Konoha is very noisy today.

As the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a white cloak symbolizing the third generation and a Hokage hat with the word "fire" written on his head. He stood at the gate of Konoha early and looked forward to it.

It's just that under the wide Hokage hat, his expression doesn't seem to be full of joy, but also a touch of solemnity!

Behind Yu was a dense crowd. It could be said that except for the ninjas who were on routine duty, all residents of Konoha had gathered here, including some business groups who came to do business, including the Uchiha clan who lived in a corner.

The war on the eastern border tugs at everyone's heartstrings.

The surrounding neighboring countries are even more secretly preparing to take action.

However, in the early hours of yesterday, news finally came back:

【Win!】

Sarutobi Hiruzen saw the bright words written on the letter at a glance, which instantly relaxed his tense heartstrings.

But this mood only lasted for a moment before being disturbed by the following words:

[The ninjas of Kirigakure Village have retreated. The root cause of this battle is that the fourth generation Mizukage was 'confused'. 】

Nara Shikaku used ambiguous words in the summons. After all, things like Goju Yagura's genjutsu were too involved, and Ninja's summons was not absolutely safe, so he did not write down the details of the incident.

.

At the same time, the leader of Kirigakure Village also said that he would personally give Konoha a reasonable answer afterwards.

Seeing this fundamental reason, Sarutobi Hiruzen was instantly angry from the bottom of his heart, and his strong fingers holding the letter trembled slightly.

'confuse!'

It was because of such a simple reason that Konoha and the Sarutobi clan suffered many casualties?

He continued reading:

[The Fourth Raikage personally led the Kumogakure elite to disrupt the situation. The Eight-Tails has been perfectly controlled by the Jinchuuriki. Fortunately, Lord Jiraiya arrived in time. 】

Such a result was expected.

That restless Raikage often behaves like this.

At the beginning of Kirigakure's invasion, he had already begun to order his subordinates to spread the news to recall Jiraiya, which was considered the most correct decision.

only,

After all these years, Kumogakure's guys have finally managed to perfectly control the Eight-Tails.

In addition, the two Yuki people who have been active in the ninja world for a long time...

Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt uncomfortable.

After all, our own Kyuubi is still a troublesome little cub, and there is still a long way to go before it can transform into a war weapon capable of deterring surrounding forces.

[Uchiha Ara successfully captured the ninja Nozomi of Kumogakure Village and is on the way to be escorted.]

[It is expected that he will be able to return to Konoha with the army tomorrow.]

[There are too many specific matters involved, please allow me to report in person after returning.]

Sarutobi Hiruzen read the last paragraph in one go, just because it involved one person at the beginning: Uchiha Ara!

"How can it be."

He, who was always calm at all times, could not help but exclaim after reading the message.

No one understands the nature of the Fourth Raikage better than anyone else!!

He is extremely strong externally and extremely protective internally.

It is simply unimaginable to take away the Kumogakure ninja from under his nose!

The most important thing is, judging from the information reported by Nara Shikaku, the other party brought the best of the best on this trip, not only the Eight-Tails Jinchuuriki, but probably even the Two-Tails!

With such a card and such a lineup, even if Jiraiya arrived in time, he would not be able to defeat them.

Even if all three of Konoha's three ninjas are here, it's hard to say whether they are 50% or 50% happy.

What shocked Hiruzen Sarutobi the most was that, no, it seemed that it couldn't be said to be completely shocking, because the uncertain factor of Uchiha Ara was indeed something that couldn't be viewed from ordinary people's perspective.

But being able to capture Nozomi from Yunyin Village and escort him back smoothly is not a simple matter after all.

Moreover, what is worrying is the follow-up:

The follow-up attitude of Yunyin Village!

Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face became more sad, and out of the corner of his eye he couldn't help but glance at the Hyuga clan leader beside him. This clan had great hatred towards the other party.

"coming!"

I don't know who was the first to roar, and then the whole scene became extremely noisy.

Everyone, even the guarding ninjas on duty on the castle tower, couldn't help clenching their fists when they saw the vast Konoha army, and the blood in their bodies was boiling.

The victory in the Kirigakure invasion war is the pride of Konoha.

However, beneath this grand hustle and bustle, there is also greater hope and prayer.

Inuzuka, who was hugging the ninja dog with a nervous look, Ino, who had arrived early and put his hands together, Choji, who didn't have the snack bag in his hand...

After all, although this war was won, hundreds of Konoha ninjas remained on that land forever, and some even their corpses were difficult to recover.

This is the cruelty of war.

"This trip is a blessing,"

"Welcome home!"

I don't know how long it took, when the army arrived in front of the gate of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen calmed down his emotions and said solemnly, and he saw Asuma in the queue at a glance, and he felt an inexplicable peace of mind.

.

Although the Sandaime only said a few very simple words, such relief and welcome suddenly made these Konoha ninjas who had returned from the expedition suddenly have the urge to cry.

During this trip, the powerlessness when facing the enemy's 'shadow' level existence, the fear of real death, and the sadness when facing the sacrifice of his companions all resonated here.

But at this moment, they all puffed up their chests and shouted: "Fortunately, I did not disgrace my life!"

Konoha's eastern border was finally secured.

........

"..., it is precisely because of the special situation of the Eight-Tailed Jinchuuriki of Cloud Hidden Village that this battle can end like this, otherwise the outcome would be unpredictable."

"The above is all about this battle. The main turning point of the entire battle lies with Lord Jiraiya and Uchiha Ara."

Nara Shikaku, who stood upright in the Hokage's office, reported in detail.

At the scene, apart from himself and the Sandaime Hokage, there was another person sitting and listening.

Not Jiraiya, but Danzo Shimura.

"Fortunately, I will arrange for ANBU to contact Kirigakure."

"As for Yunyin, we will hold a meeting to discuss it in detail after the memorial ceremony."

"You're tired too. Go back and rest first."

Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe and said in a deep voice.

The slightly bitter tobacco gave him the most sober state to think about everything the other party reported.

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

"Tomorrow I will compile all the information about this battle into a document and send it to you."

Nara Shikaku responded succinctly, and after giving a slight greeting to Danzo Shimura who was sitting in the corner, he walked out of the room.

After he left, the temperature in the slightly dark room instantly dropped a bit.

Even the sound was only the slight pop of burning tobacco.

"The accident a few years ago was indeed caused by the Uchiha clan and the ability of the Sharingan."

"Everything we did was correct."

Just when the sun outside the window almost fell into the forest, and the remaining light was not enough to sustain the whole world, there was a sad whisper.

It was Shimura Danzo's voice.

He didn't know when he raised his cheek, and stared straight at his old friend sitting in the Hokage's seat with one single eye, his eyes full of coldness.

But his statement did not receive an immediate response.

The white-haired old man in charge of Konoha remained silent, with his lowered eyes probably thinking about something.

Danzo was not annoyed by this, but continued to add:

"I just never thought that Uchiha Ara already possesses such an ability, and I don't know how far that kid can grow."

"When will I give this 'gift' to Konoha again!"

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly raised his gaze, and his deep eyes met Shimura Danzo's single pupil. Some words did not need to be spoken directly, they already understood each other tacitly.

The Nine-Tails Rebellion eight years ago,
To be continued...