Time flowed swiftly amid calm.
As more and more ninja returned from the frontlines, the people of Konoha could clearly feel it—
The war was rapidly drifting away.
Outside Konoha Village, a squad of more than twenty ninja arrived at the main gate.
"So you're withdrawing from the Land of Earth border,"
Kōtetsu said after checking the documents handed over by the squad leader.
"You should be the last group, right?"
More than half of the squad were teenagers.
War had carved sharpness into faces that should have still been youthful and tender.
Within the group, a boy with a short blade strapped to his back lifted his head and gazed at Konoha's towering gates.
Konoha… I'm finally back.
It's been so long since I last saw Yuan. I wonder how he's doing now.
Out on the border, his title—"Konoha's Ferocious Tiger"—was enough to make even Iwagakure ninja tremble.
This boy was Hatake Haruka.
Suddenly, Haruka noticed several figures flicker into existence atop the gate's wall.
They wore masks.
ANBU.
His eyes locked onto the middle figure—
the face was hidden, but the silver hair was unmistakable.
…Is that Brother Kakashi?
Why would Brother Kakashi and the others appear at the village gate?
They can't possibly be here to welcome us…
Haruka pondered silently.
Then, just as their squad passed through the gate—
A gust of wind swept across the ground.
In the next instant, an entire group materialized at the entrance.
The Uchiha Police Force.
Haruka paused and glanced back at the Uchiha standing tall at the gate.
No wonder Brother Kakashi showed up…
So today is the day the Uchiha Police Force returns to the village.
Faced with the Police Force, Kōtetsu and Izumo didn't dare slack off and immediately stepped forward.
At the head of the group stood a long-haired young man, his expression arrogant.
"We are the Police Force vanguard," he said coldly.
"The Uchiha Police Force has crushed Kirigakure and is returning under orders."
Uchiha Compound — Training Grounds
Clang! Clang!
Rapid metallic clashes rang out as three figures fought fiercely, locked in a deadlock.
Not far away, Uchiha Yuan stood side by side with several Uchiha youths, watching the battle.
Suddenly, noise rose from the distance.
"Qiren—go see what's going on," Yuan ordered.
"Yes!"
With a flash of Body Flicker, the youth vanished.
About a minute later, he reappeared beside Yuan, face glowing with excitement.
"Big brother! The Police Force is back! The clan is celebrating!"
"To celebrate their victory over Kirigakure, the elders decided to hold a festival tonight!"
The youths around Yuan immediately lit up.
"Hahaha! As expected—Kirigakure was never a match for the Uchiha!"
"We're celebrating all night!"
Yuan gazed beyond the training grounds, listening to cheers echoing across the compound.
Kirigakure's main forces have withdrawn.
The Police Force's return means the war is truly over for Konoha.
In the Land of Hot Water, Kumogakure and Konoha are still locked in standoff—but only small-scale clashes remain.
All signs point to one thing…
Konoha is about to return to peace.
And with peace, the issue that must be resolved first—
the Hokage position, left vacant since the Fourth's death.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was only acting as Hokage in name.
Everyone in the village was waiting for the Fifth.
Senior…
I'll convince the clan head to support your candidacy.
But will you even accept it?
Yuan already knew the answer.
On one hand, Sarutobi and the others would never willingly place Orochimaru—someone so difficult to control—on the Hokage's seat.
On the other hand, Yuan understood Orochimaru well.
With his pride, taking the position after the Fourth…
he likely wouldn't accept it either.
Yet—
If Orochimaru became Hokage, his tolerance alone could restrain the village's hostility toward the Uchiha.
And the Uchiha, in turn, would fear his authority.
More importantly—
For Yuan himself, Orochimaru becoming Hokage would bring the greatest benefit.
With their collaborative relationship, Yuan might directly step into Konoha's upper echelons—
perhaps even secure a position of real power.
Resolve quietly surfaced in Yuan's eyes.
Clang!
A sharp metallic crash snapped him back to reality.
He turned toward the training field.
The three fighters had separated.
They were Senju Gen, Uchiha Kawa, and Uchiha Feng.
Gen glanced at the tears in his clothes and sighed helplessly.
"Ah… I'm dead. When I get back, my sister's definitely going to scold me again."
Though Senju Yuki had forbidden him from getting close to Yuan,
Gen still came to the Uchiha compound regularly.
And at Yuan's request, he helped train Kawa and the others.
Yuan smiled.
"Bring back two portions of the newly released desserts tonight. Miss Yuki should forgive you."
Gen looked toward the bustling compound.
"Yuan, what's going on over there?"
"The Police Force returned," Yuan replied.
"And tonight there's a clan celebration. Want to join?"
Gen's eyes lit up.
"An Uchiha festival? I can attend?"
"You're my friend. Of course you can."
Yuan then turned his attention to Kawa and Feng, pointing out several flaws they'd exposed during the spar.
Nightfall
The Uchiha compound blazed with light.
At the main gate, large red lanterns hung high, and rows of clan banners bearing the fan crest fluttered in the night wind.
Yet compared to the lively noise deep within the compound,
the gate itself was eerily quiet.
No other villagers had come to attend the Uchiha celebration.
A lone figure hesitated before the gate.
From hidden corners nearby, multiple gazes secretly observed the compound.
Suddenly—
Two light, hurried footsteps approached.
The figure turned.
"Gen!"
"Haruka!"
The hesitant figure was Hatake Haruka.
Seeing Senju Gen, his face broke into delight.
"Haruka, this is my sister—Senju Yuki."
After an excited hug, Gen quickly introduced her.
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