Time wound its way onward, and four years passed in the blink of an eye.
That year, Naruto and Sasuke turned sixteen.
The Shinobi World gradually recovered from the battle against Kaguya. Every nation was rebuilding its homeland. Though the scars remained, life had to go on.
Although Naruto and Sasuke had destroyed Konoha, no power vacuum had emerged in the Land of Fire.
Hizashi Hyuga led the Hyuga Clan, together with Konoha's remaining clans and ninja, in establishing an entirely new village fifty li east of Konoha's former site.
The new village was named "Asahi Village."
It symbolized the rising morning sun, dispelling darkness and bringing new life.
After Asahi Village was established, Tsunade took Shizune with her and returned to her old life of wandering the Shinobi World. Hizashi Hyuga was elected its first village chief, but he insisted on being called only "village chief," not "Hokage."
In his words, "Konoha is gone, and so is the Hokage. This is a new beginning for us. Just call me village chief."
Though Asahi Village was not as prosperous as Konoha had once been, it had established a firm foothold. The Hyuga Clan had contributed the most, so its standing in the new village was naturally the highest.
Sunagakure, Land of Wind.
After Rasa's death, Gaara, who had narrowly survived the Akatsuki, reconciled with Shukaku inside him and succeeded as the Fifth Kazekage. Under his governance, Sunagakure developed steadily, and its diplomatic ties with Dragon Release Village grew ever closer.
Kankuro and Temari often led teams between the Land of Wind and the Land of Whirlpools. Trade between the two villages was frequent, and exchanges between their ninja never ceased.
Iwagakure, Land of Earth.
Kurotsuchi carried on the wishes of her grandfather Ōnoki and her father Kitsuchi, leading