Land of Fire, Konohagakure.
The figure of Senju Chen stood quietly in front of the huge door at the entrance of the village.
Looking at the Konoha logo on the door, which was mottled by wind and rain, he actually had the illusion of being in another world.
two years,
When he left, he was just a young man who was just beginning to shine and needed the protection of others.
When he returned, the name Senju Chen was enough to make Five Great Nations raise eyebrows.
"It's... it's him!"
The guard at the entrance of the village was a veteran Chunin who had experienced Second World War. The moment he saw the face of the visitor clearly, the muscles all over his body tensed suddenly. A trace of astonishment first flashed in his eyes, and then turned into uncontrollable excitement and awe.
He stabbed the newlyweds next to him who were still in a daze with his elbow, and shouted in a low voice, "What are you still doing in a daze? Salute!"
The two of them subconsciously straightened their backs and gave Senju Chen a standard and textbook-level attention salute. Their movements were as stiff as two sculptures.
Senju Chen smiled gently at them, nodded slightly, and stepped into the village.
The scene on the street was completely different from when he left.
The dark clouds of war shrouded the village. Pedestrians were walking in a hurry, and their faces were less relaxed and more solemn and tired.
There is an invisible, tight string in the air.
However, when Senju Chen's face that was too young but made waves in Shinobi World appeared on the street, this tight string was quietly plucked.
"Click."
At the door of Ichiraku Ramen Shop, Uncle Teuchi, who was sweeping the floor, dropped his broom on the ground. He looked at the figure blankly, then suddenly bent down and bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
On the street corner, several children who had just returned from school at the Ninja Academy opened their eyes in excitement when they saw him, pointed at him and screamed in a low voice.
One of the most daring ones even secretly imitated Hand Seals's posture and shouted silently, "Wood Release!"
The passing ninjas, whether they were the energetic Genin or the calm Jonin, would unconsciously stop when they passed by him, step aside to get out of the way, and pay him attention with a complex gaze that was a mixture of admiration, awe, pride, and inquiry.
"The young master is back."
"Look, the young master from the Senju Clan is back."
"I heard that the young master defeated Land of Earth and destroyed a thousand armies with one man."
"They say that the young master is our Konoha's next God of Shinobi."
"Young Master, we have all heard about your deeds."
"Thank God, Senju Clan protected us Konoha again."
"Thank you, young master."
"Young Master, my man also went to the battlefield. I don't know what happened to him. His name is..."
"Young Master, we Konoha will definitely win this time."
"..."
Someone saw Senju Chen coming back and greeted him cordially, and then more and more people joined in.
hero.
This is the entire Konoha, the identity given to him at this moment.
Senju Chen seemed unaware of all this, with a gentle and harmless smile on his face, and nodded politely to everyone who greeted him.
This perfect posture is impeccable.
But his heart was filled with clarity.
This fanatical admiration is Konoha's special use of itself to promote itself. This is what Konoha's senior executives want to see, because it can unite people's hearts and boost morale.
But at the same time, this is what our Hokage is most afraid of.
Because this personal worship, if accumulated over time, will surpass the awe of the "village" and "Hokage" itself.
That is to say, I have adjusted myself back now. If it takes another year or two, when Third Shinobi World War is really finished.
Based on his reputation at that time, he might really be able to "shock the master" with his great achievements.
But it is different now. The current enthusiasm will slowly fade away as time goes by. After all, the battle is not over yet. Besides, Senju Chen knows that Konoha will definitely have more "god-making" plans in the future.
For example, we have Bro Minato, Shisui from Uchiha, Asuma Sarutobi, our baby son from Hokage, etc.
As long as heroes continue to appear, when you are no longer an exception, this enthusiasm will also transfer.
As long as I have no big news in the past two years, everyone will gradually forget about me. After all, heroes emerge in troubled times. I am the first. Who can guarantee that there will not be a second or third one in the future.
Konoha is engaging in such a big battle this time simply because his identity is too special.
While saying hello to everyone, he walked slowly through the familiar streets, passed through the enthusiastic crowd, and finally stopped in front of a familiar mansion.
His and Sister Tsunade's home.
Pushing open the wooden door that had not been touched in two years, a familiar smell mixed with sunshine, flowers and a faint smell of disinfectant came to my face.
The yard is well-kept and the flowers in the flowerbed are in full bloom.
A beautiful figure humming a tune, her back to him, holding a watering can, watering a Himawari plant leisurely. The iconic long red hair, as dazzling as a flame, shines in the sun.
It seemed that he heard the Gate of Opening sound, and the figure turned around in confusion.
Eyes facing each other.
"Click."
The kettle slipped from Kushina Uzumaki's hand and hit the grass. The water splashed on her trousers, but she didn't even notice it.
Those beautiful purple eyes widened in disbelief at first, and then, a surprisingly bright mist quickly filled them.
"Wow--!!!"
After a shocking scream, a red afterimage, like a discharged cannonball, mixed with ecstasy and longing, rushed towards Senju Chen!
Senju Chen felt his eyes turn red, and the next second, he was trapped in a warm and soft embrace.
Kushina hugged him into his arms, with a sobbing, inarticulate voice, and warm tears coming together.
"Little Chen... you finally... finally know you are back!!"
Senju Chen was knocked staggering, feeling the slightly trembling body holding him, the standard smile on Senju Chen's face finally turned into a helpless and doting smile.
He raised his hand and patted Kushina's back gently.
"I'm back, Sister Kushina."
"Just come back! Just come back!"
Kushina let go of him, but grabbed his arm without any explanation. A pair of tearful eyes began to scan him wildly, as if he wanted to take off his clothes.
"Let me take a look! Are you injured? Ah? It's so dangerous outside, have you eaten well? Why do you feel so thin!"
"Do you know how worried I am about you? Really, I haven't sent a letter back for so long."
As she spoke, she pulled Senju Chen to stand up straight, and then gestured beside him, with an expression of surprise on her face again.
"Yeah! I've grown taller! I've really grown a lot! It's almost reaching my shoulders!"
"I've heard some things about you outside, and those people are serious. How could you, a child, do such a dangerous thing..."
Kushina's joy and worry are so pure that they don't contain any impurities. Like a handful of the warmest spring water, they wash away the dust and murderous spirit that Senju Chen brought back from the battlefield.
He let Kushina touch him all over his body like inspecting a piece of precious porcelain, and murmured in his mouth, his clear eyes filled with a soft smile.
This is the feeling of home.
It is also the softness deep inside that he always needs to protect no matter how strong he becomes.
In this warm atmosphere, an out-of-place figure appeared quietly in the corner of the courtyard like a ghost.
"Uh-huh."
A masked Anbu knelt on one knee, his voice without any ripples.
"Senju Chen, Lord Hokage summoned, please go to the Hokage building immediately."
The courtyard instantly became quiet.
The smile on Kushina's face froze, and a worried look appeared again.
The softness in Senju Chen's eyes slowly converged, and he patted Kushina's hand to reassure her.
The welcome back to the village is just an appetizer, and then the real main course arrives.