Homeward Journey
"Heh, you're not bad either. If there's a chance, I hope we can fight again like this."
"Hmm, I hope so."
Although Shirō and the others had finished their matches, the Chūnin Exams had not yet completely concluded. Sunagakure still needed time to deliberate and select which candidates would actually be promoted.
The Exams weren't simply about winning. A specialized assessment team judged the candidates' overall ability: leadership, teamwork, judgment, and mental fortitude. Strength alone wasn't enough to define a Chūnin.
Still, the results didn't take long. The proctors had gathered all the necessary data during the tournament. Soon after, the official results were released: most of the shinobi who had reached the Top 14 were promoted to Chūnin.
The reason for such a large number of promotions was twofold. First, the recent war had drained the military strength of every Hidden Village. Fresh combat-ready shinobi were badly needed. Second, the Villages also wanted to reassure their people by demonstrating that their forces were strong and growing.
While the decision was lenient compared to the stricter standards of past joint Chūnin Exams—where usually only those who displayed Jōnin-level talent were chosen—it was a necessity of the times.
---
After the Exams ended, Shirō and the Konoha delegation did not immediately return home. Elder Homura Mitokado still had to discuss matters of cooperation with Sunagakure's leaders. That was above Shirō's pay grade, however.
Instead, Shirō and Minato found themselves wandering the marketplace.
It was Shirō's own fault: after bringing Kushina gifts on his earlier missions, he had unintentionally set a precedent. Now, Kushina outright demanded local specialties every time he left the village.
The only silver lining was that Minato had been dragged into the obligation too—and Kushina was picky, forbidding him from repeating the same gift twice.
Shirō had once protested, saying he'd stop with random trinkets and instead treat her to a meal. But that rule didn't apply to Kushina. Since she was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, the Third Hokage and the village elders rarely allowed her to leave Konoha. Bringing her small gifts from outside was one of the few ways to ease her confinement.
Still, Shirō often pitied her. Kushina carried such a heavy burden for someone so young, her world restricted to the walls of Konoha. On the surface she seemed cheerful, even brash, but beneath that was a loneliness only those close to her could see.
Fortunately, Minato's presence had brought warmth into her life, like a shaft of sunlight piercing the darkness. And with Shirō treating her like family, there were now two lights in her heart: one of love, and one of kinship.
Of course, there was a minor point of disagreement. Shirō viewed Kushina as a younger sister, while Kushina, ever stubborn, insisted on treating him as a younger brother. But no matter how they argued, his intentions toward her were always purely familial.
---
Shirō and Minato finished their shopping quickly—two shinobi hardly lingered over stalls. Yet their trip didn't go unnoticed. A merchant recognized them and, while acting overly enthusiastic, offered no discounts. Understandable, given that Konoha and Suna had been enemies not long ago. The fact that no one jeered at them was a small mercy.
So, after completing their errands, Shirō and Minato kept to their quarters, spending their time in quiet cultivation rather than wandering the streets further.
Two days later, Homura concluded his negotiations, and the Konoha delegation finally set out for home.
This time, Shirō chose not to leave a shadow clone behind to train as he had on the way to the Exams. Instead, he focused entirely on the journey, remaining alert in case of danger.
He doubted the Kazekage would dare risk open hostility while they were still within the Land of Wind, but accidents could happen.
Yet nothing interrupted their departure—at least, not on the surface.
---
At the border, several Jōnin who had led other Konoha teams were waiting. At their head stood a white-haired shinobi whose calm gaze fell upon the Sunagakure escorts.
It was none other than Konoha's White Fang—Sakumo Hatake.
"Elder Mitokado," Sakumo greeted with a bow.
Homura nodded slightly. "Mm. No need for formality. Let's return, Sakumo."
"Yes, Elder."
Unbeknownst to the Konoha shinobi, high above them—hidden among the drifting clouds—the Third Kazekage stood atop a platform of iron sand with several trusted guards.
"Are you certain? Was it really him?" the Kazekage asked quietly.
"Yes, Lord Kazekage," one of his shinobi confirmed. "It was Konoha's White Fang. He made no effort to hide his presence."
The Kazekage fell silent, then gave a curt order: "Withdraw. Abandon this mission."
His original plan had been to ambush the Konoha delegation once they crossed the border. But the White Fang's presence changed everything. Sakumo Hatake's reputation was feared across nations—even the Kazekage himself could not guarantee victory if they clashed.
Better to retreat than risk catastrophe.
The Kazekage also realized what must have happened to the Anbu squad he had dispatched earlier—they had never reported back. Likely cut down by Hatake without a sound. His Anbu forces would need serious reorganization once he returned.
---
Meanwhile, Shirō and his comrades continued onward, unaware that they had narrowly escaped the Kazekage's trap.
Their journey remained uneventful save for the occasional band of foolish bounty hunters. These enemies were quickly dispatched—sometimes by the newly promoted Chūnin, who relished the chance to prove themselves in real combat.
For many, this was their first true battle beyond D-rank missions. Their excitement overshadowed any fear.
And so, without serious incident, the Konoha delegation crossed the Land of Wind, the Land of Rivers, and finally set foot once more upon the familiar soil of the Land of Fire.
At last, Shirō and his companions were home.