Orochimaru and Qianyu left the Hokage Building together.
Outside the main entrance, Orochimaru turned to his student. "You'll be accompanying me to the battlefield now. Go and prepare. Restock your tools. Report to the base tomorrow morning."
Qianyu gave a slight nod. "Understood, Orochimaru-sensei."
They parted ways. Qianyu headed straight for the weapons shop. He purchased shuriken, kunai, and a stack of explosive tags.
He stepped back out onto the street. His expression twisted into a wince. A flash of pure, financial pain.
He hadn't done many missions—mostly C-ranks—but Orochimaru never took a cut, and Qianyu had no other expenses. He'd saved it all. He'd thought his savings were substantial.
One trip to the weapons shop proved him wrong. He was practically bankrupt.
The kunai and shuriken were fine. It was the explosive tags. Damn things were expensive. Nearly three hundred ryo each.
Their utility was undeniable, though. Setting traps required them. They could turn the tide in a fight. He couldn't not stock up.
He patted his thin, pathetic wallet and sighed.
At least Orochimaru covered his living costs. Food, lodging, the essentials. He wasn't about to starve.
He left the commercial district. Qianyu returned to the house that was barely a home.
Now, he needed to check his status. His points.
Yes. The incident with the Cloud-nin kidnapping Kushina Uzumaki had paid out. Again.
[Witnessed pivotal event: The Kidnapping of Kushina Uzumaki by Kumogakure forces. Reward: 500 Witness Points. Additional reward for direct intervention: 800 Witness Points.]
Qianyu stared at the number. He took a slow, deep breath. A grin spread across his face, wide and utterly uncontrollable.
Compared to the 50 points for witnessing Kushina's enrollment, or the 50 points for Might Guy's birth… this 1,300? A fortune.
He pulled up his full profile.
[Name: Qianyu]
[Bloodline: Uchiha Clan, Senju Clan] [Kekkei Genkai: Two-Tomoe Sharingan] [Chakra Reserves: One (1) Sharingan-Active Kakashi] [Ninjutsu: E-Rank: Three Basic Techniques. C-Rank: Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique…] [Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique. Genjutsu: Sharingan…] [Taijutsu: Shurikenjutsu (Mastered). C-Rank Taijutsu…] [Additional Abilities: Thunder Breathing - All Sword Forms]
He looked over his stats. A genuine surge of satisfaction washed over him. All those years of relentless training hadn't been wasted. The difference between his current self and the academy student he'd been was like heaven and earth.
He didn't spend any points. No need to.
1,310 Witness Points in total. It seemed like a lot, but there was nothing in the 'store' he urgently needed. With Orochimaru as his teacher, ninjutsu was the last thing he lacked. As for the big-ticket items—like a Three-Tomoe Sharingan for both eyes—his points fell laughably short.
"Tch. Some fortune. Still broke," he muttered, closing the panel.
He reached into his tool pouch and pulled out a sealed scroll. Unraveling it with a pulse of chakra, a ninjato materialized in a puff of smoke.
It was Oyuro's sword. He'd noticed it during the fight—the blade had exceptional chakra conductivity. It was likely alloyed with chakra metal.
His visit to the weapons shop had confirmed it. The blade contained traces of chakra-conductive ore. Not a lot, but enough. It was a superior weapon, far better than the katana he'd been using.
The katana he'd bought for 10 Witness Points was a mess. The edge was jagged, uneven. He'd had to sharpen out so many chips and notches from battle that the blade itself was worn down.
This ninjato? It was an upgrade. The old katana could finally retire.
Qianyu stood up, his gaze sweeping across the sparsely furnished room. He'd barely slept here since it was assigned to him. He'd considered spending his last night in Konoha here, but one look at the layer of dust on the bed changed his mind.
He left, heading for Mito Uzumaki's residence. He needed to tell Kushina he was leaving.
Kushina herself opened the door.
"Kushina! You're awake!" Qianyu's face lit up with relief and surprise.
Kushina's cheeks immediately flushed a bright pink. The memory of the kiss rushed back. She ducked her head slightly, her voice soft. "Mhm."
"Kushina," he began, his tone turning serious. "I'm being deployed. A long-term mission to the Land of Hot Springs with Orochimaru-sensei. I'll likely be stationed there for… quite a while."
"What?"
Her head snapped up. The light in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a deep, immediate disappointment.
Qianyu reached out, ruffling her vibrant red hair gently. He smiled. "It might be a long stay, but I'll find a way to come back and see you. I promise."
Kushina's lower lip jutted out in a pout. She hadn't seen him properly in days. Even after everything that happened, the moment she'd woken up, she'd cleaned up and put on a nice dress, hoping… just hoping he'd come by. They didn't have to go anywhere special. Just sitting and talking somewhere would have been enough.
And now he was leaving.
He saw her expression. Qianyu's smile turned fond. "I don't leave until tomorrow morning. We still have time. Want to go for a walk?"
The gloom vanished from Kushina's face instantly. She nodded vigorously. "Yes! Let's go now!"
After a quick word to Mito, the two of them wandered through the streets of Konoha. The afternoon sun was warm. They talked about little things, about nothing at all. Eventually, their feet carried them into one of the village's quieter training groves.
A comfortable silence settled between them. No words were needed. Just the quiet rustle of leaves, the dappled sunlight, and the simple, profound happiness of being in each other's company.
They stayed until the last traces of daylight faded into a deep, velvety blue, and the first stars began to prick the sky.
Qianyu walked her back to Mito's gate.
"Kushina," he said, his voice low and earnest. "The village isn't completely safe right now. Stay close to Lady Mito. Don't wander off alone. And remember—no matter what happens, if you're in trouble, ring that bell. I will do everything in my power to get to you. Immediately."
He went on, listing precautions, giving advice. Kushina didn't interrupt. She just listened, her eyes fixed on his face, memorizing the lines of his features in the dim evening light.
When he finally finished, she reached out and took his right hand.
It was still wrapped in bandages. Her gaze locked onto the white cloth, her expression solemn.
Qianyu chuckled softly. "It's just a scratch. It'll heal in a couple of days. Don't worry about it."
But Kushina wasn't looking at the bandages anymore. She was looking into his eyes. Her gaze was fierce, burning with a newfound determination. "Qianyu. I'm going to train hard too! I won't… I won't ever be a burden to you again!"
For a moment, Qianyu just looked at her. Then, gently, he pulled her into his arms. He held her close, his voice a whisper against her hair, filled with a warmth that chased away the evening chill.
"You were never a burden, Kushina." His arms tightened just a fraction. "You are my pride. You are the direction I strive for."