Konoha, October 10, Year 51. [According to the Book of Formations, Naruto Uzumaki's birthday.]
More than two months had passed since the Third Shinobi World War and the review of its achievements.
The matter had been settled.
Without the Third as a convenient shield, the Sarutobi Clan had withdrawn into Konoha.
Under the Fourth Hokage's protection, they consolidated their strength.
The other ninja clans of Konoha accepted this resolution, but the Third's glorious era was well and truly over.
The Third's many former glories had been shattered.
The various ninja clans began to keep their guard up around the Third and the Sarutobi Clan.
The Sarutobi Clan's reputation had sunk to the same level as the Uchiha Clan's. They were nearly universally despised.
After recovering, the Third wisely refrained from involving himself in Konoha's affairs.
Instead, he teamed up with Shimura Danzō to build up the Anbu and Root.
He intended to create a force that belonged entirely to him.
Night fell.
Hyuga Clan Compound.
Shinichi Hyuga sat quietly on the roof. The light of the full moon bathed him in a hazy, ethereal beauty, as if he didn't belong to this world.
A pale blue glow flickered involuntarily in his left eye.
His right eye was still the traditional Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan. It was gradually struggling to keep pace with his growing strength.
Today was supposed to be Sports Day. According to Konoha's usual customs, a grand sports competition would be held, with people from other villages and countries invited to attend.
But this time, the event seemed rather perfunctory.
[There's an extra chapter about Naruto's birthday: he gets diarrhea and takes part in the sports meet.]
Only Konoha's people were allowed to participate in the competition. Everyone else was barred from entering the village.
This