Three days later, at the Uzumaki Mansion in Konohagakure.
The morning sunlight fell gently over the traditional Japanese-style residence, and the plants in its courtyard carried the freshness of morning dew.
Everything seemed peaceful and serene, a stark contrast to the world-shattering battlefield in the Pure Land.
Creak...
Someone gently pushed open the residence's heavy wooden gates from outside.
The girl who entered had cascading black hair, exquisite, cool features, and an air tinged with barely perceptible weariness and tenderness.
It was Uchiha Hikari, who had been teleported back to Konoha after being eliminated from the battlefield in the Pure Land.
She looked a little travel-worn, but her eyes were still bright.
Almost the instant she stepped into the front courtyard, a small white figure darted out from beneath the eaves with a whoosh, like a little rabbit.
It was Hanabi Hyuga, a girl with pure white Byakugan eyes, dressed in black training clothes.
"Big Sis Hikari!"
Once Hanabi recognized her, her eyes lit up, and an extraordinarily radiant smile instantly blossomed on her face.
She skipped over and threw herself into Uchiha Hikari's arms, nuzzling her affectionately.
Hikari was taken aback by the enthusiastic welcome, but then a gentle smile appeared on her face, and she lightly returned the lively little girl's embrace.
"Big Sis Hikari, you're back!"
Hanabi tipped up her little face, her pure white eyes shining with eager anticipation, and asked impatiently, "Then... where's Big Brother Naruto?"
As she saw it, since Big Sis Hikari had returned safely, the Big Brother Naruto she had been longing for must have come back with her.
The little girl immediately looked around and rose onto her tiptoes, eagerly searching behind Hikari for that familiar tall, golden-haired figure.
Instead, she saw only two white-haired women of extraordinary bearing who had