About half an hour later…
The battle alarm in Konoha Village was finally lifted.
The damage reports came in—destroyed buildings, casualties, missing persons. All of it was quickly compiled and delivered.
Tsunade sat silently, listening to the updates from every department.
She sighed deeply.
Although Konoha had just endured an attack from the Six Paths of Pain, the village had suffered only minor losses—far less than anyone could have expected.
Even so, the incident had rattled everyone.
But maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.
Peace had lasted too long. A little pain was sometimes necessary to sharpen vigilance.
Then Tsunade looked up, expression serious.
"In light of Yoruha's contributions during the battle, I propose promoting him to the position of Elder of Konoha Village. Does anyone object?"
She placed the scroll in her hand aside and swept her gaze across the room.
Especially at the old guard.
A powerhouse like Yoruha couldn't be allowed to slip through Konoha's fingers. No matter what, the village had to keep him close.
If she wasn't worried that it might scare him off, Tsunade would have handed over the Hokage position on the spot.
At that moment, Danzo and the two other elders exchanged glances.
They weren't thrilled.
Not even close.
But they had seen what happened earlier that day with their own eyes.
Yoruha's overwhelming display of strength had left the elders with no illusions—challenging him would be suicidal.
"…Fifth Hokage," Yoruha said, casually shrugging his shoulders. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm still pretty young. I don't think I'm suited for being an elder. Honestly, my dad would probably be a better choice."
He waved his hand lazily.
Who wanted to be an elder anyway?
Dealing with bureaucracy and politics every day? No thanks.
Yoruha would rather spend his time relaxing with his girl in his arms.
Especially now, with the aftermath of the invasion—it was bound to get hectic around the village.
And with the Fourth Great Ninja War just around the corner, he planned to enjoy the quiet while it lasted.
"Yoruha, don't get cocky!" Koharu Utatane suddenly snapped. "This appointment is a recognition of your merit! Who is Yamanaka Inoichi to become an elder? What qualifications does he have?!"
She couldn't hold it in anymore.
Sure, giving Yoruha the title of elder was one thing—everyone understood it was more honorary than functional.
But if Inoichi Yamanaka became an actual elder?
That was a different story.
It would mean real influence, real authority—and she didn't want to share what little power she had left.
"Oh? You want to know what qualifies my father?" Yoruha said coldly. "Simple. He's my father. That alone qualifies him. Got a problem with that?"
His voice dropped, his tone dismissive.
And as he looked around the room, a wave of invisible pressure rolled off him—sharp and oppressive.
The three elders couldn't help but shudder.
It was as if an ancient beast had locked eyes on them, daring them to move.
"…Koharu," Danzo suddenly sighed. "I agree with Yoruha. Inoichi is qualified to be an elder of Konoha."
"Hah!" Tsunade laughed. "Look at you, Danzo—finally showing some sense."
"Hmph. I'm not siding with Yoruha. All my decisions are for the village," Danzo replied flatly. "The Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans have been loyal to Konoha for generations. It's time one of them held a position of leadership."
If fighting back was pointless, Danzo thought, then going with the flow was the only smart choice.
These other two fools clearly didn't get it.
Yoruha was the type people rallied around now. If they kept challenging him, he might decide to wipe them off the map—and if that happened, Danzo wasn't interested in getting caught in the blast.
That night.
At the Yamanaka residence.
Although today marked Inoichi Yamanaka's official promotion to Konoha Elder, the celebration was modest.
The village had just gone through a large-scale attack.
A massive party would've been inappropriate.
Still, some of the clan leaders came to offer their congratulations—Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, Hiashi Hyuga, Tsume Inuzuka, Homura Mitokado, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's relatives.
"Inoichi, congratulations," said Hiashi Hyuga, raising his glass. "You've raised quite an exceptional son."
"Haha! Thanks, and congratulations to you too," Inoichi replied with a grin. "In a couple years, you'll have quite the son-in-law."
No one missed the pride in his voice.
Yoruha's performance today had blown everyone away.
In the past, Inoichi used to say that his son was barely worthy of being Naruto's rival.
Now?
Yoruha wasn't just a rival—he was practically a second coming of the Sage of Six Paths.
Inoichi could now proudly say: "My son is a god-tier shinobi." And who was going to argue with that?
"Geez, listen to those two bragging," Shikaku muttered with a smirk. "Do they even realize we're all still here?"
But he wasn't mad.
Yoruha really was that strong.
Without him, Konoha would've been devastated. They wouldn't be sitting here sharing drinks and laughs if he hadn't stepped in.
"I gotta ask though," Choza Akimichi said, gnawing on a massive leg of roast deer. "Is Yoruha really your biological son? Since when did your family produce bloodlines stronger than ours?"
"You big oaf," Inoichi chuckled, "you looking for a fight? I'll have you know, even I don't fully understand that boy's growth."
Yoruha had always been gifted—he was born with seven chakra natures, an unheard-of talent.
But for a long time, he couldn't even mold chakra properly. His body rejected it.
Back then, Inoichi had given up on the idea of Yoruha becoming a combat ninja. They figured he'd follow a different path.
But somehow…
The kid had exploded onto the scene like a comet.
"After all," Hiashi Hyuga added, "the Yamanaka clan is an ancient bloodline. Who's to say their ancestors weren't descended from the Sage of Six Paths himself? Maybe Yoruha is simply a case of dormant power awakening."
It was a believable explanation.
These days, every small clan claimed ties to the Sage of Six Paths. Nobody could prove it—but nobody could disprove it either.
And it wasn't like the Sage was the only godlike figure in ninja history.
There had always been legends of celestial beings, even before the time of the Sage.
So it wasn't shocking that people were starting to mythologize Yoruha.
Besides, he lived a clean, straightforward life. He wasn't up to anything shady. When he wasn't doing missions, he was hanging out with friends.
He was, by all accounts, a model shinobi.
So if someone had to be a god reborn?
Yoruha was as good a candidate as any.