Look at those birds," Nagato explained to his companions.
"What's wrong with the birds? It's normal for them to fly in the sky... Wait a minute!" Yahiko began to ask in confusion, but as soon as he spoke, he realized that something was amiss.
Having grown up in the Land of Rain, he was momentarily careless, but with Nagato's reminder, he quickly became aware of the anomaly.
"Why are there so many birds in the Land of Rain? This isn't normal at all!"
"Sensei, you must know the reason behind this, right?"
After pondering for a while, Yahiko and the others couldn't come up with an explanation, so they turned to Asahi for guidance.
Asahi didn't beat around the bush and explained, "Most of the birds flying in the sky are messenger hawks, and they possess chakra within them."
"These flying summoning animals usually don't appear in large numbers. Their primary function is to transmit information."
"The frequent presence of so many flying in the sky can only be attributed to three possible scenarios."
"First, a large-scale war is about to erupt, and the front lines are summoning ninja."
"Second, there is a crisis in a ninja village, and they are recalling the ninja who are away on missions."
"However, considering the current situation, neither of these possibilities seems very likely."
As Asahi spoke, the full attention of Yahiko and the others was captivated, eagerly awaiting his next words.
Seeing their earnest expressions, Asahi, who had initially appeared serious, suddenly smiled.
"So, the third possibility is the most likely now."
"In other words, the war may be coming to an end!"
With Asahi's words, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato's eyes widened with excitement.
"Sensei, are you saying this for real? Is the war really going to end?"
Asahi nodded with a smile. He wasn't making wild guesses; this deduction was based on reasoning.
Of course, it was reverse reasoning.
The current year was 41 AKY (After Konoha Year), and it was about to become 42 AKY.
Asahi, who was well-versed in the original story, naturally knew that the Second Great Ninja War ended around the year 42 AKY.
By conducting this reverse reasoning, the mystery of the birds in the sky was naturally unraveled.
With a positive response, the three youngsters erupted in excitement.
"This is amazing! Finally, there's peace!"
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were all exhilarated. Having grown up amidst the turmoil of war, their hearts longed for its end, and their determination was no weaker than anyone else's.
As Asahi watched the excited trio, he silently shook his head. War was not something that could end so easily, and hatred was not something that could be easily erased.
Between the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, there hadn't been much peace. Instead, there were continuous minor conflicts between nations during this deceptive period of peace.
Rather than saying that the Second Great Ninja War had ended, it was more accurate to say that the nations had reached a peak of exhaustion, temporarily calling a truce to recuperate.
However, even though this was the reality, Asahi didn't interrupt the children's jubilation. He chose to let them revel in their happiness a little longer.
After receiving the news that the war was nearing its end, the enthusiasm of the three youngsters grew even stronger. As they walked along, they chatted and laughed, bringing a touch of vibrancy to the otherwise desolate city.
By the time the three returned to their inn, night had fallen.
After a simple dinner, just as the master and disciples were about to begin their training, cheers suddenly echoed from the streets.
This piqued the curiosity of Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, prompting them to rush outside to see what was happening.
As soon as they stepped out, they witnessed all the houses on the street illuminated with lights, banishing the darkness of the night. The streets were bustling with people, and the entire city was immersed in an atmosphere of joy.
The whole city resembled a modern metropolis, with lights shining brightly.
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato felt that the atmosphere had completely changed from the daytime, although they had already guessed what was happening.
At that moment, the innkeeper also noticed the three children coming out and approached them with a smile.
"You three probably don't know yet, right? Let me tell you. A message from some ninja just came in, saying that the war has ended. Now, everyone is thrilled and ready to celebrate all night!"
Although the three youngsters had already known that the war was over, they still felt an unusual happiness at this moment.
Smiles appeared on their faces as they couldn't wait to join the revelry in the streets.
The innkeeper, after the three children, also joined the crowd, venting his own excitement.
As for Asahi, he stood quietly by the window, watching the cheering people outside.
For the first time, he felt the preciousness of peace, the kind of peace that could make countless people dance through the night upon hearing a single message. It was the kind of peace that could temporarily set aside animosities and let people laugh together.
He didn't join in the festivities; he wasn't particularly fond of crowds. However, as he quietly watched the crowd from his room, he couldn't help but sense the relaxed atmosphere.
Asahi had no intention of becoming a savior, but if he could nurture someone into one, that wouldn't be a bad thing. At the very least, he could have a part in bringing about peace in the world.
As for the obstacles and dangers his disciples might face on their journey, he resolved to help them overcome those challenges. That thought crossed his mind.
With this in mind, Asahi turned and settled into a meditation posture, focusing on his training.
While time was still on his side, he recognized that his current strength was insufficient to make a significant impact in the ninja world. Regardless of his future plans, he needed formidable power to support them.
Blocking out the noise of the outside world, Asahi immersed himself in his training. When he opened his eyes once more, dawn had arrived.
He had initially thought of waking up Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato to return to their cabin, but upon seeing their exhausted expressions, he decided to let them continue sleeping.
He ventured outside to experience the atmosphere of this era of peace. As soon as he stepped out, he sensed the difference.
Gone was the desolation; the entire city seemed to have come alive all at once. As Asahi walked through the streets, he felt a familiar sense of vitality.
It had been a long time since he had been in a modern urban setting, but surprisingly, he didn't feel out of place at all. He wondered if he had been too strict with Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato. Why didn't he feel the least bit bored now?
After wandering around for a while, Asahi returned to the inn. The three youngsters were awake by then, although they still looked fatigued.
Asahi could tell they had stayed up all night in the midst of the festivities. He sighed and let them continue resting while he decided to head back outside to soak in the atmosphere of this peaceful period.
Upon his return to the inn, he found that the three youngsters had finally awakened.
"Master, you're back!" Yahiko greeted him. "I have to tell you, last night was incredible. It's a shame you missed it."
Despite their lingering fatigue, Yahiko's voice was filled with excitement as he described the lively scene from the previous night.
Asahi shook his head in amusement. "I called you guys this morning, but you wouldn't get up. Now you're complaining?"
"Master!!! That hurts! Can't you be more gentle next time?" Yahiko winced, rubbing his head.
Asahi chuckled at Yahiko's reaction.
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