Half a month later.
Konoha.
No.
It should now be called the absolute center of the entire Ninja World.
Outside the towering walls, the largest returning force in history arrived.
Chiba stood at the highest point of the Hokage Building.
He looked down at the broad streets below, his gaze calm as water.
Konoha High Command, returning from their campaign with a mighty procession, entered the village one after another.
At the center of the procession were the leaders of the other four villages.
Kazekage Rasa walked at the front.
His steps were relaxed, and he even had the leisure to inspect the shops lining both sides of the street.
Sunagakure had been the first to surrender voluntarily.
Not only had it avoided the ravages of war, but under Konoha's protection, it had also received considerable material aid.
Rasa was now filled with relief.
Clinging to Chiba's thigh had absolutely been the wisest decision of his life.
Following behind Rasa was the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi.
Though her expression was calm, her eyes held traces of curiosity and unease.
Walking at the very back—
Were the disarmed Fourth Raikage A and Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, both still wrapped in bandages.
Their expressions were equally despondent.
Kumogakure and Iwagakure had been broken within two days.
Their villages had suffered devastating losses, and countless elite shinobi had died.
Now, even they themselves had become Konoha's prisoners.
"Old man Ōnoki."
"I never thought we'd have a day when we became prisoners together."
A tugged at the corner of his mouth in self-mockery.
Ōnoki sighed, his eyes clouded.
"The times have changed, Raikage."
"That Senju Qianye... he's simply a monster."
"We remnants of the old era have no chance of making a comeback."
Along both sides of the street.
Konoha's villagers erupted in thunderous cheers.