LRAB Chapter 257 The Returning Fleet, A Blueprint for a New Era
Chapter 257 The Returning Fleet, A Blueprint for a New Era
"We won! We won!"
"As expected of the Hokage!"
"Konoha will win!"
Cheers, shouts, and joyful roars converged into a massive wave of sound that echoed across the silent desert, as if to spread this momentous news to every corner of the ninja world.
……
After the revelry, order was restored to the camp.
Now that the war is over and the deterrent mission on the western front has been perfectly accomplished, it's time for them to go home.
Hatake Sakumo summoned the commander who would remain here, an experienced Konoha Jonin.
"Although the war is over, border vigilance cannot be relaxed."
Sakumo pointed to the border line on the map and instructed, word by word, "Sunagakure will not dare to make any further moves in the short term, but we must remain vigilant. Maintain the highest level of alert, and handle any actions that cross the line in accordance with previous orders."
"Yes, Lord Sakumo!" The Jonin saluted solemnly.
After explaining all the defense matters, Hatake Sakumo walked towards the cages of sand scorpions.
He carefully inspected each iron cage.
Tsubasa Inuzuka followed behind him, watching as Sakumo actually took out a small notebook and began to check the condition of each sand scorpion one by one, recording their activity level, color, and even poking them with a small stick to test their reaction speed. He immediately felt a sense of absurdity.
"..."
After Sakumo Hatake completed all the checks and confirmed that everything was in perfect order, he finally straightened up.
He then ordered the troops to break camp, and the entire Eye of the West began to pack their belongings in an orderly manner, preparing to return to the home they longed for.
Sakumo walked alone to the top of a sand dune and looked eastward.
The direction of the Land of Fire, the direction of Konoha.
The evening breeze ruffled his silver-white hair, and also dispelled the last trace of the sharp edge that belonged to Konoha Shiroya on his face.
The lines on that sharply defined face became incredibly soft.
The joy of victory in the war and the warmth of returning to daily life intertwined to create a feeling called peace, which flowed quietly in his heart.
He remembered the small courtyard in the village, and the little devil who always wore a mask and would secretly peek out from behind the door when he came home.
Kakashi...
Dad brought back a gift.
As he thought about it, a faint smile, unnoticed even by himself, crept onto his lips.
"Hey! Sakumo! Are you coming or not?!"
Inuzuka Tsubasa's impatient voice came from behind, "If you keep dawdling, it'll be dark soon!"
"They're here."
Sakumo Hatake responded, took one last look in the direction of his home, turned around, and strode down the sand dune.
Behind him was a setting sun about to sink below the horizon.
Ahead of him were lights waiting to be lit.
◆
The sea breeze was salty, carrying a hint of warmth, and fluttered the flags of the massive combined fleet.
On the calm, golden sea, magnificent white contrails were drawn.
The war in the Land of Whirlpools has ended.
These four words were like some kind of magical spell, dispelling the gloom that had shrouded everyone's hearts for months.
The joy of victory was no longer a frenzied shout, but settled down and transformed into the relaxed and warm everyday scenes that could be seen everywhere on the deck.
On the deck, Konoha ninjas who had survived the disaster could be seen everywhere, gathered in twos and threes.
They either boasted excitedly about their war exploits or dreamed of having a big meal at Akimichi's barbecue restaurant after returning to the village.
The joy of victory, like fine wine, intoxicates everyone, leaving them relaxed and content.
Several medical ninjas from Konoha were surrounding an elderly man from the Uzumaki clan, curiously asking him about a peculiar method for quickly processing seafood to supplement protein.
The old man smiled and gestured the names, showing no intention of keeping anything secret.
Not far away, a young Akimichi clan ninja was awkwardly trying to share his treasured potato chips with several red-haired Uzumaki clan children.
"Here, have a taste, this is delicious!"
The children stared with wide, innocent eyes at the thin, golden-yellow crisps, but hesitated and waved their hands shyly.
One of the older boys mustered his courage and whispered, "Thank you, Ninja Master... but my mother said we can't just take food from other people; everyone's food is precious."
The Akimichi ninja paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. He scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and explained, "This isn't rations, it's snacks. You know what snacks are? They're... things you can live without, but eating them will make you happy!"
His words only confused the children more.
Unlike the bustling activity on the deck, the flagship's command center was completely quiet.
A huge nautical chart table was unfolded, with the fleet's route marked on it, pointing directly towards the Land of Fire.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the table, his long fingers lightly touching the Konoha area. He didn't look at his cheering subordinates outside the window; his mind was already racing, sketching out a complex blueprint for the reconstruction and development of the village after the war.
The end of the war was only the beginning of another, larger and longer war.
"Lord Hokage."
A gentle, slightly reserved voice sounded from behind.
The Ninth Generation Uzumaki straightened his robes and walked in somewhat hastily. This former Second Generation Village Chief of Uzushio Village, when facing Hiruzen Sarutobi, always unconsciously carried a sense of awe, like a student facing a teacher, amidst his respect.
"Please sit down, Ninth Minister."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't turn around; he simply pointed casually to the chair next to him.
"Yes." Uzumaki Kyudai sat down as instructed, but his posture remained ramrod straight.
He watched Hiruzen Sarutobi's retreating figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
This young Hokage ended the war with overwhelming force and won people's hearts with gentle kindness. His command on the battlefield and his insight into people's hearts reached a level that I could only look up to.
"Hokage-sama, regarding the specifics of my clan's incorporation into Konoha..."
The Ninth Generation Uzumaki took the initiative to speak, wanting to report his arrangements, which was also the purpose of his trip.
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and raised his hand to interrupt him.
"I've already seen those, you did a great job."
He pulled out a chair, sat down opposite the Ninth Generation Uzumaki, and personally poured him a cup of hot tea.
"Ninth generation, we are not allies. We are family."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed the teacup towards him. "So, what I want to hear isn't how you plan to arrange things, but what concerns you and your clan have."
The Ninth Generation Uzumaki held the warm teacup, completely stunned.
concern?
He had envisioned countless ways to begin the conversation, from the distribution of credit to the future responsibilities of the clan, and even the handover of the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques.
He never imagined that this victorious ruler would ask him so bluntly, "What are you afraid of?"
This sudden candor left Ninth Generation Uzumaki momentarily speechless.