Under the dim glow of the lamps, Tatsuya strolled into the Akimichi clan compound.
Behind him, the Root member who had been tailing Tatsuya disappeared after watching him return to the compound. Even Danzo, with his typically unrestrained behavior, had to consider the potential repercussions of provoking a secret jutsu clan aligned with the Hokage.
Walking through the clan grounds, a cold smile played on Tatsuya's lips. He changed direction, heading not for his home but for the secluded training room the clan had recently assigned to him.
Entering the room, he pulled out several storage scrolls.
Poof!
With a series of rapid hand seals and accompanying puffs of white smoke, several large instruments and a collection of lab equipment appeared in the room.
A surgical table, two large cell culture vessels, and various smaller pieces of lab equipment and tools.
These items had all been purchased by Yoshida Jin through his contacts, and Tatsuya had just retrieved them from the newly opened Ansei Hall branch in Konoha. The pharmacy's manager, named Shinsuke, was personally selected and placed by Pakura, and Tatsuya trusted him for the time being. Shinsuke was the one how gives the storage scrolls.
Shinsuke had personally and discreetly handed the storage scrolls to Tatsuya. With these supplies, Tatsuya could finally transform the secluded training room into a proper laboratory.
Creating two shadow clones, Tatsuya quickly began arranging the lab equipment.
Before long, all the instruments and tools were in place. The several-hundred-square-meter training room, now filled with equipment, was left with only a few narrow passageways. Given the limited conditions, it was the best he could do.
Gazing at the well-organized lab, Tatsuya's face broke into a wide grin.
Ever since arriving in the ninja world, Tatsuya had harbored the desire to build a lab and conduct research. Now, that dream was finally a reality!
After taking a few delighted laps around the lab, Tatsuya returned to the lab bench.
He retrieved another storage scroll and took out the long, tube-shaped culture vessels stored inside. These vessels contained two clumps of flesh and blood tissue: one from Tatsuya himself, and the other discreetly acquired from Shisui while he was injured and unconscious.
Tatsuya had always harbored a strong desire for the power of the Uchiha clan.
After carefully placing the two culture vessels, Tatsuya finally went home to rest. Although the lab was set up, it still lacked a significant amount of experimental material. Tatsuya needed more time to prepare before he could officially begin his experiments.
Early the next morning, Tatsuya and Kyoko walked together towards the ninja hospital.
Kyoko was beaming, practically skipping as she walked beside Tatsuya.
Behind them, the rather bulky Cha-maru ambled along at a leisurely pace. Ever since Tatsuya had given Cha-maru to Kyoko, she had barely restricted his movements, essentially treating him like a pet dog.
Stimulated by the Body Activation Technique, Cha-maru's body was showing signs of renewed growth. After enduring Tatsuya's "enhancements" for this period, the dog now treated Tatsuya with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.
"Silly girl! What are you so happy about?" Tatsuya asked, amused by the sight of Cha-maru behind them.
Ever since the last clan banquet, Kyoko had seemed perpetually cheerful.
Kyoko's face flushed slightly, and she shook her head, her ponytail swaying gently. She certainly wouldn't tell Tatsuya that many people had seen them holding hands as they entered the courtyard that day!
Among those people were Kyoko's parents.
Now, many of the clan elders regarded Tatsuya as their prospective son-in-law.
Although Tatsuya wasn't directly aware of this, he could guess the gist of it.
Looking at the shyly grinning Kyoko, a mischievous impulse arose in Tatsuya's heart, and he reached out to ruffle her neatly tied ponytail.
Kyoko pouted, giving Tatsuya a mildly annoyed look, and then began to fix her hair.
Seeing this, Tatsuya chuckled.
After a moment, Tatsuya spoke, "Kyoko, let's open a shop?"
"Huh?" Kyoko turned her head in surprise, her expression utterly adorable.
"Let's open a pet shop," Tatsuya repeated.
Kyoko was puzzled. "Why do you suddenly want to open a pet shop?"
"To make money, of course! Besides, you're learning medical ninjutsu now, right? You'll need a lot of animals for experimental material in the future. If we open a pet shop now, we can save a lot of money in the long run," Tatsuya said with a shrug.
"Hmm! Opening a shop isn't a bad idea! But, I don't have much money saved up!" Kyoko said, initially excited, but then she started calculating and, twisting her little fingers, added hesitantly.
"You don't need to put up any money. I have money!" Tatsuya declared, waving his hand grandly.
"If you're paying to open the shop, why are you asking me?" Kyoko murmured after a short silence.
Tatsuya stopped walking, turned to Kyoko, and said with a smile, "Aren't you going to be the shop owner's wife?"
Kyoko's face instantly turned crimson. She shot Tatsuya a glance and ran ahead!
Tatsuya smiled at her retreating figure.
Although he had teased the girl a bit, his desire to make her the shop owner's wife was genuine.
Opening a pet shop wasn't just about providing Kyoko with material for learning medical ninjutsu! After all, if it's a pet shop, it would be perfectly reasonable to stock some unusual and strange things, wouldn't it?
Cha-maru seemed utterly confused by his owner's behavior. He swung his head back and forth, looking at Kyoko and then at Tatsuya, before trotting after Kyoko. His bulky body, as he ran, resembled a tiger descending a mountain.
After visiting the ninja hospital with Kyoko to treat Guy's injuries, Tatsuya prepared to head to the Police Force headquarters to continue his usual slacking off.
However, upon arriving at the headquarters building, he was informed that there would be a mission assignment at noon.
At noon, outside Konoha Village.
A large contingent appeared on the wide road, numbering over a thousand. At the very front of the group walked Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
It was the Konoha ninja army that had previously been deployed.
More than three months after the battle in the Valley of the Land of Hot Water, they had finally returned to the village.
At the village gate, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had personally arrived with a large welcoming party. This included the top brass of Konoha and the clan heads of the village's major ninja clans.
Along both sides of the road, villagers who had received the news had also gathered. They were cheering and waving their hands, welcoming the returning heroes!
At the front of the crowd, members of the Anbu and the Konoha Military Police Force served as security, maintaining order.
Tatsuya, Sakawa, and Yuuhi Teru were among them.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Orochimaru and Jiraiya led the ninja army closer.
From over a hundred meters away, Orochimaru's gaze immediately fell upon Tatsuya, dressed in the uniform of the Konoha Military Police Force. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, followed by an amused smile playing on his lips.
"Welcome back!" The Third Hokage, leading the village elders, stepped forward to greet the returning Konoha ninjas, his voice resonating.
Nearby, Danzo stood expressionless. As his gaze swept over Orochimaru, a barely perceptible glint of malice flashed in his eyes.
Further back, watching the returning ninja army, Uchiha Fugaku's expression was complex.
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