Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 237: Uchiha

Konoha.

With the mission completed and the crisis in the Land of Hot Water averted, the pressure on Konoha's forces had significantly lessened.

Now that the Cloud Village forces had begun retreating, Jiraiya finally had room to breathe. As a result, he granted Tonari some time off.

After all, under Danzo's command, Tonari had been subjected to a continuous stream of high-risk, high-difficulty missions.

For half a year, he had been pushed to his limits without rest, and Jiraiya was concerned that if Tonari's tension remained too high for too long, it might break him.

So, after completing this latest mission, Jiraiya immediately granted Tonari leave.

Alongside him, many other Konoha shinobi who had been on the battlefield for too long were also given a well-deserved rest—especially those severely injured or disabled.

Ninjas were still human.

Being on the battlefield indefinitely could lead to exhaustion and mistakes, so proper rest was essential.

Earlier, no one had the luxury of a break because the threat from the Cloud and Stone villages was critical. But now that the immediate danger had been mitigated, Jiraiya saw no issue in letting everyone recover for a while.

At present, there were only four thousand Cloud ninja remaining in the Land of Hot Water, while Jiraiya had command over more than three thousand Konoha shinobi.

As long as they didn't launch an attack, they were more than capable of defending themselves.

A large procession of returning ninja, along with supply convoys, marched back into Konoha, greeted by cheering villagers as they entered the gates.

Waiting to welcome them back were Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and his three advisors.

As the triumphant warriors stepped into Konoha, thunderous cheers erupted, echoing across the village.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's wrinkled face bloomed into a smile as wide as a chrysanthemum flower.

And among the deafening chants, the loudest cries were for one man:

"Tonari!"

"Tonari! The Azure Cat of Konoha!"

As Sarutobi had planned, now that Tonari and Minato had proven themselves capable of turning the tide of war single-handedly, Konoha needed to ensure they received the recognition they deserved.

The people had to understand exactly who had saved their village and who had allowed them to live in peace.

Tonari was a hero.

Everyone who had returned from the battlefield was a hero.

But Tonari's presence and achievements were simply too dazzling, making others seem dim in comparison.

However, not all were cheering.

Among the celebratory shouts, there were also quiet sobs—

Some were embracing their injured loved ones and crying softly.

Others, however, clutched the lifeless bodies of their comrades, their family members, or their lovers, mourning the ones who did not return.

War was merciless.

For every victorious warrior, there were those who perished as heroes.

Despite the overwhelming joy, the presence of grieving families cast a somber shadow over the celebration.

Yet, these mourning individuals remained silent, covering their mouths to avoid disrupting the happiness of the majority.

But their silent suffering only made it more heartbreaking.

Tonari noticed this immediately.

His heart was filled with bitterness and helplessness.

This was war.

Then, he raised his fist high in the air.

A simple gesture.

But the entire crowd fell silent.

The cheering stopped.

Every pair of eyes turned toward him.

He stepped onto a raised platform, his piercing gaze sweeping across the crowd.

Most wore smiles, but others bore the weight of loss.

Tonari took a deep breath.

Then he spoke:

"We must honor those who gave their lives for Konoha.

Some, we were able to bring back.

Others… we could not.

No matter what, I believe that they are the true heroes of Konoha.

Let us offer three minutes of silence for them.

And allow their loved ones to grieve.

Only then can our fallen comrades find peace.

Because Konoha—our home—

Is protected by all of us."

When his words fell, Tonari placed his right hand over his chest, closed his eyes, and bowed his head.

Silence.

Then—one by one, every single person in the crowd followed his lead.

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, moved by his words, closed his eyes in mourning.

Then—

A single cry shattered the silence.

"WAHHHHHH—!"

A grief-stricken wail of pain and sorrow echoed through the crowd.

Then, more followed.

Those who had held back their tears finally let go.

The air was filled with weeping, mourning, and grief.

It was a release—a catharsis.

And in that moment—

The only one not joining them was Danzo.

His expression was unchanged, his cold eyes locked onto Tonari.

Even Homura and Koharu, reluctant as they were, bowed their heads in silence.

Three minutes passed.

The cries slowly faded.

And then—

Tonari raised his fist again.

"Let us welcome our heroes home!"

The crowd erupted:

"WELCOME HOME, HEROES!"

"WELCOME HOME, HEROES!"

"WELCOME HOME, HEROES!"

As the parade continued, the villagers parted ways, allowing the warriors to march forward.

Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing.

But the gleam in his eyes said it all.

"This… this is what it means to pass on the Will of Fire."

Even Koharu and Homura were speechless.

As for Danzo—his expression darkened.

With each cheer for Tonari, his grip on his cane tightened.

The Hokage seat, once within his grasp, was now slipping further and further away.

And the worst part?

There wasn't just one obstacle in his way anymore—

There were several.

His mind spun, trying to find a way to bring them down.

But no matter how hard he thought—he had no answer.

With a heavy heart, he followed the procession toward the Hokage Office.

There, waiting for them, was Namikaze Minato.

Alongside him stood Hatake Kakashi, his left eye wrapped in bandages—

And beside him was Rin Nohara, her expression filled with deep sorrow.

Tonari immediately understood.

"So the battle at Kannabi Bridge happened after all."

Minato's legend had begun.

But it came at a cost.

Obito… was gone.

And if Obito was gone—

Then that meant Uchiha Madara had made his move.

Which explained why he hadn't interfered when Tonari met the Mizukage.

Still—he had to pretend he didn't know.

"Minato, what's wrong? Where's that Uchiha fool?"

Minato's face turned bitter.

Kakashi and Rin's heads lowered even further.

Tonari sighed.

He patted Kakashi's shoulder and ruffled Rin's hair.

They were just kids.

But this was the ninja world.

And loss was part of life.

Then, together, they stepped into the Hokage's conference room.

And sitting among the elders—

Uchiha Fugaku waited.

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