The journey home went smoothly.
Hakken showed little emotion, calm as always, moving forward with steady swings of his blade.
It was Itachi whose face carried a faint smile as he followed behind at an unhurried pace.
Kakashi was the same as ever—once out of battle mode, he returned to his usual lazy demeanor. But unlike the version from the original story, he was no longer that lost figure crouched in the corner of Obito's home, watching his teacher and his wife share tender moments while his own heart grew cold.
Now, there was a bit more sunlight in him, and a little less loneliness.
Obito and Rin were a thing of the past; he preferred to bury that sorrow deep inside. The current Minato Squad gave him a new kind of warmth.
However, this time, their returning group had a few more members.
Fugaku Uchiha, who had rushed to the front lines and back again, looked somewhat awkward.
Now that he held enough leverage, there was no longer any need to maintain pressure at the border. The Uchiha Clan's presence on the front lines had lost its purpose. Still, watching his son's growth was the greatest satisfaction for a father.
Mikoto was about to give birth, and he had no desire to remain on the battlefield any longer.
Alongside him was Hizashi Hyūga, who had stepped down from his post as commander. It had been far too long since he'd seen his son, Neji Hyūga, and he missed home deeply.
The border matters could be entrusted to others. Kumo wouldn't be launching an attack anytime soon—unless they were willing to abandon the Two-Tails entirely.
That was impossible, which meant the war would naturally come to an end.
Yugito followed behind Hakken like a walking corpse, each step carrying her farther from home.
But what truly caught Hakken's attention was the silent Shisui beside them. That same confusion had returned to the boy. The closer they drew to Konoha, the quieter he became.
The reason wasn't hard to understand. When Shisui had set out, his mission was to seize weapons from his own comrades. The mission had failed—and for a ninja, failure was a mark of shame.
He hadn't even returned to report immediately; instead, he had chosen to follow the Night Owl Squad to the front lines. It was his first time disobeying an order.
How would he face the leader of Root, Danzō? How could he explain why he hadn't struck down Hakken? He had no answer. The more he thought about it, the more his confusion clouded the road ahead.
When the time came to face Danzō's questioning, what could he possibly say? For the sake of the village, was he really expected to attack his own comrade?
"You and Itachi always think too much."
The voice reached Shisui's ears as Hakken slung his sword back over his shoulder, repeating the words he'd said long ago.
Shisui gave a wry smile. He couldn't help but dwell on such things.
Hakken shook his head, unwilling to say more. He already knew how he would handle Shisui's situation.
They continued forward.
As Konoha came into view, a hint of surprise flashed in Hakken's eyes. Ahead stood a familiar figure, waiting among the villagers.
Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha!
He had received word long before and now stood at the village gates, waiting to welcome them home—as if greeting his own family.
"You've worked hard. Welcome home."
Spreading his arms wide, he tried to embrace all four children at once—something impossible to do, yet he did it anyway.
As Hokage, he should have stood above everyone else, but his warmth made him feel close and familiar.
Welcome home.
For a moment, Hakken felt as if his heart would burst with an unfamiliar emotion he had never experienced before.
It seemed that, aside from Anko, no one had ever said those words to him.
Is Konoha my home?
Probably.
Perhaps he had never truly hated Konoha itself—only a few stubborn, worthless fools within the village.
Family, huh?
Hakken raised an eyebrow, amused.
Maybe, in the original story, this was the very phrase Naruto had longed to hear the most.
This Hokage was different.
A girl in the group glanced at Minato, her expression confused.
Personally welcoming ninja returning from missions?
Such a thing was unheard of in Kumo.
"Hakken Yoru."
Yet, whenever these complicated feelings toward Konoha stirred in his heart, discordant figures always seemed to appear—impatient ones, or perhaps those whose ambitions were beginning to grow.
Several figures emerged at the village gates.
The Root Division leader, Danzō Shimura.
Alongside him were the two Hokage advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, looking on with weary resignation.
It was hard to tell when they had arrived, but perhaps it was only in times like this that they showed such interest.
Standing nearby, Minato looked slightly awkward.
Their sudden appearance was something he hadn't expected at all.
As their teacher, he had come to welcome his returning disciples, to offer them the warmth and respect they deserved.
Why did they have to show up and spoil the moment?
"Hakken Yoru."
Receiving no reply, Danzō Shimura frowned, his tone rising slightly. His gaze on the young man was dark and oppressive.
Technically, this was their first official meeting.
"Spit it out."
Clang!
The Zanpakutō drove into the ground, the harsh scraping sound making one's scalp tingle. Leaning casually against the blade, Hakken tilted his head.
"But when you do, mind your direction—don't stink me out."
Pfft!
In an instant, the heavy tension shattered. Even the little cat behind Hakken couldn't suppress a laugh.
What a way to greet someone.
From this alone, it was clear that this village was far less harmonious than it seemed.
...
"Hakken Yoru, watch your tongue!"
Koharu Utatane snapped, thrusting out her hand angrily. "Do you think a few minor achievements at the border can wash away your rampage in the ANBU? At best, you're just offsetting your crimes with service!"
Swish!
A flash of steel cut through the air.
Blood sprayed upward, bright red against the sky. In that instant, the hand Koharu had extended dropped lifelessly to the ground!
"I told you—shut your mouth. And don't blow your crap my way."
Shouldering his Zanpakutō, Hakken's face remained calm, utterly unbothered by what he had just done.
He had acted without hesitation—without a single thought for her status.
Hokage Advisor?
What of it?
"Im—"
Homura Mitokado, her old comrade and fellow guardian of the Second Hokage, began to shout in fury. But before the word "Insolence" could leave his lips, his eyes met the youth's.
In that instant, fear gripped him.
He was certain that if he spoke another word, he would die.
"Hakken."
Minato let out a bitter laugh.
Everything had happened too fast—he hadn't even had time to react before it was over.
And yet...
Why did he feel a strange sense of satisfaction rising within him?
Truly worthy of being my disciple.
Acting without hesitation, just like always.
That temper... it's still exactly the same as back then.