My Villainous Life Starting with Naruto

Chapter 84 Konoha Year 49, Heroes Return to the Village

Nearly a year later, Hyuga Yuto finally embarked on his journey back to Konoha.

The Land of Fire is, after all, one of the most powerful nations. Even now, as the war has dragged on, they have managed to push the enemy's offensive back to the border, preventing the flames of war from reaching their own country. Most of their official roads and post stations remain intact.

When they were 25 kilometers away from Konoha Village, the people who were supposed to meet them arrived. They brought a tall, luxurious carriage and invited the group of ninjas who had returned from the front lines onto the carriage. Including the wounded, there were a total of 386 people, and they were all taken care of properly.

Hyuga Yuto was placed at the very front of the convoy.

The most prominent position should naturally be reserved for the rising war heroes.

The convoy sped towards Konoha, and before the sun had even reached its highest point, Hyuga Yuto could already see the welcoming crowd in front of the village gates.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in a red and white divine robe, stood in the center of the crowd, a pipe dangling from his lips, smiling like a friendly old man next door.

Flowers fluttered in the air, along with perfumed silk scarves, as villagers cheered to welcome their heroes back from the battlefield.

As the supreme leader, Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally had to say a few words on this occasion. He didn't have the habit of giving long-winded speeches like those of later generations, so he just said some nice words, dismissed the welcoming crowd, and led the group of ninjas into the Hokage Building.

Nearly four hundred ninjas were withdrawn from the front lines. Some of them had important missions and had to report to Hiruzen Sarutobi in person. The rest, except for the wounded, were assigned to exchange positions with the ninjas stationed in Konoha. Those who had been recuperating in the village for a period of time took their place and went to the battlefield. Often, they would also bring along genin who had just graduated from the ninja academy.

Through continuous training, attrition, and rotation, the major ninja villages maintain their formidable fighting strength at the front lines.

As a dazzling war star, Hyuga Yuto was the first to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Yuto, you have become a ninja who can stand on your own."

This was the first thing the Third Hokage said to him when they met.

The young man who had separated from the family replied respectfully:

"It's all thanks to the effective teaching methods of the village and clan."

"Minato and Orochimaru have both praised you several times," Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, a pipe dangling from his lips.

"Minato always speaks well of others, but Orochimaru is stingy with praise. The commander and deputy commander at the front lines highly approve of you, Yuto. Whether it's the [Hyuga Ball] or the [Lion Ball], you deserve such praise."

Hinata Yuto lowered his head, adopting a listening posture.

"I've seen your military merit record, which far surpasses that of an average Jonin. Even Jiraiya and his contemporaries during the Second Shinobi World War did not accumulate such substantial merit as you. You must have sacrificed a great deal for Konoha."

"You'll be staying in the village for the next while." Hiruzen Sarutobi tossed a scroll to Yuto Hyuga:

"Your brilliance is too overwhelming, and the enemy has long regarded you as a thorn in their side. The ANBU intercepted the information of the Hidden Cloud Village, saying that they want to lure you out in the Land of Hot Springs. Among the experts in charge of the ambush, there is a high possibility that there is the [AB combination]."

"Minato has the Flying Thunder God Technique, so he can escape even when surrounded. But Yuto, it's better for you to avoid him beforehand."

After reading the information on the scroll, Hyuga Yuto returned it to Sarutobi Hiruzen:

"Yes, Hokage-sama. What tasks have you assigned me during my time in the village?"

"Originally, I wanted you to join the Anbu for some training." Hiruzen Hiruzen exhaled a smoke ring and smiled helplessly.

"But your teacher said that now that you have successfully condensed the Hundred Healings Seal, a series of ninjutsu training should be put on the agenda... I will arrange a more relaxed position for you so that you have enough time to train."

"Thank you, Hokage."

"Oh, by the way, Yuto, Orochimaru reported that you adopted a little girl..."

"She's outside." Hinata Yuto went out and came in, holding the white-haired girl's hand.

"Lord Hokage, this is Mochizuki Ruri, whose body flows with the power of the Shikotsumyaku."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and patted Ruri's head:

"Good child, live in Konoha from now on. This will be your home."

"Home...?" Ruri Mochizuki looked up, her eyes sparkling like a fawn's, as if they were porcelain that might shatter at any moment.

"But Liuli has no home anymore, and she will never see her parents again."

A pretty little girl of this age can be quite charming when she looks pitiful. Hiruzen Sarutobi crouched down and said gently:

"Little Ruri, don't worry about being lonely. The village you're in now is called Konoha, a place where everyone can live equally. We are all leaves bathed in sunlight, inseparable, and will always be one family. This world is ultimately nourished by love, and people can understand each other..."

Suddenly, Mochizuki Ruri squeezed Hyuga Yuto's palm with her small hand. Because their hands were clasped together and her movement was so subtle, even the Third Hokage and the ANBU guards who were standing right next to her didn't notice.

Even though the little girl didn't say anything, because of the inherent connection between the main body and the clone, Hyuga Yuto could guess what she was thinking.

—Does this old man really believe this kind of talk? A stroke, huh?

Hinata Yuto tried his best to remain serious, forcing himself not to laugh.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rambled on for a long time this time, mostly about things like "the Will of Fire" and "comradeship." Half an hour had passed by the time he finished his tea, still feeling quite unsatisfied.

"Sigh, I'm sorry, as people get older, they inevitably start to ramble on and on, and even I'm tired of talking."

"It's alright, Grandpa Hokage." Mochizuki Ruri was even more exhausted than him, constantly maintaining an expression of "admiration, respect, eye-opening, and learning something new from my Hokage." Even now, she was still forcing herself not to roll her eyes, dutifully giving him another round of flattery.

"No one has ever told me these things before... You know so much! So the Hokage is such an amazing person? I want to be the Hokage someday!"

"Hahahaha..." Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed so hard he couldn't stop:

"As expected, chatting with young people can rejuvenate you... Yuto, let's call it a day, there are still many people waiting outside."

"Yes, Hokage-sama, but Ruri's residence..."

"Let her live in the Senju clan's territory. Although Tsunade is a bit unreliable, she raised Shizune to adulthood in good health. Besides, you'll be staying there for a long time, so you can take care of her."

Hyuga Yuto accepted the order and left, taking the little girl's hand as he walked out of the Hokage Building.

They remained silent the entire way. Both the main body and the clone were very cautious and would not talk casually in an environment where they might be eavesdropped on or watched.

The two walked through many streets and arrived at the vast territory of the Thousand Hands clan.

Hinata Yuto walked into a courtyard with practiced ease.

In the small courtyard planted with citrus trees and bamboo, a blonde woman was lying on a tatami mat.

"Hey young man, you've grown taller... and thinner too."

This was the first thing Tsunade said to him when they met.

(End of this chapter)