By the time Taiichi got back to the tent it was already past four in the afternoon. Yohei and Saori had returned from training and were chatting inside.
They were talking about the genjutsu discussion from earlier. Yohei had decided he wanted to try learning it again. He still couldn't let go of the idea that the Mangekyō could give him a huge advantage if he just worked hard enough.
The moment Taiichi stepped inside, Yohei lit up and walked straight over. He explained what he was thinking and asked for Taiichi's honest opinion.
Taiichi didn't sugarcoat it. "You can try, but don't pour too much time into it. If it's not working, know when to stop. Time is valuable right now. Every bit of real strength you gain could be the difference between living and dying out here."
He pulled a scroll from his pouch and handed it over. "These are the notes I took while I was learning genjutsu. Maybe they'll help."
Yohei took the scroll with both hands, his usual grin gone. He nodded seriously. "I'll keep it in check. I promise."
Taiichi clapped him on the shoulder, then walked past him toward Saori. He pulled out the high-grade sealing paper and special ink he'd gotten from logistics and gave them a little shake.
"Saori, I'm going to make those sealing tags. Come with me. You should watch."
Saori's eyes lit up. She understood immediately. Taiichi wasn't asking for help — he was offering to teach her.
Yohei waved them off without looking up from the scroll. "You two go. Those sealing runes don't like me anyway. I'll stay here and go through these notes."
Taiichi just smiled and led Saori out of the tent.
They walked slowly toward the small grove while talking about sealing techniques. Saori did most of the talking at first, sharing what she understood. Taiichi listened, then gently pointed out where her thinking was off and explained why.
It felt strange for both of them. Not long ago, Saori had been the one teaching Taiichi the basics. Now their roles had flipped completely.
When they reached the clearing, Saori looked around, confused. There was nothing here but open space and dirt. Taiichi didn't explain. He walked to the edge of the clearing, formed a quick seal, and slammed his palm into the ground.
The earth softened into thick mud, then flattened and hardened again under his chakra. In seconds, a wide, perfectly smooth stone platform about fifteen meters across sat in front of them.
Saori stared. Using chakra to reshape the ground like that took serious control. Most people would've just used a jutsu and called it good.
Taiichi pulled out a storage scroll and unsealed three sheets of high-grade sealing paper and several bottles of special ink. Even with his contributions, these materials had cost a fortune.
He placed one sheet in the center of the stone platform and started drawing.
He didn't rush. He drew the entire sealing array from the center outward, one rune at a time, making everything large and clear so Saori could see every detail and connection. For a full hour he worked without stopping, his brush moving with steady confidence.
Saori watched closely from behind him. This was a rare chance. Not many sealing masters were willing to lay out their work so openly.
When Taiichi finished the last rune, he stood up and stretched, his back cracking loudly.
"Lucky. Got it right on the first try this time."
He turned to Saori. "Anything you didn't understand?"
Saori's face went red. She had followed along at the start, but after the first thirty minutes she'd started losing track.
Taiichi didn't make her feel bad. "Ask whatever you want. That's why I brought you here."
Saori took a breath and started pointing out the parts that confused her. Taiichi answered every question patiently. When something was still too advanced for her current level, he told her to set it aside and come back to it later once her sealing skill improved.
They talked for another hour. By then the sun was getting low.
Taiichi stepped into the center of the array. He formed a long series of seals, then poured a massive amount of chakra into the central rune. The entire array lit up and began shrinking inward. A few seconds later, the glowing lines collapsed into a single smooth, jade-like sealing tag resting in his palm.
He walked over and handed it to Saori. "What do you think?"
Saori turned the tag over in her hands, impressed but also a little frustrated. "It's amazing… but even if I memorized the whole array, I don't think I could make one until I reach jonin level. The chakra cost is insane."
Taiichi nodded. "You can always improve the design later. Right now it's a life-saving tool. A little extra cost is acceptable."
He made the other two tags while she watched. One failed, but two succeeded. A two-thirds success rate was already much better than before. Taiichi was satisfied.
By the time they returned to camp it was already ten at night. They said goodnight and went to sleep. Tomorrow Taiichi would be heading home.
---
The next morning Taiichi woke early, finished his usual training, and made it back to camp around seven.
The whole place was already busy. Especially the medical area. Dozens of wounded shinobi were being loaded onto wagons. Taiichi and the other ninety-nine people returning to the village would escort them home.
He had barely taken a few steps when he heard Yohei shouting.
"Taiichi! There you are! Jiraiya-sensei's been looking everywhere for you!"
Yohei grabbed his arm and started pulling him toward the main command tent.
"First thing this morning he sent someone to find you. When they couldn't, he told me to go look too."
Taiichi let himself be dragged along. He had a feeling he knew what this was about.
They spotted Jiraiya and Shikaku before they even reached the tent. Yohei let go of Taiichi's arm and gave a quick bow.
"Jiraiya-sama, I found him."
"Thanks, Yohei." Jiraiya smiled at him, then turned to Taiichi with a more serious expression.
"You're heading back to the village today and you disappear first thing in the morning? No word to your teammates? No discipline at all—"
Taiichi just stood there and took it. He knew Jiraiya was enjoying finally having a reason to lecture him.
Jiraiya eventually gave up and got to the point. "I'm putting you in charge of the group going back. You'll lead them."
"Me?" Taiichi was surprised. Leading a hundred people wasn't something he'd done before.
"Yeah, you. I trust you can handle it." Jiraiya sounded confident. Shikaku and the others nodded along.
Taiichi didn't argue after that. "Alright. I'll get everyone home safe."
"That's more like it." Jiraiya grinned and slapped his arm. "Come on. We need to make it official before you leave."
As they walked toward the main gate, Yohei leaned over and muttered, "You packed everything, right? Looks like you're leaving right after the announcement."
"Everything's sealed in a storage scroll. I'm good."
When they reached the gate, a large crowd had already gathered. The moment Jiraiya appeared, the noise died down. Everyone turned to look at him with respect.
Jiraiya motioned for Taiichi to step forward.
"Most of you already know who this is," he said loudly. "Matsushita Taiichi."
A wave of voices rose from the crowd.
"Of course we do!"
"He's the one who killed the tailed beast!"
"He saved my life!"
Jiraiya raised a hand to quiet them. "Good. Then there's no need for introductions. I'm putting Taiichi in charge of this group. Listen to him on the way back."
The crowd answered as one. "Yes, sir!"
Jiraiya stepped in front of the entire group and raised his voice so everyone could hear.
"You've earned this. The Hokage himself ordered that the hundred shinobi who've been here the longest, along with our most seriously wounded, get to go home. You're not just going back to rest. You're going back as representatives of everyone who fought on this front. The people in the village want to see the heroes who bled for them."
He took another step forward, eyes sweeping over the group.
"So hold your heads high. Straighten your backs. Go home and let your families see that the warriors from the front lines have returned!"
"Home!"
"Home!"