Konoha—I'm Back!

The matter Ao spoke of had evidently happened to the Hyuga Clan several years ago.

When Hinata Hyuga was three years old, she had been abducted by the Land of Lightning.

The Hyuga Clan retaliated instinctively and killed the members of the Land of Lightning's delegation.

For that, Konoha had actually compromised in order to avoid conflict!

Hizashi Hyuga had gone to his death—and in Hiashi Hyuga's place.

"Representatives of the Hidden Mist Village, please watch your words."

Someone stepped out from the Konoha ANBU. She had long, wavy black hair and crimson pupils. It was Kurenai Yuhi, who had just been promoted to special jonin.

There was a warning in her voice.

"Show her what our attitude should be."

Ao gestured with his one exposed eye toward one of the chunin.

The chunin walked right up to Kurenai Yuhi, stripped off his armor, and held out his neck as if awaiting execution.

Inexperienced as she was, Kurenai Yuhi was immediately at a loss.

Asuma was also among the Anbu ranks. He was about to rush out when a withered hand stopped him by pressing down on his shoulder.

"Please do not take offense. Her words may have been somewhat rash, but they also represent my attitude. I will be receiving you from here on."

A hoarse voice sounded. Half his body was wrapped in bandages, and he held a cane in his hand. It was Shimura Danzo, Konoha's King of Darkness—the [Pot King].

Ao's pupils contracted. His Byakugan swept over Shimura Danzo's body, seeing the abnormalities within with perfect clarity.

"Cough, cough."

Ao gave a soft cough.

The Hidden Mist Village ninja immediately put their armor back on and returned to their group.

"Stand down."

Shimura Danzo glanced at Kurenai Yuhi, unable to understand why Hiruzen Sarutobi had promoted someone like her to special jonin at such a critical time.

In the end, his gaze landed on the bootlicker, Asuma Sarutobi, beside her.

Shimura Danzo understood somewhat.

"Please rest at the reception area. The talks will officially begin tomorrow.

One special reminder: do not wander around. Rogue ninja have been active in Konoha lately. Should anything go wrong, Konoha will bear no responsibility."

After speaking, Shimura Danzo turned and left.

"What a powerful oppressive presence. No wonder Genji specifically told me to keep an eye on him."

Ao watched Shimura Danzo's retreating back and recalled Genji's final instructions.

"Be careful of Shimura Danzo. He is a man with no bottom line."

At the same time, the scene his Byakugan had just seen resurfaced in his mind. The chakra inside that body bore some resemblance to Shisui's chakra.

And those eyes... what kind of freak was he?

"Lord Ao, should we check in now?"

A chunin respectfully reminded him.

Ao nodded and entered the inn.

His final glance collided in midair with that of the Hyuga Clan on the second floor of a distant shop, sparks flying between them.

The next day.

Uchiha Feng and Tien finally arrived at the Hidden Leaf Village.

Dumpling and Yajirobe had already shown themselves before, so they were told to hide in the shadows. Both had also undergone simple disguises.

Uchiha Feng had tied up his long hair and wore the battle armor of the Land of Iron, with a samurai sword at his waist.

Without the Uchiha Clan's distinctive black high-collared fan-crested robes, he looked nothing like his former self.

His temperament had changed greatly. He looked more like a samurai from the Land of Iron.

Even those familiar with him would have found it difficult to recognize him.

Before even reaching Konoha's gates, they could see one of its most famous landmarks—the Hokage Rock.

Uchiha Feng stared blankly at the Hokage Rock, memories of his time with the Great Elder surfacing in his mind.

Uchiha Great Elder: "Feng, those four are Konoha's Hokage. In the future, our Uchiha Clan will certainly have one—or even several—whose faces are carved up there. We are a meritorious clan that founded the Hidden Leaf Village alongside the Senju Clan."

Back then, Uchiha Feng had innocently asked, "Then why is our clan compound so far away? Why do we have to walk so long after school every time? So many classmates live right next to the Ninja Academy."

The Uchiha Great Elder had explained awkwardly, "Because our clan is so large. There is no longer enough room for us within the Hidden Leaf Village?"

Uchiha Feng had continued asking, "But the Sarutobi Clan is large too, isn't it? An entire street at the entrance to the Ninja Academy belongs to them."

Uchiha Great Elder: "Those were originally Senju Clan shops. The Sarutobi Clan is merely managing them. Stop asking so many questions. It's time to go home!"

At the time, Uchiha Feng had not understood what the Great Elder meant.

Even now, he only understood part of it.

Looking at it now, the Uchiha Great Elder had still held deep feelings for Konoha.

Unconsciously, Uchiha Feng walked to one side of the gate pillars. This had once been where the Uchiha Police Force stood guard. The Uchiha Clan crest had always been displayed at their post, but it had now been erased and replaced with Konoha's symbol.

"Halt!"

An arm blocked Uchiha Feng's path.

Looking closely, Uchiha Feng saw that it was Konoha's Thousand-Year Gatekeeper, Kotetsu Hagane.

Remembering the Uchiha Police Force's assessment of them—honest workers who dutifully endured hardship—Uchiha Feng felt a faint sense of familiarity.

Back then, the Police Force members had disliked gatekeeping work and constantly rotated shifts, while Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane had always conscientiously carried out the single task of guarding the gate.

"Don't be nervous. I've come to Konoha to commission a mission. This is my identification."

Those words were not only for Kotetsu Hagane, but also for Tien.

Uchiha Feng took out the identification documents he had prepared.

"Fujiwara Feng? A noble from the Land of Iron! Is this your guard?"

Kotetsu Hagane took the documents and checked them carefully, his gaze repeatedly sweeping over their faces.

The identification documents were genuine to begin with. It was just that their original owners were already dead, while the Ninja Cat Clan had been using the Substitution Technique to maintain those identities.

They had originally been intended to provide cover for their business in the Land of Iron, but Uchiha Feng was using them now.

Uchiha Feng showed no trace of guilt as he met Kotetsu Hagane's gaze. This time, I came to collect a debt. Why should I feel guilty?

Kotetsu Hagane exchanged a look with Uchiha Feng, his eyes settling on the samurai sword at Uchiha Feng's waist.

"Fighting is prohibited within the Hidden Leaf Village. The mission hall is to the right of the Hokage Building in the center. You can go there to post a mission."

Kotetsu Hagane briefly gave them directions.

"Thank you."

Uchiha Feng nodded in acknowledgment and headed toward the Hokage Building at the center of the village.

"Kotetsu? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Izumo Kamizuki saw that his old friend seemed off. He was clutching his hair, lost in thought.

"That kid just now felt strangely familiar. When I looked at his samurai sword, I even felt as though I were facing Kakashi's father."

Kotetsu Hagane explained.

"The Fujiwara Family? They are great nobles of the Land of Iron too. Perhaps it's just a matter of family upbringing! Don't be so sensitive. Still, that vigilance is a good thing. We need to keep danger outside the village."

Izumo Kamizuki patted Kotetsu Hagane on the shoulder, signaling for him to relax.

During this period, because of orders from above, all of them had been rather on edge.