Konoha.
With the Second Ninja World War drawing to a close, the gloom that had shrouded the village for years seemed to have finally dissipated. The morning air was sweet and refreshing, a cool breeze rustling through the hair of everyone gathered near the massive entrance gate.
It was as though not a single person wished to remain indoors; the entire village had assembled, their eyes brimming with anticipation, fixed on the road beyond the entrance gate. Sarutobi Hiruzen, accompanied by Homura and Koharu, stood directly beneath the gate, clad in a white haori with the red Hokage hat atop his head, hands clasped behind his back, and a smoke pipe in his mouth.
Whether it was the Hokage or the crowd gathered so early in the morning, they didn't have to wait for long as with dust rising from afar a large number of vague figures appeared in everyone's vision.
With each second passing, they got closer and closer; the man leading them seemed in his late thirties and donned the green Jonin jacket and blade fixed on his back.
Sarutobi, with a wide smile on his face, stepped forward as the man leading the troops stopped a few steps away from him. "Lord Third!"
"Thank you for your hard work, Sakumo!" said Sarutobi as he patted Sakumo on the shoulder, who bowed his head a little in response, a calm and collected look on his face.
Then Sarutobi's eyes shifted towards the group behind Sakumo; a soft look couldn't help but appear in them.
"Guess I can finally stop worrying about you guys, the Sannin… not bad," praised Sarutobi as he walked towards Tsunade and Orochimaru standing next to each other, his face showing a touch of pride as he looked at them.
It has been more than a decade since he took them under his tutelage, and they have grown up far better than he expected. Hanzo was someone who even he would have trouble fighting due to the salamander's fatal poison, yet they, who grew up in his hands, managed to survive and kept him at bay.
"How about a few million ryo as appreciation rather than just empty words?" Tsunade rolled her eyes at the praise, the smile on Sarutobi's stiffening a little at her words.
"Ha…Ha… you know the village just went through a war…so a little at budget," explained Sarutobi while letting out a dry laugh, Tsunade just giving him a blank stare.
Not wanting to deal with the greedy Tsunade anymore, Sarutobi turned towards Orochimaru, who hadn't said a word, and his brows couldn't help but furrow; the student who he was the proudest of seemed to have changed a lot, looking more distant, more cold and quiet.
Putting the matter at the back of his head for the time being, he finally turned to look towards the man who had no doubt contributed the most in this war, him being the difference maker whether it was at the Sand front or Stone front.
At the Sand front, he not only got rid of a potential future Kage enemy but also saved one of the biggest assets of Konoha, Princess Tsunade, surviving the deadly ambush of Third Kazekage solely because of him.
At the Stone front, he not only played a huge part in injuring the Jinchuriki of Four Tails but also killed the Five Tails Jinchuriki alone. At just a tender age of 12, he had achieved merit enough to even contend for the Hokage, truly a hero that emerged in troubled times.
"It's really like I'm standing before a younger you, Sensei," said Sarutobi inwardly while gazing at Kazuki, the shimmering silver hair, the same confident and calm look, even attainment in water release reaching that height; it was like that man had come back to life to save Konoha.
"From the moment I started to receive the reports about your efforts, I was waiting for the day to see you in person. You've truly done something unmatched in the history of the village. Whether it's those who you saved or those whose families are still intact because of you, they can't thank you enough," said Sarutobi in a firm and grateful tone, stepping aside and gesturing towards the people gathered behind to see them.
Kazuki felt the grateful, excited, and curious gazes of the villagers fixed upon him. With a slight nod, he acknowledged them before turning to face Sarutobi, his expression steady. "I simply did what I could to the best of my ability, no different from the others, Lord Third," Kazuki replied in a measured yet confident tone, neither humble nor boastful.
*Thup*
Sarutobi didn't offer any verbal response and, just nodding a little, patted him on the shoulder.
Then, led by Sarutobi, the group entered the village, and cheers soared skyward. The air thrummed with cries of gratitude and excitement as villagers lined both sides of the road, watching their idolized heroes pass by, shouting their names.
Kazuki walked forefront with his expression normal despite hearing chants ringing loud for him, but his lips couldn't help but curve into a small smile after seeing a yellow and red-head in the crowd cheering for him, the red-haired girl screaming on the top of her lungs, making him chuckle.
Walking through the village, everyone arrived near outside the Hokage Building where the Hokage gave another inspirational speech, thanking everyone who had put their lives on the line in the war, not forgetting to mention those who had sacrificed themselves as well.
After the speech, everyone dispersed finally, Kazuki taking the familiar route towards his house after nearly two years. Arriving before the door, Kazuki reached into his pockets to take out the door key, turning the knob after unlocking to enter the house.
The dark hallway appeared before him, the dust everywhere telling the house had not been cleaned for at least a year. Pulling the string of the lamp hanging from the ceiling, Kazuki turned it on and changed into home slippers.
Kazuki spent most of the day cleaning the house, the shadow clone jutsu coming in handy at this moment as cleaning every corner and crevice of the house, trimming the grass in the courtyard as well.
After cleaning and taking a shower, Kazuki made himself a sumptuous dinner and sat at the dining table to eat alone, his face showing not much of a surprise at his parents' and sisters' absence.
Such was the work of Anbu, dangerous or undercover missions which would last years; having not seen his parents for nearly three years.
(Recommended to read the first volume again if you've forgotten the plot somewhat)