Finally, Konoha

The three people sent to Konoha this time were not Shiro.

Instead, it was a veteran Jonin from the village, a very strong one.

Although the Land of Grass bordered the Land of Fire, it was still a long way to reach Konoha… The current ninja world environment was also unstable, and it was difficult to feel at ease without a strong escort.

Along the way, the Jonin briefed the three on a few things, such as not wandering around when they arrived in Konoha, and not getting too close to others, etc. As for Ryuga and Yoshitaka, they were discussing what delicious food to eat in Konoha and what fun things there were to do… They completely disregarded the real purpose of this study tour.

After all, the only place they had visited outside the Land of Grass was Rain Village.

Upon entering the Land of Fire, the group quickly encountered Konoha ninja guards, who let them pass after they showed their village documents.

Yue had also spent time on the border. After traveling a considerable distance into the Land of Fire, he could tell that Konoha had quite a few outposts in the border area, and Konoha ninja patrols were extremely thorough. He often sensed gazes from the shadows, but they would quickly disappear… This defensive capability, including the ninja's own execution ability, was not on the same level as Grass Village at all.

It wasn't until they were completely within the interior of the Land of Fire that the strange feeling of being constantly "observed" disappeared.

The leading Jonin moved quickly ahead, with the three of them trailing behind.

Yue stared at the Jonin's back. This study tour was also a rare opportunity to closely observe and understand Konoha's current situation and circumstances.

Given Grass Village's nature, Yue didn't believe this Jonin was simply escorting them back and forth.

He might have some secret mission.

For example, gathering some intelligence about Konoha… and then selling it to other hostile villages.

Of course, on someone else's territory, they wouldn't dare to go too far. As for how far they would go, it would all depend on the Jonin's judgment.

They had to strike a balance, otherwise…

The Land of Fire was not just a little larger than the Land of Grass. Although the four of them weren't traveling at full speed, it still took them several days to finally approach Konoha. The closer they got to Konoha, the more villages there were within the Land of Fire. They also passed by other large villages and cities of various sizes along the way.

This also made Yue fully realize why the Land of Fire could maintain its abundant national strength and vitality even amidst frequent wars.

Two words: abundant.

Cultivated land was visible everywhere, and the population was dense.

The Land of Fire occupied the most central and fertile land in the entire ninja world.

Looking at the deserts of the Land of Wind, the high mountains and cliffs of the Land of Lightning, and the islands of the Land of Water tucked away in a corner… The difference was evident when compared.

In the Land of Grass, large areas of cultivated land could only be seen near Grass Village.

Further away, although there were fields cultivated by farmers, without guaranteed safety, their productivity could not be ensured.

Konoha's combat power was clearly capable of easily radiating throughout the entire country.

Konoha was just ahead, and even Yue's heart became a little restless.

This was the Land of Fire, and Konoha was the only "stage" depicted in the original work.

The entire story was unfolding around this village and the Will of Fire.

What's more, when he first transmigrated to the ninja world, as he learned more about Grass Village, he often compared Grass Village to Konoha and often "missed" Konoha.

Now… he was finally going to see the Konoha he had been longing for.

To say he wasn't looking forward to it would be a lie.

"We're here."

The Jonin walking ahead on the wide road called out.

He didn't need to call out; the three members of Yue's team had already seen the tall entrance gate of the village, and the entire towering wall that rose from the ground.

It was indeed magnificent!

Visually imposing.

Outside the "city walls," many lush trees were planted. Above the gate, there was a conspicuous red character "忍" (Shinobi), and a "symbol" that symbolized Konoha, identical to the mark on the forehead protector.

The pattern evolved from leaves also represented the Will of Fire.

"Wow!"

Ryuga couldn't help but exclaim.

Before even entering the village, the sight alone made him feel very excited.

Judging by its architecture, this Konoha village was clearly an extraordinary "big city."

It was far beyond even Rain Village.

"So rich."

Compared to Ryuga's exclamation, Yoshitaka's subconscious remark was more realistic.

At the very least, just such a large gate and the endless high walls were not something ordinary villages could build.

"Watch your expressions."

Yue reminded the two of them.

Even though they came from a "small place," they couldn't lose face.

"Cough cough…"

Ryuga coughed, came to his senses, and gave a sheepish smile.

On either side of the village's open gates stood Konoha guard ninjas, but outside the gates, a familiar figure had already been waiting for a long time.

Clearly, the other party had already learned of their imminent arrival.

It was Minato Namikaze.

But it wasn't just Minato Namikaze alone; he was surrounded by a group of students, all appearing to be around the same age as Yue and the other two.

Upon seeing this, Ryuga and Yoshitaka finally seemed to realize what they were here for, and couldn't help but swallow.

"So many people?"

Yue's eyelids twitched subtly.

He wasn't surprised that Minato Namikaze had come to greet him, nor was it strange for him to bring along a few familiar characters from the story.

But it felt like... the younger generation of Konoha had all come along?

They were just here for a study tour, not important figures, so it was impossible for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to personally appear.

"Yo, Yue!"

Before Yue and the others had even reached them, Minato Namikaze was already enthusiastically waving from a distance.

Anyone who didn't know better would think they were relatives, when in reality, they had only had brief contact.

"Is he that guy you mentioned... the Konoha ninja who helped us resolve the battle at the border?" Ryuga leaned in and asked in a low voice.

"Mhm."

Yue nodded.

"He looks so young..." Ryuga said in surprise.

He had thought that the expert dispatched by Konoha would be a senior with more experience and age, as in Ryuga's mind, such powerful abilities were equated with living a long life.

"As expected of Konoha."

He muttered again.

After a while, the two groups met at the main entrance.

"Welcome to Konoha as guests," Minato Namikaze said, shaking hands with the Jonin leading the group, his voice filled with genuine happiness.

Then, he looked down at Yue standing behind, "We meet again."

"...Mhm."

Yue responded indifferently.

His gaze wasn't on Minato Namikaze, but on the group of people his age standing before him, both male and female.

As his gaze swept over them, their eyes all focused on him, scrutinizing him.

"Could it be that all the students from this year's Konoha Ninja Academy... have come?"

Being stared at by a group of characters from the story, Yue, despite feigning composure, couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart.

Those faces... he was all too familiar with them.

Even if he couldn't recognize some individuals, he could generally judge which clan they belonged to based on their appearance.

"Just how much of a fuss did Minato Namikaze make about this study tour?"

Yue's gaze interlocked with Konoha's 'Konoha 11'.

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became inexplicably tense.

"Ha, you're that Yue guy, right? The kid from Grass Village!"

Suddenly, out of nowhere, before Yue could fully sense the aura of the Konoha 11, a voice "slashed" out from the crowd.

A kid wearing a checkered undershirt, a dark blue outer jacket, and goggles on his head leaped forward.

He was twirling a kunai, showing off.

His entrance was incredibly "flashy."

First, he lowered his head, feigning a cool demeanor.

Then, he stopped close to Yue, met his gaze, proudly raised his cheek, rubbed his nose, and gave a thumbs-up to himself, "My name is Obito Uchiha, remember that! From today onwards... I am your rival."

"But I'm sorry, you'll probably go home crying this time you're on a study tour in our Konoha... because I'm very strong!"

After speaking, Obito Uchiha smiled confidently, his pose frozen.

He probably thought his speech and entrance were quite cool.

But... it fell flat.

For a good few seconds, the scene was silent.

Even the classmates behind Obito Uchiha felt embarrassed to watch, and some were sighing.

"..."

Yue stared blankly at Obito Uchiha, whose expression was gradually shifting from confident to awkward, on the verge of breaking.

He suddenly extended his hand to him, "Obito Uchiha, I've noted you."

"My name is Fuma Yue. Please take care of me."

Obito froze for a moment, then shook Yue's hand somewhat unnaturally. "Fuma Yue... Hmm, you seem like a decent person. Since that's the case, let's put our differences aside for now. Once we get into the village, I'll show you around."

"No need."

Yue coldly withdrew his hand.

"..."

Obito.