Five years.
To a Tailed Beast, five years is but the blink of an eye.
They have lived for hundreds, even thousands of years; five years is nothing.
If this kid can really do it...
"What makes you think I should believe you?" Shukaku asked.
Nobunaga looked at it.
"You have no other choice."
Shukaku fell silent for a moment.
Then it laughed.
The laughter was unpleasant, like the sound of grinding sand, echoing in the dark space.
"Interesting," it said, "Truly interesting."
It stood up, its massive silhouette looming over the entire space.
"Fine," it said, "Five years. I'll wait for you."
Nobunaga nodded.
His figure began to fade.
"Remember what you said," Shukaku's voice came from behind him. "If you don't come after five years—"
"I'll be there."
Nobunaga's voice dissipated in the darkness.
His consciousness returned to his body.
Nobunaga opened his eyes.
Moonlight shone on his face.
He was standing at the entrance of the alley, across from Gaara.
Gaara also had his eyes open, looking at him.
The hollow emptiness in those eyes had diminished slightly. Something was surfacing from the depths.
"You..." Gaara spoke, "You just now..."
"A deal," Nobunaga said.
Gaara looked at him.
"What deal?"
Nobunaga didn't answer.
He just looked at Gaara. He looked at that young face. Those eyes that were exactly like his student's.
"You can sleep now," he said.
Gaara was stunned.
"What?"
"Shukaku won't cause a scene anymore," Nobunaga said, "At least not for five years."
Gaara's pupils contracted slightly.
He looked at Nobunaga. He looked at those eyes that had already returned to black.
He didn't understand.
Why was this person helping him?
They were complete strangers. They were just strangers passing by. He had even felt murderous intent toward this person.
Why?
"You..." He wanted to ask something.
But Nobunaga had already turned around.
He walked forward.
After two steps, he stopped.
He didn't look back.
"Gaara."
Gaara looked at him.
"You are not a monster."
Nobunaga's voice came from ahead, very soft, so soft it seemed like it would be blown away by the night wind.
"I have always felt that way."
He continued walking forward.
The sound of his footsteps gradually faded.
Moonlight fell on the alley entrance, falling on Gaara.
He stood there for a long time.
Long enough for the moon to move another inch.
Long enough for the night wind to blow, lifting the red hair on his forehead.
He raised his hand and pressed it against his chest.
Something was beating there.
Beating faster than usual.
He couldn't say what it was.
But he suddenly remembered last night.
He couldn't sleep, and Temari sat by his bed, gently patting him.
"Go to sleep," Temari said, "Big sister is here."
He had fallen asleep.
That was the memory of the first time he had fallen asleep this year.
Gaara lowered his head.
Moonlight fell on his face.
He stood there for a long time.
Then he turned and walked toward where the Sunagakure delegation was stationed.
His pace was neither fast nor slow.
But this was the lightest he had ever walked in his life.
...
Days passed quickly amidst Nobunaga's training and writing.
Every morning, he got up before dawn and practiced at the Training Ground until the sun rose. Then he would return to wash up, eat breakfast, and then hunch over his desk to write the third, fourth, and fifth chapters of 'small story after the rain'.
In the afternoons, he would sometimes go find Jiraiya and listen to that Pervy Sage talk about his "creative insights"—which, to put it bluntly, were just records of what he saw while peeping at the women's bathhouse. Nobunaga listened and took notes, not for material, but so that if anyone asked in the future, he could explain himself.
In the evenings, he continued training. Chakra control, Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and proficiency with the Mangekyo Sharingan.
His days were very fulfilling.
So fulfilling that sometimes he almost forgot that Mei Terumī was still in the Village.
In the blink of an eye, two weeks had passed.
This morning, just as Nobunaga got out of bed, he heard a "croak" from outside the window.
He turned his head.
An orange-yellow little toad was perched on the windowsill, an envelope in its mouth.
Nobunaga walked over and took the letter from the toad's mouth. The toad let out a "croak" and vanished in a puff of white smoke.
The envelope was addressed to "Shadow - To be opened by the addressee personally."
Nobunaga opened it; inside was a thin sheet of paper and a stack of cash.
On the paper was Jiraiya's scrawled handwriting:
"Kid, the first edition of 'small story after the rain' sold well. This is your manuscript fee. The publisher said they're already discussing a reprint, so look forward to your share of the profits. — Jiraiya"
Nobunaga looked down at the stack of cash.
It was a thick pile.
He counted it; it was quite a bit more than he had expected.
Although that Pervy Sage was usually irresponsible and had been caught peeping at the women's bathhouse countless times, he wasn't sloppy when it came to money. He wasn't a gambling addict like Tsunade, nor was he like Orochimaru, who had no concept of money. He gave exactly what was owed, not a cent less.
Nobunaga put the money away.
This was his capital for running away. It was his guarantee for survival.
He tucked the envelope into his robe and pushed the door open to head out.
Today was a big day.
The third stage of the Chunin Exams.
He stepped out into the sunlight.
Konoha's streets were much busier than usual. Today was the day of the official exams, so there were not only Konoha villagers but also nobles and Daimyo who had come from various countries. The streets were filled with people dressed in finery, as well as Anbu Ninja maintaining order.
Nobunaga moved through the crowd, heading toward the Central Training Ground.
After two steps, he stopped.
Not because of the crowd. But because of a voice.
"Nobunaga-kun, long time no see."
The voice was very light. Very soft. Carrying a hint of a smile.
Nobunaga's body stiffened for a moment.
He turned his head.
On the edge of the crowd stood a girl.
Dark blue short hair, a Hidden Mist Village forehead protector, and large eyes; she looked to be about twelve or thirteen years old.
Mizukage Ryoko.
Mei Terumī's Water Clone.
Nobunaga's brow furrowed slightly.
In an instant, he remembered that night. She had held a blade against his heart and said, "Next time we meet, I won't give you another chance."
Those words were like a thorn stuck in his heart.
And now, she had indeed come again.
Standing openly before him, looking at him with a beaming smile.
Nobunaga suddenly felt like laughing.
If he had known earlier that Mei Terumī would chase him with those fifteen years of memories, he would have definitely gone all out during the first simulation to build the best relationship possible, so he could just cling to her support in the real world.
Even if he hadn't completed the mission to kill the Mizukage and didn't get the Sage Body, he could have slowly made up for it later using the system simulations.
But it was too late for that now.
Nobunaga withdrew his gaze and continued walking forward.
Pretending he didn't hear.
Pretending he didn't see.
He walked very fast. He had to. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to help himself.
But that voice rang out again.
"Nobunaga-kun."
The sound of footsteps caught up from behind.
Ryoko walked to his side, keeping pace with him.
"Nobunaga-kun, how have you been these past few days?" Her voice was light, like an old friend making small talk.
Nobunaga didn't speak.
He continued walking forward.
Ryoko wasn't annoyed either; she just followed him.
"Nobunaga-kun, you know," she said, "I thought about it after I went back last time."
Nobunaga ignored her.
"That night, that ocular technique of yours—" she drew out her words, "Tsukuyomi, right?"
Nobunaga's steps faltered for a moment.
Just for a moment. Very brief.
But he knew she had seen it.