Compared with Kumogakure, Konoha was not actually much larger, but the village looked more vibrant.
With the war over, the refugees who had flooded into the village either returned to their hometowns or chose to stay in Konoha.
Because of village policy, refugees who stayed had to make a certain contribution to Konoha's reconstruction and development before they could obtain resident status.
Driven by this, Konoha's development was like a primordial beast, while its own formidable military strength allowed it to charge ahead without restraint.
"Miss, would you like some candied hawthorn?"
A little girl in pale clothes held a "tree" of candied hawthorn skewers. She was a little shy, but still stepped up to greet Yugito Nii.
"Oh? Is it good, little girl?"
Yugito Nii saw that the little girl had delicate features and looked only seven or eight, yet she was already out selling candied hawthorn.
"Mm-hmm, ('ω'), it's really good! My mom made it, with honey from Auntie Hikoneko's place. It's so sweet."
Yugito Nii raised an eyebrow and studied the tree of candied hawthorn with interest. She seemed to have heard Kakashi mention Hikoneko before.
The flower tea Kakashi had brewed for her earlier had apparently come from Hikoneko's place too. It had tasted quite good.
"Then I'll have a skewer." Yugito Nii was hardly short of money herself. With a wave of her hand, she bought one to try first. If it tasted good, she would buy one for everyone in the delegation and get Lord Raikage to reimburse her later.
A: Does... even this need reimbursing?
The candied hawthorn was sweet without being cloying, with a faint honey flavor mingled with a floral fragrance. It tasted very good.
"Little girl, give us one each. By the way, what's your name?"
"Wow! Um, my name's