The registration process seemed more detailed than expected and took some time. It wasn't until Reppu and the caravan leader returned with Aoki that they finally came back.
Aoki nodded to Reppu: "Registration complete. According to regulations, the caravan can proceed to the Third Trade Zone for unloading, trading, and rest; a guide will be on hand. Everyone from Sunagakure, please follow me to the Foreign Guest Reception Area to arrange temporary accommodations. Please submit a detailed report on the attack mission to the mission reporting room next to the reception area by tomorrow morning. Also,"
He glanced at the several seriously injured porters in the group, then at the bandages on the members of the Reppu Squad, and said, " Konoha Hospital can provide basic treatment if you need it."
"Thank you. Please arrange accommodations first; we can discuss the treatment later," Reppu Feng nodded in thanks.
Soon, another Konoha Chunin and guided the caravan through the side entrance.
Meanwhile, Shira and the others, following Aoki, officially stepped into the gates of Konohagakure for the first time.
Underfoot was a smooth, solid stone path, flanked by neat houses and shops, many with flowers displayed in front of them.
The aroma of food, the smell of freshly baked bread, and a sweet, candy-like scent mingled in the cool evening air.
There were quite a few pedestrians who would cast curious glances at this group of ninjas, who clearly bore the marks of a long journey and battle, and Forehead Protector were different from theirs, but would quickly look away and go about their own business.
An orderly, busy, and vibrant atmosphere gently enveloped the traveler, who had come from afar and was covered in the smell of sand and dust.
Shira walked in the middle of the group, looking left and right, feeling like she couldn't take it all in. She wondered how a village could be so lively and so clean.
There was little dust on the streets, and the walls of the houses were mostly in warm colors, with potted plants on many windowsills. In the distance, one could faintly hear the sounds of Ninjutsu training and shouts, but what was clearer was the shouts of housewives calling their children home for dinner, and the calls of snack shop assistants trying to attract customers.
"This way," Aoki's voice interrupted Shira's thoughts. He led them into a quieter street lined with ginkgo trees on both sides.
"The reception area is just ahead. Please stay here for the next few days and recover. When you are in the village, please follow the rules and do not enter areas marked 'No Entry' or 'Confidential'. If you need anything, please come to the reception area or the checkpoint at the main gate."
"Understood, thank you." Reppu thanked him again.
The reception area was a well-maintained, three-story building that looked a bit old, with ivy climbing the walls. After completing the formalities and receiving the keys, they were seated in several adjacent guest rooms on the first floor.
The room wasn't large, but the bed was clean and soft, there was a separate washroom, and the windows were bright, offering a view of a small courtyard.
After putting down their simple luggage, everyone was somewhat dazed. This journey, from the bloody battle at Rolling Stone Gorge to the trek across the Gobi Desert and then through the forest, had finally brought them here.
Stepping onto the spotless, gleaming floor of the Konoha Inn felt almost unreal, as if my feet weren't on solid ground, but rather on something too soft and unfamiliar.
"Rest today, treat your wounds, and take a shower," Reppu said to his subordinates in the corridor, his own face showing the deep weariness of someone relieved of a heavy burden. "Dinner will be brought over. Don't wander off unless necessary. Asuka, especially you."
" Sada Sasori, check the puppet and see what repair materials it needs. Report back to me tomorrow. As for Shira..." He looked at Shira, paused, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately only said, "You should rest well too. Clean your sword."
"Yes, Captain." The men replied and returned to their rooms.
Shira closed the door, and the room immediately fell silent, with only the faint, unfamiliar sounds of Konoha coming from outside the window.
He walked to the window and opened it. The evening Konoha blew in, warm and soft, carrying the scents of plants and food, without a trace of blood or scorched earth.
In the distance, lights began to appear one after another, not the sparse, flickering lights of Sunagakure that seemed to fade in the sandstorm, but a vast, warm, and peaceful sea of light that reflected the towering Hokage Rock.
He leaned against the window frame, gazing at the unfamiliar yet prosperous lights. He knew in his heart that beneath this peace and tranquility, there were shadows.
Haha, after all, Danzo, the 5.5th Hokage and also the Pot Kage, Danzo here.
Hmm... Rock Lee probably hasn't met Might Guy yet, right? I definitely need to get to know Rock Lee and then go see Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist of Naruto.
He touched the half-eaten jerky his mother had prepared in his arms, and then he thought of the faces of the porters in the canyon, the cloudy eyes of Old Man Vulture, the wound on Scarface's leg, and the Mandrill that died on the rusty knife.
To live, to arrive, and then to continue. That's probably how it is, no matter where you are.
Shira closed the window, walked to the bedside and sat down. She began to slowly and carefully remove her leggings and protective gear, which were covered in dust and blood, and then the heavy longsword that needed to be cleaned.
Outside the window, the lights of the Konoha lit up one after another, steadily and continuously, bathing the room in a warm yellow glow.
Hey hey hey! Rock Lee, I'm here! Wait for me!