Following

Sunlight streamed in, crowds surged like a tide, and the clamor of the city echoed like waves crashing against the shore.

Uchiha Izuna stood tall and straight like a pine tree. Within the Uchiha Clan, he accumulated a high reputation for his superb Ninjutsu and decisive conduct.

As he walked, the clansmen who saw him all stopped and bowed respectfully, whispering and calling out eagerly, "Lord Izuna!"

However, hidden within this outcry was a discordant "interlude".

Koki walked beside Izuna.

Koki had fair skin, bright eyes like twinkling stars, and smooth black hair that fell to her shoulders, simply tied up with a few strands playfully brushing against her face. The boys who were bowing to Izuna blushed instantly when their eyes met Koki's, their stammering greetings turning into shy calls. "Lord Koki- sama."

At first, Izuna could ignore it, but as this kind of "out-of-control" behavior continued, his fiery temper was immediately ignited.

With his arm raised high, creating a gust of wind in the air, he impatiently shouted, "You all step back and don't disturb the peace!"

The imposing manner intimidated the young men, who immediately lowered their heads and hurriedly ran away, their steps so frantic they almost tripped and fell.

Seeing this, Koki sighed softly, reached out and grasped Izuna's waving arm, her tone both reproachful and amused. "Izuna, don't be angry."

Izuna snorted coldly, his face full of displeasure, but he withdrew his hand. He simply moved closer to Koki, their arms pressed tightly together, with a touch of childish sulking, as if declaring: This is my person, and no one else is allowed to be so disrespectful as to "covet" her.

Konoha has long since shed its former glory and is no longer the desolate land ravaged by war and scarred by devastation.

With the Senju and Uchiha clans setting aside their past grievances and joining hands to build this peaceful land, the long years of war came to an end.

The news spread like a spring breeze, and families ravaged by war, exhausted and displaced, flocked to Konoha like migratory birds returning to their nests, hoping to find peace there, making Konoha even more prosperous.

Meanwhile, the scattered and isolated clans in other countries, inspired by Konoha, rallied their strength and built their own ninja villages. The ninja world, once ravaged by war and filled with sorrow, finally saw the first ray of peace.

Konoha embraces all kinds of people with open arms.

On the streets, wandering ninjas, dressed in tattered clothes and carrying sharp or mottled ninja tools, moved about; resolute samurai, with long swords at their waists, walked steadily, chatting and laughing with those around them; villagers from nearby villages, dressed in coarse cloth, carried bamboo baskets full of mountain produce and fruits, their cries of hawking their wares filling the air with the warmth of everyday life.

However, such prosperity also brought overcrowding to the streets, with crowds surging like a flood, squeezing every pedestrian.

Amidst the jostling of the crowd, Koki had no choice but to cling tightly to Izuna, her body almost completely enveloped in his embrace.

This intimate distance made Koki shift slightly, trying to find a moment of comfort.

Izuna, however, seemed oblivious, a smug smile playing on his lips. His arms tightened unconsciously, holding Koki close to his chest as if she were a priceless treasure.

A sudden, violent commotion erupted in the crowd, causing Koki to lose her footing. Izuna's smiling face instantly turned icy, his narrow eyes flashing with cold light as he stared intently at the shoving crowd around him, radiating a chilling aura.

Koki instantly sensed Izuna's emotional fluctuation and quickly reached out to gently place her hand on his tense arm, soothingly saying, "Izuna, don't be angry. It's inevitable that things will be chaotic here with so many people. Let's go find a less crowded place."

His voice softened, and the hostility emanating from Izuna gradually dissipated. He nodded without hesitation, "Okay."

As soon as they finished speaking, the two figures flickered and disappeared into the crowd like wisps of smoke in the wind.

As the light and shadow shifted, the two arrived at a secluded place. The surroundings were quiet, with only a few simple stalls scattered around.

The faded banners swayed lazily in the breeze, and the stall owners either closed their eyes to rest or idly wiped the old items on their stalls.

Koki let out a soft breath, looked around, and a smile appeared on her lips, "It's quiet here. Finally, I can stroll around freely."

The lunch bell tolls softly, its gentle tapping echoing through the long corridors of the office building, offering a brief respite to the weary workers and a chance to replenish their energy.

In that office piled high with scrolls and documents, Tobirama Senju was so engrossed in the "mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas" of files that he seemed oblivious to the melodious chimes.

His long, slender, jade-like fingers danced lightly between the documents, arranging each page of information and proposals in an orderly fashion. The scent of ink clung to his cuffs, seemingly reflecting his unique tranquility.

Once the table was finally organized, he gently patted his clothes, raised his eyes to look at the door, and prepared to take a step out.

"Tobirama, aren't you going to eat again?" Hashirama Senju's voice was loud yet casual as he casually posed the question.

That gaze, seemingly unintentional, was actually searching for a flaw in Tobirama's calm and expressionless face.

"Brother, do as you please, don't worry about me." Tobirama didn't even raise an eyebrow, he just waved his hand casually, his figure disappearing in an instant like a shooting star in the night.

Hashirama gazed at the empty doorway, a slight smile played on his lips, his mind clear as a star.

Hashirama knew his younger brother deeply. He was always a "busybody" who was obsessed with exploring Ninjutsu, but he had already noticed Tobirama's unusual behavior recently, from the first time he discovered that Tobirama was silently following behind Koki.

At that moment, Hashirama, hidden among the dappled shadows of the trees, gazed at Tobirama's usually cold and handsome face, which now revealed a hint of caution as he followed Koki's trail from a distance.

Since working with Koki, Tobirama's behavior has become even stranger. He is often absent-minded, and when reporting on his work, he will unconsciously lose focus. His previously quick decisions are now often hesitant.

Hashirama, finally stamping his foot, gritting his teeth, and transforming into a silent shadow, following Tobirama as always.