Konoha's main gate.
Two travel-worn figures appeared there. The young man in a conical hat gazed at the gate, now completely unlike the one in his memories—grand and magnificent beyond compare—with a complicated look in his eyes.
"Master, what's wrong?" the red-haired boy beside him asked.
"It's been too long since I came back. Everything's changed," the young man said calmly.
Just then, a worker at the main gate called out to them. "You two, if you plan to enter Konoha, please come register."
The two followed his instructions and cooperated with the registration process.
"Please remove your hat. We need to record your facial information."
The young man took off his hat, revealing a striking head of red hair. The worker froze at the sight, because the man before him looked far too familiar.
"Are you..."
"Lord Second Hokage?!"
The young man said calmly, "I am Senju Tobirama."
"It really is Lord Second Hokage!" All the workers at the main gate were drawn over.
"Lord Second Hokage!"
"Lord Second Hokage, you've returned!"
They were all Konoha ninja. To them, the Hokage was still an immensely revered figure.
One of them said excitedly, "I'll report this to His Majesty right away!"
His Majesty...
Senju Tobirama asked, "May we enter now?"
The registration process went quickly, and Senju Tobirama and the red-haired boy were smoothly allowed through.
Konoha had grown far larger than the village he remembered. Beyond the main gate lay paved roads, surrounded by towering buildings. The streets were bustling and prosperous, packed with pedestrians.
"So... so amazing..." The red-haired boy stared blankly at everything around him.
He remembered that it had not looked like this the last time he came. He had heard many rumors about Konoha during his long time away, but seeing it with his own