"This is..."
Half a month later, the three of them returned to the Hidden Sand Village, travel-worn from their journey.
However, as soon as they entered the Village, not only were Yubi and Sasori stunned, but even Captain Arai was taken aback.
They hadn't expected the situation before them at all.
No wonder the guards at the gate had such peculiar smiles on their faces when they saw them just now.
"Yubi... well done!"
"I didn't expect... Yubi to become such an outstanding Ninja too!"
"Keep it up, Yubi!"
Many villagers of the Hidden Sand Village stood on both sides of the road. It seemed they had heard the news in advance and gathered here to welcome them.
There were many familiar faces in the crowd—neighbors, shopkeepers Yubi frequently visited, and even some patients he had treated during his time at the hospital.
"You really are popular."
Sasori, standing to the side, spoke coldly.
There was no jealousy... he simply wasn't used to such relationships, much less this kind of atmosphere.
Arai, who was walking in front, turned and patted Yubi's shoulder, taking the initiative to step aside so Yubi could enjoy the admiring gazes of the villagers.
"Hahaha..."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, even the usually thick-skinned Yubi felt a bit embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his head and gave a 'goofy' smile.
He even waved to greet the villagers.
"I'm leaving first,"
Sasori said, then turned and walked away.
Although there were some shouts from the crowd praising him as well,
Sasori pretended not to hear them.
"Don't be fooled."
Before leaving, Sasori made a point to say this to Yubi.
"I understand."
Yubi gave him a reassuring look.
Even though his various past actions in the Village had earned him a good reputation, and he had been away on a mission for half a year, Yubi knew very well... he hadn't reached the level where he could truly 'enjoy' this kind of treatment. There were plenty of people in the Village with far more distinguished military service than him.
Especially among the elders.
Not to mention others, Arai right in front of him... should have been the 'protagonist' of such a scene.
Yubi didn't believe for a second that there wasn't some deliberate arrangement by the Sunagakure higher-ups behind these villagers coming to welcome him.
"Is it to instill a sense of belonging to the Village in me... to prevent me from betraying it in the future?"
Yubi smiled secretly.
In the eyes of the higher-ups, a youth's mindset was undoubtedly the easiest to 'nurture' and control.
Moreover, the Ninja World had never been peaceful. Even in the Five Great Ninja Villages... rogue Ninjas would frequently defect. The Sunagakure higher-ups were giving him a 'preventative shot.'
This was... political maneuvering.
Afterward, Arai took Yubi forward to chat with the villagers. Everyone surrounded Yubi in circles, talking and laughing.
The atmosphere was quite nice.
However, since they had just returned, they still had to report their mission. Thus, they didn't stay for too long. Soon, half an hour later, the three of them arrived at the familiar office building.
The higher-ups, led by the Third Kazekage, had been waiting there for a long time.
They had clearly already read the mission records... After listening to Arai's report, it was the same old routine of being lavish with praise for Yubi and Sasori.
Grandmother Chiyo was also very relieved... in her eyes, her grandson had finally made a friend.
Although his personality hadn't changed much, at least he had taken 'a step' forward.
"This Ninja World War has already ended... Konoha has transferred all its forces from the battlefields with our Village and Iwagakure to the zones fighting Kumogakure. It's estimated that Kumogakure will also withdraw its troops before long."
The higher-ups praising Sasori and Yubi's performance was only temporary; it wasn't the main reason they were called here.
One of the higher-ups said in a deep voice.
"Orochimaru helped Konoha achieve victory in the clash with Iwagakure. On the Kumogakure battlefield, the combat power is led by Sakumo Hatake... Under the name of the White Fang, and with follow-up reinforcements transferred from other battlefields, even though Kumogakure's current forces are still considerable, they probably won't be able to win."
Another person sighed.
In this Ninja World War, Konoha had faced the other four Great Ninja Villages alone—a level of difficulty other Villages couldn't even imagine.
Even under these circumstances, Konoha still held out until the end.
Only now did these higher-ups realize how 'hasty' it had been to start a war against the Land of Fire back then.
But things had already come to this, and regret was useless.
"This is all the information our Village has gathered from the battlefield and other channels during this Ninja World War... regarding the outstanding figures of the new generation from the various Great Ninja Villages. You two should take a look as well."
At this moment, the Kazekage spoke.
A subordinate came over and handed the sorted documents to Yubi and Sasori.
Yubi flipped through the papers, and his heart stirred.
Many of the names appearing on the pages... were familiar to him.
Every single one was a plot character.
"The losses our Village suffered in this war are only temporary... The ceasefire doesn't mean the structure of the Ninja World has been finalized. War could break out again at any time in the future—maybe in a year, maybe in three... or even longer."
"But no matter when... when the Ninja World War breaks out again, the next stage will belong to you."
The Third Kazekage looked at the two juniors, Sasori and Yubi.
"For the Village, to ensure it remains strong enough, in any era, there must be powerful individuals who can step up..."
Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, Inoichi Yamanaka, Inuzuka Tsume, Uchiha Mikoto... Good grief... in Yubi's memory, many of Konoha's 'golden generation' were on the list.
But some names were also missing.
For example... Minato Namikaze.
Among the personnel data from Iwagakure, Yubi only recognized one: Kitsuchi.
On Kumogakure's side, it was undoubtedly the Fourth Raikage Ay and Killer Bee.
These two, like him and Sasori, also acted together... they had already begun their 'activities' on the battlefield where Kumogakure and Konoha were fighting.
It was just that at this stage, they weren't that eye-catching yet, but they undoubtedly already showed the shadow of the 'AB Brothers' of the future Third Great Ninja War.
And then there was the Hidden Mist... the intelligence on personnel from the Hidden Mist was much scarcer and not as detailed as the other Villages.
"There are still a few years before the Third Great Ninja War... The Village has actually started noticing the opponent's new generation this early... Preparing for a rainy day, they've finally been smart for once. However... if Sunagakure could get this data, other Ninja Villages are likely also on guard. Setting other aspects aside, there's a reason these Ninja Villages have always stood firm," Yubi thought to himself while browsing.
"Hmm?"
Just then, his eyelid twitched.
Because... his and Sasori's names were also clearly on the paper.
"That's right. The reason we're letting you see this intelligence is so you'll have a certain understanding of the opponents you might face in the future."
"Similarly... you two have already been noticed by other Ninja Villages."
The Third Kazekage observed Yubi's expression and spoke.
Chiyo, who was beside him, added, "We've received word that the mole who tried to assassinate you back then was indeed from Konoha... it was that old man Hanzou's dirty trick, leaking the news to Danzo of Konoha!"
"I didn't expect those two to actually have private contact!"
Chiyo's face was dark.
"Yubi... Sasori, remember these people in the intelligence report. You must be prepared... perhaps in our generation, we won't be able to lead Sunagakure to defeat Konoha."
"But you... have that possibility."
The Third Kazekage said solemnly.
Still don't understand?
As expected... stupid people just can't become smart.
Hearing this, Yubi sighed inwardly.
Sasori remained silent throughout.
Yubi, however, had a smile on his face. Facing the expectant gazes of the group of people in the room, he nodded heavily.