Dusk settled in, and the sun finally sank below the horizon. Faint moonlight spilled across the earth.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, who had been waiting for a long time, finally saw the figure they had been hoping for.
"Click."
The door to the Hokage's office opened, and Uzumaki Kuming stepped inside, a long sword at his side. He looked haggard, and the light that once shone in his eyes had dimmed.
Hiruzen hadn't seen Kuming in a long time. Seeing the tall young man walk into the office, he hesitated for a moment.
"Sensei, I'm back."
Kuming's voice sounded tired. He looked up at Hiruzen, then glanced at Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. The two were studying him closely. Though Kuming seemed to be in poor shape, both of them had clearly felt the oppressive presence emanating from him the moment he entered the office.
They had only ever felt this kind of pressure from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Now, however, they could feel it from Kuming as well.
"This kid has grown tremendously over the years!"
"What a powerful presence! What overwhelming pressure!"
Kuming looked utterly listless, but Hiruzen, a Kage Level shinobi, could still sense the weight of the young man's aura the instant it radiated from him.
"Good to have you back. Good to have you back!"
Hiruzen repeated himself, then hurried over and embraced Kuming tightly. Caught completely off guard by the Third Hokage's sudden show of affection, Kuming stared at Hiruzen in a daze and didn't respond. Hiruzen didn't mind. After the embrace, he patted Kuming on the shoulder and said happily,
"It's been years since I last saw you, and you've grown into an incredible shinobi."
"Kuming, your achievements on the Land of Earth front have made your