"There won't be any side effects, will there?"
The herbs Torifu mentioned existed in the ninja world, but most had side effects, often at the cost of depleting one's life force.
Torifu sat up and looked at Naori: "Am I some kind of fool? These two kids are my disciples; why would I ever harm them?"
The medicinal herbs purchased from the system store were likely products from other worlds, incomparable to the chakra-infused plants of the ninja world.
Naori couldn't help but chuckle: "Alright, I worried too much."
The medicinal effects were quickly and fully assimilated, and Yahiko and Konan slowly opened their eyes.
Yahiko felt a significant increase in his physical strength compared to before, and his chakra had also grown!
Was this all due to the herbs his master gave them?
"Train hard. Your lives have only just begun. As you continuously improve, your master will give you even more rewards."
"Yay!"
Yahiko and Konan immediately cheered. They were very serious about their daily training, and they never dared to slack off in their studies at school.
So they were sure to receive more rewards from their master.
Naori watched the two children so happily and couldn't help but pinch their little cheeks.
She wondered when she would have a child of her own.
If things progressed a little faster, Yahiko and Konan could even play with her child.
After thinking it over, she decided to push the timeline forward a bit.
Just as Yahiko and Konan were still excitedly dancing around, Minato returned.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw his junior disciples acting in such an 'unbecoming' manner.
"Minato is back. How was this mission? Was it difficult?"
Minato shook his head upon hearing this: "Sakumo-sensei took us to a nearby village to deal with a bullying incident. It was just friction between ordinary people, easily resolved."
After speaking, he also sighed; the missions he could take at his current stage were simply too easy.
They were either finding lost cats, catching dogs, or mediating neighborhood disputes.
He was a Genin, after all, yet the tasks he performed had absolutely nothing to do with being a ninja.
Moreover, due to the Hokage's grand wedding, the Land of Fire was exceptionally peaceful, completely devoid of bandits, ronin, or similar threats.
As for rogue ninja, there was even less to say; any rogue ninja with a brain wouldn't dare cause trouble in the Land of Fire—that would be purely seeking death.
"Don't be impatient. Growing step by step is the necessary path for a ninja."
Torifu lectured Minato with a serious expression.
But in truth, he had never experienced any stage of gradual growth.
If it truly came down to it, at nine years old, he transformed into an ancient ancestor and struck Uchiha Madara with a sword, and at twelve, he single-handedly confronted an army of several thousand ninja and the Gold and Silver Brothers.
He also casually destroyed the Land of Lightning...
Was that considered growing step by step?
Naori, listening nearby, couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore, so she stood up and went to the pavilion to drink tea.
But Minato and the two little ones felt their master's words were very wise. Minato also realized that he had indeed been too fixated and impatient about missions.
He needed to adjust his mindset.
Torifu spent the entire evening having heart-to-heart talks with the children, teaching them ninja survival skills and telling stories.
After dinner, everyone went about their own business without disturbing one another.
Minato and Kushina arranged to play games together.
Yahiko and Konan watched from the side, occasionally chatting with Kushina.
The entire Kumotsuru Clan compound was a picture of harmony; such a scene unfolded every evening.
This was also the most comfortable period for Torifu.
At nine o'clock the next morning, Torifu, dressed neatly, left the Kumotsuru Clan compound, preparing to head to the apartments where the Kage were staying.
Today was the day they were to leave Konohagakure.
As Hokage, he had to see them off.
Just as Torifu arrived, the Kage and Ichiryu, along with their escorts, emerged.
Each person had about ten escorts, making a total of forty to fifty people.
"Isn't that Hokage-sama? We are about to depart for our respective villages now. Who knows when we will meet again?"
Ōnoki shook his head, indeed feeling a sense of regret.
During the days he spent with Torifu, he grew to appreciate him more and more. However, after this parting, he wondered what future event could bring them together again.
He could only hope for fate to intervene.
"Tsuchikage-sama, there's no need to sigh.
If you wish to visit Konohagakure, its gates will always be open for you."
Torifu then smiled and glanced at the other Kage. "The same goes for all of you. You are friends of Konohagakure, and my friends, so there's no need for sadness at our parting. We will surely have a day of reunion."
At these words, smiles bloomed on the faces of the Kazekage, Mizukage, and Ichiryu. "Hokage-sama's words are enough. As mountains and rivers meet, we will surely meet again someday."
Afterward, the Kage set off towards Konohagakure's main gate. Villagers along the way waved to them.
Everyone felt very warmly towards the Kage from other villages.
Seeing these Kage on the streets during their stay felt like seeing friends; it was a very peculiar feeling.
It was just a pity that no one knew when they would meet again next time.
Unless something major happened in Konohagakure, meeting again would likely be difficult.
After all, a Kage governed an entire major village, and a General like Ichiryu-sama even managed an entire country.
They couldn't easily leave their posts. This time, they had left their countries and come to Konohagakure to discuss cooperation, which also happened to coincide with Torifu's grand wedding.
It was merely a happy coincidence.
Torifu led the Kage all the way to the entrance of Konohagakure.
The fiery red gates slowly opened, symbolizing the formal conclusion of the talks. The Kage were about to leave, returning to their respective villages.
"To all the Kage-sama and Ichiryu-sama, have a safe journey. I look forward to the day we meet again."
The Kage all turned back, smiled at Torifu, and then, each displaying their unique abilities, departed from Konohagakure's entrance.
After a flurry of dust, stones, and a sudden gust of wind and rain, only the delegation from the Land of Iron remained at Konohagakure's gate.
Looking at the Kage who had already vanished, Ichiryu felt a moment of bewilderment.
This was purely taking advantage of an honest samurai, wasn't it!
A somewhat awkward Ichiryu simply straightened his back and walked towards the main road.
Seeing this, Torifu also smiled and shook his head, then turned and returned to the village.
Among these individuals, Ichiryu was the oldest; whether they would meet again next time was truly uncertain.
The average lifespan in this world was only sixty to seventy years.
Ichiryu was already considered a person nearing the end of his life.