I, Konoha’s Sage of Life-Chapter 404: Konan? We’re Just Friends

Chapter 404: Chapter 404: Konan? We’re Just Friends
"Where are we?"
Tsunade jumped down, her cheeks faintly flushed.
This guy...
Out of nowhere, he’d pulled that stunt—hoisted her up and flashed away with Flying Thunder God. By the time she understood what had happened, they were already somewhere else.
"Outside Amegakure," Kyoichi said. "This is one of the westernmost formula points. Didn’t you say you wanted to head west? We’ll stop by the Land of Snow first—great scenery there."
He stretched lazily, wearing the unmistakable air of someone who had completely forgotten what he’d just done.
Tsunade shot him a glare, but didn’t strike again.
This guy...
He really was too strong.
Back on the street, she hadn’t gone all out—but she’d still used at least fifty percent of her strength. That punch was something an ordinary jōnin couldn’t possibly take; even brushing it would send them flying.
And yet...
He’d stopped everything with a single hand, suppressing her chakra outright. She hadn’t even understood how. Thinking back now, it felt oddly similar to the Hyūga clan’s tenketsu strikes.
Of course...
She wasn’t blind to some of his intentions either. But at this moment, her thoughts were tangled.
With too many things running through her head, Tsunade forgot to counterattack at all, her mood turning complicated.
If she’d known it would turn out like this, she should’ve brought Kurenai or Shizune along.
I got tricked by this brat, she muttered inwardly.
"Let’s not go to the Land of Snow yet," she said. "I want to look around the Land of Rain first."
"Sure," Kyoichi replied easily.
He’d already pushed his luck—pulling another stunt now would probably get him smashed into the ground for real.
Strength-wise, he wasn’t afraid of Tsunade, but some things couldn’t be solved with strength alone. Knowing when to back down mattered.
This was Tsunade’s first time back in the Land of Rain since the Second Great Ninja War. Stepping out of the forest, she saw Amegakure in the distance.
Above them stretched a dull, gray sky.
Heavy and overcast—but not raining.
"This country used to rain all year long. It seems different now. Your doing?" she asked.
"More or less. I had them carve through the surrounding mountains to let the moisture circulate instead of stagnating. In the Land of Rain, that kind of change cuts both ways. The upside is fewer endless downpours; the downside is that the climate and environment change along with it."
"Still a good thing overall."
The rain here had always been excessive—there were barely any sunny days in a year. Now, even if the sky remained gloomy, at least it wasn’t pouring.
For most people, even a slight improvement in climate was welcome.
And besides...
The excess rainwater could flow to other countries, nourishing their land.
A more rational use of resources.
Tsunade found herself increasingly curious about the western regions.
"Can we enter the village?"
"No problem. I’ll just give Hanzō a heads-up afterward."
Kyoichi said it casually, as if Amegakure were his own backyard—but Tsunade had to admit, he really did have that kind of influence.
Reassured, she nodded. "Then let’s go."
Amegakure had changed dramatically. Kyoichi had visited before, so he already knew the village was thriving now—nothing like it used to be.
The two slipped into the village without a sound.
Given their identities and status, going unnoticed was trivial. Still, Kyoichi sent Hanzō a letter in advance, just to avoid misunderstandings.
Hanzō didn’t mind at all.
He already knew Tsunade had stepped down. Their departure from Konoha was unexpected, but not shocking—Tsunade had a long history of wandering the world.
Today’s Amegakure wasn’t the same as before. Merchants came and went daily, and with Kyoichi and Tsunade’s abilities, moving in and out unseen was effortless.
Sending a letter was already a courtesy.
...
"Amegakure has changed so much," Tsunade said. "Sometimes I really wonder what your brain’s made of. You’re so young, yet you know so much. Don’t tell me you’re some resurrected fossil like Madara?"
She brushed her bangs aside, suspicion flickering in her eyes.
In the past, she wouldn’t have believed in resurrection techniques—but now, every nation seemed to have its own version. The Rinnegan itself was a mystery beyond reason.
Could Kanda Kyoichi really be...?
She knew she was overthinking it, but the more she thought about it, the less he resembled an ordinary twenty-year-old. He felt more like some ancient survivor brought back to life.
Too steady. Far too composed.
Of course...
He had his moments of recklessness too. Like earlier today.
Tsunade grumbled inwardly.
No—stop thinking about that.
She shook her head, forcing the thoughts away.
Down below, a figure with striking blue hair stood out, glancing around as if searching for someone. Tsunade rubbed her chin; the silhouette looked familiar.
They were too far to see clearly, but she’d definitely seen that person before.
After a moment, it clicked.
Konan.
Jiraiya’s disciple.
"Is that girl looking for you?" Tsunade asked.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible," Kyoichi replied confidently.
Not only could Konan not sense his presence—even if she could, why would she be looking for him? It wasn’t like they—
Before he could finish, he saw Konan heading straight toward them.
"Haha, want me to step aside?" Tsunade teased.
"Cough. What’s there to avoid? You and I—who are we to each other?"
Kyoichi cleared his throat.
There really was nothing between him and Konan. They were on good terms—purely friends. Tsunade’s tone, though... definitely carried a hint of sourness.
Answering that the wrong way would be walking straight into a death trap.
"Wouldn’t that be awkward? But fine. She’s already coming—me avoiding her now would just look strange."
Despite her words, the smile on Tsunade’s face said otherwise.
Women...
Good thing I’ve inherited the wisdom of countless sages from a past life, Kyoichi thought, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Kyoichi, Tsunade-hime—Hanzō-sama said you were here, so I hurried over. What brings you to Amegakure?"
Konan greeted them with a bright smile.
Tsunade quietly stepped to the side.
Kyoichi shrugged. "Nothing special. I stepped down as Hokage candidate and ANBU commander. Just traveling around, seeing places different from the Land of Fire."
"That sounds wonderful..."
There was a trace of envy in Konan’s eyes. "When we were children, Yahiko dreamed of peace across the shinobi world. Nagato and I wanted to help him realize that dream. But honestly, I just wanted to take everyone traveling—to see the mountains and seas of the world."
The Land of Rain was always drenched.
So go somewhere without rain. Feel the wind. Bask in the sun.
That had been Konan’s wish.
Compared to Yahiko, she didn’t carry grand ideals of nations and history. She simply wanted everyone to live well.
"In a few years, you can do the same," Kyoichi said gently. "Traveling isn’t a bad thing. Seeing other countries lets you understand their strengths—and your own shortcomings."
"Maybe. But right now, Amegakure can’t do without us. When we’re finally free... we’ll wander the world just like you."