"It's okay!" Might Guy punched the air enthusiastically a few times, his eyes gleaming with fervor. "Our mission hasn't officially begun yet! Didn't Dazna say there's a villain named Gato in the Land of Waves? Heh! Just wait till this uncle steps foot there—I'll knock that guy into the dirt!"
How much is the card? Tian Yu inwardly chuckled at Guy-sensei's mispronunciation. He couldn't help but smile.
Looks like Guy-sensei might be in for a surprise.
After the quick emotional roller coaster, Tian Yu, Might Guy, and Dazna resumed their journey toward the latter's home.
They reached the destination in under two hours.
Dazna's family welcomed them warmly, and after settling in, Might Guy excitedly prepared himself, stretching and boasting about how he would personally take care of the notorious Gato.
But then, unexpectedly, a piece of shocking news spread through the house—and eventually across the entire Land of Waves:
Gato is dead!
The ruthless merchant who once held the Land of Waves in his grip had been assassinated—silently, swiftly, and without a trace—by a mysterious figure from an unknown organization.
At first, Dazna was stunned, refusing to believe it. But after his daughter and several bridge-building colleagues returned and confirmed it with matching details, reality began to set in.
Without wasting another moment, Dazna hurried out with the other builders.
It was unclear whether he was off to settle some political matters or to resume work on the bridge now that Gato was no longer a threat.
Back inside, Might Guy slumped like a deflated balloon, visibly disappointed.
"…All that talk about justice and knocking the bad guy into the dirt…" he muttered to himself.
But then, his intuition as a seasoned jonin tingled. He squinted at Tian Yu suspiciously.
"Wait a minute… my apprentice… this wouldn't happen to be your doing, would it?!"
Tian Yu blinked innocently, hands behind his back. "Sensei! You can't just accuse me without evidence! That's slander!"
He then added, almost smugly, "Besides, with Gato gone, the Land of Waves isn't in any danger anymore. Our mission is basically complete, right?"
"Uhh…" Might Guy scratched his head, already shifting gears. "Well, I guess once Dazna confirms everything, we can consider it done and head back to Konoha. We'll leave tomorrow."
He's definitely changing the subject! Tian Yu thought, amused. He totally suspects me, doesn't he?
Might Guy continued staring at Tian Yu, his suspicion growing.
Even without proof, his instincts screamed that this had something to do with his crafty little apprentice.
"Tian Yu, you really didn't…"
Before he could finish, Tian Yu quickly interrupted, "Sensei! You didn't forget the day after tomorrow is my graduation exam, did you?"
"Huh? Wait, what? The graduation exam is that soon?" Might Guy froze, obviously having forgotten.
Tian Yu facepalmed. "As I suspected… If we don't return to Konoha in time, I'll miss it and have to repeat the whole year!"
"Uhh…" Might Guy's face turned red with guilt.
He quickly stood up straight, placed a fist to his chest, and declared, "Then it's settled! As soon as we confirm everything with Dazna, we'll head out immediately! Don't worry, Tian Yu, we will make it back in time!"
---
Chapter 48: The Return
Konoha Village – Ninja Academy
The classroom buzzed with energy. Groups of eleven- and twelve-year-old boys and girls were scattered around in clusters, chattering excitedly.
Today was the long-awaited graduation exam.
"After today, we'll finally be real ninjas!"
"We've practiced the Clone Technique a hundred times—it's in the bag!"
"I'm going to be Hokage someday!" shouted a kid with a large nose and even bigger dreams.
Laughter erupted throughout the room.
Then the classroom door creaked open, and a Chunin wearing the standard Konoha vest and forehead protector stepped inside.
Silence fell.
The teacher looked around at the bright, expectant faces and allowed himself a rare smile.
"Students," he said, "after six years of studying at the Ninja Academy, the time has come to take your graduation assessment. Please proceed in an orderly fashion to the designated room for your evaluations."
One by one, the students lined up and left the room.
Rock Lee was among them but paused when he noticed Tian Tian still seated, her expression sullen.
"Tian Tian, you're still worried about your brother, huh?"
Tian Tian nodded. Her brows furrowed in frustration, and she pouted, her mood a mix of anger and anxiety.
"I told him multiple times during our last letter exchange that today was the exam. I told him to come back early… but he's still not here!"
"Even though you're mad, you clearly care a lot," Lee chuckled. "Don't worry. With Brother Tian Yu's strength, nothing can stop him."
"I just don't want him to miss the test," she said worriedly. "If he doesn't show up, he'll have to repeat another year!"
At that moment, a calm voice interjected.
"He'll be back."
The two turned. It was Hyuga Neji, standing with arms crossed, his Byakugan eyes narrowed with certainty.
Tian Tian and Lee were both surprised by his confidence.
After that barbecue months ago, they'd all grown more familiar with Neji thanks to Tian Yu. Though Neji often came off cold and blunt, he'd gradually become a reliable friend.
"N-Neji… how do you know?" Lee asked.
Neji didn't hesitate. "He's the man I've chosen as my rival. I know he won't let me down. He'll be here."
Tian Tian's heart softened. She remembered Tian Yu's promise—that no matter what, he'd return in time.
"Let's go. We should take the exam first," Tian Tian said.
The assessment began in full swing. Students entered one by one to demonstrate the Clone Technique, one of the core requirements of the Three Basic Jutsu.
While some struggled and failed, most passed, especially top students like Tian Tian, Lee, and Neji.
Still, Tian Yu had not arrived.
As the line of examinees dwindled, and the sun dipped lower, the trio waited in the hallway, silent and tense. Long shadows stretched across the wooden floor.
Tian Tian's eyes grew misty.
"Do you think… he's really not coming back?" she whispered.
"Who says I'm not?"
A gust of wind howled down the corridor.
Tian Tian, Lee, and Neji instinctively shielded their faces as a sudden hurricane whipped past.
When the air cleared, two familiar figures stood in the corridor: Might Guy with his signature bowl cut and gleaming teeth—and beside him, a tall, striking boy in white robes with clear eyes and a confident smile.
"Brother? Brother!!"
Tian Tian blinked, then cried out and dashed forward, crashing into Tian Yu's arms.
Tears welled in her eyes, though she tried to hide them.
It had been four years. He was taller, more composed… and definitely more handsome.
"Why are you only back now?!" she scolded, her voice tinged with both joy and frustration.
Tian Yu shrugged playfully. "Ahem… You'll have to ask Sensei about that. If I hadn't reminded him about the graduation exam, he'd probably still be sightseeing."
"Uhh—well… ahem!" Might Guy scratched the back of his head, avoiding eye contact. "Anyway, we're back now, and just in time! Tian Yu, you need to take the exam immediately! Time is running out!"
Tian Tian reluctantly let go, wiping her eyes and stepping back.
Though she wanted to talk more, she understood—this was more important.
Her brother had made it back, just like he promised.
Now, it was time for him to graduate.