Tsunade nodded gently. She could understand why Kaede was doing this.
After all, his younger brother Kakashi was still in Konoha. Kaede had been missing for two years, there were some things he needed to deal with personally.
She glanced at him and smiled faintly. "A lot of people thought you were dead. If you suddenly show up, it's going to give them quite a shock."
"I'd rather skip that kind of surprise."
Kaede shrugged.
Sure, it might be fun to see the looks on Danzo's and Hiruzen's faces when they realize he's alive, but for people like Kakashi and Kurenai… they had likely been grieving this whole time.
"Well, I guess I'll leave it at that. Seeing you back safe is enough to put me at ease."
Tsunade yawned. The alcohol was kicking in, drowsiness setting in quickly. She headed into the inner room and collapsed onto the bed to rest.
Watching her, Shizune smiled softly. Then she turned to Kaede and said, "Let's get some rest too."
She had remained silent the whole time, not joining the conversation between Kaede and Tsunade. To her, the fact that Kaede had returned safely was already the best news imaginable, just knowing that filled her heart with joy.
"Alright."
Kaede stood up and tidied his bedding. "You must've been worried about me these past two years. I'm sorry for making you go through that."
Shizune smiled sweetly, her eyes soft. "It's alright… as long as you come back. That's just the way a ninja's life is, isn't it?"
With that, they each settled down for the night.
…..
The next morning.
Kaede didn't linger. After bidding farewell to Shizune and Tsunade, he left the town and headed directly back toward Konoha, opening the Eight Gates and activating five times speed to travel.
The violent chakra he released along the way startled many of the ninja scattered across the Land of Fire. For a while, a flurry of chaotic intel and rumors began circulating everywhere.
….
At the Konoha Memorial Stone.
Twelve-year-old Yūhi Kurenai stood quietly in front of the memorial, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers. She gently placed them before the stone and found the name she was looking for, Kaede's.
Though it had been two years…
To her, it still felt like it had all just happened yesterday.
Kaede's disappearance had only become widely known a year and a half ago. And it was just two months ago that he was officially declared dead and his name engraved on the memorial stone.
"You were such a powerful ninja… How could even someone like you die…"
Kurenai bit her lip.
She wasn't the only one at the memorial. Other Konoha ninja were there too, each bearing their own bouquets. Heads bowed, they stood in silent tribute.
Some had come to honor fallen comrades. Others were there for lost parents, siblings, or even spouses.
No one spoke.
One by one, people stepped forward and laid down their flowers.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared before the memorial stone, catching everyone off guard. Heads turned as they noticed someone had silently stepped up to the front.
He didn't bring any flowers. He simply glanced across the stone, as if searching for something. Then, he found a specific name. Lightning crackled from his fingertips.
"Hey!"
"What are you doing?!"
A few ninjas shouted in alarm.
But the figure ignored the shouts. Two fingers sparked with lightning as he reached out and lightly swiped across one of the engraved names.
Zzzzt, !
Under the crackling glow, the name was wiped clean off the stone, disintegrating into dust.
"You bastard!!"
One ninja lost it, unable to suppress their fury. Every name on this memorial belonged to heroes who had died for Konoha!
But not everyone reacted with anger.
Kurenai didn't move.
From the moment that figure appeared, she had frozen in place, staring, her expression slowly shifting to one of disbelief.
Even Uchiha Fugaku, who had come to honor fallen clan members, didn't move. He watched the figure with a complex expression, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
And then, just as a few ninja began rushing toward the figure to stop him, he turned around, revealing a calm, composed face.
Still a bit youthful…
But undeniably handsome.
And more importantly, his face was familiar. As soon as they got a good look, the charging ninja all stopped dead in their tracks.
Eyes widened in disbelief.
"You… You're…"
Someone stammered, unable to believe it.
Kaede glanced at them, then turned to Kurenai. Stepping down from the memorial, he said, "Sorry. I probably made you worry… but I'm back."
Uchiha Fugaku inhaled sharply, his gaze turning sharp.
That chakra…
There was no mistaking it. This wasn't a transformation or disguise.
This boy was the real deal.
The one who had slain the Third Raikage… who defeated Hanzō of the Salamander… who single-handedly crushed Amegakure and secured Konoha's advantage in the early days of the Third Great Ninja War,
The Silver Flash!
"So you've returned, Jōnin Kaede… That was your own name you erased just now, wasn't it? It's a bit awkward, I admit. Ninja who go missing for over a year are usually declared dead."
Fugaku spoke calmly as he looked at Kaede.
His words sent a jolt through the other nearby ninja, some of whom had still been unsure whether this was truly Kaede or someone in disguise.
Fugaku was not just anyone, he was the head of the Uchiha Clan and captain of the Konoha Military Police. If he said it was Kaede, then it had to be true.
This was him.
The Silver Flash, Konoha's hero.
Kaede nodded at Fugaku. "Can't let my name stay up there, can I? Sorry… I might've caused a little trouble."
"It's nothing. The fact that you've returned safely… that alone is a great blessing to all of us in Konoha."
Fugaku gave a slight nod and said kindly, "If you have time, come by for tea. I've recently been studying the tea ceremony and made some progress."
As proud as he was of the Uchiha Clan, Fugaku still offered friendship, and a hint of diplomacy. After all, the Uchiha had long been isolated and marginalized within the village. Kaede might be the key to turning things around.
"Sure."
Kaede smiled in return.
It was only then that Kurenai, finally accepting the truth that Kaede was alive, bit her lip and suddenly couldn't hold her emotions in anymore. She stepped forward and threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.
Around them, other ninja gasped softly, returning to their senses after the shock.
Some exchanged glances and immediately turned to leave, intent on reporting this to higher-ups.
The Silver Flash is alive.
Once this news spreads, Konoha will erupt with celebration.
==========
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