Chapter 72 - Return to Konoha
Early Morning of the Next Day
After breakfast, Kazane led the Konoha military forces in dismantling their tents, securing supplies, and preparing for their journey back to Konoha.
Meanwhile, back in Konoha, news had already spread—Kazane and his forces had successfully driven away the Hidden Mist forces.
Not only that, but they were expected to return today.
Excited by the news, villagers began to gather at the village gates of their own accord, eager to welcome the returning heroes.
---
At the Konoha Village Gate
"Have you heard? Lord Kazane is returning today with the army."
By coincidence, the gatekeepers today were once again Uchiha Salt and Uchiha Vinegar.
Hearing the news, Salt turned to Vinegar and asked.
"Did I hear? Just look at the crowd! They're literally holding up banners! And you still ask if I've heard? You're late to the news, buddy."
Vinegar pointed at the villagers, some of whom were holding handmade banners welcoming the returning forces.
"Haha, don't sweat the details. But Lord Kazane is really something, huh? He left for just a few days, and he already managed to drive off the Mist forces. Sigh... If only my son could have even a tenth of Lord Kazane's talent..."
Salt laughed, but then his face softened as he thought of his own child. A deep sigh escaped his lips.
"Do you think when our clan leader returns, the villagers will come out to greet him the same way?"
Vinegar suddenly said, and Salt's voice turned contemplative.
"Of course! The Uchiha Clan is also one of the guardians of the village!"
Vinegar responded optimistically.
But just then, as a villager passed by, he shot them a look of disdain.
"...Hmph. Maybe."
Vinegar hesitated. For the first time, uncertainty crept into his voice.
The civilians of Konoha harbored deep resentment toward the Uchiha Clan.
If ANBU was responsible for monitoring ninjas, then the Uchiha Police Force was responsible for monitoring civilians.
To put it simply—if ANBU were the police, then the Uchiha Police Force were the city inspectors.
They arrested, disciplined, and kept order among civilians.
Although Konoha was home to many ninja clans, most ninja still came from civilian backgrounds.
Just among the Jōnin ranks alone, over a hundred were civilians who had risen through the ranks.
Even legendary ninjas like Orochimaru and Jiraiya were of civilian origin.
Yet, despite all this, the Uchiha Clan remained resented by the civilians, excluded by the noble clans, and targeted by Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo.
Even though they had fought in the war, securing a major victory under Orochimaru's command, nothing had changed.
The future of the Uchiha Clan was bleak.
This was why the Uchiha had placed their bet on Orochimaru.
Hiruzen and Danzo refused to accept them, wanting them wiped out.
The Uchiha weren't fools—they knew that if things continued like this, they would end up just like the Senju Clan.
Rather than waiting for that inevitable fate, it was better to take a gamble.
How much worse could things possibly get?
For the Uchiha guards, who stood at the gate day after day, enduring the glares of the villagers, this reality was impossible to ignore.
So when the Uchiha Clan plotted rebellion in the original story, it wasn't without reason.
"Haha, Lord Kazane is coming back. Do you think... he still remembers us?"
Vinegar suddenly changed the topic.
"Come on now, how could Lord Kazane possibly remember two nobodies like us?"
Salt gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Lord Kazane has returned!"
"The heroes are back!"
The cheers of the villagers erupted, interrupting their conversation.
As they turned to look, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself had arrived at the village gates.
Although he wasn't particularly eager to do so, he forced a warm smile, organizing the villagers into welcoming formations on either side of the road.
Meanwhile, at the front of the returning troops, Kazane spotted Hiruzen waiting at the village gates.
With a polished smile, Kazane stepped forward.
"Kazane, my boy! I've been counting the days, eagerly awaiting your return."
Hiruzen gripped Kazane's hands tightly, his voice full of warmth and admiration.
"Just look at our villagers! They've come together, all on their own, to welcome our heroes back!"
Kazane returned the gesture, shaking Hiruzen's hand as he spoke earnestly.
"You give me too much credit, Lord Hokage. We are not heroes—we simply did our duty as Konoha ninja. The true heroes are those still out there, fighting on the battlefield to protect our village."
The moment those words left Kazane's mouth, the villagers erupted in cheers.
"Lord Kazane!"
"Lord Kazane!"
Hiruzen hadn't even responded yet, but the crowd had already been moved.
For a brief second, Hiruzen's smile faltered.
Damn fox…
But he quickly recovered, pretending as if nothing had happened.
With a smile plastered on his face, he led Kazane deeper into the village.
As Kazane walked through the village, soaking in the warm praises of the villagers, he felt something stir inside him.
This is the Konoha worth protecting.
Even though Hiruzen and Danzo were corrupt, the village was still full of kind-hearted people.
But…
Konoha is sick.
A medical-nin treats human illnesses, but…
How do you cure a village?
The answer was simple—you cut away the rot.
Either purge the decay or replace the blood entirely.
Since no one else had stepped up, perhaps it was up to him and Orochimaru to do the job.
With this conviction, Kazane led his returning army into Konoha.
As Kazane passed through the gates, he noticed two familiar figures—Uchiha Salt and Uchiha Vinegar.
The last time he returned to Konoha, they had been on duty.
Though he didn't know their names, he remembered their dedication.
Even when faced with his presence, they had insisted on seeing his identification.
That level of responsibility had left an impression on him.
So, as he walked past, Kazane gave them a small nod—a silent acknowledgment.
Leaving both standing still in disbelief, speechless. Eventually;
"You saw that, right?! I told you Lord Kazane would remember us!"
Salt excitedly shook Vinegar's shoulders.
"I saw it… Lord Kazane… he's different from the others."
Vinegar murmured, though his tone carried a deeper meaning.
Different from who?
Only he knew the answer.
That very evening, Hiruzen Sarutobi hosted a grand celebration for the returning forces.
The festivities lasted late into the night.
And when it finally ended, the soldiers returned to their homes, waiting either for new assignments or for the Third Great Ninja War to conclude.