In the days that followed, Tengen alternated between seeking out new videos that appeared and honing his abilities.
Having acquired the Flying Thunder God Technique, he visited Konoha's weapon forges to craft specialized kunai, essential for wielding the technique effectively.
During this time, shinobi from other major villages began departing Konoha to return to their own lands. The Chunin Exams had concluded, and it was impractical to allow foreign ninjas to linger.
Many participants in the Chunin Exams were Jonin, their strength formidable enough to significantly impact Konoha. Despite heightened security, their presence was a potential powder keg.
Thus, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, would not permit these powerful foreign shinobi to remain.
Before Kumogakure's departure, Killer Bee sought out Tengen, expressing eagerness for a future rematch. His older brother, A, however, harbored darker thoughts, contemplating how to eliminate Konoha's prodigy.
But within Konoha, such an act was impossible unless they were prepared to ignite a war. Doing so would likely trap Kumogakure's shinobi in Konoha permanently.
So, A restrained himself.
As for uniting other villages against Konoha, there was no existing animosity to leverage. A direct conflict was out of the question.
Attempting to assassinate Tengen in Konoha would draw the attention of other Konoha shinobi, spelling disaster.
In the end, A could only lead Killer Bee back to their village.
Additionally, Yugito Nii, under Tengen's control via the Otherworldly Deity technique, also returned to Kumogakure.
As for Mei Terumi, who had clashed with Tengen during the Chunin Exams, she approached him with a fierce glare, vowing to settle the score for her earlier defeat.
Tengen responded with a lighthearted smile, which left Mei fuming as she stormed off.
With the other four major villages and their respective daimyo gone, Konoha returned to its usual tranquility.
Shinobi resumed their missions, and the village gates saw a steady flow of ninja coming and going.
Meanwhile, the list of those promoted to Chunin was announced. Tengen was among them, alongside Kurenai Yuhi, Shizune, and others.
To celebrate their promotions, they held a small gathering.
Anko Mitarashi, Yugao Uzuki, and others joined in, making the occasion joyful and memorable.
One day, Shizune visited Tengen.
"Tengen." she said softly at his doorstep, her voice tinged with sadness.
"Come in, sit down. What's wrong, Shizune? No one's bullying you, are they?" Tengen teased with a smile.
As Tsunade's disciple, few in Konoha would dare trouble Shizune. Now a Chunin, only a Jonin could challenge her, but Konoha's Jonin knew better than to cross Tsunade's apprentice, given her mentor's fiery temper and monstrous strength.
"Besides you, who else would?" Shizune shot him a playful glare. "But seriously, you've been visiting Tsunade-sama a lot lately. Nothing's happened, right?"
"What could happen? You know I'm a ninjutsu genius. We're just discussing techniques." Tengen said with a dry cough.
His interactions with Tsunade had grown oddly tense. In pure taijutsu, Tengen could now hold his own against her, unless she unleashed the Strength of a Hundred Technique, which she refrained from doing.
Their sparring sessions in her small room were evenly matched, with the crucial rule of avoiding damage to the house. With their strength, a single careless move could unleash catastrophic destruction, easily demolishing the building.
These bouts sharpened their control over their power, yielding valuable insights.
"By the way, Shizune, what brings you here?" Tengen asked suddenly.
"Right." Shizune's tone grew somber. "Tengen, I might be leaving Konoha."
"Leaving Konoha?" Tengen blinked, caught off guard. "A mission, or…?"
"No, not a mission." Shizune shook her head. "Tsunade-sama and I are leaving Konoha."
"Leaving Konoha." Tengen repeated, stunned. Was Tsunade really leaving?
He'd heard hints of this from Tsunade, who had been waiting for Shizune to complete the Chunin Exams. Now, it seemed, the time had come.
"How long will you be gone?" Tengen asked.
"I don't know. We don't know when we'll return." Shizune said, her eyes reddening. "Tengen, I won't be able to see you anymore."
"Don't worry, Shizune. If I get the chance, I'll come find you. If I see your unique marker, I'll know where to look." Tengen reassured her.
"Thank you, Tengen." Shizune whispered.
Tsunade's ability to leave with Shizune stemmed from her past and her contributions to Konoha. As a princess of the Senju clan and Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple, she was afforded the rare privilege of departing peacefully.
For ordinary Konoha shinobi, leaving the village was no simple matter. Returning could be even more complicated.
In some ways, shinobi were akin to soldiers in Tengen's previous world.
They lingered for a while, and then Tengen walked Shizune out.
"Leaving tomorrow, huh?" Tengen watched her go, sighing softly. Perhaps leaving was for the best.
At the very least, Tsunade and Shizune would be spared the turmoil of the Third Great Ninja War.
"Hm, a standard video." Tengen noted as a red dot appeared in his system, signaling a new video.
"Let's check it out."
***
Every 5 reviews and 200 power stones, a bonus chapter will be dropped.
(5,10,15, 200, 400, 600, and so on then two bonus chapters will be dropped, 1 for 5 reviews and 1 for 200 power stones, so that's 2 bonus chapters!)
And if you want to read more than 50 chapters early, feel free to visit pat re on. com / Xelenea (remove space).