As Rikusei stepped into the Wooden Pavilion, he tried to hold back a laugh as he watched Kyu looking so anxious. He hadn't expected Kyu to be all alone after not seeing him for two years.
He deftly picked up the pen beside the register on the desk and handed it to Kuan, then asked with a smile, "What about that big sister from the Hyuga Clan?"
"Koto, she..."
Kyu hurried to his feet, his eyes darting around as he glanced at the clan head standing nearby. He stammered.
"Boy or girl?"
Rikusei rubbed his forehead helplessly. What did a grown man have to blush about?
At the mention of it, Kyu's face lit up with happiness. He murmured, "It's still early."
After they had briefly caught up, Madara asked, "Is Hashirama in the village?"
"Lord Hokage has been in the office building ever since he returned from capturing the Three-Tails."
"For now, don't spread the news that I've returned to the village."
"Yes, Clan Head!"
Uchiha Ku watched the three of them walk away, then braced himself against the wooden chair behind him and slowly sat down, letting out a long sigh of relief.
Uchiha Madara. Just hearing that name was enough to make a person feel oppressed.
As Rikusei walked along the main road toward the Hokage Building, he gazed down the streets branching in every direction, curiously taking in Konoha after so long away.
There were more small buildings standing around now. It was clear from the view that the village had expanded considerably.
Flowers and plants along the neat streets swayed in the breeze, a pleasing sight to behold. His earlier suggestion to Madara to establish a Land Planning Department had certainly been worthwhile.
His gaze returned to the street beside him. The shops that had