Parting

In the Land of Whirlpools, the Konoha ninjas were carrying out their shift changes in an orderly manner.

Having spent years on the front lines, they hadn't returned to their village. Many showed excitement upon hearing the news of their impending return, but then a piece of news emerged, adding a touch of guilt to their joy at going home.

Uchiha Yoru, their commander shared all the credit with them, and even after a detailed discussion with Shin'nosuke Sarutobi, it was almost certain that the ninjas among them who would be promoted this time would not have any major problems.

Although they haven't returned to the village yet, some good news about promotions has already arrived. Those who haven't been promoted yet can just wait for their turn once they get back; the chances are very high.

Yūhi Kurenai, Uzuki Yugao, Might Guy, and others have all been promoted to Special Jonin. The number of people promoted to Jōnin and Special Jonin this time is not large.

It was upon seeing this number that Shin'nosuke Sarutobi a disdainful smile. Favor? They might remember your favor for now, but time will heal all wounds.

Inside the camp.

"Is this the intelligence you've gathered?"

Shin'nosuke Sarutobi frowned as he looked at the intelligence report. It was pretty accurate, just as he had predicted, but most of it focused on the strength of the characters.

Below her was Yūhi Kurenai, Spy personally sent by the Third Hokage, but at this moment, Kurenai felt a pang of disappointment.

The village was indeed corrupt to this extent, with people forcibly seizing credit from others, planting Spy among the village's ninjas, and even fathers and sons working together to control the village's power.

However, not only was Yūhi Kurenai disappointed, but Shin'nosuke Sarutobi also shook his head in disappointment after seeing that the information he had secretly gathered was almost identical to what he had found.

"Alright, since you were chosen by the Third Hokage, you will continue to lie low. After returning to the village this time, Uchiha Yoru will be carrying out a mission that will last for quite some time. After you return, you will be Special Jonin, which will make you an elite in the Seventh Division of the Konoha Military Police Force."

Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's intention was clear: before Uchiha Yoru returned, he wanted to build up his own clique within the Seventh Division of the Konoha Military Police Force.

Upon hearing this, Yūhi Kurenai lowered her head and said in a deep voice, "I still need to report to the Third Hokage."

You, Shin'nosuke Sarutobi, only have the right to know about the existence of these spies, and they can share information with you. But right now, she's preparing to return to the village. There's only one person on your end: the Third Hokage, and you're not that person yet.

Yūhi Kurenai's rigid demeanor initially surprised Shinnosuke, but he chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "That's right, let the old man arrange things when we get back. I really don't have the authority to move you around."

At first, he addressed the Third Hokage," but after being slapped in the face, he called him "old man." What is this called? Using one's power to intimidate others!

But it was precisely this action that extinguished the last glimmer of hope that Yūhi Kurenai had for the village. She sighed inwardly, realizing that the village was indeed rotten. Perhaps she should find a time to confess everything to Yoru.

Shin'nosuke Sarutobi was unaware that their abuse of power was gradually becoming disappointing. After all, this was supposed to be the Hokage's duty and authority, and Shinnosuke didn't have the right to do so. Yet, Shinnosuke had long since become accustomed to treating these overstepping rights as normal.

After all, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was his father, and years of habit had led him to believe that these were rights unique to the Sarutobi Clan.

Pretending not to hear, Yūhi Kurenai directly used hand seals to dispel her Shadow Clone Jutsu.

With a bang, as the white smoke from the Shadow Clone slowly dissipated, the smile on Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's face also gradually faded.

"Shinnosuke- no-suke, did you see that? A brat who just became Special Jonin dares to give you attitude."

Just then, Ume Sarutobi's mocking voice rang out, which seemed to hurt Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's pride. He immediately snorted coldly and said, "The old man is still the Hokage after all, so some things are normal."

He said it was normal, but Sarutobi Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's ugly expression said it all. Although he had no right to interfere in these matters, he had long been used to the feeling of being fawned over by everyone around him.

Even at first, he was uneasy about some of the rights he had overstepped, but then came the indulgence from the Third Hokage, his father, which over time made him feel as if he should have these rights.

The contrast today filled him with conflict, and Shin'nosuke Sarutobi secretly resolved that he must become Hokage, so that all those who looked down on him could only look up to him.

"Brother Yoru, Shin'nosuke Sarutobi just arrived and he's already been transferred to the border post. We finally managed to stabilize the situation, and now he's just going to get all the credit for it?"

Uchiha Shisui exuded a sense of dissatisfaction, but after experiencing so much, he had become quite adept at suppressing his emotions. He no longer felt the same anger as before, but it was merely a suppressed rage.

Seeing Uchiha Shisui's displeased expression, Uchiha Yoru gazed at the surging sea, narrowed his eyes, and smiled, pointing towards the ships moored in the distance.

"Shisui, look at them. They guarded the border after the Third Shinobi War for the village. They were supposed to go home, but due to the Nine-Tails' disturbance, they stayed on the front lines. Then, Teacher Orochimaru's incident made them afraid to go home. This time, they can finally go home. They've been away for too long."

Shisui also saw ships in the distance, carrying Konoha ninjas, all of whom were excited to go home and see their families.

This scene silenced Shisui, who then shook his head with a self-deprecating smile and said, "Brother Yoru, the village is unfair to them, but it's also unfair to us."

"Fairness?" Turning to look at Shisui as he uttered the word "fairness," Uchiha Yoru looked even more surprised. "Shisui, there has never been such a thing as fairness in this world. Rules are made by the strong, and the weak can only obey them. So you must understand this principle."

"The weak obey the rules, the strong make the rules!" Uchiha Shisui muttered to himself, finally letting out a self-deprecating bitter laugh, "Brother Yoru, you're right, but!"

"I believe that Brother Yoru will be the one to set the rules!" As he said this, Uchiha Shisui looked at the person he believed in with a firm look in his eyes.

Faced with this trust, Uchiha Yoru narrowed his eyes. "Stronger? The rules that the Uchiha and Senju established back then have become distorted after the fall of the strong. So Shisui, strive to become stronger. When we are all strong, we can suppress all enemies."

"Reform requires bloodshed and sacrifice, but if we don't have the strength to suppress all enemies before we start reforming, it will turn into a disaster. So let's work hard to improve ourselves."

With a meaningful look on his face, Uchiha Yoru's last words immediately filled Uchiha Shisui with respect. His Brother Yoru had considered things so far ahead; he truly deserved to be called a person born with the mindset of Hokage (leader).

"That's right, Night, you're right. Reform requires bloodshed and upheaval. Only when we have the strength to suppress all enemies can the village become what we want."

Just then, a group of people appeared behind them, with Kakashi at the head of the group looking particularly serious, as this was exactly what he had been worried about.

The greater the momentum of reform, the greater the conflict with the corrupt old forces. Reform is non-negotiable; only one side can win.

Whether it's a Pyrrhic victory or a mutually destructive conflict, it will cause irreparable damage to their home, Konoha. However, if they possess the strength to suppress all enemies, then a single bloodshed can resolve all the problems.

As figures appeared one after another behind him, Uchiha Yoru turned around and smiled at everyone, then chuckled and said, "Alright, cheer up. This time you're all going home. Remember to train hard when you get back."

Yūhi Kurenai, Uzuki Yugao, Mitarashi Anko, Shiranui Genma, Raido Namiashi Raidō, Tatami Iwashi, and Hizashi Hyuga will all be preparing to return to the village.

Kakashi, Shisui, and Might Guy stayed behind. Uchiha Shisui represented the Uchiha Clan and led the Uchiha elites on the front lines.

With Might Guy serving as Kakashi's second-in-command, Shin'nosuke Sarutobi essentially gave the frontline a complete overhaul.

"Night, aren't you going back?" Mitarashi Anko stepped forward and hugged the arm of the figure that brought her peace of mind, her beautiful eyes revealing a hint of reluctance.

Looking at everyone, and at the special affection in Anko's eyes, Uchiha Yoru smiled and shook his head, saying, "I have another mission. You all go back first; I'll be back soon."

A ninja takes missions as his duty; this is a compulsory course for all ninjas. Upon hearing this, everyone, including Mitarashi Anko, fell silent.

"Night, I'll be waiting for you in Konoha."

Mitarashi Anko has a bold and unrestrained personality. After some events, she no longer cares about other people's opinions. Her heart belongs only to Uchiha Yoru, so she dares to openly express her feelings in front of everyone without any restraint.

While Yūhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao felt a mix of envy and complex emotions, Yūhi Kurenai wanted to say something, but with so many people around, she could only manage a wry smile.

"Yoru, we'll wait for you to come back together." Yūhi Kurenai tossed her long hair, revealing a capable smile. She had already made up her mind; she would confess everything once she returned.

She was already fully aware of the corruption and darkness in the village, which made her even more eager to wholeheartedly participate in the reform.

"Wow, this is what youth is all about! See you in our village after the war is over."

Might Guy's excited shout instantly dispelled the sadness of parting, and everyone smiled. It has to be said that having such a companion is truly fortunate.

"Don't slack off on your training after you get back."

Uchiha Yoru smiled and waved to everyone, finally looking at the youngest Uchiha Itachi, and went up to him, ruffling his hair.

"Itachi, I'm sorry as your teacher, I've had almost no time to teach you."

Before parting, hearing his teacher's apologetic smile, Uchiha Itachi shook his head with a firm expression and said, "Teacher, you have too much to bear. I understand."

In Uchiha Itachi's mind, it would be a waste to take up his teacher's time to teach him, because his teacher represented the true Will of Fire.

"Shisui, if the battlefield situation changes, remember to arrange for Itachi first."

Uchiha Yoru has never shied away from the issue of privileges, and he has even spoken about it in front of everyone. Since it exists, it must be reasonable, and he has never avoided it.

When Uchiha Itachi heard this, he opened his mouth to say something, but then, as if remembering something, he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his throat. Shisui, on the other hand, nodded firmly after hearing this.

"Don't worry, Brother Yoru Ye, I will teach Itachi well."

Seeing Shisui's determined gaze, Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded, secretly giving him a thumbs up. He was indeed at ease; Shisui wasn't just teaching Ninjutsu, he was even teaching the will of the Hokage.

Under your original influence, Uchiha Itachi carried out the Will of Fire. Of course, under your influence, Uchiha Itachi still carried out his own Will of Fire, but the source was somewhat different.

The tragedies of Konoha almost all stemmed from the Will of Fire. When his true Will of Fire appeared, it changed the course of countless tragedies that followed.

"Get on the boat, or it'll leave soon."

As they parted, Uchiha Yoru gave a carefree laugh, and everyone nodded firmly. The three members of Genma Squad said resolutely, "Don't worry, Lord Yoru. We will manage the Seventh Division well when we get back, and we will definitely not slack off in our training."

Everyone felt a heavy pressure; to bring about change and completely eradicate the darkness and corruption in the village, they needed the power to suppress everything.

They never dared to hope that they were strong enough to change everything, but Uchiha Yoru's perseverance and determination made them even more determined to become stronger. Every bit of strength they gained would help Uchiha Yoru and increase their chances of changing the village in the future.

This pressure made them all feel the strain, and they never dared to slack off in their cultivation.

Uchiha Yoru smiled as he looked at everyone. He could clearly see the Destiny above everyone's heads, Destiny and Destiny towards him, forming a continuous cycle of mutual support.

However, they also have their advantages. When their Destiny is solidified to a certain extent, they can help the other party condense their Destiny and add it to themselves.

The mysteries of Destiny are vast; the difference between passive and active is as small as a single word, yet the difference can be worlds apart.

With this Destiny fortune, they will go much further than their counterparts in the original story, especially since they still have a great deal of room for growth at their current age.

"Night, just you wait. Once we return to the village, I'll be Special Jonin. Before you go back, I'll definitely become a female Jōnin of Konoha."

Suddenly, Mitarashi Anko grinned broadly, her carefree and hearty smile bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded, saying, "Alright, when you become Jōnin, I'll personally present you with a precious Jōnin gift."

Looking at everyone at the same time, Uchiha Yoru shrugged and smiled wryly, feigning a look of financial loss, "It seems none of you gave me a gift when I became Jōnin, and now I have to give you one."

Instantly, everyone broke into hearty smiles. At that moment, they all remembered Uchiha Yoru's greedy nature, but after spending so much time together, they felt even more emotional.

Countless sums of money were secretly allocated to the families of the fallen, since the village's finances were strained during the war, and the so-called compensation was only enough to keep them from starving.

They admired Uchiha Yoru's actions, but also felt ashamed.

"Let's go, get on the ship, see you in Konoha."

Amidst hearty laughter, the group parted ways. Uchiha Yoru led everyone to the dock to see them off, where they saw many familiar faces. All the Konoha Ninja on the ship showed expressions of reluctance.

As the sun set, the ship slowly sailed towards the Land of Fire, leaving only a few people seeing it off at the dock.

Thanks to brother 'Ning Chenfeng' for the 100 coins.

Thank you for your support, brothers!