Chapter 80 - 80 (1/2)

”A whole month? Why?” Ever since the war started, this was the 1st time someone actually asked Sakumo for a leave. If the reason is personal, the request might be refuted.

”Sakumo san, it's Inochi Onii-san's wedding! Here, this is the scroll from the family.”

Ryo trusted Sakumo and there was nothing in the scroll that's worth hiding for the sake of the clan. He didn't hesitate to hand it to him.

Sakumo went through the scroll, and then said: ”Fifteen days, not one day more than that! With your speed, even 10 days are enough for you to go to Konoha and come back to the camp. You're one of the main commanders on the battlefield. How dare you ask for a whole month?”

”Sakumo san, 15 days are too little! Can't you give me at least two more days?”

Ryo knew all too well that he was one of the commanders, and that he was indeed asking for a long vacation, but over a year and a half of fighting made him feel too tired.

The cruelty of war was being his wildest imaginations. If he didn't have a strong heart because of his years as a surgeon in his past life, he would've been broken by it.

Therefore, he's using Inoichi's wedding as an excuse to return to Konoha and see his mother and Kushina, relieving some of the tension he had acc_u_mulated.

”Huh, what are you doing here kid? Is there something happening over at the Sand's side?” Jiraya asked as he came in.

”This has nothing to do with war. It's about Ryo. He's asking for a month off to return to Konoha, so I called you to discuss it.” Sakumo said.

”And what's the problem? Let him go! Now the battlefield is in a very stable state, with no big movements being made by any camp. And in case of any emergency, I can just bring him here through Mount Myoboku!”

Hearing Jiraya, Sakumo loosened up a little bit. So Ryo went on and said: ”Sakumo san, in case of any trouble, I promise I'll be here.”

Hearing the two, and not being the argumentative type, Sakumo could only nod.

On their way to the village, the two Yamanakas were very fast. A trip from the camp to Konoha would take an Anbu an average of four days, but the two arrived home in three.

Looking back at Konoha, Ryo's heart was moved. He didn't love the village like Naruto. After all he wasn't a native of Konoha, and his only beloved country was China from his past world.

However, Ryo did have many ties to this village. His mother Chinse, his Sensei Kushina, his beloved Yugao Uzuki, Minato, Kakashi's team, his whole clan…

Ryo had spent most of his past life alone. He wasn't willing to let go of the warmth that he found in this world.

He didn't want to become a Hokage. All he wanted was guarding the lives of the people who were most important to him.

He wanted to protect them from the darkness hidden in the village, from Pain, from Madara, from Kaguya…

Protecting his ties to Konoha is what pushes him to become stronger and stronger to eventually stand on top of the world.

Ryo took a long breath and walked into Konoha with Ryoko. At the entrance, the gate keeper was still an Uchiha at the time.

During the war, the control at the gate was much stricter than usual. But still, the guard did his work efficiently. The two were released as soon as it was confirmed that they were Yamanakas.

”Ne san, you should go back to the tribe. I will go to the Hokage 1st to deliver Sakumo san's scroll.” Said Ryo to Ryoko upon their entrance.

”Okey, then I'm off!” Ryoko waved at Ryo as she left.

This wasn't Ryo's 1st time to the Hokage's office. Last time he was here, his perception abilities were too poor. He didn't notice how many Anbu Ninjas were hidden around the office and thought it was only the two in front.