Welcome Home, Uchiha

Land of Fire.

Even before the morning mist had fully dispersed, Konohagakure's massive gates took shape in the faint dawn light.

On the two three-zhang-tall vermilion gateposts, the Uzumaki Crest gleamed, soaked with dew. The bronze chains wrapped around the posts were as thick as an adult's waist—they were made from trees grown by the First Hokage using Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence, and despite decades of wind and frost, showed no cracks.

Smoke from cooking fires drifted from the gap where the gates were half-open, mingling with the mist from the Naka River outside to form a blue gauze. The Chunin on duty squatted on the eaves of the watchtower to the left, the steam from the Bamboo Rice in his hands startling away a resting Swift. The Kunai handles in his Ninja Tool Pouch were tied with faded Prayer Bags, swaying gently with the rhythm of him checking passes.

The deep wheel ruts in the stone road were filled with rainwater from the previous night, now reflecting the figures of those coming and going. An oxcart transporting Pickled Plum creaked over the moss, a tea merchant wearing a Conical Hat brushed past a ninja returning from a mission, and three Ninja Hounds darted out from the crowd, chasing the scent of Grilled Dango. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, and a squad of Genin ran through the checkpoint, startling an old woman selling Wind Chimes, causing her basket to tilt—a Glass Lamp, about to fall, was steadily caught by the Leading Jonin following behind.

The sunlight grew stronger, making the Explosive Tag Array hidden in the shadows of the lintel visible. The Sealing Jutsu of the Uzumaki Clan Head and the Shadow Charms of the Nara Clan overlapped, forming vine-like black patterns on the doorframe. The changing guards leaped onto the gate tower with the chime of the Third Watch, Quarter Past, their footsteps making no sound even as they landed on the bronze chains.

At that moment, a flock of sparrows suddenly took flight from the distant woods. A ninja wearing a Green Vest on the wall grew serious, the three Tomoe in his eyes flickering slightly.

On the forest road three kilometers from Konohagakure.

Qing Xuan tightened his Cloak and followed Hizashi Hyuga, finally breathing a sigh of relief as he looked at the giant gate, faintly visible in the distance.

This Elite Jonin of the Hyuga Clan had spoken little since they left the Land of Wind. His back was as straight as a pine tree, his white Kimono unstained by the wind and sand.

The entire squad consisted of four people, including Hizashi Hyuga, there were three other Jonin.

This alone showed how much the village valued Qing Xuan.

They were scattered around casually, yet subtly formed a triangular formation, protecting Qing Xuan in the center. It seemed unintentional, but Qing Xuan could clearly feel their Chakra flowing around him, ready to respond to any sudden situation.

"We're almost at the village."

At this moment, Hizashi Hyuga suddenly spoke.

Qing Xuan didn't understand why he said that now, but he wisely followed the rest of the team and stopped.

Hizashi Hyuga said nothing more.

Qing Xuan, however, noticed his fingers tightening slightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand.

Just then, a few crow caws echoed from the woods. Qing Xuan looked up; several jet-black crows flew overhead, their blood-red eyes glaring in the gray sky.

At that very moment, Hizashi Hyuga suddenly raised his hand, the veins around his Byakugan bulging, his voice sharp, "Who's there? Come out!"

Tree shadows shifted, and five masked ninja emerged from the darkness. They wore Anbu uniforms, their mask patterns particularly strange.

The one in the lead spoke in a hoarse voice, "We are acting under orders. Hand over the Uchiha Orphan to us."

Hizashi Hyuga didn't move, his voice unusually calm, "The reason?"

The Anbu was silent for a moment, then said, "We suspect he has been trained as a spy by Sunagakure these past few years."

"I cannot comply."

Hizashi Hyuga continued calmly, his voice colder than usual, "My orders were to escort him safely to the Uchiha Clan. Besides..."

His Byakugan shifted slightly as he looked at the patterns on their masks, "Are you truly Anbu?"

The air suddenly froze.

Qing Xuan could clearly feel the clash of Chakra between the two sides, even the surrounding leaves began to rustle without wind. The three Jonin of the escort team had already adopted combat stances, firmly protecting him in the center.

Just then, a slightly hoarse voice came from above, "They are certainly not Anbu."

A young figure leaped down from the treetops, his short, earth-yellow hair fluttering in the wind. He wore a simple Gray Kimono, his right sleeve empty. When he turned around, Guangzhi saw the hideous scar on his left face, extending from his nostril to his chin.

"Senju Nawaki."

Murmurs rippled through the escort ninja.

Hearing the name, surprise flashed in Qing Xuan's eyes. When he looked up again, the person was already in front of him.

His eyes twinkled with a smile, but his words were blunt.

"As expected, still such an annoying face!"

He reached out and placed his hand on Qing Xuan's head, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

"Is this little guy really your sister's child?"

The Root Ninja's body stiffened noticeably.

Although Senju Nawaki only had his left arm, the oppressive aura he exuded was suffocating. Qing Xuan could feel his Chakra, as heavy as a mountain, yet filled with vibrant life.

"Senju Nawaki, you are no longer a Konoha ninja," the leading Root Ninja said, trying to maintain his composure. "This matter does not concern you!"

"Of course, it doesn't concern me."

Nawaki said so, but his hand on Qing Xuan's head never moved.

"I'm just delivering a message."

He then bent down and looked at Qing Xuan with a smile, "What's your name, little guy?"

"Qing Xuan! Uncle, my name is Uchiha Qing Xuan!"

Qing Xuan clearly felt the hand on his head tremble violently.

"Your shameless personality really runs in the family!"

Nawaki said with a displeased look, reaching out to mess up the kid's hair. "Uchiha Qing Xuan, the Hokage has ordered! You are to go to the Hokage's office immediately to see him!"

The Root Squad Leader's eyes clearly darkened. They stood motionlessly in the middle of the road, their stance making their intentions clear.

"What? Are you Uchiha ninja going to defy even the Hokage-sama's orders?"

A cold glint flashed in Nawaki's eyes, but he quickly smiled again.

He looked behind the Root Ninja, muttering softly:

"If I'd known they were coming, I wouldn't have made this trip. The inherently evil Uchiha actually care about family..."

The Root Ninja also sensed something was wrong at this moment and turned around. They saw several figures standing there who hadn't been there before.

All of them wore Green Vests with Dark Blue Lining.

They stood loosely, but the three Tomoe in their eyes made no one dare to underestimate them.

A middle-aged man in his thirties, who was clearly the leader, looked past the Root Ninja and directly at Qing Xuan. A flicker of emotion finally appeared on his stern, unsmiling face.

"Welcome home, Qing Xuan. Uchiha Qing Xuan."

He spoke, his voice heavy, clearly reaching Qing Xuan through the wind rustling in the forest.

Qing Xuan distinctly saw a trace of sorrow in those Scarlet eyes.

This person is... Fugaku Uchiha?