When the melody of "Homeward" echoed through the skies of Konoha,
the overnight snowfall came to a quiet stop.
Then the clouds above Konoha began to part. Golden sunlight pierced the gaps between them and bathed the village below, casting massive circular pools of light across the ground.
One beam fell upon a young man riding on an ox, enveloping him in radiant golden light—as though a god were approaching the crowd.
Another ray struck Tsunade directly, wrapping her in divine radiance.
Together, they stood like central figures on a grand stage, illuminated by celestial light and commanding every gaze.
What happened next was even more astonishing:
As the ox-riding youth passed by, the withered trees lining the streets sprouted tender green buds at an observable speed, branching out and leafing in the cold winter air.
Within seconds, Ichiraku Street turned into a lush green paradise.
Seeds hidden beneath flower beds by the roadside sprouted up and burst into colorful blossoms. In the heart of winter, they bloomed gloriously, vying for beauty.
Wherever he passed, spring returned to the land.
Seeing this scene unfold, not only did the people on-site stand stunned, but also countless television viewers before their screens found themselves awestruck, as if they were witnessing a divine miracle—shockingly breathtaking.
Who is this person?
Onoki, Rasa, and the others exchanged glances, their faces revealing the same shock and terror.
Because they knew—the miracle appearing before the crowd was caused by this ox rider's chakra influencing the nearby weather and environment.
Such power went beyond their comprehension—it was something no mortal should be able to achieve.
Swoosh! The Anbu ninjas emerged from the shadows.
When the old ox reached the plaza and came to a stop, in an instant, more than a hundred Anbu surged from concealed corners, surrounding the rider completely.
Leading the group, Anbu Commander Sakumo Hatake drew their weapons, standing tense and ready for battle.
Facing the encirclement, the young rider remained indifferent, calmly finishing his tune with unshaken composure.
Only then did he put away his shakuhachi flute, leaping effortlessly down from the ox's back.
Under the intense gazes of the Anbu, the youth gently touched the horns of the black ox beside him. It let out a deep moo before transforming into a pool of ink, swirling into the young man's wide sleeve before everyone's eyes.
[Super Beast Imitating Drawing]
"This kind of jutsu..." Sakumo Hatake was startled, recognizing the technique immediately. After racking his brain trying to remember, he cautiously ventured with astonishment, "Are you...the Ink Master?"
One month ago,
on the battlefield of Ame Village, the mysterious Ink Master had left an unforgettable impression on over a hundred thousand witnesses with his unique [Super Beast Imitating Drawing].
Though outwardly different from the Ink Master, the young man's distinctive jutsu had already exposed his identity.
At that time, the Ink Master had defeated Kitsuchi of Iwagakure and even rescued Tsunade when she was trapped in a sealing technique.
Heiyan's appearance might not be to disrupt the ceremony, but rather to celebrate with Tsunade.
Thinking this, Sakumo Hatake raised his right hand and made a gesture, signaling his subordinates to hold their actions for now and just watch.
At this moment, under everyone's gaze, the young man riding the ox extended his hand and removed the hat from his head, finally revealing his true appearance before the entire world.
It was a striking face, with eyes of piercing depth that seemed to radiate compassion for all living beings.
Even more striking, however, were the small horns atop his head and his long flowing white hair, emanating an aura of mystery and transcendence.
Seeing the youth's face, many people felt it looked familiar, as though they had seen him somewhere before, yet they couldn't place it immediately.
Hiruzen Sarutobi might have been the first one to recognize the youth's identity. He suddenly stood up, exclaiming in shock:
"Heiyan!"
Heiyan?!
The name that escaped from Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth was like a stone dropped into a calm pond, rippling outward instantly, sparking astonishment throughout the crowd.
"Heiyan? Which Heiyan?"
"Who else could it be? Obviously that Uzumaki Heiyan! I didn't expect him to still be alive. This is... unbelievable."
"Uzumaki Heiyan—he was once the public enemy of the entire shinobi world. Back then, he killed countless Kages and Jinchuriki, plunging the entire ninja world into chaos and bloodshed! A feared figure like him suddenly reappearing at this time—could it be to sabotage the ceremony and halt the unification of the shinobi world?"
"..."
Everyone erupted into chaotic chatter, unable to contain their shock.
Uzumaki Heiyan has returned.
This was undeniably jaw-dropping news, its impact no less than Tsunade's announcement about unifying the shinobi world.
Because Heiyan represented an era—an era that had just ended. Regardless of how people's perceptions of him had changed over time, nobody could deny that he was the single protagonist of that age.
Snap snap snap.
In an instant, reporters below the stage turned around, directing their cameras at Heiyan and rapidly clicking photos.
His appearance also caused expressions on the platform to become colorful and diverse.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with his two apprentices Orochimaru and Jiraiya, shared nearly identical looks of shock—all three had widened eyes and were completely stunned.
Meanwhile, not far away, Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga showed more signs of surprise and joy.
"Heiyan, it's really Heiyan. He's back!"
Fugaku murmured softly, exchanging glances with Hiashi. They saw excitement reflected in each other's eyes. Right now, they wished to rush forward immediately and give Heiyan a powerful hug.
Then, each would punch him once and demand why he vanished without a word, making his brothers grieve needlessly for so long.
Beside them, Hanzo revealed a smile beneath his mask.
"Unparalleled is Uzumaki Heiyan. I knew you wouldn't die so easily."
Hanzo stared intensely at Heiyan, murmuring to himself. His feelings toward Heiyan evolved from admiration, to recognition, and finally to feeling inferior. He had personally witnessed the latter's meteoric rise.
In contrast, the other member of "Double-Z" wore a completely different expression.
Danzo glared at Heiyan, as if reliving that day several years ago when he stormed the Daimyo's Mansion, slaughtered him like a chicken, and took his newly awakened Mangekyo Sharingan.
That was the most humiliating day of Danzo's life.
Thinking of it, his eyes burned with hatred and fury—and something deeper: fear.
Others who felt fear included the Kages, the village leaders.
Onoki, Rasa, and others had all been defeated by Heiyan before. Spreading rumors that painted Heiyan as an irredeemable criminal wouldn't have been possible without them fanning the flames in secret.
If he came back this time for revenge on someone like Onoki, they wouldn't stand a chance.
Among the gathered Kages, only the Turtle Sage, or rather Terumi Mei, was beaming with joy at this moment.
"Waaah, Master Heiyan is so cool! He's like an immortal!"
She cheered inwardly, her eyes lit up with stars, and she could barely contain her excitement.
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