Ōnoki was not seeing Konoha's morning for the first time.
There was no lingering smoke, nor was there the unpleasant dampness that made clothes and skin cling together. Instead, it was filled with a lively warmth that inspired envy.
The largest square in Konoha was packed with people. Armor of every color reflected the morning light, shining like the night stars that had yet to fade from the sky.
Standing with Iwagakure's contingent, he looked past the brown armor of the fellow village ninja around him and searched the crowd for the Konoha ninja.
They were easy to find.
They had the greatest numbers, and their dazzling variety of family crests made one dizzy. After intensive cramming at the Ninja Academy, he could finally tell clearly which clan each belonged to.
Looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen's back, he curled his lips and thought, Once this sealing operation is over, I'll have my own Summoning Beast too.
He had obtained a promise from the Tsuchikage, backed by the Will of Stone: Konoha's ninja would divide the chakra of a certain Four-Tails until it reached a level he could control.
Enma, was it?
He wondered which monkey was stronger, Enma or the Four-Tails.
"Rikusei, look. Ōnoki's smile is so disgusting."
Kagami Uchiha, surveying his surroundings amid a forest of High-Collar Robes, tugged at Rikusei's sleeve and spoke quietly.
Rikusei tilted his head, shifting his line of sight past the handle of the fan on his back. He followed Kagami's gaze and looked at Ōnoki. The man merely seemed somewhat inexplicably excited, nowhere near as exaggerated as Kagami claimed.
Uchiha Kaku, rarely seen in armor, heard their conversation. He too turned toward Iwagakure's position, glanced at the man standing at the front, and said, "According to reliable rumors, Mu seems to be developing an