A Walk Through the Streets of Konoha

"Forming an alliance with Mist Village would indeed be of considerable benefit to Konoha; I can assure you of that."

After a long silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked intently at the expectant young man opposite him and spoke gently:

"However, the matter of forming an alliance is of great importance. After all, I have now stepped down, and the final decision on the alliance must be made after the Fifth Hokage reviews it and discusses it with everyone in Konoha... I hope that everyone in Mist Village can understand."

Hearing the Third Hokage Hokage's slightly apologetic words, he felt no surprise whatsoever.

He hadn't expected Konoha to give a definite answer today, so the Third Hokage's response was entirely within his expectations.

"After all, if things can be settled so quickly, how can I stay in Konoha any longer?"

He muttered to himself, but on his face he maintained that polite smile and responded understandingly:

"Of course, there's no problem. We can also take advantage of this time while you're discussing things to stay in Konoha a little longer."

As he spoke, he shifted his gaze from the Third Hokage to the Konoha cityscape outside the window, which was gradually sinking into twilight in the setting sun. A sincere and perfectly timed longing appeared on his face.

"To be honest, I have longed to visit Konoha for a long time, but I have been busy with the political affairs of Mist Village and have been unable to fulfill this wish due to the sensitivity of my identity."

Being able to take this opportunity to see this land with my own eyes now can be considered as making up for a regret in my life.

Upon hearing Koko's almost flattering words, Sarutobi Hiruzen's originally solemn and cautious expression involuntarily relaxed a little.

For this old man who had dedicated most of his life to Konoha, such praise, though not particularly profound, was certainly very pleasing.

His gaze softened as he looked at Kou, and he smiled as he spoke to Kou:

"I hope you and everyone from Mist Village have a wonderful time in Konoha."

As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his gaze to the silver-haired ninja beside him and gave the order in a kind tone:

"Kakashi, I'm entrusting the care of the guests from Mist Village during their stay in Konoha to you."

"Yes."

Kakashi solemnly nodded slightly to the Third Hokage Hokage, then turned his gaze towards the direction of the knock.

Kou also turned his gaze to Kakashi, giving him a slightly apologetic smile:

"I'm very sorry, I'll have to trouble you a lot during this time, Mr. Kakashi."

Kakashi's lips curved slightly beneath his mask as he politely nodded to Koko.

"Please don't be so polite. It's getting late. Let me take you and the others from Mist Village to the inn to rest."

As he spoke, he strode to the door and reached out to pull open the heavy wooden door to the Hokage's office.

Kou Chao nodded to Kakashi, who was standing at the door, then looked at the Third Hokage Hokage, who was about to get up from his chair to see him off, and gently raised his hand, making a gesture of pressing down:

"The Hokage's work is very busy, so you don't need to see him off."

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused for a moment, hesitated for a second, and then sat back down with a hint of guilt.

He looked at Kou and solemnly promised:

"Please rest assured, I will discuss the matter with the Fifth Hokage as soon as possible and get back to you promptly. You won't have to wait too long."

Kou smiled, waved goodbye to the Third Hokage Hokage and Tsunade, who still had a dark expression, then turned around and stepped out of the Hokage's office.

Behind him, Kisame and Utakata also bowed slightly towards Konoha before following Kou's footsteps.

Just before Kakashi closed the door, he exchanged a brief glance with the Third Hokage Hokage.

He sensed the profound meaning silently conveyed in the eyes of the Third Hokage, nodded slightly, and then gently closed the heavy wooden door.

When he turned around, Kakashi's face had once again put on his signature lazy and easygoing expression, and he quickened his pace to catch up with the group of people ahead.

Listening to the unhurried footsteps following behind him, he narrowed his eyes slightly:

"Heh, so you want Kakashi to keep an eye on us, to prevent us from having any other schemes?"

He naturally noticed the silent exchange of glances between Kakashi and the Third Hokage, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly:

"It seems that the mess between Kumogakure and Hyuga then really taught the Third Hokage a lesson."

Just as Koko was lost in thought, Kakashi quickly walked to his side and said apologetically:

"I'm very sorry, Lord Sora, it's getting late today, so I'm afraid I won't be able to give you a proper tour of Konoha as we agreed in Mist Village... We'll have to wait until tomorrow."

He waved his hand and offered words of comfort in a gentle tone:

"Don't worry about it. I'll stay in Konoha until the Lord Third Hokage and the Fifth Hokage reach a decision."

"There's still plenty of time..."

Kakashi looked at Koko's friendly smile, his lazy, dead-fish eyes curving into crescent moons, concealing his wariness and observation without missing a beat beneath that nonchalant smile.

He nodded, then led the three of them out of the Hokage Building.

It was already evening, and the sun had sunk below the edge of the Hokage Rock, leaving only a slowly fading golden-red glow in the sky.

There were few pedestrians on the streets of Konoha. Occasionally, you could see a few women leading their children, who were still looking back with reluctance, home.

The evening breeze wafted through the trees lining the streets, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, and also the aroma of dishes wafting from several distant homes.

A peaceful atmosphere enveloped the village, bathed in twilight, as if the people living here would never know the true nature of the Ninja World...

As they strolled towards the hotel, Kou and his group couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emotion.

Even though it's been five years since I last set foot on this land where I've lived for over a decade, walking this road again now, I find that it doesn't stir even the slightest ripple in my heart.

"I should know this road better than anyone."

He silently mocked himself in his heart:

"I was wondering if I would be moved by the scenery and feel sentimental about how things have changed, but to my surprise, I felt completely unaffected... Am I just a cold-hearted person by nature?"

He thought to himself this jokingly, but his gaze never left the surrounding scenery:

"No, perhaps it's because I've never really calmed down and properly looked around here. Who knows?"

As she felt the gentle breeze carrying the scent of leaves caress her face, she whispered in her heart:

"After all, back then, I didn't have the leisure or inclination to appreciate life."

Now that I have returned to Konoha, I finally feel, for the first time as an "outsider," that living in Konoha truly makes one unconsciously immersed in the sense of peace and security it brings.