The new year quietly drew closer in every corner of Konoha.
A long time had passed since the last Jonin meeting.
Konoha had changed more than it had in the past ten-odd years combined.
After his resurrection, Hashirama took on the role of an old man who had "arrived too late."
He visited every family Danzo had persecuted over the years, bowing, apologizing, and making promises.
No one knew what he had said, but every household he visited was left with tears in their eyes.
The Third Hokage followed close behind.
After stepping down, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed more genuine without the burden of being Hokage.
He went from door to door, apologizing to Hizashi's family, to White Fang's family, and to those who had been sacrificed over the years "for the greater good."
Some said they had seen the Third kneeling outside an ordinary villager's home for a long time.
Others said that after returning that day, the Third had sat alone atop Hokage Rock all night.
Over the past six months or so, the taijutsu class had undergone a transformation from wild enthusiasm to levelheaded dedication.
The initial spectacle of dozens of people running all over the village in green bodysuits had not lasted long, after all.
Once the novelty wore off, only those who truly loved taijutsu had stuck with it.
Under Might Guy's guidance, a dozen or so carefully selected students trained from morning to night.
Their numbers had dwindled, but their spirit had not diminished one bit.
At some point, the villagers had started calling Guy "Master Might" and "Instructor Might."
Every time Guy heard those names, his eyes filled with tears, and he shouted, "This is Youth!" before taking his students on ten extra laps.
Only a handful of people knew where those two nicknames