The outline of Konoha's main gate finally appeared on the horizon, and the returning army erupted into even louder cheers.
The shadow of war had been completely swept away.
Even the sunlight seemed to favor this victorious land, shining upon the sea of people gathered at the village entrance.
Before the army had even reached the gate, deafening cheers crashed over them like a tidal wave!
"They're back! Konoha's heroes are back!"
"Long live Konoha! We won!"
"Lord Chiya! It's Lord Chiya!"
"..."
The crowd surged forward, nearly breaking through the ninja line maintaining order.
Every villager's face was filled with the purest joy and gratitude.
Their burning eyes were fixed upon the tall figure in black leading the army.
Uchiha Chiya!
He was the symbol of the end of the war.
He was the legend who had forced the Four Great Nations into submission by himself, the brightest hero Konoha had seen since the First Hokage.
The villagers' eyes were filled with endless admiration.
There was even a trace of instinctive awe because of the godlike power described in countless rumors.
But even more than that, there was overwhelming joy at surviving the war and heartfelt love for the one who had protected them.
"Lord Chiya! Please accept this!"
A brave little girl broke free from her mother's hand and stumbled toward the front of the procession, holding up a freshly picked bouquet of wildflowers still covered with morning dew.
Chiya stopped walking.
The calm and distant expression he usually wore disappeared.
In its place appeared a warm smile that was incredibly infectious.
He bent down slightly, accepted the simple bouquet, and gently rubbed the little girl's head.
"They're beautiful flowers. Thank you."
His voice was not loud, yet it strangely rose above the noise and reached everyone nearby.
His friendly attitude instantly ignited even greater excitement.
"Lord Chiya! Please try the rice balls I made!"
"This is our family's new tea!"
"Long live Uchiha Chiya!"
"..."
For a moment, flowers, fruit, and all kinds of small gifts were offered to him one after another like falling rain.
Chiya accepted them all with a smile.
He handed some to the Uchiha behind him to help carry them, showing none of the pride expected from someone so powerful.
He looked like nothing more than a young man returning home after victory, calmly and warmly responding to the overflowing affection around him.
The army slowly advanced through the sea of cheers.
Passing through Konoha's enormous gates, they officially entered the village.
The main street was even more crowded.
The cheers grew louder and louder with every step.
Green leaves rained down from the rooftops lining both sides of the street.
This was Konoha's highest form of welcome.
Amid this overwhelming excitement,
Hiruzen Sarutobi, walking some distance behind Chiya, slowly took a deep puff from his pipe.
He exhaled a cloud of smoke while looking at the young man surrounded by countless people.
Relief.
Joy.
Shock.
A trace of loneliness.
And an indescribable heaviness all mixed together within his heart.
"An unprecedented victory... but it has also brought forth an unprecedented... Uchiha."
"What direction will Konoha's future take?"
He silently asked himself.
He was proud of the village's victory.
Yet he also felt a faint concern for the uncertainties that lay ahead.
Standing beside Hiruzen, Danzo stared coldly at Chiya's back with his single eye.
His hand gripping the cane had turned pale.
The overwhelming cries of "Uchiha!" stabbed at his ears like countless needles.
Jealousy.
Unwillingness.
A deep sense of helplessness.
And hidden beneath everything was a fear he desperately tried to suppress.
"Their light shines far too brightly... the Uchiha..."
"Hiruzen, your weakness has finally brought disaster!"
But now he could only bury every one of those emotions deep inside himself.
He dared not reveal even the slightest trace.
The Uchiha had become unstoppable!
Standing a little farther away, Namikaze Minato wore a sincere smile mixed with admiration.
"What... incredible strength and charisma."
"So this is someone who can truly change the ninja world?"
There was no jealousy in his heart.
Only admiration for a powerful person and thoughts about Konoha's future.
Jiraiya smacked his lips and nudged Hatake Sakumo, who stood beside him with an expressionless face.
"Hey, White Fang, see that?"
"That kid has completely stolen all our glory."
"But... he really did an amazing job."
Although he spoke teasingly, his eyes were also filled with amazement.
Hatake Sakumo simply nodded.
His sharp gaze never left Chiya.
Having personally witnessed that overwhelming power, he understood better than anyone the terrifying strength hidden beneath that gentle smile.
"Konoha's blade..."
"Has finally been unsheathed."
"And no one can stop it anymore."
He thought silently.
Chiya paid no attention to the complicated gazes behind him.
He kept smiling as he continued walking through the cheering streets.
Occasionally, he waved toward both sides, causing another wave of applause.
After passing several lively streets, the sight ahead made the smile on his face become even warmer.
Standing in the middle of the road was the Uchiha Clan, neatly lined up under the leadership of Uchiha Mikoto.
Every one of them wore clothing bearing the Uchiha fan crest.
They all stood proudly, their faces filled with excitement and honor.
Their clan leader's glorious victory had raised the Uchiha Clan's status within Konoha to an unprecedented level.
Standing at the very front, Mikoto had specially chosen to wear a light purple kimono today.
It made her skin appear as white as snow, while her black hair flowed like a waterfall.
Looking at Chiya slowly approaching, her beautiful eyes shimmered with joy, longing, and deep pride.
Chiya quickened his pace.
The crowd naturally parted before him as he walked straight toward Mikoto.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire clan and countless villagers, he naturally reached out and affectionately rubbed her soft hair.
The gesture was intimate and completely natural.
"I'm home, Mikoto."
His voice was gentle.
It carried a slight hoarseness from the long journey, making it sound even more touching.
Feeling the familiar warmth of his hand upon her head, Mikoto's cheeks turned slightly red.
Her usually calm and graceful appearance melted away in front of him.
A gentle and feminine smile appeared on her face.
She nodded softly.
"Welcome home, Chiya-nii."
The heartwarming scene drew more cheerful laughter and applause from everyone around them.
Seeing their clan leader and the acting clan leader standing together so naturally made every Uchiha feel even prouder.
Not far away, Tsunade rolled her eyes helplessly.
"Hmph. You're always teasing Mikoto..."
Even so, the corners of her lips unconsciously curved upward.
She flicked her blonde ponytail behind her and waved toward the Medical Corps members following her.
"Alright, that's enough watching. The hospital still has a mountain of work waiting for us!"
With that, she energetically led everyone toward Konoha Hospital.
Meanwhile, Uzumaki Kushina seemed frozen in place.
Watching the natural closeness between Chiya and Mikoto,
She remembered the kiss they had shared outside the camp the previous night and the tender moments that followed inside the tent.
Her heart immediately became restless.
Her face turned bright red.
Her eyes darted around nervously.
She twisted the corner of her clothes with both hands.
She looked like a guilty little quail.
She wished she could find a hole in the ground to hide in.
She did not dare look Mikoto in the eyes.
After briefly greeting Chiya, Mikoto naturally looked past him.
She noticed Kushina standing behind him in an obviously strange state.
Smiling in confusion, she waved.
"Kushina? What's wrong? Why are you standing there daydreaming? Come over."
"Ah? Ah! I... I'm fine!"
Like a startled rabbit, Kushina suddenly raised her head.
The moment her eyes met Mikoto's, she immediately looked away again.
She had no idea where to put her hands or feet as she stammered,
"Um... Mikoto-nee... welcome... welcome back..."
Her words were completely confused.
Her flustered appearance looked both adorable and amusing, causing several familiar ninja nearby to look at her strangely.
Welcome back?
The confusion in Mikoto's eyes deepened.
She looked at Kushina's unusually red face and awkward behavior.
Then she turned toward Chiya, who still looked perfectly calm with a faint smile lingering on his lips.
Softly, she asked,
"Chiya-nii, what's wrong with Kushina?"
"She seems like a completely different person after coming back."
"Is she sick?"
Chiya knew perfectly well that the little chili pepper was simply too embarrassed to face Mikoto.
Naturally, he had no intention of exposing her.
He simply chuckled.
Then he naturally reached out once again and gently rubbed Mikoto's hair, skillfully changing the subject.
"It's nothing."
"She's probably just too excited after winning the war and exhausted from the long journey."
"Forget about her."
"How has everything been at home recently? Has everything been alright?"
Hearing him ask about more important matters, Mikoto's attention was immediately diverted.
She temporarily put aside her doubts about Kushina.
Her expression became slightly more serious as she nodded.
"Everything within the clan has been fine."
"Everyone has been very excited."
"It's just..."
"So many postwar matters have piled up within the village."
"The Hokage's side has already sent several messages asking for a meeting as soon as you returned."
"And..."
She stepped a little closer and lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear.
"We've made some new discoveries regarding Obito's incident."
"We'll need you to decide what to do."
Hearing this, understanding flashed through Chiya's eyes.
The smile on his face remained unchanged as he gave a slight nod.
"I understand."
"Let's go home first."
"We'll discuss everything in detail afterward."
After saying that, he naturally took Mikoto's hand.
With the respectful gazes of the Uchiha Clan and the endless cheers of the surrounding villagers following them, they walked toward the Uchiha Clan compound.
Seeing this, Kushina hurried after them with her face still burning red.
She lowered her head and quietly followed behind like a little attendant.
Yet her heart continued pounding wildly.
It was filled with both sweetness and nervousness.
The sunlight shone upon the three of them.
Their long shadows stretched across the road.
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