Chapter 189: You're Not Sakura
Root operatives could now go home once in a while — to rest, visit their families, and live like ordinary shinobi again.
They had once been Konoha's invisible ghosts, doing the dirtiest, most thankless work in silence. But under the new regime of Fifth Hokage Uchiha Fugaku, everything had changed.
No longer hidden in the shadows, they could walk freely under the sun. Their lives were filled with laughter, meals, and even envy — envy of comrades who got to serve directly under Hokage-sama.
At the village gate, two Root Chūnin stood guard, watching as Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane returned with the Hokage's convoy.
"Those two lucky bastards…" one muttered, half-jealous.
"Yeah. Why couldn't we be assigned to that mission?"
The other sighed. "It's fate. Just our luck."
They watched until the grand procession disappeared down the main street — the massive silhouette of the Eight-Tails moving steadily through the forest beyond, surrounded by cheering shinobi and villagers.
As Fugaku and his group entered Konoha, the streets burst into life. Lanterns lit up the night sky, and the villagers lined both sides of the road, cheering and waving.
"Long live Hokage-sama!"
"Hokage-sama is mighty!"
"Wooo!"
A few strange shouts slipped through the crowd, but the overwhelming roar of joy drowned them out.
Fugaku walked at the head, calm yet smiling warmly as he waved to the villagers. Behind him, Nara Shikaku organized the returning shinobi into formation, proud of the order and respect their leader commanded.
From the Uchiha compound, the first to notice the commotion were the clan members stationed at the gate. When they confirmed the Hokage's return, the news spread like wildfire.
Soon, nearly the entire Uchiha Clan poured out of their homes to welcome their leader — elders, women, children — not a soul stayed behind.
At the Clan Head's residence, the last to hear the news were those inside.
A young messenger rushed to the door and knocked frantically.
The door swung open — a small blond head peeked out.
"Big brother, who are you looking for?" Naruto asked, tilting his head curiously.
From inside came Mikoto's gentle voice, mixed with the sound of stir-frying.
"Naruto, who is it?"
"It's a messenger, Auntie!" Naruto shouted back.
"Clan Head-sama is back!" the messenger blurted out between breaths. "He's already entered the village! Please tell Mikoto-sama!"
And then he sprinted off again.
For a second, Naruto blinked in confusion — and then his face lit up like a festival lantern.
"Uncle's back!" he cried, jumping for joy.
He dashed into the kitchen, waving his arms.
"Auntie! Auntie! Uncle's back!"
Mikoto smiled faintly, her heart lifting. "He's finally back," she murmured, not pausing her cooking. The aroma of dinner filled the room, mingling with the warmth of her voice.
"Itachi and Sasuke are bathing," she called. "Naruto, go tell them to finish up. We'll go together to welcome your uncle."
"Okay!" Naruto grinned and bolted toward the bathroom.
He threw the door open in a rush of steam.
"Itachi-aniki! Sasuke! Uncle's back! Hurry up and wash!"
The bathroom looked like a misty hot spring. Itachi and Sasuke sat in the tub, the elder brother composed as ever, the younger grinning with excitement.
"Father's back?" Itachi asked softly, a small smile curving his lips.
"Finally!" Sasuke said eagerly. He'd been waiting for this moment — he wanted to show his father the progress he'd made. Not only had he mastered Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, but he'd also learned its advanced variation — Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson, a technique combining shuriken with fireballs, resulting in a deadly, claw-like blaze.
He wanted to show Father his improvement — to make him proud.
But then he remembered Naruto standing there, watching. Sasuke flushed crimson.
"Naruto! Get out! I need to change!"
Naruto crossed his arms, pretending to pout. "Tch, you're not Sakura. You think I wanna see you?"
He didn't move an inch. His big blue eyes darted mischievously, clearly planning to tease Sasuke about this later.
Sasuke's face turned even redder — part steam, part fury.
"What Sakura or not Sakura! Get out, you idiot!"
Itachi chuckled, stepping out of the tub and wrapping a towel around his waist.
"Sasuke, hurry up. Mother's waiting."
Naruto grinned. "Yeah, Sasuke! If you're slow, we might just leave without you!"
Sasuke's eyes widened — he grabbed a handful of water and splashed it at Naruto with a growl.
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