aircannonsinc Chapter 269 The maple leaves here are redder than those in the village.
Chapter 269 The maple leaves here are redder than those in the village.
Vivid, framed images flowed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's field of vision.
He saw Danzo pointing at an old wooden bridge in the distance, arguing fiercely with an impatient Akimichi Torifu, his face serious. Judging from his lip movements, it was nothing more than a problem with the load-bearing structure.
Kushina was spreading her arms wide, cheering as she chased after another maple leaf swept up by the wind. Her dazzling red hair danced through the forest, making her seem more like a living flame than the maple leaf itself.
Nagato followed behind with small steps, gazing up at the magnificent red sky, quiet like an outsider, yet absorbing everything into her heart.
Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga, one on the left and one on the right, stood like two silent guardian deities on the two flanks of the group.
His young face was full of seriousness, but his shoulders, which were tense from long battles, relaxed without him even realizing it.
Faces, whether weary, excited, or expectant, were bathed in a warm glow amidst the fiery red maple forest.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly put down the maple leaf in his hand.
At this moment, his weary soul found unprecedented solace.
This is what he wanted to see.
This is everything he fought for.
The meaning of war is never destruction, but protection.
Protect this tranquility, protect these smiles, protect this... place that can be called home.
"Lord Hiruzen."
Uchiha Kagami's voice rang out from the side. He also picked up a fallen leaf and handed it over, his movements as gentle and refined as jade.
"The maple leaves here are redder than those in the village."
"yes."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took the maple leaf and carefully tucked it into his sleeve pocket, as if he were collecting a precious trophy.
"Because the scenery they see is different."
The group continued onward and finally passed through the seemingly endless maple forest.
The road ahead suddenly opened up, and a crystal-clear river, like a green jade ribbon, meandered into view.
"Hokage-sama!"
Akimichi Torifu's signature loud voice rang out again as he pointed to a wide-open meadow by the river, his eyes shining.
"Look at that spot! Plenty of sunshine, flat terrain, and a water source nearby! It's practically a paradise for barbecues! Let's rest here for a bit! I brought my secret sauce!"
"No!"
Danzo rejected it immediately without a second thought. He took out the precious engineering blueprint, as if it were the most beautiful scenery in the world.
"How long have we been walking? According to the plan, we must reach the next transit point before dark, where there are readily available supplies!"
"A balance between work and rest is the way of both martial arts and civil affairs! Ninjas are human too; they need to eat and rest!"
"Ridiculous! I think you're just hungry!"
The two started arguing again, oblivious to everyone else.
Tsunade covered her face helplessly. She felt that the biggest enemy on her way home might not be any potential threat, but these two clowns who could be her grandfather combined.
She rolled her eyes in exasperation, took long strides, and strode forward.
Under Danzo's astonished gaze, she snatched the precious blueprint from the hands that were tightly guarding it.
Without even glancing at the route and markings on the map, Tsunade simply extended her slender index finger and, with an undeniable air of authority, slammed it heavily into the grassy riverbank that Akimichi Torifu had just pointed to.
"This is it, let's rest for a bit!"
She shoved the map back into Danzo's stiff arms, crossed her arms, and, in a commanding tone, brought the argument to a close.
Tsunade's undeniable finger strike seemed to be more effective than anything else.
The heated debate between Shimura Danzo and Akimichi Torifu instantly fell silent.
Akimichi Torifu was stunned for a moment, then burst into thunderous laughter. He grabbed Danzo's shoulder and slapped him hard, shouting, "Did you hear that, Danzo? The people's hearts are with us! The people's hearts are with us!"
Danzo Shimura's face was so black it could drip ink. He shoved away Akimichi Torifu's fat arm, snorted coldly, and carefully rolled up the map that Tsunade had poked with a clear fingerprint, as if it were some kind of priceless treasure.
He didn't argue anymore; he simply expressed his attitude through his actions.
"Alright."
"Oh ho! Dinner's ready!"
Akimichi Torifu let out a cheer and charged ahead towards the riverside meadow he hailed as the chosen barbecue paradise. The Akimichi clansmen behind him echoed excitedly, each one skillfully taking out various pots and pans, folding grills, and even several large buckets of secret sauce from the sealed scroll.
The atmosphere in the group instantly changed from the solemnity of marching to the joy of a picnic.
The members of the Uzumaki clan were still somewhat reserved, but as they watched the tall Akimichi clan members magically erect huge barbecue grills and smelled the aroma of meat beginning to waft through the air, their faces involuntarily revealed expressions of anticipation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched all this with a smile, without interfering.
A balance of tension and relaxation is the way of both civil and military affairs. The road home doesn't need to be so strained. He wants everyone, especially these newly joined allies, to experience the warmth of Konoha in advance.
This temperature can sometimes be the Hokage's majesty, sometimes the bond between comrades, and sometimes, it can simply be a steaming hot barbecue.
As the aroma of the roasted meat dissipated, Akimichi Torifu patted his belly contentedly and directed his tribesmen to deftly put the grill into the sealing scroll.
His chubby face radiated happiness, as if he had just dealt not with a meal, but with a major battle concerning the future of the village.
Danzo Shimura's face remained tense. He carefully rolled up the map that Tsunade had poked with her finger, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a rare treasure.
He initially objected to Akimichi Torifu's impromptu barbecue suggestion, but at that moment, the feeling of fullness in his stomach made him forget all his previous enthusiasm.
"Alright, alright, we've eaten and drunk our fill, it's time to hit the road!"
Tsunade clapped her hands, her clear voice dispelling the post-meal lethargy of the crowd.
The ninjas, who had been gathered in small groups reminiscing about the barbecue, immediately sprang into action, and the group regrouped in a very short time, restoring the solemnity of their march.
The members of the Uzumaki clan, witnessing all this, were once again deeply impressed by the discipline of Konoha.
One moment it's a joyful picnic, the next it can transform into a disciplined army. This ability to control the situation is far more intimidating than mere force.
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked at the very front of the group, watching his subordinates interact with a smile.
The journey home doesn't have to be so tense.
The strings of war have been broken; the melody of peace needs to be slowly composed through everyday life, through a steaming hot barbecue, and through harmless quarrels among comrades.
The group passed through the maple forest and stepped onto the wide official road. The setting sun cast long shadows on everyone.
As night fell, the team arrived at their designated campsite.
This was an open area nestled against a mountainside, where the scouts had already cleared away any threats in the surrounding area. At Tsunade's command, the massive force once again sprang into action efficiently.