"This is..."
Half a month later, the three returned to Sunagakure, travel-worn from their journey.
But the moment they entered the village, not only Yubi and Sasori, but even their captain, Arai, froze.
None of them had expected the scene before them.
No wonder the guards at the gate had worn rather unusual smiles when they recognized them.
"Yubi... well done!"
"To think... Yubi has become an outstanding ninja too!"
"Keep it up, Yubi!"
Villagers lined both sides of the road. They seemed to have heard the news beforehand and gathered here early to welcome them.
There were many familiar faces in the crowd: neighbors, shopkeepers whose stores Yubi frequented, and some patients he had treated back when he worked at the hospital.
"You really are popular."
Sasori spoke coldly beside him.
There was no jealousy... he simply wasn't used to relationships like these, much less an atmosphere like this.
Arai, who was walking ahead, also turned and patted Yubi on the shoulder, voluntarily stepping aside to let him enjoy the villagers' admiring gazes.
"Hahaha..."
Under everyone's eyes, even the usually shameless Yubi felt a little awkward. He rubbed the back of his head and gave a "goofy" smile.
He also waved to greet the villagers.
"I'm leaving."
With that, Sasori turned and left.
Some of the shouts from the crowd were praising him too.
But Sasori pretended not to hear them.
"Don't be fooled."
Before leaving, Sasori made a point of saying that to Yubi.
"I know."
Yubi gave him a reassuring look.
Even though everything he had done in the village had earned him a good reputation, and he had now spent a full six months away on missions, Yubi knew very well... he had yet to reach the point where he could "enjoy" this sort of treatment. There were plenty of people in the village with far greater military achievements than his.
Especially among the older generation.
Never mind anyone else, Arai, standing right in front of him... should have been the "star" of a scene like this.
For these villagers to have come to welcome him... Yubi did not believe Sunagakure's higher-ups hadn't deliberately arranged some of it.
Was this meant to give me a sense of belonging to the village... to keep me from betraying it in the future?
Yubi laughed inwardly.
In the eyes of the higher-ups, a young person's disposition was undoubtedly the easiest to "cultivate" and control.
Besides, the Shinobi World had never been peaceful. Even the Five Great Shinobi Villages... regularly had rogue ninja abandoning their villages. Sunagakure's higher-ups were giving him a "preventive shot."
This was... political maneuvering.
Afterward, Arai led Yubi forward to chat with the villagers, who crowded around Yubi in rings, talking and laughing.
The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
However, they still had to turn in their mission after returning, so... they did not linger too long.
Soon, half an hour later, the three arrived at the familiar office building.
The higher-ups, led by the Third Kazekage, were already waiting there.
They had clearly read the mission records already... after hearing Arai's report, it was more of the same, with lavish praise for Yubi and Sasori.
Granny Chiyo was also deeply pleased... as she saw it, her grandson finally had a friend.
Although his personality hadn't changed much, at least he had taken a "step" forward.
"This Shinobi World War has already ended... Konoha has transferred all its troops from the fronts against our village and Iwagakure to the area where it is fighting Kumogakure. It probably won't be long before Kumogakure withdraws too."
The higher-ups' praise for Sasori and Yubi's performance was only brief; it was not their main reason for summoning them.
One of the higher-ups spoke gravely.
"Orochimaru helped Konoha win its confrontation with Iwagakure. On the Kumogakure front, their forces are led by Hatake Sakumo... with the White Fang's reputation and reinforcements transferred from the other fronts, even though Kumogakure still has a considerable force, they probably have no way to win."
Another sighed.
In this Shinobi World War, Konoha had fought the other four great shinobi villages alone, facing a level of difficulty the other villages could hardly imagine.
Even under such circumstances, Konoha had held out to the end.
Only now did these higher-ups realize... just how "rash" they had been to declare war on the Land of Fire.
But things had come this far. Regret was useless now.
"This is all the information... our village collected on the outstanding members of the younger generation in the major shinobi villages during this war, both on the battlefield and through other channels. Take a look yourselves."
At that moment, the Kazekage spoke.
A subordinate approached and handed Yubi and Sasori their copies of the documents as well.
Yubi flipped through the sheets, and something stirred within him.
Many of the names on the pages... were familiar to him.
Every one of them was a character from the story.
"Our village's losses in this war are only temporary... a ceasefire doesn't mean the Shinobi World's balance of power has been settled. War could break out again at any time, perhaps in a year, perhaps in three... or longer."
"But whenever... the next Shinobi World War begins, that stage will belong to you."
The Third Kazekage looked at the two youngsters, Sasori and Yubi.
"For the village to remain sufficiently strong, it must have powerful individuals who can step forward in every era..."
Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, Inoichi Yamanaka, Tsume Inuzuka, Uchiha Mikoto...
Well, now... many members of Konoha's "golden generation" from Yubi's memory had made the list.
But some names were missing too.
For example... Minato Namikaze.
Among the profiles from Iwagakure, Kitsuchi was the only one Yubi recognized.
On Kumogakure's side, it was undoubtedly the Fourth Raikage A and Killer B.
Like him and Sasori, those two operated together... they had also begun to "make their moves" on the battlefield where Kumogakure and Konoha were fighting.
At this stage, they weren't yet particularly eye-catching, but there were undoubtedly already traces of the future "A-B" brothers of the Third Shinobi World War.
Then there was Kirigakure... the intelligence on its people was much scarcer, and less detailed than that on the other villages.
There are still several years before the Third Shinobi World War... and the village has already started paying attention to its opponents' rising talent... planning ahead. They've finally been smart for once. Still... if Sunagakure can obtain this information, the other shinobi villages are probably on their guard too. Leaving everything else aside, there's a reason these villages have managed to remain standing all this time... Yubi thought as he read.
"Hm?"
Just then, his eyelid twitched.
Because... his and Sasori's names were right there on the paper too.
"That's right. We had you read this intelligence in the hope that you would gain some understanding of the opponents you might face in the future."
"And likewise... the other shinobi villages have already taken notice of you two."
Noticing Yubi's expression, the Third Kazekage spoke.
Chiyo, standing beside him, added, "We've received word that the infiltrator who tried to assassinate you back then really was from Konoha... that old man Hanzō played a dirty trick and leaked the information to Konoha's Danzo!"
"To think those two had been in contact behind the scenes!"
Chiyo's face was dark.
"Yubi... Sasori, remember the people in this intelligence. You must be prepared... perhaps our generation won't be able to lead Sunagakure to victory over Konoha."
"But you... might."
The Third Kazekage spoke solemnly.
Did they still not understand?
Sure enough... stupid people couldn't become smart.
Yubi sighed inwardly at his words.
Sasori remained silent throughout.
Yubi, however, smiled and nodded firmly under the expectant gazes of everyone in the room.