"My squad was disbanded, just yesterday."

"Eh? Is that so? I'm sorry."

"It's alright, but your life is still carefree."

Minazuki Yuzuki said.

"Haha, I'm just a mundane Chunin, so I have to muddle through my days."

Haruno Kizashi said self-deprecatingly.

"There's nothing wrong with muddling through."

"If you're feeling down, how about going for a drink? I know a newly opened pub where the food and drinks are delicious."

Haruno Kizashi could see Minazuki Yuzuki was in low spirits, so he suggested.

Minazuki Yuzuki thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Indeed, even if the road ahead is tough, we must endure and keep living.

Ever since the Fourth Hokage passed away, there's been no future for him in this village.

As long as the Third Hokage is in power, people like him will be marginalized, and when war breaks out, they'll be the first to be used.

"Alright, let's call a few friends to join us."

"Is today some sort of holiday?"

"No, but life needs a sense of ceremony, doesn't it? Working hard every day, we occasionally need to reward ourselves."

Haruno Kizashi laughed as he spoke.

Minazuki Yuzuki felt a bit envious, living a stable life like that seemed nice.

◎

The day for farewell has come.

"Thank you for your diligent teaching over the past two years, Teacher Fujimura."

Ichihime bowed respectfully to her homeroom teacher, Fujimura Daiga.

Today is the day she leaves Konoha, officially returning to the Land of Demons.

Over there, they've already booked her ticket to sail back to the Land of Demons.

Before this, Ichihime bid farewell to her classmates and teachers one by one.

No matter what, after knowing each other for two years, she couldn't leave without a word.

"Ah, it's alright. I didn't expect Mahiru was actually the princess of the Land of Demons..."

Honestly, Fujimura was quite bewildered by this sudden news.

Originally aiming to cultivate a new outstanding Konoha Ninja, it turned out that she was the princess of the Land of Demons, studying at Konoha Ninja School as a diplomatic exchange student.

He didn't know this at first, and just considered Ichihime as part of Konoha.

It wasn't until today that he learned Ichihime's true identity.

"Though parting is sorrowful, I will always remember Teacher Fujimura's education. Consider this a farewell gift."

Ichihime solemnly placed a gift box into Fujimura's hands, containing some specialties from the Land of Demons as a small token of gratitude to him.

Fujimura hesitated for a moment but accepted it.

Yes, even though she was the princess of the Land of Demons, she was still his student.

Just that, with this departure, who knows when they'll meet again.

After all, the Land of Demons is really far from Konoha, and she is a princess who might inherit the position of the Witch, akin to a Daimyo.

Watching Ichihime leave, she walked towards the Ninja School's entrance where the accompanying witch and ninja from the Land of Demons were waiting.

The next time they meet, perhaps they'll be meeting as enemies. Ichihime thought as she walked.

"Honestly, the Hokage played a joke on me."

Fujimura complained with a slight helplessness.

Cultivating outstanding ninjas has always been his wish.

Though teaching three S-Class Renegade Ninjas is a skill, the reputation isn't quite good.

If possible, he'd still prefer to train ninjas loyal to the village.

Ichihime's appearance gave him hope.

But she was a princess from another nation, absolutely impossible to join Konoha, nor could Konoha take her in.

Hope shattered... Fujimura sighed, touching his already sparse balding head.

Twenty years of youth felt like an illusion.

After retracting his gaze, he walked straight back into the classroom.

◎

Uchiha Clan Land, Nankai Shrine.

This was Itachi's first time entering the family's secret place.

He's always been curious about Nankai Shrine, and now he could finally take a look inside.

At this moment, gathered inside the large building of Nankai Shrine were the elite ninjas of the Uchiha Clan.

Almost all Uchiha Ninjas not on missions were assembled here.

This included his father, Fugaku, as well as his dear friend, like a brother, Shisui.

They congratulated him on becoming a Chunin, and Itachi thanked them one by one.

It was clear that these clan members were sincerely happy for him becoming a Chunin.

Itachi also knew very well his status within the clan, despite being insignificant now, but as long as he continued to become stronger, one day he would possess greater influence in the clan.

In this way, he could change the clan.

And besides, he was already planning to join the Anbu, giving him certain influence.

"With this, Itachi can join the Security Team, perhaps he can change the clan's status in the village."

The speaking Uchiha Ninja had high expectations for Itachi.

However, after he said this, Fugaku fell silent and responded: "I don't intend to let my son join the Security Team."

"Hm?"

Fugaku's words caught the attention of many Uchiha Ninjas.

"What does this mean, Clan Leader?"

"Literal meaning. I plan on letting Itachi join the Anbu, the Third Hokage and other high-ranking officials have agreed."

The deal with the Third Hokage hadn't been disclosed to the clan.

Mentioning it at this time had a sense of acting first and reporting later.

Indeed, after Fugaku finished speaking, many Uchiha Ninjas showed mixed expressions, mostly with dissatisfaction.