The outline of Konoha’s gate finally appeared on the horizon, and the returning expeditionary force erupted in an even more enthusiastic cheer.

The shadow of war was completely dispelled.

The sunlight seemed to particularly favor this victorious land, illuminating the dense crowd at the village entrance like a boiling ocean.

Before the team could even fully approach, a deafening cheer, like a tsunami, washed over them!

“They’re back! The heroes of Konoha are back!”

“Long live Konoha! We won!”

“Lord Qianye! It’s Lord Qianye!”

“…”

The surging crowd almost broke through the Ninja defense line maintaining order.

The villagers’ faces were filled with the purest, most fervent joy and gratitude.

Their gazes were ardently focused on the tall, black-clad figure at the very front of the team—

Uchiha Chiye!

He was the symbol of ending the war.

He was the legend who, by his own power, subdued the Four Great Nations, and Konoha’s most brilliant hero since the First Hokage.

The villagers’ eyes were filled with boundless admiration, and even a hint of instinctive awe due to his rumored god-like power.

But more than that, there was the ecstasy of surviving a great calamity and heartfelt adoration for their protector.

“Lord Qianye! Please accept this!”

A bold little girl broke free from her mother’s hand, clutching freshly picked wild flowers still dewy, and stumbled towards the front of the team, holding them high.

Qianye stopped, his usual calm and indifferent expression vanishing.

In its place was a gentle, highly infectious smile.

He bent down slightly, took the bouquet of not-so-bright but heartfelt wild flowers, and ruffled the little girl’s hair.

“Very pretty flowers, thank you.”

His voice was not loud, yet it strangely cut through the noise, clearly reaching the ears of everyone nearby.

His kind demeanor instantly ignited even greater enthusiasm.

“Lord Qianye! Try my rice balls!”

“This is our family’s new tea!”

“Long live! Long live Uchiha Chiye!”

“…”

For a time, flowers, fruits, and various small gifts were handed over like raindrops by the enthusiastic villagers.

Qianye accepted them all, smiling as he took some, and then gestured for the Uchiha behind him to help share the load, showing no airs of a powerful person.

He was like a young man from next door, returning victorious, calmly and gently responding to this overflowing adoration.

The team moved slowly through the ocean of cheers, passing through the huge Konoha gate, officially entering the village.

Along the main road, the crowds were even more shoulder-to-shoulder, and the waves of cheering rose higher and higher.

Green leaves rained down from the rooftops along the streets, this was Konoha’s highest-grade welcome ceremony.

In this fervor that almost overturned the sky.

Not far behind Qianye, Hiruzen Sarutobi, seeing this scene, took a deep puff from his pipe.

Slowly exhaling smoke, his eyes complex as he gazed at the young figure surrounded by the masses.

Relief, joy, shock, a hint of loneliness…

And an indescribable heaviness intertwined in his heart.

“An unprecedented victory… but it also brought about an unprecedented… Uchiha.

Where will Konoha’s future ultimately lead?”

He murmured to himself, proud of the village’s victory, yet also feeling a hint of hidden worry about potential variables in the future.

Beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura | his one eye grimly fixed on Qianye’s back, his hand gripping his cane turning white.

The thunderous cheers of “Uchiha” pierced his ears like needles.

Jealousy, unwillingness, a deep sense of powerlessness.

And a hint of deeply hidden fear churned in his heart.

“The light is too dazzling… Uchiha…

Hiruzen, your weakness has finally caused a great disaster!”

But at this moment, he could only suppress all his emotions tightly in his heart, not daring to show a single trace.

The Uchiha’s power had become firmly established!

Minato Namikaze stood a little further away, a sincere, slightly emotional smile on his face.

“Truly… incredible power and charisma.

Is this the person who can truly change the Shinobi World?”

There was no jealousy in his heart, only admiration for the strong and thoughts about the village’s future.

Jiraiya clicked his tongue, nudging the expressionless Sakumo Hatake beside him with his elbow.

“Hey, White Fang, did you see that?

This kid’s limelight has completely overshadowed us.

But… he really did a splendid job!”

Although his tone was teasing, the depths of his eyes were also filled with awe.

Sakumo Hatake merely nodded slightly, his stern gaze constantly following Qianye.

As someone who had personally experienced that power, he knew better than anyone what terrifying energy was contained beneath that seemingly gentle smile.

“Konoha’s blade… has been unsheathed, and no one can stop it anymore.”

He thought to himself.

Qianye paid no attention to the complex gazes from those behind him.

He continued to smile, walking along the cheering street, occasionally waving to both sides, eliciting even louder cheers.

After passing through several bustling streets, the sight ahead made the smile on his face a little more genuine.

In the center of the road ahead, led by Uchiha Mikoto, the Uchiha clan members were neatly lined up, waiting.

They were dressed in the Uchiha’s distinctive fan crest attire, each standing tall, their faces beaming with proud and excited joy.

The Clan Head’s glorious victory had elevated the entire Uchiha clan’s status in the village to an unprecedented height.

Mikoto stood at the very front; she had specially worn a light purple kimono today, which made her skin appear as white as snow and her black hair flow like a waterfall.

She watched Qianye slowly approach, her beautiful eyes shimmering with uncontrollable joy, longing, and deep pride.

Qianye quickened his pace, passing through the automatically parting crowd, and walked directly in front of Mikoto.

Under the gaze of all the clan members and countless villagers around, he very naturally reached out and, with extreme fondness, ruffled Mikoto’s soft hair, his actions intimate and natural.

“I’m back, Mikoto.”

His voice was gentle, with a slight hoarseness from the long journey, yet it was exceptionally moving.

Mikoto felt the familiar warmth and touch on her head, her cheeks subtly flushing.

Her usual cool and composed demeanor instantly melted in front of Qianye, revealing the gentle, girlish posture of a young woman.

She nodded softly, her voice tender.

“Welcome home, Big Brother Qianye.”

This heartwarming scene in the eyes of the crowd sparked even more good-natured laughter and cheers.

The Uchiha Clan members, seeing their Clan Head and “Acting Clan Head” so harmonious and well-matched, felt even more honored.

Not far away, Tsunade watched this scene, rolling her eyes in annoyance, and muttered softly.

“Hmph, he just knows how to flirt with Mikoto…”

But the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

She tossed her golden ponytail and waved to the Medical Team members behind her.

“Alright, let’s go, the show’s over, there’s still a ton of work at the Hospital!”

With that, she led her people briskly away from the crowd, towards the Konoha Hospital.

Meanwhile, Uzumaki Kushina seemed to be nailed to the spot.

She watched the natural and intimate interaction between Qianye and Mikoto.

Recalling the kiss outside the camp the night before and the romantic tenderness inside the tent afterward, her heart immediately fluttered nervously.

Her small face was crimson, her eyes darted away, and she nervously twisted the corner of her clothes with both hands.

She shrank like a little quail who had done something wrong.

She wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into, completely daring not to look into Mikoto’s eyes.

After a brief interaction with Qianye, Mikoto’s gaze naturally passed over Qianye.

She looked at Kushina, who was following behind him, clearly not in her usual state.

She smiled, a little puzzled, and waved.

“Kushina? What’s wrong? Standing there in a daze, come over.”

“Ah? Ah! I… I’m fine!”

Kushina, like a startled rabbit, suddenly looked up, her eyes frantically meeting Mikoto’s gaze.

Then, as if burned, she quickly looked away, her hands and feet unsure where to go, stammering in response.

“Uh… Mikoto-nee… welcome… welcome back…”

Her words were incoherent, her appearance adorable and clumsy, drawing strange looks from several familiar Ninja nearby.

Welcome back?

The confusion in Mikoto’s eyes deepened. She looked at Kushina, whose cheeks were unusually red and whose behavior was abnormal.

Then she turned to look at Qianye, who had a calm expression and a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips, and asked gently.

“Big Brother Qianye, what’s wrong with Kushina?

She seems like a different person after this trip? Is she sick?”

Qianye knew perfectly well that this little firecracker was shy and dared not meet Mikoto.

He naturally wouldn’t expose her, only chuckling softly.

He very naturally reached out and ruffled Mikoto’s hair again, cleverly changing the subject.

“It’s nothing, she’s probably too excited about the victory and tired from the long journey.

Never mind her, how has the family been during this time? Is everything well?”

Hearing Qianye ask about serious matters, Mikoto’s attention was indeed diverted.

She temporarily put aside her doubts about Kushina.

Her expression became a little more serious, she nodded, then slightly furrowed her brows.

“Everything is well within the Clan, everyone is very uplifted.

It’s just… here in the village, a lot of post-war matters have piled up, and the Hokage leadership has urged several times, hoping you can discuss them as soon as you return.

Also…”

She leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice so only the two of them could hear.

“Regarding the matter with Obito, there have been some new discoveries that require your decision.”

Upon hearing this, a hint of understanding flashed in Qianye’s eyes, his smile unchanged, he merely nodded slightly.

“Understood. Let’s go home first, we’ll discuss the details later.”

After speaking, he very naturally took Mikoto’s hand and, amidst the respectful gazes of the Uchiha Clan members and the continuous cheers of the surrounding villagers, walked towards the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Seeing this, Kushina quickly followed, red-faced and with her head down, like a small attendant.

Her heart, however, was still pounding, both sweet and anxious.

The sunlight spilled onto the three of them, casting long shadows.