Ryun walked toward the village entrance. The Anbu Commander-in-Chief, Sakumo Hatake, followed closely behind with his sword drawn, trailed by a group of Anbu operatives.
Some followed behind Ryun, while others leaped across rooftops, searching for the best vantage points to observe the situation. At the first sign of trouble, they would launch a signal flare.
Then, they would charge forward, fighting desperately to ensure Ryun's safety, even if it meant trading their lives for injuries.
Perhaps in terms of strength, they were no match for Kage-level opponents. Exchanging death for injury, buying time with their lives for the Hokage—this was the mission they carried.
They were the most deserving of respect. Moreover, after Ryun took office, he improved various benefits and treatments, allowing them to fight without worries.
Compared to Kage-level experts, most of them were as insignificant as mayflies. When they drew their blades and charged against insurmountable enemies, it meant their lives had entered a countdown.
Little did people know, before becoming Anbu, they had trained step by step from genin, undergoing over a dozen selections and life-and-death battles through relentless effort and countless dangers.
Finally, they became members of the Anbu. They had once felt proud because they were elites, shinobi who stood out among thousands, capable of protecting the Hokage and using their skills to contribute to their hometown.
Yet, this also meant their lives had entered a countdown. Every day could be their last, so while on duty, they risked their lives at every moment.
No one knew who would die next. Their hearts held only one mission: to protect the Hokage, protect the villagers, and protect Konoha's future.
This was the life of an Anbu. Did it sound absurd? Foolish?
But it was precisely because of such people, those unafraid of life and death, that the wheel of history continued to turn, making history richer and more vibrant.
Their lives, though not as exaggerated as mayflies living and dying in a day, still found meaning. They did not live in confusion.
Perhaps the value of life lies not in its length but in whether it was fully lived.
With lifespans of a hundred years, influenced by external factors, have we truly lived? The figures of the Anbu swayed in the cold wind, the bloodstains on their blades serving as their epitaphs.
Perhaps they would die the next moment, but there were still others like them, striving to become Anbu, repeating what they had done.
Just as we repeat our own routines, the difference is, they came with a mission and ended by fulfilling it. They knew why they lived and why they died, while we are still on the path to finding the answer...
Ryun understood the mission of these Anbu and cherished their lives, but he could not stop them from pursuing their aspirations.
For them, Ryun chose to respect them, improve their benefits, and ensure their families could live safe and happy lives.
Just as Ryun was lost in thought, Sakumo behind him suddenly spoke, "Hokage-sama, the village entrance is ahead. Please be cautious."
As he spoke, he stepped in front of Ryun, drew the White Light Chakra Blade, and looked ahead with a grave expression.
Seeing Sakumo's expression, Ryun was momentarily stunned, then suddenly smiled in understanding. He did not ask him to step back but chose to respect him, allowing him to walk ahead.
Soon, Ryun and Sakumo saw several figures at the village entrance.
From Sunagakure: Elder Chiyo and Pakura.
From Kirigakure: Yagura.
From Kumogakure: The Third Raikage, A, and the young A.
From Iwagakure: Ōnoki of the Two Scales, and Kitsuchi.
They were at the village entrance, bickering and mocking each other, when suddenly they stopped and looked toward the inside of Konoha's gates.
Sakumo walked ahead with a stern expression, while Ryun followed behind with a smile, his eyes fixed on them. If any of them made a move, he would suppress them with swift and decisive measures.
They all became alert simultaneously, as each had come with a purpose. Some were here to repair neighborly relations, some to ease previous tensions, and others to seek alliances or discuss vassalage.
The first to speak was Elder Chiyo. She smiled and said, "Indeed, heroes emerge from the young. Ryun, despite your youth, your strength is unparalleled, and you have become the Fourth Hokage. I offer my congratulations."
Having witnessed the Second Great Shinobi War, Chiyo saw nearly seventy to eighty percent of Sunagakure's forces annihilated.
After hearing of Ryun's growing strength, his defeats of Iwagakure, battles with the Raikage, and conquest of Kirigakure, she had accepted fate. As long as Ryun was here, Konoha would be the strongest in the shinobi world.
Moreover, Ryun had revived Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Elder Chiyo no longer had any desire to compete. Thus, she came here to form an alliance with Konoha.
"Elder Chiyo, you flatter me. Turning the tide and saving Sunagakure from collapse—you are the true heroine, a woman no less capable than any man," Ryun replied with a smile.
For those who showed him goodwill, he did not mind returning it. Respect was mutual. Since you respect me, I will not embarrass you in front of everyone.
The Third Raikage, A, twitched his mouth. He never expected Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure, at her age, to still be so eloquent. He almost believed her.
Ōnoki now stepped forward. "Ryun, it has been a while since you helped us avoid the Lightning-Earth War. How have you been lately?"
"Very well. Tsuchikage-sama, you are also full of vigor and energy!" Ryun replied.
"At the time, I knew you would achieve great things. Look at you now, becoming the leader of a village, managing its affairs," Ōnoki said with a smile.
"Tsuchikage-sama, you praise me too much. I still have much to learn from you about governing a village. In your presence, I am still a junior," Ryun replied flawlessly.
This made Ōnoki sigh inwardly. At such a young age, after becoming Hokage, he could still remain humble and cautious. How enviable for Konoha.
"Ryun, everyone knows I, Ōnoki, am a lover of peace. I apologize for past offenses and hope you can be magnanimous," Ōnoki said, bowing.
The Third Raikage, A, felt his eyes bulging. Damn it, didn't we agree to cause trouble? How did you all end up taking this attitude?
Was I the only one who believed it? Were you all here to repair relations with Konoha?
Ryun nodded. "Let the past be the past. One cannot always live in the past, right?"
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