Naruto: Wood-Wood Fruit

"Goodbye, Tsunade-sama, Shizune-senpai." 

"Take care, Karin, and you too, Kiyoshi." 

"Kiyoshi, make sure to look after Karin." 

"I got it." 

"Goodbye."

Inside the Inn

After lunch, the four of them had packed their belongings. Karin, eager to return home, quickly dragged Kiyoshi out to say their farewells to Tsunade and Shizune. 

As for Jiraiya's unpaid medical bill, Kiyoshi wasn't worried about him running off without paying.

On the Rooftop

A faintly visible, almost camouflaged wooden helicopter crafted from Kiyoshi's Wood Release jutsu sat on the rooftop, its sunflower-shaped blades creating a powerful gust. 

With Tsunade and Shizune waving goodbye, the helicopter carrying Kiyoshi and Karin soared toward Konoha.

Kiyoshi's mastery over the Wood Release jutsus developed by the First Hokage had reached an impressive level. 

He could now seamlessly integrate the Four Pillars House jutsu into a wooden helicopter, no longer needing to leave openings for wind to rush in. Now, his wood-style helicopter had glass windows.

"Wow! You've been hiding something this amazing, Kiyoshi." 

Through the windows, Karin's eyes sparkled as she watched the landscape passing by. The spacious cabin, which felt like a room in itself, made her heart flutter slightly. 

Alone with Kiyoshi in such a cozy space... could this be a date? She stole a glance at Kiyoshi, blushing.

"Our goal in traveling is not only to see the world and broaden our horizons but also to build resilience and train our minds and bodies." Kiyoshi lay back lazily, half-closing his eyes. 

"Too much convenience can make one slack off."

After years of intense training, he'd built a solid foundation for himself. If not for accompanying Tsunade, he wouldn't mind using his powers for travel.

"Really?" Karin mused over Kiyoshi's words.

"It's about noon, we should rest up a bit. There's no rush, we'll be back by morning." 

Yawning, Kiyoshi slightly reduced the helicopter's speed to avoid the need for constant vigilance against birds. 

From the Land of Hot Water, it was a ten-hour journey back to Konoha in the heart of the Land of Fire.

"Ugh, Kiyoshi." Karin pouted as she watched Kiyoshi stretch out, hands behind his head. 

But as she looked at him, she found herself mesmerized, muttering, "This guy… he's really..." 

She quickly wiped away the drool at the corner of her mouth, hoping Kiyoshi hadn't noticed.

After a while, Karin called out to him.

"Wait, Kiyoshi." 

Half-awake, Kiyoshi rubbed his eyes and followed Karin's gaze. "Look over there."

"Hm?" Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow as he noticed a purple figure flying low in the distance. "That's not a bird, it's… a person?"

Flashes of fire, followed by plumes of smoke, filled the sky as explosions sounded off. The figure was flying low, constantly dodging attacks. 

The glint of chakra wings and the bursts of explosions indicated they were using chakra to evade their enemies.

"There's a battle going on." Karin exclaimed, forming a hand sign and activating her sensory ability, the Mind's Eye of the Kagura. 

"Yes, I can feel it. Their chakra is unique… they can fly, how amazing." 

"Using chakra to create wings for flight." Kiyoshi said, stroking his chin. 

"An interesting jutsu indeed! But, if I remember right, only the Hoshigakure from the Land of Bears have that technique, called the Mysterious Peacock Method." 

Kiyoshi's curiosity was piqued, and he adjusted the helicopter's direction toward the ongoing battle.

In the Sky

The figure with purple chakra wings dodged incoming shurikens and senbon. Suddenly, they dove downward and unleashed several kunai, forcing their opponents to retreat. Landing on the ground, they swiftly formed hand signs.

"Peacock Art: Beastly Transformation."

With a loud roar, purple chakra erupted from their back like a tornado, taking the shape of a giant chakra beast that lunged toward the enemy — rogue ninja with no headbands or affiliations.

Explosions rang out as the chakra beast destroyed the attackers. When the purple chakra dissipated, the figure, wearing a gas mask, suddenly broke into a fit of coughing.

"Hotarubi." 

From above, another figure with purple chakra wings flew down and rushed to support him, worry filling her eyes.

"The 'Star' chakra is corroding my body faster. I don't think I can hold on much longer." Removing his gas mask, the man revealed a pale face. 

The person beside him, a young woman with striking reddish-purple hair, also removed her mask.

"No… there must be a way." she said, worry and sorrow filling her eyes. 

Since they began training with the "Star" chakra to master the Peacock Art, their comrades had died one after another, unable to withstand the activation of the star chakra. 

Was it now her husband's turn?

"Don't say foolish things." Hotarubi said, suppressing his pain. "If I die, please look after our son."

Suddenly, a sound from high above drew their attention. 

Natsuhi and Hotarubi tensed, looking up in shock as the enormous wooden helicopter gradually came into view, landing on an open field nearby. Two figures emerged.

"Two… children?" Natsuhi gasped. She hadn't expected the ones inside to be so young — a charming red-haired girl who looked no older than ten and a slightly older, strikingly handsome boy.

"You're shinobi from Hoshigakure?" Kiyoshi asked, glancing at the couple. Although he didn't recognize them, he could guess their identities. 

In the small village of Hoshigakure, few could master the Mysterious Peacock Method and venture as far as the Land of Hot Water. 

They were likely Natsuhi and Hotarubi, who had left the village.

"Yes." 

Natsuhi and Hotarubi didn't deny it. Though they'd left Hoshigakure for various reasons, they still wore their village headbands, identifying themselves as its shinobi.

A while back, the Third Hoshikage had entrusted them with an escort mission from the Land of Bears, where two powerful nobles from the Land of Bears and the Land of Hot Water arranged a marriage alliance. 

Their mission had been to escort the daughter of the Land of Bears' Daimyo to the Land of Hot Water safely.

However, after completing their mission and setting out for home, they were attacked by rogue ninjas who wanted to steal Hoshigakure's secret techniques.

"We're the students of Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannins and are heading back to Konoha." Kiyoshi decided not to beat around the bush. 

Boldly introducing himself, he continued, "I can heal your husband, but in return, I want that flying technique you just used."

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