Escape from Konoha.

According to Sakumo, Shiraishi and his two companions were unexpectedly ambushed by the Sand Ninja. After a fierce battle, they managed to escape from the Sand Ninja's trap.

However, after escaping back, due to the severity of their injuries, the three needed to return to Konoha for two months of recuperation.

As for the rest, not a word was revealed.

The letters that Sakumo sent back were mostly words of concern for them, and he also mentioned that the mission he was in charge of had been completed very smoothly, successfully destroying an important stronghold of Sunagakure and regaining some advantage for the Konoha ninja on the front lines.

The morale of the Konoha ninjas on the front lines is slowly rising, while the Sunagakure side seems to be running out of steam.

It is believed that it will not be long before Konoha and Sunagakure sit down together for negotiations to end this war peacefully and bring a perfect end to the war that has lasted for several years.

Although Sakumo tried his best to make the situation at the front seem more relaxed, Shiraishi and the other two knew that this was just Sakumo's way of comforting them, and that the situation at the front was in fact far from optimistic.

However, as long as they saw that Sakumo was alright, Shiraishi and the others were relieved.

◎

"The village is much quieter than before."

After lunch, I went out with Ruri and strolled with her through the streets of Konoha. We noticed that the crowds were much thinner than usual, and Shiraishi sighed in surprise.

This is mostly related to the war at the front.

Konoha experienced two consecutive wars against Amegakure and Sunagakure. Although Konoha ultimately won the war against Amegakure, it was also weakened and needed time to recover and develop.

As a result, Konoha did not have much time to recover its strength. In this weak and extremely lethargic state, Sunagakure came to cause trouble, forcing Konoha to hastily prepare for battle.

In the battles against Sunagakure, both sides have had their victories and defeats, and the stalemate has continued until now without a satisfactory result.

Sunagakure hopes to plunder as many resources as possible within the Land of Fire to develop itself.

Konoha, on the other hand, hopes to put pressure on Sunagakure from the front, forcing Sunagakure to sign a peace treaty and end the war.

This is an unsolvable problem; we can only wait and see who collapses first.

Ruri didn't take Shiraishi's sentiments to heart.

How's work?

These days, Baishi has been spending all his time in the laboratory, rarely showing his face outside, only coming out to eat.

During the day, Ruri also has her own things to do and basically doesn't have time to inquire about Shiraishi's situation.

Knowing that Liuli was referring to the research on immortal techniques, Baishi replied, "The success rate has improved somewhat, but the risks have not been eliminated. If you use it rashly, you will end up like you were that day."

Liuli nodded.

That day, she forcibly fused the chakra within her body with natural energy to form Sage Chakra, which she used to amplify the power of Fire Release techniques. It seemed to have succeeded, but problems arose afterward.

Her Sage Chakra began to surge wildly, and she fell into a deep coma. If Shiraishi hadn't performed surgery in time, her chances of survival would have been slim.

Therefore, the magic in that state can be considered a failure and cannot be regarded as a successful example.

However, recalling the incredibly powerful feeling she had when she fused with Sage Chakra that day, Ruri felt an intense longing within her.

The power of Sage Mode is extraordinary. This can be seen from the fact that Sage Mode chakra was used to release Fire Release that day. Sage Mode can completely transform a ninja, allowing their strength to undergo a qualitative leap.

Most importantly, her Sharingan has now been awakened to the three-tomoe form, reaching the peak of the ordinary Sharingan, and has basically lost the possibility of further evolution.

There are two paths you can take now.

One path is to obtain the method to unlock a higher level of the Mangekyou Sharingan from the Four Elders, thereby further enhancing the power of the Sharingan.

The other path is magic.

In Liuli's eyes, however, magic is of greater importance.

Because Ruri didn't have a direct understanding of the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan, but she personally experienced the power of Sage Mode.

Moreover, the person who defeated Madara Uchiha, a user of the Mangekyou Sharingan, was none other than the First Hokage.

Among the First Hokage's signature techniques, besides Wood Release, there was also the mysterious and unpredictable Sage Art.

Sage Techniques are a powerful force that is absolutely comparable to the Mangekyou Sharingan.

Although Liuli was eager, she also knew that overcoming immortal techniques was not an easy task, so she never urged Baishi to do so, to avoid putting too much pressure on him.

"Let's go over there and take a look. I want to buy some clothes."

"it is good."

Shiraishi didn't want to buy anything; everything was done according to Ruri's wishes.

This is a rather traditional clothing store with a very good reputation in Konoha.

When Shiraishi accompanied Ruri inside, they unexpectedly encountered an acquaintance.

"Uchiha...and Chiba-kun?"

A man in his late twenties, wearing a Konoha ninja headband, stared in astonishment as Shiraishi and Ruri walked into the clothing store.

"Mr. Fujimura?"

Shiraishi also recognized the man's identity; he was her homeroom teacher from first grade until the end of sixth grade—Fujimura Taiga.

I never expected to run into you here.

"Are you the owner of this shop, Chunin Fujimura-sensei?"

Ruri looked at Fujimura with a scrutinizing expression.

Fujimura's lips twitched. Why add the prefix "Chunin" to "Teacher"?

"No, no, actually that..."

Fujimura-sensei scratched his face, looking a little embarrassed.

"...This is my girlfriend's shop. She had to go out temporarily, so I'm looking after it for her."

"So even Chunin Fujimura-sensei has a girlfriend."

Shiraishi stroked his chin, looking like he was deep in thought.

"..."

What's this? Is it just the wife following the husband's lead? Fujimura thought to himself.

"Speaking of which, what are you two doing in the village? I remember your instructor was Jonin Hatake..."

"Ah, due to some unforeseen circumstances, we are currently on vacation in the village."

"is it?"

Fujimura didn't pay any attention and began to introduce the clothes in the store to Shiraishi and the other person.

This clothing store has all kinds of clothes, including ninja outfits, yukatas, casual clothes, sportswear, etc.

In addition, there are many other accessories, such as beautifully designed masks and earrings, which are very eye-catching.

"So, what do you think? The clothes here are all pretty good, aren't they?"

Fujimura said happily.

So-so.

While saying this, Liuli's eyes were fixed on a piece of clothing.

It was a kimono whose style and color scheme she was extremely satisfied with.

As for the price, that was not within her consideration.

Shiraishi also saw the kimono and said with a smile, "Speaking of which, Ruri, I haven't given you many gifts in recent years. If you like it, I'll buy it for you."

Since Ruri covered the costs of research and accommodation, Shiraishi had very little to spend money on, and the savings from her mission rewards were more than enough to buy a kimono like this.

After Shiraishi finished speaking, Ruri's previously calm face flushed red at an astonishing speed.

Seeing Shiraishi blushing in confusion, Fujimura sighed and said, "Chiba-kun, you can't just give away kimonos. For a girl, if a boy gives her this kind of clothing, it means he's proposing."

"Uh?"

Shiraishi's body stiffened; he sensed... a murderous aura!

Chapter Sixty-Six: The Uchiha are so arrogant!

The source of this murderous aura is Liuli.

At this moment, Ruri had recovered from blushing and, after taking a deep breath, looked at Shiraishi with a gaze that Shiraishi could not fully comprehend.

Despite the incomprehensible and strange gaze, Shiraishi felt an unprecedented sense of oppression, as if a heavy burden was weighing on him.

It must be because of the fact that I was planning to buy her a kimono that made her emotions more unpredictable than usual.

That's true. Even if you put yourself in her shoes, you'd know that those words would make a girl very angry and embarrassed.

"Well, how should I put it... it was all full of coincidences and surprises. Since sending a kimono had this special purpose, then..."

For a fleeting moment, it seemed as if the murderous aura emanating from Liuli had intensified.

Although she has now turned her gaze away from Shiraishi, she stands there calmly, looking elsewhere, as if nothing has happened.

But Shiraishi knew that this was not an illusion at all.

At times like this, let alone trying to salvage the situation, even the possibility of successfully leaving the clothing store is a question worth considering.

Shiraishi turned to his teacher, Fujimura, who was standing nearby, and asked him for help.

Fujimura then said in a righteous tone, "Chiba, don't always think of asking adults for help when you encounter difficulties. You are now a qualified ninja, and you should find a way to support yourself."

Of course, this is definitely not because I am afraid, which makes me hesitant to lend a helping hand.

After all, he was an outstanding Chunin who had been selected as an elite teacher by the Ninja Academy several times. How could someone as excellent as him stand by and watch his student die?

This was entirely because I wanted to train the students' ability to rescue themselves.

Yes, this is exercise.

"I really like the color of this dress, and the size is just right. What do you think?"

Just then, Liuli suddenly said this, her expression had completely returned to normal, her gaze still fixed on the clothes, as if it were just a routine consultation.

"Yes, yes... I think so too, it suits you very well, Ruri."

"..."

"..."