The figures gathered at the harbor pier were indeed there to welcome their arrival. Before reaching the Island of Mist, they had already stopped at another island to restock supplies. After all, the maritime borders of the Land of Water were not left unguarded—their two large ships had been reported long before they even came into sight.
Of course,
if they were just ordinary shinobi returning from a mission, it wouldn't have warranted such a grand reception.
The reason their two ships were being treated with special importance came down to two things.
First, among their ranks were Terumī Mei, Hōzuki Mangetsu, and Kirigumo Ryūsei—scions of the most prominent noble families of Kirigakure. The safety of each one of them was tied to the interests of powerful figures within the village.
And second, there was Koeda Kyoichi. His feat of slaying Hanzō of the Salamander alone had already brought him to the attention of Kirigakure's upper echelons—but now, with news that he had survived a two-day clash against Orochimaru and lived to tell the tale, such strength could no longer be ignored.
Thus,
the welcoming party gathered at the docks was not only large in number but also prestigious in rank.
Leading them were Masakazu Kirigumo, patriarch of the Kirigumo clan; Ao, the trusted aide of Elder Genji; and Anjō Oniyuzu, one of the village's senior advisors.
Masakazu represented the noble clans of Kirigakure—his presence also reflected the long-standing friendship between the Kirigumo and Koeda clans.
Ao, without question, stood there as the eyes and ears of Elder Genji.
And Anjō Oniyuzu, that seasoned elder, was one of the firmest supporters of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi.
In short,
these three men embodied a miniature model of Kirigakure's current political order.
"Koeda Kyoichi..."
Anjō Oniyuzu muttered the name as he watched the two great ships draw near. He turned to Masakazu beside him and asked,
"Masakazu, if the reports are accurate... this so-called 'Earth-Walking Yaksha' is only fifteen years old this year?"
"That's right," Masakazu nodded, his eyes glinting with admiration. "That boy is indeed fifteen."
Even from their brief encounter before, Masakazu had sensed the boy's extraordinary potential—enough that he'd entrusted him with looking after Mei during the rescue mission. What he hadn't expected was for them to encounter Orochimaru of all people... nor for Kyoichi to emerge from that encounter with yet another shining achievement to his name.
The result—
Kirigakure had no choice but to send such a luxurious reception to welcome them home.
"Fifteen years old... truly terrifying for someone so young," Anjō Oniyuzu sighed in awe.
Then, after a pause, he asked,
"Masakazu, you've met this Koeda Kyoichi before, haven't you? What kind of boy is he... easy to deal with?"
"I believe my report was detailed enough," Masakazu replied, glancing at his old friend. After a brief sigh, he continued,
"I know what you're worried about, but as I wrote—Koeda Kyoichi isn't the cold-blooded kind who discards bonds for power. He deeply values his clan. The Koeda Clan's successful escape owes entirely to his efforts. Without him, following Dazen's approach, perhaps no more than ten would've made it here alive."
"I see... so he's a man of sentiment and loyalty," Oniyuzu murmured with a pleased expression. "Good. Very good."
Among shinobi, the rule was clear—the mission comes before all else.
Under such a creed, Kirigakure had bred many ruthless individuals who could even cut down comrades if it meant success. Such weapons were sharp—effective, yes—but dangerous.
Leaders never minded wielding a few blades like that...
yet when a blade grew too sharp, it was natural to fear it might turn against the hand that held it.
Thus, those in power preferred their weapons sheath-bound—
restrained by ties of affection, love, friendship... even obsession. Anything that could temper a weapon's edge and keep it from biting back was a good thing.
Koeda Kyoichi's compassion for his clan meant that family—his bonds—were his weakness.
And that, to them, was very good news.
Ao stood quietly behind them, saying nothing. Though he represented the Elder Genji, his age and experience were still far below those of the two white-haired veterans before him. It was better to listen and observe than to force his way into their conversation.
After all,
the Elder's instructions had been clear—
Watch more. Listen more. Speak less.
"Anjō, you old fox," Masakazu said, shaking his head with a faint smile.
"You worry too much."
"Better to worry too much than too little," Oniyuzu replied lightly.
"Too much control is never a virtue," Masakazu countered.
"I can't help it," Oniyuzu chuckled. "I'm no longer the patriarch of the Oniyuzu clan. As a senior advisor, I have to justify the salary and honor that come with the title."
"Just don't forget—press a man too hard, and he'll either break or fight back."
"Who said anything about pressing him?" Oniyuzu smiled again. "I'm merely... gathering information."
Masakazu sighed and let the matter drop. Not because he was convinced—but because the ships had docked. The gangplanks were lowered, and the returning party was beginning to disembark. There was no more time for old men's debates.
"Masakazu-sama! Elder Anjō!"
Biwa Jūzō strode forward quickly, bowing respectfully to the two white-haired elders.
Then he turned to the man beside them—an older shinobi with a single eyepatch.
"Ao! You're here too, huh?"
"Enough chatter, Jūzō," Masakazu cut in directly. "Fetch Kyoichi. Anjō and Ao are both here for him."
"Masakazu, what are you saying?" Oniyuzu shot him a look. "You're here for him too."
"I'm different," Masakazu replied bluntly. "I'm here for my granddaughter."
As he said that, he raised his hand and waved toward the disembarking figures.
"Mei! Hurry up and come here!"
"Grandfather!"
The young girl broke into a run, beaming with delight as she threw herself into his arms.
"Masakazu-sama," Kyoichi said politely, following behind her and bowing his head slightly.
"Thank you, Kyoichi," Masakazu said warmly, holding his unharmed granddaughter. "Thank you for taking care of Mei on this mission."
"I only did what was expected of me," Kyoichi replied modestly.
"Expected or not," Masakazu chuckled, "don't get any strange ideas, boy. Mei's only thirteen—fourteen after the new year. She's still just a child."
"Grandfather, what are you saying!?"
The girl puffed up in embarrassment, her face red as she protested loudly. Then she sneaked a quick glance back at Kyoichi—
seeing his expression remain calm, her heart, which had almost leapt out of her chest, finally settled down.