Chapter 13

Iki Island.

"Thank you for assisting us... we are extremely thankful."

Hundreds of people gathered at the town's gate, all looking gratefully at the four figures standing before them.

Daikichi was thanked by an elderly guy who appeared to be the town chief.

"I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the previous Genin Squad."

Daikichi appeared to have changed totally throughout this mission, as he bowed slightly to the old man, apologizing for the previous trouble.

It's been three days since they dealt with Kakushi and co.

Daikichi, Mei, and Ichiro were gravely hurt in the fight and had to rest in town.

"What in the world happened when I fainted?"

Ichiro gazed at Daikichi, who had entirely altered, puzzled.

The man who had advised them to kill their friends if necessary was actually bowing to an ordinary old man.

"Hey! "What the hell happened to Sensei?"

With a bewildered expression on his face, Ichiro leaned closer to Mei and asked her.

"Don't bother me; ask him yourself"

Mei moved her head to the side, not wanting to waste her time conversing with this buffoon.

She simply desired to return and begin training to get stronger as soon as possible.

"You're ahead of me, but I'll catch up to you one day."

She reflected as she saw Aokiji joyously converse with town inhabitants who were grateful to him for saving them.

Ichiro was surprised to be reprimanded sharply, yet he did not become enraged and simply shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll ask my uncle after I return."

Ichiro believed that Daikichi would undoubtedly relay the mission's specifics to his uncle, Gengetsu Hozuki, the 2nd Mizukage.

His father is the Clan's Chief; Gengetsu departed from the role of Patriarch two years ago after being appointed Mizukage.

Ichiro's father, his younger brother, was chosen to lead the Clan.

With his position as Chief son and as Mizukage's nephew, he has the authority to request mission specifics.

"Then, we'll be on our way"

Daikichi said to the town head as he turned around and made his way to the harbor.

"Be careful, everyone."

Aokiji stated as he bowed slightly towards the gathered villagers, then followed Daikichi with Mei and Ichiro.

"Thank you so much, Aokiji!!!"

All of the youngsters about Aokiji's age screamed with delight, as the majority of them had been kidnapped and had witnessed Aokiji fighting the enemy.

It was shocking to see him freeze the massive waves of water.

Hearing the yells from behind, Aokiji grinned because he loved the sense of making others happy; it wasn't so bad after all.

Following Daikichi, the three of them arrived at the port swiftly and, after locating a suitable boat, began their journey back home.

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Hidden Mist Village.

"Sigh... I can finally rest now"

When Aokiji arrived at the village entrance, he exhaled with relief since he could finally take a break.

"I'll report the mission to Lord 2nd, return home and rest."

"And Aokiji, meet me at the Clan Main Hall in the evening."

"You got it, Sensei!!"

Aokiji nodded as Daikichi flashed by, disappearing from their sight.

Mei and Ichiro returned immediately as Aokiji arrived at his house.

After a shower, Aokiji rewarded himself with a large supper because he deserved it after such a dangerous mission.

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Mizukage Office.

*Knock*

Gengetsu, as usual, was preoccupied with the documents when he was interrupted by a loud tap.

*Creak*

Daikichi pushed open the door as he strode in.

"Oh, you've returned. "Did the mission succeed?"

Gengetsu inquired, seeing as it was Daikichi.

"It went well; all the specifics are in it."

Daikichi pulled out a scroll and handed it to Gengetsu, who opened it and examined it.

"So you came across that traitor Kakushi, and this boy Aokiji was the one who defeated him and his subordinates." "Are you kidding me?"

Gengetsu gazed at Daikichi as if he were a fool.

A 6-year-old child fought several Chunin and a full-fledged Jonin; he enjoys jokes, but there must be a limit.

"I know that's difficult for you to believe, but this is the reality... if it hadn't been for him... I might not be standing here today."

"And he possesses something more valuable than strength."

"His words helped me discover the true me and understand the significance of what I had previously neglected."

"Acting on rules is fine, but try to look at the world with your own eyes too."

Daikichi smiled as he recalled what Aokiji had said to him.

"Is this Genjutsu?"

When Gengetsu saw Daikichi's smile, he was taken aback and hurriedly made a hand sign, but nothing changed.

"Stop messing around."

Daikichi took out two bottles as he put one before Gengetsu, and holding the other, he set aside and gulped it down.

"Haha!! Did you take the wrong medicine or something?"

Gengetsu laughed as he took the sake in front of him and drank it as well.

"Gengetsu, I think I can see a lot more things now that I didn't before."

Daikichi said to Gengetsu, who, not expecting such remarks from him, made a guess in his head.

"His old friend has finally changed."

"Come on, pour a little more."

"I'm not finished yet."

Gengetsu was pleased as he didn't let Daikichi end at one bottle and took some more from under the desk.

"Arigato...Aokiji"

Daikichi grinned heartily for the first time in his forty years and couldn't help but thank the child who had changed his life.

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