Konoha 51, Izumi's Return, The Third Hokage's Decision

Year 51 of Konoha, December.

After years of conflict, Konoha and the Land of Lightning had finally brought negotiations back to the table at the highest level. If they reached an agreement, the two countries would enter a honeymoon period that would last for quite some time.

As a result, the ninjas stationed along the border in both countries began withdrawing in batches.

The gates of Konoha.

As the returning army of Konoha ninjas entered the village, relatives lining the road and villagers who had come to welcome them broke into cheers.

Some rushed forward to embrace their returning family members, overcome with joy and tears. Others were greeted with flowers from the villagers.

The scene was filled with celebration and joy, but some were overcome with grief, clutching each other and weeping.

Their loved ones had not returned safely. All they had were cold, lifeless bodies...

Just then, Hizashi Squad entered Konoha as well.

"We're finally back in Konoha..."

Looking at the familiar buildings, Hyuga Natsu spread her arms as if to embrace the village she had been away from for more than half a year.

Having weathered the flames of war, the three young girls in the squad had shed their youthful innocence, and their brows now held a greater resolve.

"Mom!"

Spotting her mother, Uzuki Yugao hurried over and embraced a middle-aged woman who looked seven-tenths like her.

"Good, good, good." Her mother gently stroked her head, her face full of affection. "Yugao, I'm just glad you came back safe."

"Mm!" Yugao nodded firmly. "Mom, I'm home."

She didn't let go of her mother, as if savoring the moment—or perhaps releasing all the emotions she had kept inside.

The determination she had shown before was gone, as was the coldness she had displayed toward her enemies. All that remained was the longing of someone reunited with family after a long separation.

Meanwhile,

the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hiashi, stepped forward.

"Lord Hiashi."

Hizashi and Hyuga Natsu greeted him respectfully.

Hiashi gave a slight nod. "Well done. The clan is very pleased with your performance this time."

"Come on. The clan has prepared a welcome-back feast. We'll talk more once we're home."

"Yes, Lord Hiashi!" X2

After answering respectfully, the two nodded to Uchiha Izumi, then followed Hiashi away.

Watching them leave, Uchiha Izumi couldn't hide her disappointment at not seeing her family. She could only comfort herself:

Maybe they just don't know I'm back... yeah, right!

Sasuke couldn't possibly not know!

She looked around, fuming inwardly. Damn it! Where on earth is he hiding!?

Just then,

a figure slipped through the crowd and crept up behind her, then reached out and covered her eyes.

"Guess who?"

Phew... Hearing that familiar voice, the disappointment in Uchiha Izumi's heart finally lifted. She tilted her head playfully and pretended to think. "Let me see, hmm... Itachi?"

"..."

She had done that on purpose, hadn't she? She definitely had!

Sasuke complained, "I'll give you one more chance."

"Was I really wrong?" Uchiha Izumi feigned surprise, then said incredulously, "It can't be Sasuke, can it?"

What was that supposed to mean?... Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Why couldn't it be me?"

"It really is you? You can cover my eyes now?" Uchiha Izumi acted utterly astonished, then suddenly seemed to realize something. "I know—you must be standing on your tiptoes!"

!!! Sasuke nearly spat blood!

He let go and protested indignantly, "Take a good look! Am I standing on my tiptoes or not?"

As he spoke, he held his hand beside her eyes to show the difference.

It was December, and he was nearly three and a half years old. He had already reached a height of one meter, while Uchiha Izumi was only a little over one meter thirty. Why would he need to stand on tiptoes?!

"Oh, you really aren't!" Uchiha Izumi covered her mouth, pretending to be surprised, but she couldn't hide the amusement in her eyes.

Then she compared Sasuke's height to her own and smiled. "You've grown taller, Sasuke."

"Hmph! Of course!" Sasuke raised his brows. He had grown nearly ten centimeters in the past six months.

Seeing how pleased with himself he looked, Uchiha Izumi finally couldn't help bursting into laughter.

At that, Sasuke smiled broadly, stepped forward, and pulled Uchiha Izumi into his arms. He buried his face against her neck and nuzzled her. "Welcome home, Izumi."

Home? This feeling really was wonderful... Touched, Uchiha Izumi felt the exhaustion of guarding the border for so long seem to vanish. She hugged Sasuke tightly in return. "Mm, I'm back, Sasuke..."

Not far away, Mikoto and Hazuki exchanged smiles.

Back at Sasuke's home,

Uchiha Izumi first took a long, relaxing bath.

Meanwhile, the two families sat together. A welcome-home feast was naturally in order.

Over the meal, Uchiha Izumi mainly recounted amusing stories from the border: some about her companions, some about other ninjas, and some about their enemies.

Whenever she got to a dangerous part, even Itachi Uchiha couldn't help exclaiming. A hint of envy crept into the depths of his eyes. He wanted to contribute to Konoha, and even more, to help ease the rift between the Uchiha and the village...

Sitting to Uchiha Izumi's right, Sasuke smiled as he propped his head up with one hand, quietly watching her speak and listening.

With the Spore Clone, he had naturally seen everything she had done at the border. He had even helped her investigate Cloud Ninja intelligence several times, allowing her and her squad to earn a great deal of credit.

But a clone was still only a clone, not her real self.

Now that they were reunited after so long, he naturally wanted to take a good look at how she had changed and etch her face into his memory all over again.

With him staring at her like that, the tips of her ears gradually turned red...

Noticing this, Sasuke couldn't help smiling mischievously.

Catching his expression from the corner of her eye, Uchiha Izumi secretly pinched his thigh.

Having no choice, Sasuke looked away. Then he noticed that his good big brother seemed to have thought of something and had once again put on a deeply philosophical expression...

Sigh... Sasuke sighed inwardly.

Elsewhere,

in the Hokage's office,

Hiruzen Sarutobi was carefully reading several reports about Uchiha Izumi.

There were evaluations from her team leader, Hizashi Hyuga, the Anbu, and even ninjas from the Sarutobi Clan, among others.

Every report gave her abilities exceptionally high marks.

Whether it was her raw strength, combat instincts, command of ninjutsu and how she applied it, or her battlefield awareness, stealth, and tracking skills, she was capable and outstanding in every respect. Among her peers, there was likely no one who could surpass her.

Beyond that, her conduct also received exceptionally high praise from everyone.

She was gentle and generous, and always willing to help others.

She consistently put the village first when considering a problem. She had risked her life to rescue her companions many times, earning the respect of countless Konoha ninjas and changing their old, narrow-minded view of the Uchiha Clan.

All these reports agreed that, given time, she would inevitably become one of Konoha's elite and a pillar of the village.

After finishing all the reports, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction.

He couldn't help recalling the day Shisui and she had asked to become a bridge between the village and the clan.

Good. She really is the same kind of person as Shisui...

And there's Itachi. Shisui has been strongly recommending him to me, saying that he thinks like a Hokage...

With Uchiha Izumi and Itachi's influence, I believe Fugaku's second son, Sasuke, will also inherit the Will of Fire...

The burden of resolving the conflict between the village and the Uchiha in the future will fall to these young people...

At the same time, he couldn't help feeling relieved that Danzo hadn't taken an interest in a Uchiha who was so full of potential, had such a special status, and was so devoted to the village.

It's just that, as for Uchiha Izumi's assignment...

Thinking of this, he focused on the records of Hizashi Squad, then picked up his pipe and took a deep drag.

"Phew..." As he exhaled a cloud of white smoke, he had already made up his mind.