Among the Five Kage, the shinobi from the four other villages bid farewell to each other before following their respective Kage back to their homelands.
Mifune, the leader of the samurai, also departed with his men, returning to the Land of Iron.
Tsunade cast a quick glance toward Naruto before stepping away to arrange the logistics for their retreat and return to the village.
The Twelve Guardian Ninja—along with the other young shinobi—quickly got to work. Even Hinata, though reluctant to part from Naruto, followed Neji to help with preparations for the journey home.
At the Allied Shinobi Forces' headquarters, Shikamaru Nara was busy compiling intelligence reports. With the assistance of Shikaku Nara, he briefed each Kage on the current conditions of their respective villages, optimized the safest return routes, and ensured that all would travel back without incident.
Once their duties were complete and everything was packed, the command center would be disbanded—at least temporarily.
On the battlefield lay two of the most infamous figures of this Fourth Great Ninja War—Obito Uchiha and Madara Uchiha.
Obito rested atop the body of Rin Nohara, brought back through the Impure World Reincarnation, while Madara lay beside Hashirama Senju.
Hashirama's gaze shifted toward Naruto as the boy approached. "Naruto, what are you planning to do next?"
Naruto's eyes moved between Madara and Obito before he looked over his shoulder. "Is Kabuto here?"
Hearing his name, Kabuto Yakushi stepped forward. "I'm here."
"Is the army of reanimated shinobi still under your control?" Naruto asked.
Kabuto nodded. "They're all still here. I've ordered them to retreat and gather in one location for now. Also, the shinobi who were sealed during the battle can be unsealed—I can regain control over them as well."
Kabuto understood Naruto's intentions immediately. Naruto still wanted to use the reanimated army.
Naruto gave a curt nod. "Good. Gather all the sealed shinobi in one place. Once they're unsealed, we'll be able to deploy them together."
Kakashi frowned, his single visible eye narrowing. "Naruto, many of these are legendary shinobi from across the Great Nations—including former Kage. Don't you think it's… wrong to keep bringing them back to this world?"
Naruto smirked. "My father and the Hokage of the past are already here—so what's the problem? Besides, if these departed souls could see the state of the world right now, I'm sure they'd want to come back and help protect it."
Seeing Naruto's determination, Kakashi let the matter drop.
From the ground, Obito looked up at Naruto. "Naruto… put an end to me. Quickly."
"Obito!" Rin's voice was urgent. "Don't speak out of emotion!"
Kakashi's tone was sharp. "Don't be foolish, Obito! You'll spend the rest of your life in Konohagakure atoning for your sins. I'll watch over you myself."
It was clear both Kakashi and Rin wanted to spare Obito's life.
Naruto allowed himself a small smile, then began rallying everyone to head back to the village.
Konohagakure
Upon returning, the people of the village reunited joyfully with their families. Shinobi and civilians alike greeted one another warmly, grateful to still be alive after such a devastating war. Many shared stories of what they had endured on the battlefield.
From the accounts of the returning Konoha shinobi, one truth stood out above all—the man who had ended the war was Naruto Uzumaki.
Almost instantly, the dark rumors about Naruto's "betrayal" and his taking of Danzō Shimura's eye began to change. Word spread that Naruto's actions had been authorized by the Hokage herself.
Danzō, the villagers whispered, had deserved what he got. On the surface, Naruto's departure from the village had seemed like defection—but in reality, he had been acting as a secret protector of the Leaf all along.
In this new light, Naruto was transformed into a hero in the public eye. His image loomed larger, his reputation more majestic than ever.
Konohamaru Sarutobi, moved to tears, said through choked sobs, "I told you! I told you Brother Naruto would never betray the village! He must have had his reasons… wuwuwu!"
Naruto had always been Konohamaru's role model, the person he aspired to become. When he'd first heard that Naruto had left the village, he'd refused to believe it. But some of Naruto's actions outside the village had planted seeds of doubt, leaving Konohamaru depressed for months.
Now, the truth had finally come out.
Udon tried to console him. "Don't cry. It's a good thing Brother Naruto is back. Honestly, I never doubted him."
Moegi nodded in agreement.
"Konohamaru!"
The familiar voice made Konohamaru turn—and there stood Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage himself.
Konohamaru froze, eyes wide with disbelief. "Grandpa!!!"
Udon and Moegi were equally stunned.
What was going on? Was this… a ghost?
Konohamaru was about to rush forward, but Moegi grabbed his arm. "Don't! The Third Hokage is… dead. How could he be here?"
Konohamaru stopped in his tracks, realization dawning. His eyes narrowed as he demanded, "Who are you? How dare you impersonate my grandfather in the middle of Konoha?!"
"Hahaha! Monkey, no wonder your grandson doesn't recognize you!"
Tobirama Senju stepped out from behind Hiruzen, glancing at the boy. "This is your grandson, Monkey."
Hiruzen chuckled. "Yes, Tobirama-sensei… my useless grandson."
Konohamaru's jaw dropped. "You… you… you're…"
Udon squinted, recognition dawning. "He does look really familiar…"
Moegi suddenly gasped, staring at Tobirama in disbelief. "That's the Second Hokage!"
Udon flinched. "Second Hokage-sama… faked his death too?!"
Konohamaru looked around frantically. "What the hell is going on?!"
Before they could process it, something even stranger appeared.
"Madara, look at how much the village has grown," Hashirama said, leading the recovered Madara Uchiha through the streets.
Pointing excitedly, he added, "When we first came here, this was all grassland. Now look—so prosperous!"
Madara, though inwardly moved, kept his expression cold, offering only the occasional grunt of acknowledgment.
After the battle, he had learned the full truth—that he'd been nothing more than a pawn, his grand plan manipulated by Black Zetsu to revive Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. The words on the Uchiha Stone Tablet, which he had trusted for decades, had been altered.
The foundation of his beliefs, the conviction that Hashirama was wrong and he was the true savior of the world, had crumbled.
It was bitter to admit, but in the end, both he and Hashirama had been right about the same thing—the village had been their greatest achievement.
When his plan failed, Madara had wanted to die, but Naruto had stopped him.
Seeing this, Hashirama had decided to take him on a walk through Konoha, hoping to rekindle the ideals they'd once shared.
As they walked, they came across Konohamaru and his friends.
Konohamaru, already overwhelmed by seeing the First, Second, and Third Hokage alive, now froze at the sight of the man he knew as the most feared shinobi in history—Madara Uchiha.
Udon promptly fainted.
Moegi could only stare in horror. "Why… why are all these legends alive again?!"
Hashirama laughed. "Madara, see? You're still as scary as ever—the kids faint just looking at you."
Madara's brow furrowed. "Tch. Noisy as ever. Shut up."
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon 🥺