Kumogakure.
Looking at the team ready to depart, Dodai couldn't help but look at Mabui beside him.
"You must keep a close eye on Raikage-sama and make sure he doesn't do anything rash."
"Uh, I'll try..."
Mabui glanced at the impatient Raikage and gave an awkward smile.
If the Fourth Raikage was so easy to advise, the Raikage's office wouldn't need to replace sofas and glass repeatedly.
"Dodai, stop nagging! I haven't seen Bee in a long time!"
"That brat, ever since he went to Konoha, he hasn't been willing to come back. This time, I'm going to give him a good beating."
A shouted at Dodai, clearly annoyed that they were still dawdling when they were about to set off.
"Raikage-sama, Konoha defeated Iwagakure and Sunagakure, and they are currently at the peak of their power." Dodai frowned and tried to persuade him again.
"Got it! After we sign the alliance, I'll bring Bee back and then beat him up, won't that work?" A waved his hand, very impatient.
"Alright, then." Dodai nodded very seriously.
After all, Bee really deserved a lesson. As a Jinchuriki, he dared to stay in Konoha so boldly for so long.
If Samui hadn't been in constant contact with the village, Dodai would have been a little worried that the two of them had been captured by Konoha.
—
On the streets of Konoha.
Shinji walked behind, watching his disciples, who had stopped training and were accompanying Karin.
After some getting to know each other, although Karin hadn't truly let go, she was no longer as she was before.
After talking with Ino and Hinata, the group decided not to train today and to take Karin sightseeing. Shinji naturally approved of this.
Passing by a dango shop, Naruto noticed Karin's gaze lingering. He then looked at his companions and asked, "Do you want to eat dango?"
Everyone nodded. Karin, who was being pulled by Ino and Hinata, hadn't had a chance to respond yet. Her attention was immediately drawn to a plate of dango in front of her.
"Eat up, these are delicious, though a bit too sweet. Only Sasuke really likes them." Naruto held a plate of dango in his hand and offered it to Karin.
"Shut up!" Sasuke, standing nearby, looked at Naruto speechlessly.
He always had to undermine him.
"Pfft—"
Karin was amused by the reactions of the two people in front of her and couldn't help but laugh out loud, but the next second she quickly covered her mouth.
"Karin, let's ignore them both." Seeing this, Ino pulled Karin forward.
She explained the relationship between Naruto and Sasuke to Karin, while Hinata occasionally added to the explanation. However, most of it was to defend Naruto.
"Those two are like rivals. They bicker and quarrel all the time, but when something serious happens, they're more anxious than anyone else. That's just how they interact."
The boys followed behind, looking helpless. They realized that they were simply accompanying the girls in front on a stroll. They couldn't get a word in.
"Sensei, do you want some?" Naruto's eyes lit up, and he immediately brought a plate of dango to Shinji.
"No need, you guys eat." Shinji smiled and patted Naruto's head, glancing at the few people walking ahead.
"Later, if I get busy, I'll have to trouble you, Naruto, to take good care of her."
"No problem."
Naruto readily agreed. He had already been thinking the same thing.
Sasuke and Shikamaru also nodded. They all felt that Karin was a pitiful girl.
"Oh, right, sensei!"
Naruto seemed to remember something and asked Shinji, "Who is Neji currently assigned to as his guiding Jonin?"
The others who heard this looked up, as Neji also got along well with them. Recently, however, he had been on missions frequently. Every time he came back to train, they felt awkward asking too many questions.
"The one from last time, the Jonin in green." Shinji shrugged.
Shinji naturally assigned Neji to Guy. After all, among the current Jonin, only Guy and Kakashi didn't have a regular team.
Oh, and him.
However, considering that Neji's strongest skill was Taijutsu, Guy was the best choice.
Although Shinji had already taught Neji a lot of Taijutsu, when it came to the powerful branch of Taijutsu, no one in the entire Konoha was more suitable than Guy.
"It's him!"
Naruto was a little stunned to hear it was that Jonin. It was entirely because that Jonin seemed a bit strange. He often shouted about youth and made strange movements, but his strength was formidable.
"That's right. After all, his Taijutsu is very strong. I hope Neji can gain different experiences from it." Shinji nodded.
In the original story, Neji was able to become the first Jonin of his generation under Guy. Aside from his own talent, a large part of it was due to Guy's efforts.
Guy was not leading a team yet, so Neji could get to know him better by following him. Perhaps in another year or two, Lee and Tenten would graduate.
Even if he had been on the battlefield, based on Neji's merits this time, he would more or less be able to be promoted to Chunin.
However, Shinji had told Neji that it would be better to take advantage of the Genin stage to grow well and experience the steps a ninja should take.
To settle down, perhaps it would help with the development of the Byakugan.
Neji also agreed to this.
"Sensei, what are you doing?"
Ahead, Ino turned to look at Shinji and Naruto, who had fallen far behind. She couldn't help but shout.
"Let's go, I'm taking you all out for dinner today. I'll have Neji join us later." Shinji smiled, pushing Naruto and Sasuke forward.
—
A few days later, at the Konoha Gate.
Shinji wore a helpless expression, arms crossed, watching the incessantly chattering Bee. He just felt a wave of helplessness.
This guy, staying in Konoha for so long, seemed to have sparked even more inspiration. He had been babbling non-stop since they met.
Bee loved his current life. He didn't have to stay in Cloud-Lightning Gorge all the time, and he could go sightseeing every day. Moreover, Konoha had countless festivals and events that constantly sparked his inspiration.
"Idiot, damn big brother, how much longer do I have to wait? So slow, I want to go out and play." Bee said, waving his arms and legs.
"Bee! What are you saying!" Not far away, a voice sounded, carrying surging anger.
Shinji raised an eyebrow, stepping back a little.
Hmm?
Seeing Samui make the same move, Shinji couldn't help but wonder, 'I'm retreating because I'm from Konoha, but why are you retreating too?'
Shouldn't she be stopping the Fourth Raikage?
Samui met Shinji's gaze, and her eyebrows couldn't help but twitch slightly.
Stop Raikage-sama from showering his brother with affection? What about the suffering she had endured recently?
(End of Chapter)
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