A welcome banquet began.
The stars of this welcome banquet were, of course, Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo.
"Don't get too excited yet, everyone. Let me say a few words first."
At that moment, Uchiha Yato stepped up to steal the spotlight again.
He was not doing this because he enjoyed showing off. It was because raining on people's parade when they were at their happiest could earn him a huge amount of emotion coins.
"Although Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo failed their mission this time, they managed to preserve the lives of most of the shinobi. That is what matters most."
"I don't know what other shinobi villages demand, but in Konoha, the lives of shinobi will always matter more than any mission."
"I won't say much more. Aside from those few shinobi who could not return and are still guarding our home, let's have a simple gathering."
"Celebrate well, everyone. Have fun!"
Ever since Tsunade and the others had returned to the village, Uchiha Yato had been considering whether to hold a small gathering so everyone could relax.
Although Konoha's battlefront had gradually stabilized during this period, the oppression and tension brought by the war had only grown heavier.
Whether civilians or shinobi, everyone in Konoha could feel the suffocating pressure of war, as well as the need to constantly prepare themselves for the death of a loved one—or their own.
Under those circumstances, Uchiha Yato had decided to hold a small banquet and let everyone unwind a little.
After all, Uchiha Yato had already made sufficient preparations. He was not afraid that the other side would use this chance to launch a surprise attack on Konoha's front lines.
After the meal and drinks, Uchiha Yato declined everyone's invitations and left alone for the forest outside Konoha.
"Come out, old