" Xiao Xian, are you serious? Although the village has just gone through a war, it's still not to be underestimated. The Third and Orochimaru are still alive, and Minato's title of 'Yellow Flash' isn't just for show. There's also the Ino- Ino-Shika-Cho -Cho trio and the Uchiha clans. Although they are political rivals, they will unite against external forces for the overall interests of the village."
Sakumo reminded him.
"Now that I'm here, I'm confident. Dad, don't worry. Let's think about where to eat today. It's been so long since I've had barbecue."
Yuzuru didn't say much. If possible, he didn't want to make a big fuss, since Konoha still needed to stand in front and attract the attention of the Shinobi World.
The Land of Water needs time to recuperate and rebuild; it is not advisable to wage war during this period.
"Dad, why don't you come with me then? They're short-handed over there, and Kakashi can't handle it all by himself. Let's create a Shadow Clone here and stall for as long as we can. As long as we don't fight, they usually won't notice."
After saying that, Yuzuru led Uchiha Hikari out to prepare for barbecue.
"What a backward village."
Upon seeing the streets and buildings of Konoha, Hikaru couldn't help but make a comment.
Compared to the Sea Capital, which has been almost completely rebuilt in the past few months, Konoha is like a primitive village.
Sea Capital is already half a modern city. It will be fully modernized when the other half of the old city is demolished.
The presidential office was still the same as before, and Yuzuru had long since had enough of it; it was dark and damp, far less comfortable than the newly built Military Department.
"That's normal. Technological development in the Shinobi World has stagnated for hundreds of years. Although many powerful ninjas have emerged during this time, they all lack intelligence and foresight. It's always been like this, which is why someone needs to break this broken system and develop technology."
Speaking of this, Yuzuru thought of Kakashi.
Between the end of Shippuden and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the person who truly led the development of Shinobi World technology was the Sixth, Kakashi.
He truly considered the needs of ordinary people. Trams, elevators, high-rise buildings, and Ministry of Science and Technology —all these things were guided by Kakashi, changing the lives of ordinary people in Konoha.
Later, Naruto was merely standing on Kakashi's shoulders, but he went back to square one. Instead of making any improvements, he continued with the old ways, so that a ninja was still a ninja, and nothing changed.
Kakashi had already prepared the material foundation for them, but their minds were forever imprisoned and could not be changed at all.
If it weren't for the emergence of a powerful enemy in the Shinobi World, given Naruto's mindset, even if Konoha developed much better, the final result would still be the same as Hashirama Senju: he would willingly kowtow to other countries just to prevent war, and then obediently conclude a so-called peace treaty.
"But is it appropriate for us to appear so openly on the street? Aren't we here to do something bad?"
Uchiha Hikari couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, you're mistaken. We're here to rescue people, not to do anything bad. Besides, I'm a villager here. It's normal to wander around the village after returning home, isn't it? Hiding is the problem; being open and honest will only lower people's guard."
Yuzuru pulled Uchiha Hikari along quickly toward the Akimichi BBQ Restaurant, where they skillfully sat down and ordered.
"Huh? You're Yuzuru? When did you get back?"
The barbecue restaurant owner was also pleasantly surprised to see Yuzuru.
"It's been several days."
Yuzuru smiled and nodded.
"Okay, do we need to go out again?"
"Maybe, who knows? My teacher has left the village too. Maybe I'll go look for her. I haven't seen her for years, and I miss her a bit."
" Lady Tsunade, you and your disciples really are something else; neither of you can stay in the village."
"There's nothing we can do about it; it's probably just the unspoken understanding between master and apprentice."
Yuzuru shrugged, chuckled softly, and said nothing more.
Soon, a large plate of grilled meat was served, and Yuzuru and Guang began grilling and eating.
Just then, several familiar figures walked in, among whom a pair of eyes as bright as rubies were particularly eye-catching and striking.
The moment their eyes met, Yuzuru also put down the clip in her hand.
The next second, Hong threw herself into Yuzuru's arms.
" Yuzuru, when did you get back?"
" Yuzuru!"
Kai and Shisui immediately greeted each other, and there was a little devil next to Shisui.
"I didn't expect to run into you guys while having dinner. I was planning to come over to find you after I finished eating."
Yuzuru ruffled her long red hair, then said softly, "Alright, let's eat first, we can talk while we eat."
Hong looked up at Yuzuru without saying a word, but simply held his hand tightly.
Yuzuru didn't intend to pull her hand away, so she slowly roasted it with one hand.
They asked the owner to add a few more plates of meat, and then moved to a round table to eat and chat.
Where have you been these past few years?
"I found something interesting outside the Shinobi World."
Facing these people, Yuzuru made no attempt to conceal her whereabouts.
"Outside the Shinobi World, huh? That's truly remarkable."
Kai couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
"Speaking of which, Kakashi, he..."
"He misses you terribly. He's complained to me more than once that without you as a rival by his side, he feels lost and directionless in life."
In the office in Sea Capital, Kakashi suddenly sneezed, turning his head to look around in confusion. "Why do I have a bad feeling? Everything seems to be going smoothly lately?"
Upon hearing this, Kai instantly became agitated.
"You truly are my eternal rival! It's decided, after I finish eating, I'll immediately do one hundred handstand laps around the village! If I can't do that, I'll add another fifty!"
"So, Kakashi- senpai is still alive."
Shisui asked a question.
"Of course, Rin is also alive, and has become the Perfect Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails."
"Wow, that's amazing!"
Upon hearing this, the group's eyes widened simultaneously.
"I'm short-staffed right now, and the platform is all set up for you. Would you like to leave with me and create a future together?"
Yuzuru put a few pieces of grilled meat on Hong's plate, and a few pieces on Guang's plate, before speaking slowly and deliberately.
"This time, I'm going to follow you no matter what!"
Hong said without hesitation.
"Although I'm very reluctant to leave the village, there's nothing I can do. I'm also looking forward to the future you mentioned, Yuzuru. Besides, my rival is still waiting for me, and I definitely can't let him down. This is the passionate bond of youth!"
"I'm willing too. To be honest, the conflict between the village and my family really bothers me. There's no point in all this rejection and conflict. Both the village and my family disgust me. It's better to just leave and avoid seeing them."
Shisui immediately agreed. He didn't wear his ninja headband; Shisui usually just left it at home unless it was a mission.
"You look like you've grown up quite a bit."
Yuzuru said with a smile.
"No, it's all thanks to you, Yuzuru. Otherwise, I might still be a mindless ninja puppet."
Shisui shook his head.
"Alright, it's good that you've come to your senses. Since things have come to this, let's eat first, I'm hungry."
Yuzuru looked at Shisui now with great satisfaction.
Indeed, such high-potential geniuses need to be nurtured from a young age, their thinking changed, and they guided in a different direction. Even extreme Uchiha individuals can be corrected.
Well, except for Obito; animals can't be considered human.