Karumo sat at the base of a tree, a fire crakling into the night, his journey back was much slower than his journey to Kirigakure no Sato. Not much slower but enough that it would be realized, more relaxed per-say, lots on his mind and much more to think about his actions and what to do. Reading through the folder he received from Lord Akira very carefully, debating it all and reading through it. Every detail and every line led to the secrets and understanding of Tsuyo Hyuga, who was now or had become Akira Kazako. Part of him wanted to remove bits and pieces of the file, turning it into a shroud of its original self and save Lord Akira some of the damaging affects that it might have against his reputation. But Karumo knew, anything done half heartedly would be discovered, and this file already had the bare minimum of information needed to connect the story together and give bare to it all. Missing details would only raise questions and leave the story as a half truth at that.

Karumo closed up the folder and slipped it back into his coat, purple eyes blazed through his mask and gave vibrancy to the color. He had a lot of ground to cover, a heavy decision to make and lots of changes to oversee. But a thought struck him as he rested there in the clearing lit by his fire, that he was now the Tsuchikage. Given how unofficial the transition was at the time, nothing was set in stone, but Akira had given him the power to press himself into the position. Potentially against the will of the village, but offering him a great reason to usurp the mantle for himself.

It was a nice feeling though, being free of the restraints in that moment, so much worry and anxiety about the foreseeable future and the chaos of the news breaking out. He would exhale into the night watching the sparks flicker and dance against the night sky, having just made land fall on the eastern edge of Hi no Kuni, he had a long trip back to make. For the moments he could let the world fade away and just enjoy the constellations of the night and what they would provide. Knowledge of the greater universe and the wisdom to focus his attention on the bigger picture.

It's certainly what he would be called to do when he returned, to avoid the failures of his previous roles and to look ahead, to keep fighting for the best of the village. But beyond being its protector and guardian, the village's decision maker, he also needed to be the one to help raise up another generation of powerful students to take up his mantle when his time comes. Given his position, short lifespans would be expected and there was no time to waste in raising and preparing a new generation to lead the village.

Fading away into the night to wake up and burst through the woods with all of his speed. A small pep in his step with the excitement of it all, and anxiety to break him back down at the uncertainty at how the world would take the news. Home was a few days away at the very least, and traveling through foreign territories was always dangerous, his cloak flapping in the wind with each step. Another thought struck him, even when he did get back and even if he did become the official Tsuchikage, then he would need some trusted assistants and colleagues to go to for advice and all. He had the perfect three in mind, and one of them was already ANBU and the other was captain of the Medical division, and the third, well he was close to becoming a Monolith as it was so nothing to worry about.

[649 words]
[Travel Complete]
[Exit Thread]