Before the Konoha Gate, voices seethed like boiling lava.
When the first dust-covered Konoha ninja appeared at the end of the avenue, the eagerly awaiting crowd erupted into earth-shattering cheers.
A sea of black heads spread from the gate to both sides of the main street, extending even to the halfway point of the distant Hokage Rock—where the view was best, long since occupied by agile ninja.
Standing at the very front of the welcoming procession were the leaders of Konoha's major clans.
Nara Shikato, serving as the Hokage's chief strategist and secretary, wore a calm expression at the moment, yet his slightly tense shoulder lines betrayed his inner concern.
Beside him, Torifu Akimichi's mountain-like physique stood firmly erect, this elder in charge of logistical research and development having rarely changed into formal clan attire.
Yamanaka Gaku closed his eyes and focused, using his clan's secret jutsu to perceive the chakra fluctuations drifting from afar, mixed with exhaustion and relief.
Slightly to the side, the Hyuga Clan was led by clan head Nitten Hyuga, with elites of the Main House and Branch House standing apart on both sides.
Nitten Hyuga's pure white eyes cast a jade-like luster in the sunlight; this clan head, always known for his strictness, stood with his back straight today, and the Hyuga clansmen behind him arrayed themselves neatly, displaying the etiquette and bearing of a great clan.
The most eye-catching of all, however, was the Uchiha Clan.
Led by several esteemed elders, the Uchiha contingent occupied a conspicuous position on the left side of the gate.
Surprisingly, Uchiha Yusuke—that leader of the Hawk Faction—had actually brought over a dozen core members to stand within the procession today.
They wore solemn expressions, standing slightly further back than the others, but they had truly... come.
*Elders Yusuke