Ninja's Return

Konohagakure Military Police Force Building.

Conference Room.

Uchiha Sanzang sat at the head of the conference table, with dozens of Uchiha ninja sitting cross-legged around the room.

Most of the police force members wore the standard-issue flak jackets of Konohagakure chunin and jonin, their foreheads adorned with protectors.

Embroidered on their sleeves was the green shuriken emblem, with the Uchiha fan crest centered in the circular hole—the official insignia of the Military Police Force.

A small number of elite teenage ninja at the genin level, lacking the standard flak jackets, wore attire embroidered with the Uchiha fan.

After a brief exchange of greetings, the meeting began with reports from each division.

The First Division, led by Uchiha Nara—historically the unit most ruthless in suppressing villagers—reported only a few minor incidents.

Most of these involved releasing detained villagers, identifying suspicious individuals, or monitoring Konohagakure ninja suffering from mental instability to prevent them from causing damage to the village.

Ninja work is a high-risk profession. Many, whether newly deployed to the battlefield or in the midst of missions, succumb to excessive psychological pressure, the trauma of comrades dying in battle, or the loss of loved ones. This leads to mental distress, resulting in a tense, unstable, or even deranged state of mind.

Currently, the ninja village had no concept of psychological therapy; everyone simply endured in silence, attempting to self-heal.

Such psychological issues were not unique to any one clan or individual; they were common afflictions inherent to the high-risk nature of the ninja profession.

The notion popularized by the guidance of the Hokage-aligned figures in the later stages of the anime—that these issues were exclusive to the Uchiha—was clearly absurd.

"Why have the incidents involving villagers decreased so significantly for the First Division?"

Uchiha Sanzang asked in a deep voice. Sanzang was clearly asking a question he already knew the answer to, intending to highlight Nara's achievements.

Uchiha Go, captain of the First Division's Third Squad, stood up to respond:

"Captain, it is because Lord Nara reorganized the duties of our members. My squad is now solely responsible for managing villagers and street sanitation. By designating a specific area for street vendors, we have provided them with a place to earn a living, which has greatly reduced conflicts."

"Furthermore, the placement of these stalls was carefully observed and arranged so as not to obstruct street traffic or draw complaints from villagers. As for those who set up stalls in violation of the rules, we have expelled and penalized them."

"Most villagers and vendors are quite satisfied with our work, which is why conflict incidents have decreased."

Uchiha Go spoke slowly, explaining the reasons behind the reduction in friction with the villagers.

"Division of duties? Planning a vendor area? Not bad."

Uchiha Sanzang nodded slightly. Within the Military Police Force, Sanzang exuded an air of absolute authority, fully embodying the posture of a leader.

"The other divisions should learn from the First Division," Sanzang remarked after his critique, offering words of encouragement to the other two divisions.

"Yes!"

The crowd below responded in unison.

Uchiha Nara sat in the front row, flanked by the four squad captains. Throughout the meeting, Nara kept his eyes lowered, focused entirely on his own thoughts; he had absolutely no interest in such perfunctory proceedings.

The meeting lasted nearly two hours. As each division and squad reported their key tasks and special circumstances, Nara found himself fighting off sleep.

"Very well. I hope everyone continues to work diligently to maintain the peace of Konohagakure. Now, I have an important task to assign."

"After the meeting, each division will dispatch two squads to the village gates to maintain order and welcome the triumphant Konohagakure heroes!"

Uchiha Sanzang had listened to two hours of trivialities without a hint of impatience, only assigning this important task toward the very end.

It was evident that in Uchiha Sanzang's mind, the task of welcoming the Konohagakure heroes was not as important as the daily routine of the Military Police Force.

The ninja returning from the front lines are finally coming home?

The thought flashed through Nara's mind. Konohagakure Year 38 was drawing to a close; by his calculations, the Second Great Ninja War was effectively over, leaving only sporadic, localized conflicts.

"Yes!" the subordinate ninja replied in succession.

At the gates of Konohagakure.

Countless villagers stood waiting with flowers in hand for the return of the Konohagakure ninja.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood at the entrance, with advisors Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura positioned slightly behind him.

The Military Police Force stood in front of the villagers, maintaining order and securing a path for the returning troops to ensure they wouldn't be blocked by the crowd.

Outside the village gates, a massive force of ninja gradually came into view. Thousands of ninja were returning, their hands tucked behind them, moving toward the gates as if eager to be home.

At the very front were the Sannin of Konohagakure.

Cold Lord Orochimaru, with his long, silky hair reaching his waist, pale complexion, and purple eyeshadow, wore a faint smile. Orochimaru enjoyed significant popularity among the villagers; mysterious, powerful, and reliable—this was the impression the current Orochimaru left on the ninja of Konohagakure.

Princess Tsunade, granddaughter of the First Hokage and a medical jonin, had saved countless Konohagakure ninja. With her exquisite ninjutsu and a bold, cheerful personality, she held immense prestige within the village.

Mad Ghost Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, who called himself the Toad Sage, was a master of summoning jutsu.

As for the commander of this war, Shimura Danzo, he was nowhere to be seen. The leader of Root, who operated in the shadows, seemed to dislike standing in the light.

During the Second Great Ninja War, many ninja had risen to great fame, including the man known as the White Fang of Konoha, Hatake Sakumo, and the Sannin.

Uchiha Nara and Wicked Eye Fugaku had also shown promise early on, though both had faded from the spotlight shortly after their initial displays of prowess.

Among the many renowned ninja, the White Fang of Konoha stood above them all.

Every major nation had issued a directive: if one encountered the White Fang of Konoha, one could abandon the mission immediately without penalty. Such was the magnitude of his reputation.

"Heroes! Welcome home!" The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, puffed on his pipe as he personally greeted the returning troops.

Villagers scattered flower petals everywhere, creating a scene of prosperity.

"Teacher."

"Old man."

"Old geezer."

"Lord Hokage!"

The returning ninjas saluted the leader of Konoha one after another, though the three disciples of Sarutobi addressed the Third Hokage in their own distinct ways.

Uchiha Nara stood atop a nearby building, watching the grand welcoming ceremony.

Sarutobi Hiruzen truly spares no effort in building momentum for his disciples.

Uchiha Nara shook his head, muttering to himself.

The triumphant ninjas returned to the village in succession. The petal-scattering villagers couldn't help but feel a sense of tension, their eyes fixed intently on the returning ranks as they searched for their loved ones.

Villagers who failed to find their kin soon wore expressions of anxiety and dread. Not finding them meant that, in all likelihood...

Villagers on both sides of the street began calling out the names of their relatives.

"Daliwan! Where are you!"

"My child, Sasaki, where are you!"

"Big brother, Brother Murata! Where are you!"

The cries of the villagers were incessant.

"I'm here!"

"Over here!"

From time to time, ninjas within the ranks shouted back in response. The welcome and concern from their families and fellow villagers brought warmth to these warriors who had been away at war, and they couldn't help but break into smiles.

The villagers who heard responses saw their anxiety and dread vanish in an instant, replaced by bright laughter as they showered their loved ones with even more petals.

Meanwhile, those who received no response grew even more frantic. Many were already shedding tears, nervous sweat dripping like rain, and some began to call out even louder, their voices thick with sobs.

Orochimaru, walking at the front of the triumphant procession, watched this scene and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Humans are truly fragile...