Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 590 The Hero Returns, and the Whole Village Rejoices

The cheers mingled together, forming a primal and pure emotional storm that soared into the sky.

Countless villagers raised their arms high, waving everything they could, their faces beaming with heartfelt joy, worship, and fervor.

Among the crowd, Minato Namikaze, who had already received the news, was leading his three students—Kakashi, Obito, and Rin—along with the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, and others, squeezed at the very front.

They looked up at the group of figures slowly approaching.

Leading the way was their teacher, their Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"So...so handsome..."

Behind Obito Uchiha's goggles, his eyes were wide open. He excitedly grabbed Kakashi's arm beside him and shook it vigorously. "Did you see that, Kakashi?!"

Kakashi ignored his loud chatter and simply watched quietly.

His gaze passed over the Hokage and landed on the man with a gentle smile and a reserved demeanor like a sword in its sheath—his father, Hatake Sakumo.

Meanwhile, the new generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio were also filled with excitement.

"Ugh... I really want to celebrate with some barbecue..."

Choza Akimichi wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes shone with an astonishing light.

Just then, thick smoke suddenly rose from both sides of the street, and an incredibly strong aroma of barbecue instantly swept across the entire area.

Akimichi Torifu, shirtless, was wielding two enormous tongs, directing dozens of tribesmen of similar build as they frantically grilled meat on a hundred large makeshift grills.

"Get moving, everyone!!"

Akimichi Torifu's voice was louder than anyone else's: "Today! The whole village's barbecue! I, Akimichi Torifu, will be buying it all!!"

"Hey, take it easy, Feng!"

Beside him, Nara Shikanoki was holding a small notebook, calculating rapidly while complaining helplessly, "You've baked away our entire year's profits in one night!"

Akimichi Torifuge roared without turning his head, "I'm happy today! This is a necessary expenditure to celebrate the Hokage's triumphant return! It's a great practice of the Will of Fire!"

Nara Shika sighed and stopped arguing.

Looking at the smiling faces in the crowd, beaming with joy from the delicious food, he couldn't help but grin himself, his face radiating pride.

Yes, it is a bit of a hassle.

But this feeling is really not bad.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and waved to the surrounding villagers. The crowd seemed to be parted by an invisible hand, automatically making way for the Hokage Building.

He walked up to Minato Namikaze and the other younger generation, and stopped.

Minato immediately led everyone in a respectful bow: "Hokage-sama, welcome back. You've worked hard."

Hiruzen reached out and patted his most prized disciple on the shoulder, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

His gaze swept over Kakashi, Obito, Yahiko, Nagato... these vibrant faces.

"The future of Konoha belongs to you."

A simple affirmation instantly filled Minato and the others with a tremendous sense of excitement and mission. They straightened their backs and their cheeks flushed.

The procession continued onward.

When the villagers saw Sakumo Hatake, the cheers in the crowd suddenly changed.

"Ah! It's Farm Manager Sakumo!"

"Manager! Our newly opened tofu shop uses soybeans grown on your farm! It tastes absolutely delicious!"

"Thank you! My child can now drink milk every day!"

The calls of "Director Shuomao" came so sincerely and warmly.

Sakumo Hatake scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly, a genuine and pure smile spreading across his face.

He waved to the crowd, his hand moving with perfect naturalness.

Kakashi, standing in the crowd, saw his father's appearance, and a gentle smile appeared on his usually cold face.

Suddenly, a small figure squeezed out from the crowd. It was a little girl, probably only four or five years old, holding a string of freshly bought, still steaming hot tricolor dumplings, and timidly offered them to Shimura Danzo.

"...Here, for you, Lord Danzo."

Danzo looked down into those clear, innocent eyes, then at the string of dumplings, and froze on the spot.

The surrounding noise seemed to disappear at that moment.

Finally, under the kind gazes of everyone, Danzo awkwardly bent down and accepted the string of dumplings in an extremely awkward posture.

"……Thanks."

He managed to squeeze out two words, then quickly straightened up, his face visibly unnatural.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The surrounding ninjas erupted in a burst of enthusiastic, good-natured laughter.

Danzo's face seemed even darker, but he never let go of the string of dumplings in his hand.

And so, this team that created a new order in the ninja world, surrounded by the entire village, slowly walked along Hokage Avenue and headed toward the Hokage Building, which symbolized the village's will.

This is not a victory parade stained with blood.

This is a carnival for everyone, a grand celebration proclaiming peace and prosperity.

This warm, bright, and joyful scene was deeply imprinted in the hearts of every young Konoha ninja, becoming the light they would swear to protect no matter what darkness they faced in the future.

……

After a long while, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the street returned to its usual tranquility, but the aroma of barbecue and lingering joy still lingered in the air.

The lights in the Hokage's office were turned on again after several months.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had just sat down, picked up his teacup, and was preparing to enjoy a moment of peace.

"Bang--!!"

The office door was violently slammed open in a manner that bordered on self-destruction.

Everyone turned to look and saw Nara Shikanobu, Konoha's chief strategist, rushing in with bloodshot eyes and hair as messy as a bird's nest, carrying a pile of scrolls taller than himself, looking utterly desperate.

He stumbled, and he and the mountain of scrolls crashed to the office floor.

Immediately afterwards, a heart-wrenching wail came from the ruins of the scroll, echoing throughout the entire Hokage Building.

"Hokage-sama—! You're finally back!!"