Escape From Konoha

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The truce with Suna was just a few days later.

This time, they had rearranged the location for signing the armistice agreement. The Konoha mission went unscathed, and the armistice agreement was executed without incident.

Though the war had concluded, ninja presence still lined the borders of the Land of Fire. Furthermore, evacuating and returning to the village was a process spanning more than just a couple of days. They needed to count and store unused materials, tend to numerous wounded individuals, and verify and transport the bodies of the fallen back to the village.

Sakumo's team found themselves with nothing to do with the time. The war was over, and they were no longer required to conduct sabotage operations behind enemy lines, as they had done previously in Suna Hidden camp.

Leaving aside the other three members, Shiraishi was kept busy due to his role as a medical ninja, assigned to the medical unit day in and day out. This ensured smoother recoveries for the wounded when they eventually returned to Konoha.

In reality, the medical ninjas who participated in the operation were all seasoned and highly skilled adult ninjas. Shiraishi didn't protest, as it lightened his workload significantly.

These days continued until early December when the Konoha ninjas on the front lines began dismantling the camp and returning to the village, marking the conclusion of Shiraishi's duties with the medical team.

The journey back from the front lines to the village took three to four days due to their deliberate pace. They had to care for the injured and protect valuable, unused supplies. Rushing back within a single day was out of the question.

Upon their return, Shiraishi experienced the recognition of a "hero" for the first time. The senior Konoha leadership, led by the Third Hokage, together with a large contingent of Konoha ninjas and the villagers from Konoha, welcomed the returning ninjas.

After a day's rest, Konoha held a grand memorial ceremony.

Out of the more than 500 individuals who had brought back the deceased, less than one-tenth had returned with the corpses intact. Many bodies remained missing, were so badly mutilated that they couldn't be identified, or belonged to Suna's ninjas. The latter group was even more numerous.

December's weather was already quite cold. On the day of the burial ceremony, the sky was overcast, with rare glimpses of sunlight.

Sakumo's team donned pure black mourning attire and stood solemnly in front of the newly erected tombstones.

This war with Suna had lasted for over two years, surpassing even the War in the Land of Rain in terms of severity and casualty rates.

Suna's ninja formation exhibited a comprehensive level of skill far surpassing that of Iwagakure's ninja.

"I don't see Tsunade," Ayane remarked quietly, looking around the surroundings.

Shiraishi also looked around. Orochimaru and Jiraiya, among the three sannins, were present, and even Jiraiya's student, Minato, had shown up. However, Tsunade was conspicuously absent.

"Well, this war has directly taken two of her closest people. It's natural that she wouldn't want to attend this kind of funeral. However, once everyone departs, she will come here discreetly," Shiraishi explained.

Tsunade didn't want others to witness her vulnerable side, so she would choose someone to visit the memorial in private. In Shiraishi's eyes, Tsunade's spirit had grown fragile. However, everyone has varying levels of inner strength and differing capacities for handling adversity. Shiraishi fully understood this.

"You three should return home. I'll go discuss something with Hokage-sama."

After the memorial, Sakumo said this before heading toward the location of the Third Hokage and other high-ranking officials.

Shiraishi and Ayane didn't object. They exchanged glances and departed from the Mausoleum Park.

"It looks like this year's New Year's celebration will be quite somber," Ayane commented as they walked, sounding somewhat regretful.

Upon hearing Ayane's words, Shiraishi and Ruri nodded in agreement. It was already December, and many families had been torn apart by the war. Although the festivities would go on as usual, it was certain that the usual liveliness would be lacking.

It wasn't just the civilians; many ninjas from the major ninja clans had also made sacrifices.

"What are your plans now? The war's over, but it feels rather abrupt," Ayane continued.

"That's likely because our team hasn't participated in a front-line battle before," Shiraishi responded.

"You two, don't take it lightly just because the war is over. If something happens to you, finding a ninja who can keep up with my pace will be no easy task," Ruri warned.

Shiraishi scoffed lightly and replied, "Don't worry, my motto has always been 'safety first.'"

The end of the war didn't render ninjas useless.

In times of peace, ninjas still undertake missions, but these missions are notably less challenging compared to times of war.

Shiraishi realized he hadn't attempted to accept a standard mission. All the missions he had undertaken so far involved combat with enemy ninjas.

The lowest level of mission was categorized as a B-level task. Standard missions were A-level. Occasionally, he would accompany Sakumo on an S-level mission, dipping his toes into the military aspect.

Considering that Ruri and Ayane in the team had both achieved Chunin rank, he, as the lowest-ranking Genin in Sakumo's team, couldn't help but ponder when he might attain Chunin status. After all, it felt a little odd to be a Genin in Sakumo's elite squad.

After a brief chat, the three of them went their separate ways, returning to their homes.

"Speaking of which, are Uncle and Aunt coming back for New Year's this year?"

"They will send them something."

"Really? Won't you feel lonely?"

Shiraishi inquired.

"It doesn't matter."

"It seems like it's another year of vigil for just the two of us."

Shiraishi remarked casually, placing his hands behind his head.

"Yes, another year without any expectations."

Ruri replied, her gaze wandering to the gray sky, lost in thought.

◎

December passed swiftly, and since Konoha and Suna signed an armistice agreement, the ninja world remained relatively calm.

During this period, the Sakumo team only embarked on two missions, both of them relatively simple C-level tasks. These missions involved suppressing a bandit stronghold in the Land of Fire and guarding caravans traveling to the neighboring lands.

Compared to the peaceful time of the ninja world, Konoha Village was undergoing some not-so-insignificant changes.

Tsunade had resigned from her position at Konoha Hospital to dedicate herself to the business of training medical ninjas at the ninja academy.

This decision puzzled many.

Shiraishi, in particular, found it suspicious. With Tsunade's exceptional medical ninjutsu skills, she was unparalleled in the modern ninja world. Among the Sannin, she was undoubtedly the strongest in the realm of medical ninjutsu.

In the eyes of medical ninjas, Tsunade represented the pinnacle they aspired to reach. Given her capabilities, she could have continued her work at Konoha Hospital and simultaneously trained medical ninjas at the ninja school. These two roles weren't mutually exclusive.

Most of the routine medical cases at Konoha Hospital could be handled by other medical ninjas. Tsunade was only required for particularly complex surgeries. The higher-ups didn't provide any explanation for her resignation, simply respecting Tsunade's personal wishes.

While she had relinquished her position at Konoha Hospital, Konoha's medical ninjas could still consult Tsunade for advanced medical knowledge. Tsunade didn't seem to mind.

In the field of medical ninjutsu, Tsunade was the foremost authority. Her contributions to Konoha included developing numerous medicines, successfully countering Elder Chiyo of Suna's poisons during the war, and significantly reducing the poisonous threat posed by Suna's puppet troops with her own abilities.

Furthermore, Tsunade's surgical prowess had saved countless lives during the war, earning her the gratitude of many Konoha ninjas.

In Shiraishi's opinion, among the three Sannin, Tsunade was the most likely candidate to become Hokage in the future. She possessed excellent bloodline as the granddaughter of the First Hokage, a huge support base, and had earned immense respect.

However, Shiraishi's perspective was limited to his family. Konoha's political landscape was... well, to put it mildly, peculiar. Shiraishi couldn't find the right words to describe it, so he simply used "special."

Konoha's Hokage relied heavily on the power of Anbu, a direct subordinate unit. This power was split between Anbu and Root. The curious thing was that the control of Root didn't rest with Hokage; it operated independently under a dark veil.

Uchiha controlled Konoha's military police force and held significant authority, surpassing Hokage's direct subordinate Anbu in some aspects.

For example, Anbu needs the Hokage's order to arrest people,.

While the Uchiha were undoubtedly powerful ninjas, the police's headquarters was located in a relatively secluded part of the village, not at Konoha's heart. This arrangement didn't facilitate the garrison's effectiveness.

Shiraishi believed that many fundamental issues needed to be addressed and changed.

Although the first Hokage established Konoha, and the second Hokage created the development pattern of Ninja Village, there are also many regulations that cannot be adapted to the times in the things they left behind.

If changes were made in the future, some regrettable tragedies will inevitably occur.

However, he couldn't help but feel that his concerns were unfounded.

The organizational framework was already firmly in place. The five individuals he dispatched were currently affiliated with the business group established by Ruri's parents. They had procured a sizable plot of land in the Land of Ghosts, where they planned to establish a base.

Once Shiraishi decided to leave Konoha and embark on his own path, he would be ready for the next, more intense war. His philosophy and thought patterns were fundamentally at odds with the village.

....

January marked the beginning of a new year.

To avoid raising suspicion, Shiraishi and Ruri attended the New Year's festival together, a tradition they had upheld in previous years. Now that Ayane was part of Sakumo's team, they could openly enjoy the festival without drawing unnecessary attention.

A squad, formed like a close-knit unit, was in many ways like a family. The bond among squad members was strong.

"Happy New Year."

Dressed in a new white kimono adorned with pink cherry blossoms, Ayane waited for Shiroishi and Ruri on the street. She bowed slightly to greet them.

"Happy New Year."

Both Shiroishi and Ruri returned the greeting with slight bows. However, Ruri didn't acknowledge Ayane.

Unlike Ayane, Ruri wore a light blue kimono with a matching blue headband adorning her hair. Her attire was somewhat revealing around her neck and shoulders, displaying her snow-white and slender neck.

The three exchanged red envelopes with each other as customary New Year gifts.

Due to the war that persisted into the previous month, the New Year celebrations in Konoha were subdued compared to usual.

It wasn't yet time for the evening festival, but festive decorations adorned the streets. Some houses displayed straw rope arrangements with pine and bamboo branches at their entrances.

Children played on the streets, holding toys and laughing, their joy casting aside the shadows of war.

Hearing the laughter of these children helped alleviate some of the war's sadness.

"Ruri, your kimono is lovely."

"Well yours isn't bad, either."

Ruri glanced at Ayane's kimono, which featured a white base with pink cherry blossom patterns. The kimono perfectly suited Ayane's pure and gentle demeanor.

"Yeah, after all, it's the best gift I've received this year."

Ayane replied with a smile.

"By the way, where are you two planning to go today?"

After hearing Ayane say those words, Shiraishi quickly changed the topic skillfully, afraid that she might say something unnecessary at this time.

"I heard there are some new shops in the village. We thought we'd check them out. Later in the evening, we'll join Sakumo-sensei for a barbecue."

Ayane was eagerly looking forward to the evening's festivities and a sumptuous meal with Sakumo.

Shiraishi and Ruri had no objections to the plan, as the highlight was the evening barbecue.

To ensure they could fully enjoy the feast later, they had decided not to eat anything during the day.

Shiraishi wasn't particularly interested in shopping, but he understood that for Ruri and Ayane, the thrill lay in the atmosphere, not necessarily in buying anything.

Ruri, on the other hand, was an exception. Ayane came from a well-off family and wasn't obsessed with material possessions. Given her appetite, most ordinary households would have gone bankrupt long ago. Shiraishi, being the poorest among them, understood the value of frugality.

During the afternoon, Shiraishi, Ruri, and Ayane strolled, evaluated various products, and shared opinions. The atmosphere was harmonious, almost like that of a family.

Time passed quickly, and the sky began to darken. More people filled the streets. The light snowfall added a chill to the air, but with the increasing crowd, the cold became less noticeable.

Ninjas, usually busy with their duties, had removed their ninja attire and donned fresh clothes for the evening festival.

Gradually, the lively atmosphere picked up, and open-air performances entertained the crowd. Performers in unusual costumes and ghost masks enacted eerie ghost stories that captivated the children.

Children joyfully ran through the streets, their laughter drowning out the voices of adults.

"I'm not late, am I?"

After their afternoon shopping, Shiraishi, Ruri, and Ayane waited at their designated meeting spot. After a while, Sakumo appeared, dressed casually. He carried a two-year-old child in his arms, swaddled warmly.

"No, there's still half an hour before our planned meeting time. Is this Sakumo-sensei's child? He's really cute."

Ayane gazed at the child in Sakumo's arms, who, like Sakumo, had white hair. The child returned Ayane's curious look with bright eyes.

"Alright, you can come down, Kakashi."

Sakumo set the child down. The child was already able to walk on his own. Once on the snowy ground, he stood there, looking puzzled.

Ayane reached down to pick him up. Although he didn't cry, he sported a somewhat haughty expression, with the corners of his eyes raised.

Shiraishi didn't think the kid was cute, believing the child must have some mischief in him.

"This child is quite energetic."

Ayane said with a smile.

"Yes, he's always been healthy and will undoubtedly become an excellent ninja in the future."

"Sakumo-sensei, it's a rare celebration today. Can't you hold back on the gloomy talk? We're trying to escape the weight of our usual missions."

"Apologies, it's a professional habit."

Sakumo had said that almost unconsciously, given his ability to see through the true nature of things.

"Ruri, would you like to hold him?"

Ayane turned to Ruri.

"No, this kid's eyes are far too arrogant. They make me want to give him a good smack."

Ruri, seeing Kakashi's eyes, felt a certain level of disdain.

Shiraishi nodded in agreement. He had a similar impression.

If the kid grows up, and that would undoubtedly make him a troublemaker.

"No, I think little Kakashi's eyes reveal his spirit."

"Where's the spirit in that?"

"It seems Ruri doesn't have the potential to be a good wife and mother."

Ayane seemed to tease Ruri with a proud tone.

Ruri snorted and spoke disdainfully, "Overflowing compassion only causes harm to oneself and others."

She then cast a sharp look at Shiraishi, as if seeking his opinion.

"Alright, you two. Let's enjoy the festive atmosphere."

Sakumo intervened, sensing the tension. He patted Shiraishi on the shoulder as if to convey, "I can only help so much."

It was indeed complicated for young people. With his perceptive eyes, Sakumo naturally detected the ambiguities within the trio's relationship. He sighed helplessly.

Next, the four proceeded to a nearby yakiniku restaurant. This was the same place where the Sakumo Squad had initially formed.

Sakumo was nostalgic about this venue. A single meal here had cost him the entire reward from an A-level mission.

"Take it easy with the food. Overeating isn't good for your stomach."

Before ordering, Sakumo spoke seriously.

"For the sake of our health, I'm not too concerned about my wallet. After all, I'm a renowned Jōnin in Konoha. Just a few hundred thousand ryo..."

Sakumo seemed a bit hesitant.

"But we didn't eat a single grain of rice all day to prepare for this big meal tonight" Ayane said with an innocent look, glancing at Sakumo.

"Is this the measure of Konoha's White Fang? Quite disappointing," Ruri remarked with a smirk.

"No way, after all, he's Konoha's White Fang," Shiraishi chimed in, fanning the flames.

As Sakumo found himself getting teased, he couldn't help but laugh. With the exception of Shiraishi, the others weren't overly concerned about the cost. Why should they burden his wallet when he had been so careful with his money?

During missions, it was essential to take care of each other, not create conflicts over expenses.

"Order everything on the list."

After everyone had made their selections, Shiraishi called over a waiter to place the order. The waiter glanced at the ordered ingredients and their quantities, concerned about whether they could finish it all. However, upon recognizing Ayane as a familiar customer, he smiled knowingly.

Not only had they selected the most expensive and finest ingredients, but they also ordered generous portions. They were indeed significant customers for the barbecue restaurant.

- Two hours later.

Everyone had eaten and drank their fill. When it came time to pay, Sakumo looked at the sizable amount on the bill, his eyes turning slightly white in disbelief.

While it wouldn't bankrupt him, it did make him wince. He realized that if this continued, his wallet would suffer from his team's expensive tastes.

"Thank you for your generosity, Sakumo-sensei."

As she gazed at the satisfied expressions on the faces of the three, especially Ayane, who seemed to have enjoyed the meal the most, Sakumo couldn't help but shake his head.

"You three should think of my wallet."

"But among our team members, only you are a Jōnin."

"After all, you're the most powerful Jōnin."

"Indeed, someone who cares for their teammates is a qualified Jōnin. Thinking about it, you truly are Konoha's White Fang."

Sakumo found himself in a dilemma as he heard the trio heap praises upon him.

Their reactions had changed so quickly. Once, they used to call him Konoha's White Fang in a rather mocking tone. The shift was quite amusing.

After some playful banter, Sakumo took Kakashi to another place to enjoy themselves, leaving Shiraishi and the others to their devices.

By this point, it was nearly midnight, and the snow on the streets had piled up.

The festival had transformed from a lively event into a quiet one, and many shops were closing up.

"This year's festival was happier than previous ones, thanks to celebrating it with my team. I hope we can continue like this in the future."

Ayane walked slowly through the snow, her hands behind her back, her head lowered as she stepped carefully. Suddenly, she raised her head, smiled, and shared her thoughts with Shiraishi and Ruri.

"Of course, we can do this every year. We're teammates, after all."

Shiraishi replied.

"Yeah, speaking of which, I really liked this year's gift, so I wanted to thank you, Shiraishi-kun..."

"What?"

As Ayane brought this up unexpectedly, Shiraishi knew trouble was brewing and was about to divert the conversation with an excuse.

However, Ayane leaned in and gently kissed Shiraishi on the cheek. Shiraishi, taken aback, froze in place. Even Ruri was left in a state of shock.

"While it's not my first kiss, this one is special because it's the mark I've left on Shiraishi-kun. It's quite memorable. So, goodbye."

Ayane smiled shyly and then disappeared into the snowy night.

While Shiraishi was still in a daze, Ruri, who was beside him, was flushed with anger. It was a feeling of having something dear to her heart stolen away without hesitation.

This humiliation fueled her dark thoughts of wanting to destroy everything. Nothing else mattered.

"This, this, this... Shameless! Disgraceful! Vile! An evil woman!"

Ruri's face turned crimson, and she began forming hand seals, gathering chakra throughout her body.

"Go to hell!"

Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu

"Wait! Don't cause trouble in the village!"

Shiraishi reacted quickly, stopping Ruri from executing the fire release jutsu. It wouldn't be auspicious for Anbu to intervene during the New Year festival.

Ayane, who was some distance away, had heard the commotion behind her. However, her mind was no longer on it.

She touched her lips, where she could still feel Shiraishi's warmth. This year was off to a promising start.

...

Mid-January.

The four members of Sakumo's team gathered at Konoha Village's gate.

"This mission involves suppressing an illegal organization in the Land of Fire's Extinguishing Kingdom. It seems there are ninja among them, making it a B-rank mission, but it could be upgraded to an A-rank at any moment. While it's not overly difficult, we shouldn't let our guard down..."

As Sakumo explained the mission, he couldn't help but notice a strange atmosphere within the team.

Ayane wore a gentle and innocent smile, seemingly oblivious to the peculiar mood. On the other hand, Ruri's piercing gaze directed at Ayane made Sakumo wonder if she was about to tear Ayane into pieces.

"Shiraishi, what's going on with those two?" Sakumo turned to Shiraishi, the most ordinary and typical member of the medical ninja.

"It's nothing. It's just that girls have their monthly..."

Ruri stepped on Shiraishi's foot hard, making him blush and go silent.

"Sakumo-sensei said that this mission might be dangerous, so stay close to me. I won't guarantee your safety otherwise."

Ruri's threatening words left Shiraishi with no choice but to nod in agreement.

Since that day, Ruri had been looking quite fearsome.

It was best not to argue with an extremely angry woman.

Sakumo scratched his head. For some reason, the team's running-in seemed to be becoming more difficult.

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