"Wahoo~! Pidgeot, execute a figure-eight maneuver and then go for a high-speed dive and climb!"
Kei firmly anchored his feet onto the falcon's back using chakra, spreading his arms wide as the strong wind rushed against his face.
The sky flipped upside down. At this moment, he felt truly free.
The vast sky, dense forests, remote villages, and rivers cutting through the woodland.
He momentarily set aside the sight of a large green-skinned toad sprinting along the main road, its hind legs kicking up dust like a galloping horse.
Everything before his eyes was so vivid and beautiful.
After indulging in the thrill of high-altitude flight for over an hour, Kei finally used the spatial coordinates on the Flying Thunder God kunai from Minato's ninja pouch to teleport back onto the toad's back.
"Can't you use your own Flying Thunder God marker?"
Minato glanced at the kunai on his waist, then helplessly rubbed his temples.
He was genuinely happy that his close friend had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique. But using his Flying Thunder God marks all the time...
It gave him an odd sensation, like wearing pants while someone else kept pulling them down. This was just a weird picture.
"I could, but the Flying Thunder God is a lethal move. I don't plan on letting others know I've mastered it."
Kei casually hooked an arm around Minato's neck. He made no attempt to hide his lack of trust in Konoha's higher-ups.
"You, you... How are you planning to write this mission report this time?"
"Hmm... How about this? We just say that in the Land of Tea, we finished intelligence gathering and left, without knowing what happened afterward. Then, we report everything honestly on Summoning Island…"
"A jonin who committed suicide?"
"The mission report will, of course, say suicide. Privately, though... Well, let's inform the Third Hokage and hand over the Hōzuki clan's secret techniques along with the legacy of the Second Mizukage. After all, I am a loyal inheritor of the Will of Fire."
"Oh, I'm sure the Hokage will be so grateful to you."
Minato rolled his eyes—something quite rare for him.
He wasn't stupid. It was obvious that Kei was just dumping the problem onto the Third Hokage. The secret techniques of the Hōzuki clan weren't something ordinary people could learn.
These techniques were ridiculously difficult to master.
Not only did they require an extremely high level of Water Release mastery, but also exceptional illusion prowess—and even the ability to modify the Hydrification Technique into an oil-based form.
Ever since Gengetsu's passing, the clan had struggled for years. Had they ever produced another Gengetsu?
To Konoha, this was just like the First Hokage's Wood Release scroll.
If they discarded it?
What if some genius actually managed to learn it?
Handing over this kind of technique scroll meant that given the Third Hokage's personality, he would probably stash it away, even if he found it a headache.
After all, this was the legacy of the Second Mizukage.
Adding to Konoha's arsenal was never a bad thing. But if they just quietly kept the scroll, and someday the Hōzuki clan found out that Kei could use their secret techniques...
Even if the Hokage wanted to complain, he'd have to take responsibility.
By submitting the scroll through official channels, even the two old geezers in the Konoha Council, who loved to shift blame, would have no grounds to criticize Kei.
"Oh please, no need to thank me. It's my duty." Kei was completely unfazed by Minato's sarcastic tone.
"Kei, when will your actions ever match the nonsense you spout?"
"Where did you even learn this sarcastic tone?"
"Didn't I pick it up from you?"
"Hey, hey, Honoka, you be the judge here…"
Honoka, standing to the side, covered her mouth, giggling as she watched the two banter. The worries and unease she had about settling down in Konoha gradually faded away in the warmth of their laughter.
Two days later, inside the Hokage's office in Konoha.
Hiruzen finished reading the mission report submitted by Kei and Minato.
Then, he glanced at Honoka, who stood nervously beside Minato, before shifting his gaze to the two secret technique scrolls and one sealing scroll on his desk.
His temples throbbed. He felt like he couldn't breathe properly.
Bringing an Uzumaki clanswoman into the village was one thing—after all, the high council had already approved a motion to take in Uzumaki refugees.
Even though Honoka had previously worked in a research facility in Kiri, as long as she carried the Uzumaki bloodline and held no hostility toward Konoha, the village would gladly welcome her with open arms.
But—what were these other things?!
The secret techniques of the Hōzuki clan?!
The techniques of the Second Mizukage?!
Did they want to provoke the lunatics in Kiri into launching an attack tomorrow?!
"This mission will be classified as top secret. The Hōzuki clan's techniques will be sealed in the archives under the category of 'extremely high training difficulty.' As for the Second Mizukage's jutsu... it will be added to the Scroll of Seals. You two may select two jutsu from the archives or the Scroll of Seals as a reward."
The Third Hokage massaged his temples with both hands.
With war looming on the horizon, the last thing he wanted was this kind of mess. But a village's strength was built upon its arsenal of jutsu.
Could he really reprimand his subordinates for bringing back such an invaluable secret technique?
If he discouraged this kind of contribution now, who would dare to do it in the future?
He had to admit—he was at a loss. It was supposed to be a routine reconnaissance mission with some danger.
How had it turned into this?!
"Hokage-sama, in that case, I'll be taking this," Kei said with a sheepish grin as he walked up to the desk, grabbing the scroll that contained Samehada.
He used Kushina as an excuse—claiming he had promised to bring her back a local specialty.
Minato's expression twitched ever so slightly.
Samehada is a... local specialty?
Uh… Well, it is unique to Kiri, so technically, that's not wrong...?
"... Kiri still values its Seven Ninja Swordsmen highly. Until the conflict between them and Suna is settled, do not flaunt that weapon in public," Hiruzen warned after a moment of contemplation.
He ultimately chose not to confiscate Samehada. After all, a ninja's spoils of war rightfully belonged to them. Seizing an individual's battle loot was... a tricky issue.
Besides, Kiri and Suna were already at each other's throats.
At this moment, over a single sword, neither village would risk baring their fangs at Konoha—whether for strategic reasons or out of sheer hatred toward each other.
Still, it was best to play it safe.
Once the two villages were deep into their war, then would be the perfect time to reveal Samehada.
Kei's grin became even more genuine. As expected, the Third Hokage was a good man! Before returning to the village, he thought he'd have to fight to keep Samehada.
But to his surprise, the Third, who hadn't yet reached his twilight years, was far bolder than he had imagined!
This old man was so straightforward that he definitely deserved to be scammed two fewer times in the future.