June 16th
"Uzushio's expedition team has returned…"
The ANBU in the hawk mask knelt before Tobirama.
"Report," Tobirama ordered without looking up from the map.
"Yes, Hokage‑sama. Uchiha clan originally mobilized 112 jonin, 1672 chunin, and 92 genin. They returned with 93 jonin, 1448 chunin, and 71 genin."
Tobirama's eyes narrowed slightly as the ANBU continued.
"For the Senju clan… only 55 jonin, 773 chunin, and 124 genin returned."
He took a brief pause and carefully read Tobirama's mood. But he couldn't read anything from the Hokage. The Anbu cautiously continued.
"Konoha deployed 251 jonin, 3505 chunin, and 374 genin. We recovered 133 jonin, 1793 chunin, and 245 genin."
Tobirama's hand tightened around the edge of the table.
"And Kenichi?" he asked quietly.
The ANBU hesitated.
"Kenichi‑sama suffered severe internal injuries. His legs are… permanently disabled. Hisashi‑dono… did not survive."
"!..." Tobirama's face turned a shade darker, but he did not show any change. He only continued to stare at the Map before him. "I see…."
The Anbu swallowed hard and delivered the final piece of the news.
"Lastly, Hokage-sama... It has been confirmed that Uchiha Fukashi has awakened Mangekyo Sharingan."
"WHAT!"
Tobirama's chakra flared as he abruptly stood up before he forced it down and slowly sat back down. He narrowed his eyes as he steepled his fingers above his eye level.
"Did he awaken it in Uzushio?"
"No, Hokage-sama. Kenichi-sama believes Fukashi awakened it years ago."
"Were there any others?"
"we could not confirm. But Kenichi-sama said that if anyone awakened them, Uchiha Sosuke, Arashi, Naka, and Naori were the most likely candidates."
"… That is a reasonable assessment…."
Tobirama had kept extensive records on Uchiha geniuses even after Konoha's founding. Those four were always on his watch list.
He exhaled slowly.
"Relay my orders. Uchiha Sosuke is to reinforce Kagami at the Suna front."
The ANBU bowed and vanished.
***
Uzushio reinforcement returned to Konoha. Families reunited. Some with joy. Some with grief.
Uchiha Shinichi stepped through the compound gates.
"Niichan!!!"
"Shin-Chan!!! Welcome home!"
Kaito, now grown to reach just below Shinichi's chest, slammed into him with a hug. Minami followed suit and wrapped her arms around Shinichi's head, pulling him into a warm embrace.
Behind them, Fukashi stood at the doorway with his shoulders slumped.
"I…I returned home too….."
However, his words fell on deaf ears as no one reacted.
Shinichi smiled softly. "Mom, Kaito, I missed you both."
"hehehehe." Minami and Kaito smiled with satisfaction.
Minami noticed Fukashi still sulking behind Shinichi and raised her head and beckoned him over.
"Come here, Fukashi."
His face lit up instantly with vigor as he dove into the family hug.
"Hehehe come in now. Go wash up. I made a special dinner just for today!"
Shinichi's family enjoyed a happy reunion. But not every family were able to enjoy the same experience. Coffins lined up for burials and injured shinobi were carried home from frontline every day. The families who received them wept behind closed doors, devastated.
War had returned many sons and daughters, but not all.
***
Senju Residence
"DAD!!!"
Ponytailed Blonde-haired 7-years-old girl wearing green yukata on top of her black mesh armor rushed into a room.
"Haha. Tsuna you're back." Kenichi spoke while sitting propped up on the bed.
Atsuko sat beside him, wiping tears with a handkerchief, while Nawaki slept on her lap.
"Tsunade," Atsuko whispered in a trembling voice. "Come here."
Tsunade rushed towards her family and hugged Atsuko tightly, trying her best to console her.
"It will be fine! Dad is really strong and powerful! He will recover soon! Right Dad?"
Tsunade turned her head towards Kenichi.
Kenichi forced a smile and stroke her hair.
"Of course, Tsunade. I will be fine. Don't worry."
Tsunade, at that moment, saw through Kenichi's lies. She stiffened momentarily before showing a bright smile and hugged Kenichi harder.
"! Hahahaha! Tsunade, you finally recognize my love!"
Tsunade weakly punched Kenichi's side in annoyance. She did not raise her head.
"BAKA!"
Kenichi gently patted Tsuande's head, as he felt her tears soak into his clothes.
Mito had already examined him. His legs were reattached, but his internal organs were ruined. His chakra network was even more unstable. He would never fight again. At best, he could muster chunin‑level strength and maintain jonin-level strength for at most two minutes.. At worst… even walking would be difficult.
Tsunade didn't know the exact details, but she understood enough.
Her childish desire to graduate early evaporated. Her frustration at Tobirama, her parents, and the academy rules that prevented her early graduation vanished.
War had shown her the truth.
Although most young ninjas and genins remained in Konoha during war. Few genins were still conscripted to participate in war. She heard and watched her classmates breakdown after losing their parents. At first she thought they were weak-willed.
Now, with the state that Kenichi returned from war and a lot of Senju ninjas returning in coffins, her initial pity and contempt long transformed into regret; that she did not notice this simple fact earlier; that she was ignorant and arrogant.
***
Two days later, Uchiha Sosuke received the Hokage's command.
"Reinforce Kagami at the Suna front."
The ANBU bowed. "This is a direct order from Hokage‑sama."
Sosuke turned slowly with his Sharingan spinning. His killing intent leaked like a blade pressing onto the Anbu's throat.
"And we just returned from another direct order to reinforce Uzushio."
The ANBU stepped back instinctively.
Sosuke withdrew his chakra and continued coldly.
"We need time to gather supplies and mobilize our forces."
He paused.
"Unless the Hokage intends to provide the supplies for us?"
The Anbu stiffened.
"I… will inform Hokage‑sama that Uchiha accepts the order, but requires—"
"There is no need," Sosuke cut in. "We will depart in two days. Tell him that."
He turned his back and walked back into the courtyard, as the Anbu was escorted out of the Uchiha compound.