Chapter 17: Back to the Dragon world

Sitting beside Aoki, Kasai was thinking about his visions earlier. The vision he saw seemed to be real, and it's not like it was just his imagination.

Although it looks real, what happened in the forest was different from what happened in his vision.

'Was it just a coincidence or there's something about that vision.' He said inwardly. 'The first part was exactly what happened. There could be something to it!''

While he was deep in his thoughts, his sensei suddenly asked, "Kasai, based on their clothing, could you identify from which village are those two?"

"I don't have any clue, but--" "- Sensei, the one I fought with is wearing civilian clothing, while the other one that Kasai fought and lured away was wearing a standard shinobi clothing of Iwagakure," Kasai replied to Gin's question but was cut off when Aoki replied.

Aoki has already felt the effects of Kiyoshi's healing, bringing back the usual color to his skin. Although the wound is fully sealed, he was still feeling weak from his exhaustion, and further stressful movements could open the wound again.

"Iwagakure spies," Gin sensei growled. "I never thought one could enter the village so easily," he added.

"Sensei, the moment we engaged in a battle with them, we had calculated their strength, and we are sure that they are just at the level of chunin,"

"Chunin.. at that level, they couldn't easily breach Konoha's security. It's possible that the one in a civilian must've been brought to the village as an orphan and was admitted to the academy," Gin surmised based on the information he got. "The other must've sneaked to this location to meet up with the one who got inside the village, and was probably hiding his real strength to play with you, Kasai."

"It could be. I had never seen him using other Justus other than a wind release: wind breakthrough, and he was canceling my jutsus with his Katana," Kasai agreed.

At first, he thought the enemy was just a chunin, but based on the notion that his sensei just explained, he started to think of his enemy's other aspects. He witnessed how his enemy could cancel his Jutsus and seemed very confident while he was talking to them, but how was he able to lure him away if he was above the level of chunin.

'Was he really just playing? If so, I could be dead if he had gotten serious,' he thought.

He shook his head and glanced in Kiyoshi's direction. "Kiyoshi, how is Aoki's condition at the moment?"

Beside them, Gin glanced at the white dragon, observing its appearance. He marveled about its ability to heal such a critical wound. Such a creature exists other than Lady Tsunade's summoning.

"I've already closed the wound on his abdomen," Kiyoshi reported, as she moved towards Kasai. "Although I've sealed it, he won't be able to engage in a battle for a while unless professional medical care was provided," she added.

Gin was listening to Kiyoshi's report when Kiyoshi was done talking, he then glances at the three moving shadows from a distance. "That's good to hear. You two need to start retreating to the village already. The backups are here, so leave the rest to us," Gin ordered as he stares at the newcomers.

When the three landed at a nearby branch, Kasai had already canceled the summoning. He felt the presence of the three newcomers, glancing at them before turning his head to his sensei and nodded.

His sensei approached the newcomers and started to discuss the situation with them. Kasai didn't try to eavesdrop or join the discussion, since his priority now is to bring Aoki to a hospital. He crouched down to the level of Aoki, who was leaning on the tree.

Aoki saw Kasai's actions and helped himself to get on his back as he released a dry and exhausted laugh. "You sneaky outsider, how come I never saw you summoning that thing before," he mumbled.

"Well, I don't want to show your proud ass, that I'm a lot stronger than you," Kasai replied teasingly as he informs his sensei that he's moving out. With those words, the two couldn't help but laugh.

.............

Arriving at the village, Kasai and Aoki were greeted by Hina, a jonin, and two medical ninjas, who then took Aoki with them to the hospital. As the pair of medical ninja left with Aoki, the jonin, named Ahato Ichiro, stayed by his side and Hina and asked him a few questions.

"That's the last question, for now, prepare yourself for an audience before the Lord third by tomorrow afternoon. The Hokage wanted to talk to the three of you by then," the jonin said as he closed his notebook.

"Yes sir," Hina and Aoki said. Hearing their reply, the jonin turned around and left.

Right when the jonin left, Hina turned to him and gave him a tight hug. Kasai stood there not moving an inch, letting her hug him. Although he was feeling awkward with their position, he still understands how she felt. Hina was Kasai's best friend, and they grew up together ever since they were brought here in Konoha.

"How dare you tell me to leave in that situation!" She muttered while tears were rolling down her eyes.

"Calm down, Hina. It was for the best you know," Kasai tried to comfort her.

"I should've stayed and helped Aoki"

"If you stayed, Aoki won't be able to focus on his opponent. I know he would always guard you back even though he's arrogant sometimes."

"I know... but.." she paused and took a deep breath, "Maybe If I was there, he won't be in that situation," she continued

"Then maybe it would be you in that situation," Kasai responded with a calm look. "You'll have to be stronger than you are now, so you won't be ordered to retreat first," he added.

She chuckled lightly and let go of him, she then wiped her tears away and stare at him as she tried to smile. "So arrogant now, huh?" She teased. "I'll be teaching you a lesson tomorrow as your Senior!" She added as she started to walk away from him leaving Kasai dazed for a moment.

He watched her walk away from him until she was lost in the crowd.

.............

Back in his room, Aoki was sitting in his room. It was already past 6 pm, and getting dark outside. Right now, he was planning to visit the mini dragon land to see Kiyoshi and the ten dragon eggs.

He closed his eyes and visualized a gate in his mind. Subsequently, a suction force dragged him into the gate, prompting his body to disappear from his apartment.

When he opened his eyes, Kasai found himself inside the mini dragon land. Kiyoshi was there also, fluttering in front of him.

"Kiyoshi, how was the situation here?" Masai asked right when he sees Kiyoshi

"All eggs don't seem to be showing any signs of hatching, It might take them a lot of time before hatching," she replied casually as she landed on the ground.

He nodded at her reply, realizing that eggs won't hatch that easily, unlike Kiyoshi. "How was your current energy absorption?" He then asked as he sat right in front of her.

"I was only able to absorb 5% energy,"

Surprised by the percentage, Kasai inquired, "Only 5%?"

"Yes, it's not easy to absorb energy and purify it at once. It might take me a year or so."

"Do you all have the same absorption rate?" He asked.

"Each dragon had different talent and rate of energy absorption, coupled with our weakened state, I'm afraid it'll take us a lot of time to mature," she replied as she gave him a slight glance. "Even with the mini world's field where time is much faster than yours, it'll still take us 1 year at least." She added.

Kasai gawked at her reply. He was surprised to hear that this mini world has that function. "Does that mean I will grow old faster than the people in my world?" He asked.

Kiyoshi shook her head and laughed at his question. "Your body won't age in this world, but you will be able to increase your strength here. You can even train here anytime you want, but you won't be able to absorb the energy found here," she replied.