Hidden Leaf Village, main gate.
When Uchiha Ling's tall, upright figure appeared at the end of the road, the entire village seemed like a tranquil lake struck by a massive boulder, instantly boiling over.
After passing through the long sea of cheering people and receiving the villagers' most fervent support, Ling left the remaining trivial matters to Minato and the Military Police Force subordinates, while he himself headed straight for the Hokage Building.
The moment he pushed open the heavy doors of the Hokage Office, the clamor outside was instantly cut off.
There were only two people in the office.
Hatake Sakumo stood silently in the shadows like a sheathed blade, his presence cold and sharp.
Orochimaru, meanwhile, leaned lazily by the window. His golden vertical pupils watched the crowd still boiling with excitement below with great interest, while his tongue unconsciously swept across the corner of his mouth, carrying the eerie thrill of a researcher observing test subjects.
"Ling-kun, welcome back." Orochimaru spoke first, his voice hoarse yet magnetic. "It seems you've completed another splendid 'performance' and reaped quite a harvest."
Hatake Sakumo stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and performed a standard gesture of fealty. "Lord Ling."
His movements were crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. From the moment Ling had pulled him back from the abyss of despair, Sakumo had already offered up his loyalty without reservation.
Ling walked behind the broad Hokage desk and sat down, sinking into the soft backrest. The gentle smile he had worn before the public faded, replaced by the calm of someone who held everything in his grasp.
"Rise, Sakumo. There are no outsiders here." He waved a hand, his gaze sweeping over the two men. "I've already felt the village's enthusiasm. Now, let's discuss business. Any new developments from