Naruto was pleasantly surprised.
The moment he saw Ichiro Tategen standing in front of him, he immediately stepped forward.
It had been many days since they had parted outside the mountain gates.
Ichiro looked at Naruto carefully from head to toe, his eyes full of admiration.
"Naruto, it seems you've really made progress!"
Naruto laughed confidently.
"Of course! I feel much stronger now!"
Ichiro chuckled.
"Well, you can feel it yourself. Come on."
"To celebrate your coming down the mountain, I'll treat you to dinner!"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Great! Let's go!"
Ichiro stood up.
This time, he didn't need to carry Naruto.
Naruto no longer needed anyone's help to fly.
"Wait for me, Brother Ichiro!"
Naruto leaped into the air.
High above the clouds, the two of them flew side by side.
"Naruto," Ichiro asked with a smile, "how does it feel to fly again?"
Naruto replied calmly,
"Not bad."
Ichiro suddenly grinned.
"Then let's race. See if you can catch me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he accelerated violently.
Boom!
A sonic boom burst in the air.
Naruto laughed loudly.
"Alright! Watch me!"
He gathered chakra and dark matter, accelerating after him.
The two streaked across the sky like shooting stars.
Condensed clouds formed behind them.
The Council of Sect Masters
At the same time, after Naruto left the mountain gates, the academy convened an emergency meeting.
All five sect masters were present.
Presiding over the meeting was the head elder—
Takero Tategen.
He looked at the people below him and spoke solemnly.
"Everyone, tell me your thoughts."
"Originally, Naruto had only common attributes. We all believed he would not achieve much."
"But now, after your guidance, every one of you says he exceeded expectations."
"This suggests that he may be the Child of Prophecy."
The room fell silent.
Even Chuigen Yanshan, who usually slept through meetings, became serious.
Chuigen Sky Burial spoke first.
"Senior Brother, what did the Patriarch say?"
Takero sighed.
"I went to see him recently."
"But he refused to meet me."
Natsuki covered her mouth in surprise.
"How could that happen?"
Takero shook his head.
"I don't know."
Miyasan Suigen said seriously,
"We trained Naruto according to the master's instructions."
"Even though the master didn't teach him personally in the end, this was also Ichiro's intention."
"And Ichiro's meaning is the Patriarch's meaning."
Chuigen Moriichi stroked his chin.
"What do you think the master intends?"
Chuigen Yanshan replied lazily,
"No idea."
Takero took a deep breath.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves."
"If Naruto truly is the Child of Prophecy, then we can no longer hide in the depths of space."
"Sooner or later, the Ōtsutsuki Clan will come for him."
Moriichi turned to Gongshan.
"Third Brother, any recent news?"
Gongshan nodded.
"Yes."
"The Ōtsutsuki Clan has expanded their search range."
"They've increased their manpower more than tenfold."
Everyone was shocked.
"Ten times?!"
"Have they gone crazy?"
Natsuki exhaled smoke.
Chuigen Sky Burial frowned.
"Naruto once cut off the chakra supply of many clans."
"That must have alarmed their god."
"That's why they're accelerating their search."
Yanshan asked,
"Has it reached our star region yet?"
Gongshan replied,
"Not yet."
"But at this pace, they'll reach us sooner or later."
Takero fell silent.
He suddenly remembered something the Patriarch had once said.
He clenched his fist.
"That's enough."
"Let's go see the Patriarch together."
"We can't just discuss this here."
Everyone agreed immediately.
"Good idea!"
"Let's go!"
"But didn't he forbid us—"
"With Senior Brother leading, what's there to fear?"
Thus, under Takero's leadership, the six of them went together to seek an audience.
Reunion Dinner
Meanwhile, Ichiro and Naruto finally landed in town.
Ichiro laughed.
"Naruto, you really are strong now."
Naruto waved his hand modestly.
"No, no."
"If not for the masters' teachings, I wouldn't be where I am."
Ichiro nodded approvingly.
"Good. Modesty leads to progress."
"Let's eat!"
Naruto looked up.
It was a stir-fry restaurant.
His stomach growled.
After entering, he saw someone waving.
"Here! Here!"
It was Keiko Tategen.
Naruto leaned closer to Ichiro and whispered,
"Brother Ichiro, you two…?"
Ichiro chuckled.
"Guess."
Before Naruto could answer, they sat down.
Ichiro naturally sat beside Keiko.
Keiko smiled warmly.
"Naruto, long time no see."
"You've become more handsome."
Naruto scratched his head.
"No, no!"
Ichiro laughed.
"He's much stronger now."
"His physique must've been reforged."
Keiko nodded.
"Oh, I see."
She handed Naruto the menu.
"Order whatever you want."
Naruto didn't hesitate.
He ordered freely.
The meal was lively and joyful.
Naruto talked about his experiences in the mountains.
Ichiro and Keiko shared their own stories.
Laughter filled the room.
After dinner, the two escorted Naruto home.
Return to the Wooden House
In front of the wooden house, Naruto bowed.
"Brother Ichiro, Sister Keiko, thank you."
After they left, Naruto pushed the door open.
The room was spotless.
Someone had cleaned it.
He took a deep breath.
This place carried too many memories.
"Let's take a bath first."
He began boiling water.
The Gathering Outside the Patriarch's Residence
Meanwhile, Ichiro escorted Keiko home and went to report.
But when he reached his grandfather's residence, he froze.
A large group of people were waiting outside.
"What's going on today?"
"Why is everyone here?"
Takero Tategen noticed him and hurried forward.
He grabbed Ichiro's arm.
"Ichiro!"
"Go inside and persuade your grandfather to see us!"
Ichiro scratched his head in confusion.
"…What happened?"
"Why are all the academy masters here?"
A storm was quietly approaching.