Akaba wasn't a banyan tree; he didn't have the ability to become a forest on his own.
The more manga there were, the more popular the industry became.
At this moment, his Shadow Clone disappeared and its memories and fatigue returned. Instantly, he felt tired and sleepy.
"Woah, you sure work fast!"
He went back to his room.
The updated manga content had already been completed and compiled into Manga Books. Although the technique was rough, it was easy for the printing team to understand and reproduce.
"I'll just speed up getting these sent back."
Akaba took the Manga Books and went out to find his caravan.
At that time, Sakuma Shanyuan was managing the manga donation operation.
From Sunagakure's side, a Jonin was put in charge of receiving them.
"Lord Akaba, you came here because—"
"Don't get nervous. I'm only here because I wanted Master Shanyuan to send someone to help me deliver something."
Akaba pulled out the updated content.
The Sand Jonin curiously glanced at it and immediately his eyes lit up: "Is this the new update for One Piece?"
"Sorry, no."
Akaba smiled.
It seemed like One Piece had already firmly established itself within Suna.
"I really hope it gets here quickly. My kid is begging me so hard they're about to explode."
The Jonin politely explained, embarrassed but well-mannered.
Wait... you have a kid? But I thought you were single!
The Sand ninja beside him loading the manga books froze for a moment, then wisely kept silent.
"Alright, I'll make sure it gets sent back."
Sakuma Shanyuan nodded. To ensure a swift delivery, he decided to assign an elite Chunin to carry it and rush back to the Land of Fire.
After thanking them, Akaba returned to his lodging to rest.
Kakashi Windseer hadn't come back yet. As a leading Jonin and Konoha representative for today's Chunin Exam proceedings, he had meetings all afternoon with representatives from other villages.
In Akaba's estimate, they probably wouldn't depart until tomorrow anyway.
Although he had taken a half-hour nap during the exam, he fell asleep shortly after returning to his room.
When he woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
Nobody called me?
Suddenly nobody waking him up felt strange.
Opening the door,
"Huh? Everyone's preparing to leave already, yet nobody called me!"
Looking around, he saw everyone tidying their belongings. Sakumo and Shishio had already finished packing and were waiting downstairs.
Tsunade glanced up, then turned away with irritation.
Looking down at himself, he noticed most people seemed exhausted.
Then he thought—
"Did yesterday's Chunin Exam results come out already?"
"Mm."
Kakashi Windseer walked out from the next room, already packed.
He glanced at Akaba's room before continuing, "You, Orochimaru, and Sakumo have been approved for promotion to Chunin."
"Ahhhhh, why do they get it while I, the genius, won everything too, but got nothing!"
Came Jiraiya's furious shout from downstairs.
Three spots?
This number feels off, Akaba mused secretly.
Orochimaru stepped out of his room at that moment and, noticing how Akaba looked, asked, "Were you planning to return with the caravan?"
"No way! Of course I'm going back with everyone else!"
Akaba suddenly snapped awake.
These guys totally did this on purpose—he didn't wake up, so they tried to ditch him.
Thankfully, he had gone to sleep early the night before and woke up relatively early as well. Otherwise, if he had traveled with the caravan, it would have taken at least half a day longer.
"Don't think you can slack off on the way back. Start packing."
Kakashi Windseer said indifferently.
"I'll be ready in a moment."
Akaba turned around and began organizing his things.
Of course, he hadn't actually brought much when he came—just a few personal items. In no time, he'd finished packing everything and sealed it into a sealing scroll.
After a quick wash-up, they were ready to depart.
Very soon, Akaba understood the meaning of Kakashi Windseer's words about "no slacking off"—the return journey was twice as fast as the trip there!
From living together during this period, Windseer already clearly understood Akaba's physical condition.
He knew that Akaba could keep up with this pace.
On the other hand, Gekko Nightdance was the first to start panting. However, unlike Akaba, he stubbornly continued pushing forward despite exhaustion, showing no intention of stopping for rest.
In less than half a day, they officially entered the Land of Fire.
"Uncle Windseer, isn't this too fast?!"
Akaba gasped, having run continuously all this time—it felt overly rushed.
"Nightdance, Shinku Yuhi, do you need a rest?"
Kakashi Windseer ignored him.
Half a day of rapid marching had even made Shinku Yuhi sweat profusely, while Akaba merely had some cold sweat on his forehead—the panting sounds were completely faked.
The difference in their stamina was clear as day.
"Sir, no need!"
Nightdance clenched his teeth and shook his head.
He knew his body was weak, but unless he trained himself, his physical condition would always remain like this.
Although he defeated an opponent from Taki in the exam, what was there to be proud of defeating just a Taki ninja?
Enemies like Sankai—that was who he needed to work toward defeating.
Moreover, even Akaba's body had become stronger, yet he remained unchanged...
How could that possibly be acceptable?!
"I can manage too."
Shinku Yuhi declared loudly.
"Good."
Kakashi Windseer cast a cold glance at Akaba without slowing his pace even slightly.
A bunch of training maniacs...
Akaba felt somewhat awkward.
If I'd known it'd be like this, I should've stayed longer. Would've been better off leaving with the caravan.
Actually, everyone already knew that Nightdance was extremely exhausted.
But faced with their teammate's determination, they couldn't bring themselves to protest—only silently supporting him.
Later on, Kakashi Windseer secretly slowed down his pace a bit.
When Gekko Nightdance saw the gates of Konoha, his vision blurred—he felt like passing out.
"If your stamina isn't enough, strengthen your willpower. Make your will unbreakable. Only then will your sword become invincible."
The cold voice of Kakashi Windseer rang out.
"Yes, I understand!"
Gekko Nightdance was already physically drained, yet he forced himself to persist, forging his own willpower.
Willpower.
That was how a warrior trained.
Akaba didn't quite understand, but he deeply respected Gekko Nightdance.
Knowing full well how exhausting and difficult it was to push through with such a frail, weak physique—to keep up with their speed.
Persisting all the way beneath the great gate, Kakashi Windseer turned back and watched Gekko Nightdance step forward one by one, revealing a slight smile: "Go rest once we're back. If you have any questions about sword techniques later, come find me."
"Yes!"
Gekko Nightdance's eyes lit up with joy.
Their clan's swordsmanship originated from The Second—not a true family inheritance of sword fighting.
The Hatake Clan was different.
During the Warring States Era, the Hatake Clan was famously a warrior family. After the arrival of the Ninja Era, they integrated chakra and ninjutsu into their swordsmanship, creating the Hatake Nagare sword techniques.
Kakashi Windseer's words implied that he would be taking him on as a sword disciple.
"Everyone else should rest well too. Notice for the Chunin ceremony will come separately."
Afterward, Kakashi Windseer left.
Supported by Sakumo, Gekko Nightdance slowly made her way home and gradually regained some energy; her complexion also became rosier: "Everyone go home now. I'll be fine."
Tsunade stepped closer and ran a brief diagnostic check, then nodded to everyone and said: "Nothing serious. Just excessive exhaustion. She'll be fine after more rest."
"I'm heading the same way as Nightdance. I'll walk her home. You don't need to worry about us."
Shinku Yuhi added.
Hearing this, the others finally felt relieved.
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