Konoha~
Moonlight spilled over the village entrance. Hokage Rock stood solemn in silhouette, and the wooden gates reflected the dim yellow lamplight. The night breeze carried the fresh scent of leaves amid faint insect calls, peaceful and still.
The wooden guardhouse near the forest had already lit its dim yellow lamps to illuminate the way for ninja returning to the village.
Inside, two male ninja sat on duty, yawning in boredom as they watched the forest boundary.
Whoosh, whoosh~
Two dark figures darted out of the woods.
The ninja who had been yawning immediately grew alert. He sprang to his feet with the Body Flicker Technique, raised his left hand in a stop gesture, and reached his right hand toward the ninja tool pouch behind his side, calling out loudly, "This is Konoha territory. Please identify yourselves."
Kushina Uzumaki emerged from the shadows with her arm linked through Yumiko's, the corners of her mouth lifting into a sweet smile:
"Sir, it's me, Kushina."
"Oh, it's Kushina! You gave us a fright."
Only then did the two ninja relax, though they continued watching the other dark figure.
Uchiha Lei set Konan on the ground and led her out of the shadows by the hand, raising a hand in greeting:
"Good evening! I'm Uchiha Lei. The war's over, and I've just returned to the village."
As soon as the two male ninja heard the name Uchiha Lei, their faces lit up:
"Oh, it's Lei! Come register, then you can enter the village."
"Sure!" Kushina Uzumaki went up to the wooden guardhouse first, took a pen in her right hand, and wrote her name on the registration form before passing the pen to Yumiko.
When the two ninja saw Yumiko and Konan, their eyes grew wary, and they asked tentatively, "May we ask