"Hmm, we're back home!"
Third Hokage let out a simple reply. Those few words, however, represented the feelings of over a thousand Konoha ninja returning home.
They had fought across several countries—Rain and Wind. Now at last, they returned in glory!
There was no need for grand speeches; one could easily tell from the smiles on the faces of these ninja.
Even someone as emotionally reserved as Junko Watanabe couldn't help but show a blossoming smile across her delicate features.
Behind the leading group of about a dozen individuals, more and more figures landed.
Tsunade and her companions did not immediately enter the gates of Konoha. Instead, they waited for everyone to gather before stepping through together—to go home.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally beaming with joy. At this moment, he and several other high-ranking members of Konoha, along with some regular ninja, focused their gazes upon one particularly small and frail-looking figure among the dozens behind Tsunade.
Everything Minato had done on the battlefield, combined with his young age, was enough to earn him special attention from everyone present.
He had slain an enemy jonin, saved the Konoha Reinforcement Squad, and assisted Hatake Sakumo in defeating top-level experts from Sunagakure.
And then there was the deed that few knew about: the secret infiltration into Sunagakure and the theft of Desert's Sorrow—known only to a few high-ranking officials.
Though most of these feats were not carried out by Minato alone, when all of them were put together, no one would dare suggest that he'd merely been lucky.
Even someone like Suna's Chiyo held great apprehension toward him—a prodigy who had accomplished so much at such a young age.
When it came to the term "genius," this boy was probably its very definition.
Minato noticed the looks coming from the Konoha elites. As a matter of courtesy, he offered them a slight smile and nodded lightly.
Then his eyes shifted, scanning through the crowd.
In Sarutobi's eyes, admiration overflowed. He had personally taken notice of Minato in the beginning and even arranged for Jiraiya to take him under his wing.
Back then, though he considered Minato a promising talent, he never imagined that within just a few short years, the boy would grow into this level of brilliance.
Not only did Minato possess exceptional intelligence and character, but also unparalleled talent in ninjutsu—something Sarutobi had never seen matched in his entire life.
Compared to him, even his most celebrated pupil, Orochimaru, paled in comparison.
Throughout the history of the ninja world, no one had ever developed an S-rank Ultimate Art at such an early age.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also wore happy expressions, since having such a genius appear in their village was undoubtedly a blessing for Konoha.
Only Danzo bore a faint shadow in his eyes, hidden beneath his smiling face—a fleeting flicker of darkness.
Although Minato looked around casually, in truth, he was carefully observing everything. After the intelligence leak incident in Rain, he remained deeply concerned and unable to shake off his unease.
Finally, he reached the conclusion that someone among the upper ranks must have leaked the information.
So when he noticed the fleeting look in Danzo's eyes, Minato slightly furrowed his brows.
Still, he understood the rivalry between Danzo and Sarutobi. If Danzo resented Minato's achievements a bit, that wouldn't be surprising either.
As for the original reasons behind the Third's previous decisions, he had no difficulty understanding.
Although he couldn't fully let go of this matter, he chose to suppress it and had no intention of pursuing further.
However, when it came to Danzo, he decided he should remain vigilant.
Just as he was thinking this, a hurried figure quickly rushed over and suddenly jumped in front of the group of ninja welcoming back Konoha forces.
Several high-ranking ninja turned their heads, and upon seeing Kushina, their eyes narrowed.
"How could you..." Danzo immediately began speaking, but before he could finish, the Third interrupted him.
Kushina completely ignored Danzo's words. Her gaze swept slightly across the crowd and quickly focused on Minato.
At the same time, Minato's gaze locked onto her as well.
They looked at each other, momentarily stunned.
They continued staring at one another without shedding tears of joy or saying a single word.
Neither felt that the current situation was appropriate for conversation.
Minato offered Kushina a smile, his lips slightly lifting.
Kushina then smiled as well before stepping back into the group of ninjas welcoming the Konoha forces.
Seeing her actions, Minato felt warmth in his heart. He certainly didn't think this meant her feelings for him had lessened.
Rather, with the passage of time, she had become more mature—something Minato hadn't anticipated.
As time passed, more figures landed until finally, over a thousand Konoha ninja gathered together.
Tsunade glanced briefly, raised her arm, and the line parted on both sides. At the very end were dozens of stretchers.
These were Konoha ninjas who fell in the final battle against the Suna shinobi. Tsunade had made sure to bring their bodies home rather than leave them to rest in foreign soil.
The Third raised a hand, and everyone within Konoha's main gate promptly stepped aside, clearing a path.
Nearly a hundred ninja carried the stretchers and entered through the gates first.
The honored dead led the way — they were the true heroes of this war.
Of course, countless other heroes still lay buried in foreign lands. Compared to them, these fallen comrades were undoubtedly the luckier ones.
Everyone's joyful expressions vanished, replaced by mourning for the dead.
Once those dozens of stretchers had entered Konoha, the force of over a thousand Konoha ninja finally marched grandly into the village.
As their eyes fell on the familiar streets and rooftops, a deep sense of nostalgia washed over everyone.
"Although I'd love to welcome you all properly, I understand what matters more to you than celebration is reuniting with your families. Therefore, the formation will disband here, and any celebrations will be announced later."
After a brief discussion between the Third and Tsunade, the latter spoke accordingly.
No sooner had her voice trailed off than a sudden golden flash blazed through the crowd.
This speed left everyone momentarily dazzled. In a blink, Minato materialized before Kushina and seized her wrist.
Swoosh!
In the next moment, the two leaped into the air and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"These two kids..."
Upon witnessing this, the Third, Hatake Sakumo, and others smiled faintly.
Minato dashed across the rooftops holding Kushina's hand, but she paid no attention to his speed. She simply focused on the warmth radiating from his grip.
At that moment, her eyes shimmered with emotion.
Then came the faint sound of sobbing.
Hearing it, Minato abruptly stopped and turned to look at Kushina, whose eyes were now brimming with tears. Slowly, he reached out his hand.
Kushina flinched slightly, her cheeks flushing red.
But instead of touching her cheek like she'd expected, Minato reached behind her and gently removed the Konoha forehead protector resting on her brow.
"What are you doing?" Kushina asked in confusion.
Minato didn't reply. He slipped the forehead protector into his pouch, brushed aside her bangs, and fastened a hairpin from his pocket into place.
Only after finishing did he smile gently and say casually,
"Just putting a hairpin in your hair for you..."
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