After their brief conversation, Youmu stepped outside the door.
"Um?" Uchiha Mikoto looked at Saigoji Youmu as he emerged and froze for a moment—their time to talk was too short.
"Mr. Saigoji, you and the patriarch..." Mikoto leaned forward, asking cautiously.
"It's okay, Mikoto. Can you help me find a pen and paper? I need to use them."
Youmu gently rubbed Mikoto's head to offer comfort, then added something unusual.
"Paper and pen?" Mikoto asked, a bit puzzled. Nevertheless, she soon found a pen and paper as asked. Youmu quickly scribbled a note.
"Mikoto, if the Miyayama patriarch comes looking for you later, just show him this piece of paper."
He handed the paper filled with words to Mikoto.
"I'm leaving—see you tomorrow," he announced.
"Um?" Glancing at the note in her hands, Mikoto grew even more puzzled.
"Saigoji-sensei is playing some charades," she muttered quietly, and immediately planned to leave Uchiha Miyayama's house. However, before she could take a few steps, someone called, "Miss Mikoto, the Patriarch asked you to come over."
"Ha?" she replied.
At the Raikage Office – Cloud Shinobi Village
In Konoha Village, peace reigned; but outside, the situation was different. At the Cloud Shinobi Village's Raikage Office, a conversation unfolded: "Is it settled?"
"It's settled, Lord Raikage."
"Okay, let's head to Tianzhi Country tomorrow."
"Father, is there any danger?"
"That old fellow Onogi..."
"Hahaha, am I afraid of him?"
"Dare to play tricks, and I'll let him know what regret is."
At the Tsuchikage Office – Rock Shinobi Village
At the Tsuchikage Office in Rock Shinobi Village, a brief conversation took place:
"Huangtu, tomorrow you and I will go to Tianzhiguo together."
"Okay, my lord father."
The Next Day – Training Ground in Konoha
On a certain training ground in Konoha, the day's session ended with: "Mr. Saigoji, the patriarch asked me to bring you a note."
"He said that if you have time, you can visit the Uchiha family more often."
"Well, I see."
"Mr. Saigoji, what did you write on that note?" Uchiha Mikoto asked curiously.
After reading the note yesterday, Uchiha Miyayama had sighed heavily before sending her away. Mikoto was very impressed by that rare look of helplessness on the majestic and powerful patriarch—a sight she had never seen before.
"Hehe, nothing," Saigoji Youmu replied with a smile.
On that paper, he had written that because Sarutobi Hiruzen took good care of himself—and with Uzumaki Kushina among them—he had agreed to be a teacher. He added that if Uchiha Miyayama wanted him to accept apprentices again, he should dismiss that idea as soon as possible.
"All right."
Youmu's reluctance to elaborate meant Mikoto did not press further. Sword skills training continued.
Discussion of the Land of Fields
The Land of Fields lay between the Land of Thunder and the Land of Earth. In terms of strength and domain, Tian Zhiguo was not weak. However, compared with the five major countries in the ninja world, it was relatively minor.
Its survival was due to its role as a buffer zone between Thunder and Earth, preventing intense friction and the outbreak of war. Even the daimyo of Tian Zhiguo was cautious, remaining law-abiding and never favoring one side over the other.
He probably never expected that one day, two powerful figures in his country would come together. In a modest dwelling in Tanokuni, Third Tsuchikage Ohnoki, Huangtu, and Third Raikage Ai along with his son stood quietly on the sidelines, the atmosphere tense.
"Since you're here, there's no need for this hostility," Ohnoki finally broke the silence.
"You're right."
"Let's talk business."
Third Raikage nodded.
"Tell me—there's something that interests me specifically," he said.
"Moreover, such a significant benefit was promised."
"Loess."
Onoki winked at Huangtu, who understood immediately. He took out a scroll from his arms and handed it to Third Raikage.
"Um?" Third Raikage looked surprised, glancing at both Onoki and Huangtu. He then took the scroll and unrolled it. After a moment, he asked, "What's the meaning?"
On the scroll was recorded all the information about Saigoji Youmu in Konoha.