Early morning, the pet shop was preparing to open.
Inside, Tatsuya, Kyoko, Mitarashi Anko, and Tsubaki were silently arranging items, no one speaking.
Tsubaki, while carrying things, constantly and cautiously observed the other three.
Having worked here for a while, Tsubaki had become very familiar with both Kyoko and Mitarashi Anko.
Usually, at this time, Kyoko and Mitarashi Anko would be chatting and laughing.
But today, both of them seemed off.
Especially Mitarashi Anko, whose personality was usually outgoing and boisterous.
Now, she wore a cold expression and hadn't said a word.
Although Kyoko's expression wasn't as grim, it was clear that she wasn't in a good mood either!
Something was on their minds!
Tsubaki was very concerned, and also very curious!
Seeing Tsubaki's questioning glances, Tatsuya shot her an exasperated look.
At first glance, this girl seemed quite well-behaved, but after getting to know her, Tatsuya discovered that her personality was similar to Mitarashi Anko's in some ways.
She was particularly nosy!
Like right now.
Kyoko and Mitarashi Anko were only a little unhappy because Tatsuya had told them he would be leaving Konoha for a while.
But in Tsubaki's eyes, it seemed like she had discovered some incredible, earth-shattering gossip.
She couldn't wait to drag Tatsuya outside and demand answers.
Unable to stand this strange atmosphere, Tatsuya quickly left after arranging the items in the shop.
He had already explained everything to Kyoko and Mitarashi Anko yesterday, and he wasn't worried about leaving the pet shop in their care.
Moreover, Tatsuya was looking forward to seeing some useful new items in the pet shop the next time he returned to the village.
...
Military Police Force Headquarters.
Shisui had just returned to Konoha with his team when Tatsuya cornered him.
"What? You want to take three months' leave?"
In the office, Shisui's voice was slightly raised.
Looking at Tatsuya standing before him, Shisui felt like he was looking at an idiot.
The turmoil from Orochimaru's defection hadn't completely subsided, and Tatsuya, who had just had his travel restrictions lifted, actually had the audacity to request leave to leave Konoha.
And for three months, no less!
Normal people couldn't understand this kind of thought process.
"Yes! I want to go out and clear my head, and also travel around the ninja world to broaden my horizons!"
Faced with Shisui's strange gaze, Tatsuya calmly replied without changing his expression.
Shisui's mouth twitched uncontrollably!
This reason was both powerful and perfunctory!
This was openly expressing dissatisfaction with the village!
Shisui could already imagine how displeased the Third Hokage and other Konoha higher-ups would be when they heard this news.
"I can't approve this leave! If you want to request leave, go ask the Hokage yourself!"
After a moment of silence, Shisui shook his head, looking at Tatsuya with a serious expression.
In Konoha, the Military Police Force was a relatively independent organization, and its members did not need the village's approval to leave.
But Shisui didn't want to approve this leave.
It wasn't that Shisui wanted to antagonize Tatsuya!
It was because Shisui felt that Tatsuya had lost his mind!
What good would it do to anger the village at this juncture?
"I have a compelling reason to take leave! Shisui, if you don't approve it, I'll go to Captain Fugaku. I believe he'll be happy to do me this favor!"
Hearing this, Tatsuya also looked at Shisui with a serious expression.
The Ansei Hall in the Land of Fields was Tatsuya's last resort, and he would never abandon it, no matter what!
Shisui's pupils constricted, and he stared intently at Tatsuya.
The two stared at each other.
Shisui knew that if Tatsuya really went to ask the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, for leave, he would sign it without hesitation.
As for whether the village would become suspicious because of this, he probably wouldn't mind at all. In fact, he may even be hoping for it.
After a moment, Shisui said, "How do you plan to explain this to the village? Aren't you worried that the village will blame the Akimichi clan for this?"
A mocking smile appeared on Tatsuya's face. "Don't worry! They won't do that. Our Akimichi clan isn't like your Uchiha clan; we're not that inflated!"
Shisui's face instantly darkened slightly; he felt like ignoring this guy.
They were having a good conversation, but this guy suddenly had to bring up his sore spot.
Somewhat reluctantly, he approved the leave and quickly sent Tatsuya away.
Since he couldn't stop him anyway, he didn't want to play the "bad guy."
At this moment, Shisui couldn't help but lament the Third Hokage's poor judgment.
Wanting Tatsuya to restrain and monitor the Uchiha was simply wishful thinking!
...
Leaving the Military Police Force building, Tatsuya headed to the ninja hospital as usual.
In the medical room, Arai Shun was carefully treating Guy's condition.
After three or four months of continuous treatment from Tatsuya, Guy's injuries had improved significantly.
Now, Guy could walk like a normal person, but the internal injuries in his body couldn't be healed in a short time, and he couldn't engage in strenuous exercise or ninja training.
According to Arai Shun's estimate, in about a year and a half, Guy's body would recover to its previous state.
Although the recovery period was long, it was much better than becoming a cripple.
Guy was overjoyed at this!
Hearing this result, the usually hot-blooded and strong man almost shed tears.
After checking on Guy, Tatsuya and Arai Shun walked out of the medical room together.
Before leaving, Tatsuya had told Guy about his plan to leave the village for a while.
"Shun-senpai, do you know Elder Danzo?"
Walking side-by-side in the corridor, Tatsuya asked with a smile.
"Of course, I know him. Elder Danzo has been serving as a village elder ever since the Second Hokage's death..."
Arai Shun replied with a smile as they walked.
After saying that, he turned to Tatsuya and asked curiously, "Tatsuya-kun, why do you suddenly ask about this?"
Tatsuya smiled and said, "Nothing, just curious! I had a small conflict with Elder Danzo some time ago, and I wanted to learn more about him."
"Is that so? Over the years, Elder Danzo has contributed a lot to the village's development in the shadows. If there's any misunderstanding, it's best to try and resolve it," Arai Shun nodded and advised.
They chatted a few more sentences along the way and then parted in the hospital corridor.
Watching Arai Shun turn and enter his office, Tatsuya's face showed a thoughtful expression.
Inside the office, Arai Shun's expression changed drastically.
He realized that his affairs had likely been exposed.
...
That afternoon, having made his preparations, Tatsuya left Konoha alone.
...
Hokage Building.
Wearing the Hokage's robes and hat, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood alone on the rooftop, his gaze fixed on the direction of the village gate.
Whoosh!
"Hokage-sama!"
A figure flickered, and Kakashi's form appeared behind the Third Hokage.
"Kakashi, in ANBU Squad Eleven, you've been with Akimichi Tatsuya for some time now. What's your assessment of him?"
With his back to Kakashi, the Third Hokage asked in a deep voice.
Kakashi thought for a moment and said, "He is a good ninja who values feelings and cherishes his comrades."
"Is he really a good ninja who values feelings and cherishes his comrades?"
After Kakashi finished speaking, the Third Hokage fell into thought, murmuring softly.
His voice was so low that Kakashi couldn't hear it.
However, the fact that the Third Hokage had summoned him specifically to ask about this indicated that something was amiss.
Thinking of this, Kakashi couldn't help but ask, "Hokage-sama, is there a problem with Tatsuya?"
"He just left the village!"
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