500th Chapter 🥳 🎉
Amegakure Village.
Atop the high tower, Naruto, Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko appeared in a flash of golden light — the Flying Thunder God Technique's signature hum fading behind them.
"Ah… it's really been a long time since I came back!" Naruto said, his voice filled with emotion as he looked over the familiar landscape.
The view before him brought back countless memories — the first time he had arrived here, the storms, the tension, the weight on his shoulders. Back then, to the people of Konoha, he had been branded a traitor.
But Naruto alone had understood the burden he carried, and the purpose that drove him forward.
During that time, Hinata had also suffered because of the village's judgment toward him. Fortunately, it was Konan who had stayed by her side, offering comfort and protection when no one else would.
Naruto stepped closer to the edge of the tower. A gust of wind swept through, lifting the blond bangs from his forehead. His eyes — the Rinnegan — reflected the endless rain-soaked horizon of Amegakure below.
Konan approached him quietly and asked, "Naruto, what's wrong?"
Naruto took a deep breath, exhaled, and turned to her. "Sister Konan… there's something I've never said to you properly. I wanted to thank you in person. Back when I left Konoha and came to Amegakure, you were there. Thank you — for your companionship and your help."
He smiled warmly. "Without you, the Heavenly Organization wouldn't have achieved everything it did."
Konan returned his smile gently. "There's no need to thank me. This is what I should do. Don't forget — we're an organization, one whole unit. Isn't that what you've always believed?"
Naruto nodded slightly. That was true.
Nearby, Nagato and Yahiko stood watching. Yahiko grinned and called out, "Hey! Are you two done with your emotional talk yet? Wanna come down or what?"
Naruto turned, chuckling. "Yeah, let's go together!"
Yahiko glanced at Nagato, and the two exchanged a knowing smile. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's move!"
With that, Yahiko and Nagato jumped down from the tower. Konan and Naruto followed right after, leaping through the misty air.
The four of them descended gracefully, their cloaks fluttering as they landed and sprinted across the shimmering water surface toward the village. In moments, they reached the heart of Amegakure.
The moment they landed, the villagers spotted them.
"It's the village chief! The village chief is back!"
"Hey, everyone! Yahiko-sama is back! Come quick!"
Within seconds, the streets buzzed with excitement. People stopped their work, children ran out of homes, and the sound of joy spread through the entire village like ripples in the rain.
Yahiko raised a hand to calm them. "Everyone, please stay safe! Don't crowd together, you might get trampled!"
Even so, the crowd grew larger. News spread from one to ten, then a hundred.
Soon, familiar faces appeared — students, villagers, and young shinobi trained under Naruto's teachings.
"It's Lord Naruto! Lord Naruto is back!"
"Wow! It's really Naruto-sama!"
"Didn't the chief say he went to visit Naruto-sama? I didn't expect Naruto-sama himself to return!"
The children ran forward excitedly, their eyes shining with admiration. Naruto smiled warmly and crouched down slightly. "So, tell me — did any of you slack off while I was away? Have you been training your ninjutsu properly?"
A young boy named Haruya Yahiko stepped forward proudly. "Yes, Naruto-sama! Since you left, we've been training hard in the mountains every day!"
Several others nodded quickly, eager to show their dedication.
Naruto chuckled. "That's great! You've all been working hard."
He ruffled Haruya's hair affectionately, earning envious looks from the others.
To these children, Naruto wasn't just a hero — he was their mentor, their protector, almost a godlike figure who had brought peace after endless rain. Their respect for him ran deep, unshakable.
Then, a girl named Haruya stepped forward and asked softly, "Naruto-sama… now that you're back, will you be staying with us this time?"
The moment she asked, every pair of eyes turned to Naruto, filled with hope.
Among them were students trained by various mentors — Killer Bee's apprentices, Orochimaru's trainees, a few even taught by Shisui and Itachi before the war. Many had learned directly under Naruto himself.
With the war finally over, they all wished Naruto would remain.
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan exchanged quiet glances. They knew this question could only be answered by Naruto.
Naruto looked at the expectant faces and smiled softly. "I can't stay for long. I still have things to handle in Konoha."
A wave of disappointment passed through the group.
For these orphans and students, Naruto was everything — their hope, their leader. His words felt like a farewell, a reminder that Konoha came before Amegakure.
Naruto noticed the change in their expressions and added quickly, "But don't worry — I'll come back often. This isn't goodbye. And remember what I've told you before — peace doesn't mean you can relax. Always be ready. Prepare for battle!"
The kids exchanged confused glances. "Prepare for battle? But the war is over…"
Naruto pointed up to the cloudy sky. "There are enemies beyond the stars — enemies waiting for the right time. That's why you must grow stronger. Train harder. When the time comes, we'll fight side by side!"
Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan listened in silence, pride flickering in their eyes.
Naruto turned to them. "You two — keep a close eye on their training. We've gathered ninjutsu from every major village. Continue their lessons based on the plans we made before."
Nagato nodded firmly. "Understood."
Konan added, "Don't worry, Naruto. We'll carry out your instructions faithfully."
Naruto nodded with satisfaction. "Good. The stronger these children become, the greater the future of this world."
He looked back at the young faces and said quietly, "I look forward to seeing your growth. Maybe in six or seven years, we'll all fight together as equals."
The children's eyes shone with determination.
They might not have understood what "enemies in the stars" meant, but they trusted Naruto's words completely. If he said there was a threat, then there was one. And if Naruto believed in them, they would not fail him.
Soon, parents were seen rushing to sign their kids up for ninja school, inspired by Naruto's speech.
Naruto blinked, surprised. "Huh? What's happening?"
Konan chuckled softly. "After the war, we went down from the mountains. I modeled a system after Konoha's — we built our own ninja academy."
She gestured to Yahiko and Nagato. "Yahiko serves as the village chief now — we don't have a Kage yet, since Amegakure isn't recognized as one of the Five Great Nations. He said it's enough to just be called 'village chief.'"
Naruto grinned at Yahiko. "Village chief, huh?"
Yahiko laughed loudly. "Hey, I think it sounds nice!"
Konan continued, "Nagato is the academy's headmaster. We've gathered skilled ninjas to teach at the school. Thanks to the ninjutsu scrolls you retrieved from Kumogakure, we're not lacking in techniques anymore — only good teachers."
Naruto nodded approvingly. "So the money you asked me for… it was partly for rebuilding the school, wasn't it?"
Konan smiled knowingly and nodded.
Naruto chuckled. "Alright then. Here's what we'll do — issue a recruitment order across the Land of Rain. Invite wandering shinobi or those without villages. Yahiko, that'll be your department. You're good at reading people — that's what made Akatsuki strong in the beginning."
Yahiko scratched his head, embarrassed but pleased.
Naruto smiled. "Every early Akatsuki member had a dream. That's what made them special."
Konan and Nagato both nodded, memories flashing in their eyes. Those days, despite the pain, had been filled with ideals and brotherhood.
Naruto spent the rest of the day touring the rebuilt village — the new school, the markets, the quiet homes. Everywhere he went, villagers greeted him warmly.
That night, he stayed in Amegakure, unable to turn down the children's pleas. They had missed him too much to let him leave so soon.
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon