Inside the Hokage Tower.
Within Tsunade's office.
"And that concludes the full report for this mission."
Standing before Tsunade's desk Yagyu handed over the mission report as he spoke,
"The supplies brought back from the Sand Village should have already been received safely, right?"
"Shikamaru and the others didn't run into any major trouble this time, did they?"
Taking the report from him, Tsunade's face immediately filled with a satisfied smile.
The way she looked at Yagyu was practically overflowing with approval.
"They arrived back at the village yesterday."
Tsunade smiled as she explained,
"Just as you predicted, the journey back was completely safe. No accidents happened, and all the supplies were successfully delivered back to the village."
"And now that you've returned unharmed as well, this mission can officially be considered a complete success."
Hearing that, Yagyu nodded in satisfaction before speaking with a faint sigh:
"Is that so? Good."
"Even though I trust the abilities of the people I selected, accidents can always happen."
"As their leader, I have to take responsibility for their lives."
Tsunade wasn't surprised at all by those words.
To her this was exactly the kind of person Yagyu Sōsuke truly was.
After chatting for a while longer, Tsunade looked at him again and said:
"The escort mission for Gaara and his siblings has officially ended now that you've returned."
"As the captain of this mission, make sure to properly host them today. You can send them back tomorrow."
Yagyu nodded calmly,
"No problem. I'll take care of everything."
Tsunade smiled lightly.
But soon after her expression turned somewhat serious as she continued,
"There's another matter I think you should know about…"
"It concerns Sasuke."
Yagyu raised an eyebrow.
A questioning look appeared on his face as he looked at Tsunade.
After thinking for a moment, Tsunade spoke in a solemn tone,
"Before those five powerful Sound ninja attacked you, they intercepted Team Seven and fought them directly."
"Fortunately, none of the three suffered any serious injuries."
As she spoke, Tsunade handed Yagyu an intelligence scroll.
"This contains the full details of the encounter between Team Seven and the enemy."
"During the fight, the enemy continuously tried persuading Sasuke to go to Otogakure."
"They also claimed they could release the special power sealed inside his body."
After pausing briefly.
Tsunade continued,
"Sasuke is basically your student now, so I felt you should know about this situation."
"And you'll need to handle it properly."
"Oh, and one more thing"
"I've already completely sealed the curse mark that Orochimaru left on Sasuke."
Yagyu lowered his eyes and glanced at the report scroll in his hand.
Yagyu quickly understood the full sequence of events regarding Team Seven's encounter with the Sound Four.
It actually hadn't been that dangerous.
Although Sasuke hadn't trained under him for very long, he had still grown considerably.
Facing Tayuya and the others, Sasuke had not appeared as powerless as he did in the original story.
Instead, with Naruto's support, the two of them had completely defeated the enemy.
Even after the Sound Four entered their Level Two Curse Mark states, the result remained the same.
It was quite an unexpected outcome.
After all, Yagyu was very clear about exactly how strong Sasuke currently was.
As for the Sound Four attempting to recruit Sasuke that was entirely within Yagyu's expectations.
After all, Orochimaru would never give up so easily on a perfect vessel like Sasuke.
"Tsunade-sama, there's no need for me to do anything about this matter."
After reading the report, Yagyu casually handed it back to Tsunade as he spoke,
"Sasuke will make the correct choice himself."
"The temptation of Orochimaru's side doesn't hold much attraction for him anymore…"
"Of course, considering Sasuke's personality, there's still a certain possibility."
"But I can personally guarantee that possibility."
After pausing briefly.
Yagyu continued in a deep voice,
"If… if Sasuke ever betrays the village in the future, then I will personally bear responsibility for his mistakes and correct them myself."
He trusted Sasuke greatly.
Well, saying it like that wasn't entirely accurate.
More than trusting Sasuke, Yagyu had absolute confidence in his own strength.
If Sasuke obediently remained in Konoha then Yagyu could make him far stronger than he ever became in the original storyline.
And if Sasuke chose to defect Yagyu was equally confident he could completely suppress the future Sasuke as well.
That much confidence he definitely possessed.
"That's good then."
Hearing Yagyu's answer, Tsunade nodded knowingly.
"As long as you understand the situation yourself, that's enough."
"And make sure to properly host Gaara and his siblings."
"If nothing unexpected happens, I estimate that the next Fifth Kazekage will most likely be Gaara."
Yagyu looked at Tsunade somewhat unexpectedly.
Her political instincts were actually pretty sharp.
To so easily judge that Gaara was highly likely to become the future Fifth Kazekage.
Tsunade really wasn't just all big breasts after all.
Half an hour later, Yagyu returned home.
"Mom, I'm back."
As soon as he entered his family's bookstore, Yagyu saw his mother sitting at the counter.
"How's business been these past few days?"
Lifting her eyes his mother looked at the completely unharmed Yagyu who had returned safely.
A gentle smile appeared on her face,
"It doesn't really matter how business is anymore."
"After all, unlike before, I'm no longer working myself to the bone every single day."
Her gaze toward Yagyu was filled with pride and relief.
Unlike her late husband her son Yagyu possessed incredibly powerful strength so powerful that it could even be described as terrifying.
Because of that, his mother no longer worried much about Yagyu's safety while carrying out missions.
Now that she had finally put her mind at ease she no longer desired anything else.
She only wished to wait for the day Yagyu grew up married Ino, and gave her a chubby grandson.
That alone was enough.
She had no other thoughts anymore.
After all, the Yagyu family did not lack money, and their life could already be considered quite wealthy.
"Since you're back, go inside."
Looking at Yagyu, his mother spoke directly,
"Ino is currently entertaining a few of your friends for you."
"They just arrived at the house."
"Your mother doesn't really understand ninja matters, so go take a look yourself."
Hearing that, Yagyu nodded and walked toward the backyard,
"Got it."
In truth, ever since returning home, he had already sensed several chakra signatures inside the house.
At that moment, he had immediately understood there were guests waiting for him.
Turning the corner, Yagyu entered the living room.
He instantly saw the people sitting there Shikamaru Nara, Neji Hyuga, and Kiba Inuzuka were all present.
Meanwhile, Ino Yamanaka was attending to them, already carrying herself like the lady of the house.
"Yo, Yagyu, you're back."
Seeing Yagyu return, Shikamaru lazily greeted him.
Walking over to Ino's side, Yagyu sat down and looked at the three gathered there before asking,
"So, the three of you came here specifically because you knew I'd returned?"
As he spoke, Yagyu accepted the tea Ino poured for him and gently rubbed her soft little hand.
Blatantly showing off their affection right in front of everyone.
----------
Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com/OneFic