replied.

  “Well, this is great, but we should get going now. We don’t have much time, remember?” Shisui remihem.

  “Guah!” the bear said urgently.

  “Don’t worry; you’re ing with us this time. We’re going back to our vilge. It’s better thahe forest there is lusher, with more animals. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it more than here. So, do you want to e with us?” Kaida asked.

  The bear nodded vigorously, then had a look of realization a back to the cave, bringing out a deer carcass.

  “We don’t have time, buddy; I’ll cook it on our journey,” Kaida said, seeing the bear he deer carcass.

  “Guah,” the bear he baside aurned with the mattress Kaida’s group had left for him.

  “You don’t have t that; I’ll buy you somethier in the vilge,” Kaida smiled.

  As this was happening, Shisui suddenly looked to his left.

  ---

  (A.N: One chapter backlog. Apologies; I’m really busy with college work and may only release that chapter on Saturday. As an apology, here are some pics of the bear ^~^)