Chapter 161: Return 【78】
Chapter 161: Return 【78】
"Mhm."
Tsunade nodded, understanding Feng Ye's actions. After all, Feng Ye's younger brother, Kakashi, was still in Konoha, and with Feng Ye having disappeared for two years, there were undoubtedly matters that needed his attention.
She glanced at Feng Ye and offered a faint smile. "Many people assumed you were dead. If you suddenly reappeared, it would certainly shock them."
"I'd rather not have that kind of surprise," Feng Ye said, spreading his hands.
While it would be interesting to see the shocked reactions of people like Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi upon discovering he was alive, he knew that people close to him, like Kakashi and Kurenai, had likely endured much sadness during his absence.
"Anyway, I should be going now," Tsunade said with a yawn. The effects of alcohol were kicking in, and sleepiness was washing over her. She walked into the inner room and lay down on the bed to rest.
Seeing this, Shizune smiled gently and turned to Feng Ye. "We should rest too."
She had remained silent throughout the conversation between Feng Ye and Tsunade because, to her, Feng Ye's safe return was enough to fill her heart with joy.
"Alright," Feng Ye said as he stood up and tidied the bedding. "I'm sure you were worried about me during my disappearance. I'm sorry for causing you concern."
Shizune gave a cute smile, her eyes soft. "It's fine... What matters is that you're back. Isn't that the life of a ninja?"
The two of them prepared their sleeping arrangements and settled in for the night.
The next morning, Feng Ye did not linger. After bidding Shizune and Tsunade farewell, he left the small town and made his way back toward Konoha, using the Eight Inner Gates and the Five-Fold Speed Technique to hasten his journey.
The surge of chaotic chakra startled many ninjas strolling within Fire Country's borders, and soon, all sorts of wild rumors began to spread.
...
At the Konoha Memorial Stone:
Twelve-year-old Kurenai Yuhi stood quietly, holding a bouquet of flowers. She gently placed the flowers in front of the stone and found the name 'Feng Ye' engraved upon it.
Even though two years had passed, it still felt like yesterday to her.
News of Feng Ye's disappearance had spread a year and a half ago, and it was only two months ago that he had been confirmed dead and his name inscribed on the memorial stone.
"How could someone as strong as you have died...?" Kurenai bit her lip.
She was not alone at the memorial stone. Other Konoha ninjas were also there, each carrying a bouquet, heads bowed in silence.
Some had come to mourn fallen comrades, others to honor deceased parents or siblings, and still, others were there to pay respects to late husbands or wives.
No one spoke. In silent succession, they approached the stone and laid down their flowers.
Just then, a figure appeared before the memorial stone, causing everyone to pause and look over. They saw the figure standing there, seemingly searching for something. After a moment, the figure found what they were looking for—a particular name on the stone. Then, a lightning spark appeared at the figure's fingertip.
"Hey!"
"What are you doing?!" someone exclaimed, their voice laced with alarm.
Unfazed by the reaction from those behind him, the figure at the stone sent a spark of lightning from two of his fingers toward one of the names, gently erasing it.
Sizzle!!
The lightning weaved around the name, causing it to disappear, turning to powder and vanishing into the air.
"Damn it!!" someone shouted, unable to contain their anger any longer. The names on that memorial stone belonged to heroes who had fallen for Konoha!
However, not everyone present reacted with anger, rushing toward the figure at the stone.
Even the Uchiha clan head, Fugaku Uchiha, who had come to pay respects to his fallen comrades, stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the figure's back, his expression one of uncertainty.
Just as several ninjas rushed towards the figure, intending to drag him down, he turned around, revealing a calm and composed face.
Although it was a bit youthful, it was undeniably handsome.
And this face was one that almost everyone was familiar with. In the instant they recognized him, the ninjas who had been rushing forward abruptly halted, their eyes widening in astonishment and disbelief.
"You... you are..."
Someone exclaimed in disbelief.
Feng Ye glanced at them and then looked at Kurenai, walking down from the memorial stone as he spoke, "Sorry, I'm sure I worried you, but I'm back now."
Hearing those words and sensing the familiar chakra, Fugaku Uchiha inhaled sharply, a determined glint flashing in his eyes.
That chakra...
There was no mistaking it. The young man before them was not an imposter or a transformation; he was the real deal.
The one who had slain the Third Raikage, defeated Hanzo of the Salamander, and single-handedly crushed the Rain Ninja Village, giving Konoha the upper hand in the early stages of the Third Great Ninja War -
The Silver Flash!
"You're back, Feng Ye, Special Jonin... The name you erased was yours, right? It's a bit embarrassing, but ninjas are usually recorded as fallen if they go missing for a year."
Fugaku Uchiha addressed Feng Ye, his tone measured.
Hearing Fugaku Uchiha's words, some of the nearby ninjas, who had been unsure and even suspected that the Feng Ye before them was an imposter, were jolted.
As the captain of the Konoha Security Force and the head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku Uchiha was a well-known figure in Konoha, and his affirmation of Feng Ye's identity left no room for doubt.
"Mhm."
Feng Ye nodded in acknowledgment to Fugaku Uchiha and replied, "I couldn't very well leave my name up there. Apologies if I caused any trouble."
"No trouble at all," Fugaku Uchiha assured him. "Your safe return is a blessing for all of us ninjas in Konoha..."
Fugaku Uchiha gave a slight nod to Feng Ye, his demeanor friendly as he extended an invitation. "If you have the time, please come for a cup of tea. I've gained some interesting insights into the art of tea ceremony lately."
As the head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku possessed the pride of his clan, but he also extended a friendly and welcoming attitude towards Feng Ye.
In recent years, the Uchiha clan had been marginalized and isolated within Konoha, and Feng Ye's presence might be the key to changing that.
"Sure."
Feng Ye responded with a smile.
It was only at this moment that Kurenai truly confirmed that Feng Ye was indeed alive. She bit her lip, her emotions overwhelming her as she stepped forward and threw her arms around him.
At the same time, some of the nearby ninjas, who had been stunned by the revelation, snapped out of their daze. They exchanged glances, and one of them quickly retreated to report the news to their superiors.
The Silver Flash lives.
This news, when it spread, would surely send shockwaves through Konoha!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
