The accumulated affairs within Konoha were initially sorted out, and although the lingering effects of the war were still ongoing, they had entered a stable phase.

As Qianye found a moment of leisure, he recalled the newly flourishing town situated near Konoha.

Loulan Town.

He did not go there with great fanfare.

Instead, he only brought Mei Terumī, whom he had brought back from Hidden Mist Village in the Land of Water.

The young girl remained quiet throughout the journey, though her emerald eyes occasionally glanced at Qianye's back, her expression complex and unreadable.

There was the stubbornness of unwilling subservience, and also a hint of secret longing for powerful strength and the bewilderment of being in a foreign land, which even she had not noticed.

She had been forcibly taken by Qianye from the familiar Hidden Mist and brought to the hostile Konoha territory.

Although she was not mistreated, and even had a degree of freedom, this 'possession-like' status kept her feeling stifled.

Loulan Town had expanded considerably since Qianye's last visit, benefiting from its unique geographical location, being close to Konoha yet relatively independent.

Coupled with Sara's relatively enlightened governance, and the frequent patrols by the Uchiha Military Police Force and Anbu.

It attracted merchants and vagrants from all directions, and the streets were bustling with people, various accents intertwining, making it appear quite vibrant.

Not long after stepping into the town entrance, a commotion caught Qianye's attention.

Ahead, at a street corner, a small crowd had gathered.

Amidst the crowd, a tall woman, dressed in distinctive Wind of Land attire, with a delicate, smooth back exposed to the air, was seen.

She was twisting the arm of a ragged, thin man with one hand, pointing at him with the other, and sternly reprimanding him.

Beside her stood a younger Ninja, who was helping to keep the onlookers at bay.

The two were Pakura and her disciple, Maki.

“In Loulan Town, no one will look down on you for earning a living through your own labor!

But stealing and corrupting the atmosphere will not be tolerated!”

Pakura's voice carried the unique husky quality of a Sand Ninja; even when scolding someone, it had a distinct charm.

The thief grimaced as she twisted him, begging for mercy repeatedly.

Qianye did not stop, walking straight past.

Mei Terumī silently followed half a step behind him.

Some of the onlookers recognized Qianye, and a low gasp rippled through the crowd, who instinctively moved aside, creating a path.

A person's name is like a tree's shadow; Uchiha Chiye's reputation had long spread throughout the Shinobi World, and in this town near Konoha, it was even more resounding.

Pakura also noticed the unusual movement behind her, paused her scolding, and turned her head.

When she saw that it was Qianye, the stern expression on her face instantly melted away like ice and snow, blooming with a surprised and radiant glow, like a desert struck by sunlight, her eyes shining astonishingly bright.

“Qianye!”

She almost blurted it out, the joy in her tone undisguised.

She casually pushed the thief to her disciple, Maki, who was beside her.

“Take him to Konoha and deal with him according to the rules.”

“Yes, Teacher Pakura!”

Maki quickly assented, stealing a curious and respectful glance at Qianye, then hurried off with the man.

Pakura took a few steps to stand before Qianye, a brilliant smile on her face, her gaze lingering on his face as if to confirm he was well.

“Why did you come so suddenly? Have all the matters in the village been settled?”

Her words came out a bit quickly, revealing her inner unrest.

“Yes, they're pretty much wrapped up for now.”

Qianye looked at her rosy cheeks and her seemingly more relaxed demeanor than before, and nodded.

“It seems you're doing quite well here.”

His gaze swept over the gradually dispersing crowd and the quite substantial buildings in the distance.

“It's very good here, very peaceful, and very free.”

Pakura smiled, her tone filled with contentment.

“Sara manages everything here very well, and everyone comes from different places, so there's no deep-seated hatred; it's much simpler to get along.”

Qianye looked at her and suddenly said.

“The war is over. There won't be any problems if you come back with me to the Uchiha Clan Compound now.”

He knew that Pakura's choice to stay in Loulan was largely because her identity as a Sand Ninja hero was too sensitive during wartime, and staying in the core area of Konoha would not be good for either party.

Upon hearing this, a clear flicker of emotion and tenderness crossed Pakura's eyes, but she ultimately shook her head firmly, her smile becoming somewhat complex and helpless.

“No, Qianye. I know you mean well, but… the war ending doesn't mean the hatred has disappeared. Too much blood has been shed between the Sand Ninja and Konoha.

I am, after all, a Sand Ninja, and once… a hero.

Rashly entering the Uchiha Clan Compound and residing there long-term could cause unnecessary trouble for you, for the Uchiha, and even for the fragile peace Konoha and the Sand Ninja have just established.”

She paused, her tone becoming even softer.

“I'm truly doing well here. Sara takes good care of me, and she gave me a position as a public security Advisor, which allows me to be useful without drawing too much attention.

Occasionally… being able to see you, I'm already very content.”

Her words were honest and clear-headed, showing an understanding of reality and consideration for Qianye's situation.

Qianye heard her mention Sara and naturally asked.

“Speaking of which, I just went to Sara's residence to look for her, but no one was there. Has she been very busy lately?”

At this, Pakura's smile became a bit nuanced, with a hint of teasing.

“Our Queen, you see, has found a new life's purpose recently.

Somehow, she's become obsessed with medical books, spending all day poring over those thick tomes, and she's also studying with the town's old physician.

Lately, she's even set up a small stall directly on the east side of town, offering free medical consultations to the surrounding villagers and passersby!”

“Sara? Studying medicine? Seeing patients?”

Qianye was indeed surprised.

The Loulan Queen, who once needed his protection and was somewhat delicate yet strong, would actually embark on this path?

This change truly exceeded his expectations.

“Yes, she has!”

Pakura laughed.

“At first, everyone found it novel, but she studies very diligently, and her attitude is excellent, so gradually, she really has cured many minor ailments, and now she's quite popular in the surrounding area.

If you're looking for her, she's probably still at her 'free clinic stall' right now.”

As she spoke, she naturally stepped aside.

“Let's go, I'll take you there. Maki should also come to help after dealing with that thief.”

Qianye nodded, and, bringing Mei Terumī, followed Pakura towards the east side of the town.

Mei Terumī quietly followed behind the entire time, her emerald eyes observing Pakura, and then this vibrant town.

Her understanding of Uchiha Chiye grew even more complex.

This man, it seemed, was always surrounded by women of extraordinary status who were devoted to him.

Not far away, at a relatively spacious street corner, they saw a simple canopy.

Under the canopy, there was a table and a few benches.

In front of the table, several villagers were queued, waiting to be seen.

And under the canopy, a beautiful woman dressed in an elegant pale purple long dress, with her hair tied up in a high bun, exuding a gentle yet undeniably firm demeanor, was leaning slightly forward, carefully examining the arm of an old man who looked like a farmer, her expression focused and serious.

She was Sara.

Her change was indeed significant; she had shed some of her youthful awkwardness and gained a few touches of maturity and serenity, and those eyes, once filled with worry, now sparkled with the light of knowledge and the satisfaction of helping others.

However, what caught Qianye's attention even more was another woman standing quietly behind Sara, skillfully helping to organize medicinal herbs and hand over tools.

She was tall, dressed in a simple, neat dark blue combat suit that accentuated her graceful figure.

Her long, light brown hair was braided into a plait that reached her waist, and her expression was somewhat aloof, even with a hint of inaccessibility, but when she looked at Sara and the patients, her movements were meticulous and patient.

Nii Yugito.

This female Ninja, whom Qianye had brought back from Kumogakure, originally bearing the Two-Tails Matatabi, bold in love and hate, yet sensitive and sensible.

Now, she was here, helping Sara with these trivial tasks.

All of this seemed so harmonious.

As if sensing a familiar Chakra approaching, Yugito suddenly looked up, her eyes instantly locking onto Qianye as he walked towards them.

Her gaze fluctuated intensely, her aloof expression almost impossible to maintain, and she instinctively straightened her body, her hand gripping the medicinal herbs tightening slightly.

Surprise, complexity, a hint of barely concealed shyness, and deep-seated emotions flashed across her eyes.

Her gaze then lingered for a moment on Mei Terumī, who was behind Qianye.

Sara also noticed Yugito's unusual behavior and the sudden quietness in the atmosphere.

She looked up, following Yugito's gaze.

When she saw Qianye, she first paused, then her face bloomed into a smile of immense surprise and tenderness, like a blossoming Udumbara flower.

“Qianye!”

She put down what she was holding, not even minding the waiting patients, and quickly came out from under the canopy to greet him, her skirt brushing the ground and raising faint dust.

“Why have you come?”

Her voice was full of joy, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and she looked at Qianye with burning eyes, filled with undisguised admiration and longing.

Yugito also followed, standing half a step behind Sara, her eyes slightly downcast, and greeted him in a low voice.

“Qianye…”

Her tone was a bit stiff, as if she was not yet accustomed to expressing herself in such a public setting.

Qianye looked at these two women of different styles, both closely connected to him, and then at the small yet significant free clinic stall behind them, a slight curve forming on his lips.

“It seems you've made things quite interesting here during my absence.”

His gaze swept over Sara and Yugito, finally resting back on Sara.

“I heard you started studying medicine?”

Sara smiled a little bashfully, her hands instinctively twisting together, yet she tried hard to appear composed.

“Hmm… I always feel like I can't always rely on your protection.

The people of Loulan need to live in peace and work happily, and I also hope to do something for them, for those who need help. Healing people feels like a very meaningful thing.”

Her eyes were firm and clear, and finding a new life's purpose made her radiate with a newfound glow.

“Very good.”

Qianye nodded approvingly, then looked at Yugito.

“And you? Are you still getting used to it?”

Yugito looked up, met Qianye's gaze, and then quickly looked away, her tone still a bit stiff, but her words were unexpected.

“It's… it's alright. Sara… she can't manage everything alone, and I have nothing else to do anyway.”

Pakura watched from the side, unable to help but cover her mouth and chuckle, clearly having some understanding of Yugito's awkward personality.

Mei Terumī, watching this scene from behind, felt an even stronger sense of curiosity and an unusual feeling in her heart.

What kind of magic did this man possess?

Qianye looked at these women gathered in Loulan Town; some had their destinies changed because of him, others found new directions because of him, and they seemed to have formed a subtle and harmonious relationship with each other.

The post-rain sunlight pierced through the clouds, scattering onto the town's streets and onto them, warm and bright.

Loulan, this town reborn because of him, also seemed to be becoming a new home and starting point for these women.

“There's nothing to do in the village today, and the sun is just right.

Let's gather and have lunch together!”