Afternoon.
Chiya and his group followed the location described in the scroll and arrived at a small town twenty miles outside of Konoha village.
Chiya swept his gaze over the surrounding area.
He gave a slight nod.
This place had quite a few wooden houses and the like, clearly left behind by whoever had lived here before.
But these were already more than enough to settle the people of Loran.
The ANBU ninja that Uchiha Masaki had brought began taking turns helping the Loran people get settled, reinforcing wooden houses that were leaning or unstable.
Chiya watched Sara, who had already started busying herself.
She was directing her clanspeople in organizing supplies. Though tired, her eyes were steady and determined.
Yet every time her gaze swept over to Chiya, those eyes would always let slip a trace of reluctance.
Chiya walked over and said quietly.
"I am heading back to Konoha."
Sara's body stiffened, and she threw herself directly into Chiya's arms.
Three minutes passed. She bit her lip, and then said softly.
"I... actually want to go to Konoha with you."
Chiya smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"I know. But they still need you."
"Once things have settled down on your end, you can come find me in Konoha any time."
Sara's eyes lit up briefly, but quickly dimmed again.
"Okay. I will listen to you."
Chiya looked at her conflicted expression and found it a little endearing. He could not help but pinch her cheek.
"You are their backbone, and also the hope your mother once placed in you.
From now on, Loran Town will be left to you to manage."
Sara took a deep breath, then suddenly rose up on her toes and pressed a light kiss to Chiya's lips. She stepped back with a red face.
Chiya was left speechless, then laughed in spite of himself.
"Clan Head!"
Seeing Sara leave.
Uchiha Masaki walked over at last.
"Things are mostly handled here. Shall we return to Konoha?"
Chiya nodded.
"Leave ten people here. The rest, come back with me."
"Yes, Clan Head!"
Uchiha Masaki nodded.
Then he began issuing orders.
Once everything was arranged, Chiya finally departed.
Konoha village, evening.
Chiya stood at the village entrance at this moment, gazing at the familiar streets, his heart filled with countless thoughts.
Two years. This place seemed like it had not changed at all, yet it also seemed like everything had changed.
He had barely taken a few steps.
Suddenly, three figures came running toward him from different directions.
"Chiya-nii!!"
The first to come rushing over was Uzumaki Kushina. Her red hair blazed like fire in the light of the setting sun.
Her beautiful face was full of excitement, and her eyes held a shimmer of tears.
Without any hesitation she threw herself straight into Chiya's arms.
"You jerk! You disappeared without a word for two years! Do you know how worried we were?!"
She scolded him while clutching his neck tightly, greedily breathing in his scent, her voice thick with emotion.
Chiya helplessly patted her on the back and said to comfort her.
"Alright, alright, I am back now, am I not?"
Right after that, a gentle figure walked slowly over. Uchiha Mikoto.
She was more mature than two years ago. Her black hair fell like a waterfall, and her eyes were as calm as water.
Though the corners of her lips held a warm smile, the exhaustion beneath her eyes could not be hidden.
Everything was said without words.
Seeing this, Chiya reached a hand out toward her. Uchiha Mikoto glanced at Uzumaki Kushina, who was clinging to Chiya like an octopus, and a look of helplessness flashed across her face.
But under Chiya's gaze, she still obediently leaned into his arms.
Chiya held one on each side, and it was a very contented feeling.
"You worked hard, Mikoto."
Hearing those words from Chiya, Mikoto wore a gentle smile on her face.
She quietly closed her eyes, as if she had finally set down a heavy burden.
The last one, who had not come forward and remained standing in place.
Was Yakushi Nono, the current director of the Konoha orphanage.
Her gaze stayed on Chiya the whole time.
A serene smile rested at the corners of her mouth, her eyes looking straight at Chiya, the rims of her eyes faintly red.
Chiya naturally noticed her gaze, and he looked up and smiled at her.
Yakushi Nono murmured softly.
"Chiya-kun, it is so good that you came back safely."
Chiya looked at her.
His heart stirred. He freed up one hand, and reached out to ruffle her hair without forgetting to do so.
Nono's face turned red. She adjusted her glasses and muttered quietly.
"I am not a child anymore."
Kushina at this point finally pulled herself out of Chiya's arms after a long moment.
"Chiya-nii, let us eat at your place tonight!
I have been learning a lot of dishes from Mikoto-nee. I can cook you something I just learned, a welcome home feast for you!"
"?"
Chiya's gaze swept over the three of them.
This... was this appropriate?
He was just about to decline, but Mikoto had already nodded warmly.
"Sure. I happen to have bought some fresh ingredients."
Seeing this, Nono also smiled and agreed.
"I can help too."
Chiya raised an eyebrow slightly.
'Is this still my house?!'
'How is it that no one is asking my opinion?'
"Wait, I think..."
Kushina did not give him any chance to refuse. She grabbed his arm with both hands and dragged him in the direction of the market.
"Let's go, let's go! Chiya-nii, if we wait any longer the market will close! I will pay for the food, so stop being stingy!"
Chiya rolled his eyes.
'This girl, day after day, what is the rush!'
'Is it about money right now?'
Mikoto and Nono exchanged a smile and fell in step behind them without a word.
...
Night, inside Chiya's home.
In the kitchen, Nono was skillfully cutting vegetables, Mikoto was making soup beside her, and Kushina was responsible for...
causing trouble.
She was waving around a fish that was still flopping vigorously, water splashing everywhere.
Chiya let out a sigh and walked over to take the fish from her.
"Let me handle it. You go set out the bowls and chopsticks."
Kushina pouted.
"Hmph, underestimating me."
But she went and did it obediently all the same.
Mikoto watched this scene, and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
Nono laughed as well, and walked over.
"Chiya-kun, let me take care of the fish."
Chiya turned to look at her, reached out one finger, and tapped it gently on her forehead with fond affection.
"I am not Kushina. I can handle something this small."
Chiya turned and went to the sink.
As he cleaned the fish, he stole glances at the three of them. They seemed to get along very well.
Somehow his heart felt a quiet warmth.
In less than an hour.
The dining table was already covered with all the dishes.
The rich depth of miso soup, the charred fragrance of grilled fish, the crispy lightness of vegetable tempura, and a pot of freshly cooked rice, simple yet plentiful.
Chiya sat at the head seat. Mikoto and Kushina sat on his left and right sides respectively, while Nono sat across from him.
The lamplight fell on all four faces, and the mood was very warm.
But at the table, things were a little too quiet.
"Chiya-nii, try this!"
Kushina was the first to break the quiet.
She picked up a piece of grilled fish and held it right up to Chiya's mouth, her eyes sparkling bright.
Chiya smiled helplessly and opened his mouth and ate it.
"Mm, good. The heat is just right."
Kushina lifted her chin proudly.
"Of course! I kept watch over it the whole time it was grilling!"
Mikoto gave a gentle smile, scooped up a spoonful of miso soup, blew on it, and held it out in front of Chiya.
"Chiya-nii, have some soup. Warm up your stomach."
Chiya was just about to take it when Kushina immediately widened her eyes.
"Hey! Mikoto-nee! He has not finished my fish yet!"
Mikoto blinked, and said in a tone that was gentle but allowed no refusal.
"If the soup goes cold it will not taste good."
"..."
Nono watched this scene and could not hold back a soft laugh, then she picked up a piece of tempura and placed it in Chiya's bowl.
"Chiya-kun, this is the one I fried. Try it."
Chiya let out a breath of relief, glad he did not have to choose between the two of them, and nodded right away.
"Sure, I will give it a try."
Kushina and Mikoto both turned to look at Nono at the same moment, with complicated expressions.
Nono adjusted her glasses, looking completely innocent.
"What?"
The atmosphere suddenly became a little dangerous.
Chiya gave a light cough and quickly changed the subject.
"Right, how have things been with your work and training these past two years?"
Mikoto pulled her gaze back and said earnestly.
"The Guard Corps work has been more than before, but it is mostly just small tedious matters."
Kushina pursed her lips.
"I on the other hand was kept inside the village, not even allowed out for missions!"
Nono smiled.
"But Kushina, your sealing techniques have improved a great deal. Even Lady Tsunade praised you."
Hearing that, Kushina immediately became smug again.
"Of course! I can now fully suppress the Nine-Tails!"
Chiya raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? It seems you have all grown quite a bit while I was away."
Mikoto looked at him with warmth.
"But we all missed you very much."
Such a simple sentence, yet it instantly softened the atmosphere at the table.
Kushina, for once, did not talk back. She just lowered her head, took a bite of rice, and muttered quietly.
"...Right. You disappeared out of nowhere and made us all worry."
Nono gave a quiet nod as well.
Chiya looked at all of them, a faint smile on his face.
"I am back now. I will not disappear out of nowhere again."
Kushina let out a snort.
"If you dare disappear again, I will tie you up with the Diamond Sealing Chains!"
Mikoto covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"I can help."
Nono pushed up her glasses, her face red, and added in a small voice.
"I... I can prepare a medicine."
"..."
Chiya was left with a head full of question marks.
Was this, considered a threat?
---
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