"Ladies and gentlemen, the upcoming station is the final stop, Grass Village Station. Please have your luggage and belongings ready and do not forget anything on the train."
"Sir, sir, we have reached the final stop." Kojou's name called out roused him from his nap. Initially disoriented, he quickly oriented himself upon hearing the announcement.
He had made his way back home after the war's conclusion. With the factories in the Land of Rain stabilized, he had requested leave to return to his homeland and reunite with his wife and daughter. However, he had been unsure about the best mode of travel. Should he take a horse-drawn carriage with colleagues or depart with ninja escorts when the time was right?
While contemplating his choice, one of his colleagues suggested, "Why not take the 'Harmony Express'? I heard it's not only cost-effective but also very fast, and you can get home in just a few hours."
Kojou then recalled the leader's mention of this swift mode of transportation now in operation. He purchased a ticket with a mix of excitement and trepidation, and the next day, he boarded the 'Harmony Express.'
At first sight of this peculiar vehicle, he felt uneasy due to its colossal size. However, upon hearing others mention that the 'leader even praised it,' his anxiety subsided.
If even the leader approved of it, what harm could there be? With renewed excitement and a hint of nervousness, he carefully followed the instructions, found his designated seat, and settled in.
The train was abuzz with passengers eager to reach various destinations in the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain. As he took his seat, the unusual vehicle remained calm and motionless. He wondered when it would commence its journey.
Soon enough, the train began its motion, and to his surprise, the ride was smooth and steady. Kojou hardly felt any movement. He observed the changing scenery outside with curiosity and contemplated whether this vehicle would truly carry him home.
As the train progressed, it reached various small cities in the Land of Rain. Witnessing the vibrant reconstruction efforts and signs of peace, Kojou couldn't help but smile. Peace was undeniably a beautiful thing.
Kojou had also played a role in this peace, and he took pride in his contributions, even though he was just a factory manager. He had assisted in establishing new factories and aiding in the recruitment of refugees.
While rain continued to fall in the Land of Rain, the scenery transitioned as they entered the Land of Grass. The clear autumn sky and refreshing breeze welcomed Kojou. Returning to the Land of Grass after a long absence filled him with a sense of serenity and tranquility.
His longing to see his family intensified as the journey continued. However, the train remained in motion, and he patiently gazed out the window. The train made stops at several stations during the journey.
However, From the outset, he had known that the Rain Village was the starting point and the Grass Village the final destination.
As the familiar surroundings and comfortable ride eased his nerves, Kojou gradually relaxed. He had thought that he would remain awake throughout the night out of nervousness, given that it was his first experience traveling by train. Yet, in the midst of the peaceful surroundings, fatigue began to overtake him. And before he realized it, he had drifted off to sleep.
Unbeknownst to him, Kojou had reached his destination. He expressed his gratitude to the train attendants for waking him up, gathered his belongings, and joined the crowd heading towards the exit.
The area outside the station was somewhat crowded, likely due to the numerous passengers disembarking. As he drew nearer to his home, the calm in his heart began to give way to tension once more.
He wondered about the situation at home. Although there had been assistance from Ninja in delivering letters, it had been many years since he had last seen his wife, Shuko, and his daughter, Ruko. With a mix of anticipation and nervousness, he stepped outside and gazed at Grass Village, not far in the distance.
The station's platform was located outside the village. It was worth noting that thanks to the alliance between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain, restrictions on entry and exit for those who had come to work from the Land of Rain had been lifted. Nevertheless, some entry restrictions still apply to Grass Village.
Kojou took out the paper from his pocket and handed it over. It served as proof of his information and granted him entry into the village. Without it, he would need to register and have assistance from relatives and friends in the village to verify his information.
After a brief wait, a ninja addressed him, "Mr. Kojou? Your information is registered. Please proceed. Next!"
Kojou retrieved his information proof, collected his luggage, and entered Grass Village. The environment inside the village appeared more lively compared to the Land of Rain. Even the streets were noticeably cleaner, and many beautiful houses had sprung up.
Kojou marveled at the transformation Grass Village had undergone in the years he had been away. However, he didn't linger much, Because he was overwhelmed with the desire to see his family. After entering the village, he immediately rushed for the factory.
Would Shuko and Ruko be taken by surprise at his sudden return? With eager anticipation, he hurried toward the factory. When he laid eyes on the familiar building, he couldn't help but slow his pace as he finally arrived at the factory.
In contrast to the factories in the Land of Rain, those in Grass Village were exceptionally spacious. Here, they not only accommodated production facilities but also places for residence, education, and research.
Kojou took a deep breath and retrieved his information proof, preparing to register at the entrance.
"Mom, doesn't that silhouette look like Dad?" At that moment, a familiar voice called out from behind, startling Kojou and causing him to turn to see what was happening.
Before he could react, the voice exclaimed again, "Hey, it's really Dad! Dad's back!"
Kojou turned around in surprise and saw a figure rushing toward him. It was his daughter, Ruko, And not far behind her was his wife, Shuko. Moreover, Ruko had grown up, as it had been many years since they last saw each other.
"Dad, you're finally back? Hehehe!" Ruko looked up at her father, her joy evident. "Mom and I were planning to take the train to see you in a few days. We didn't expect you to return so soon."
Shuko approached, smiling, "Ruko, your dad has just returned, and he must be tired. Give him some space."
She looked at Kojou and greeted him, "You're back, Kojou."
"I'm back!" Kojou's heart, which had been filled with a mix of anticipation and nervousness, suddenly felt at ease. After all, these were his family members, and there was no need to be nervous around them.
As they chatted and made their way home, Ruko, with an enthusiastic expression, suddenly turned and said, "Dad, guess what's changed about me?"
Kojou observed her and replied, "You've grown up," as he had already noticed her growth.
"No, silly! Look again!" Ruko pouted, indicating to her neck.
Puzzled, Kojou noticed the headband around Ruko's neck and realized what she meant. "Congratulations on graduating. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your graduation."
"Hehehe! I'm a proud Grass Ninja now," Ruko said with a smile, not minding that her father initially missed the detail.
"Amazing, Do you need a gift? Dad will make up for it," Kojou ruffled Ruko's hair and felt a deep sense of gratitude. Despite the years that had passed, he still vividly remembered the times when they had been just a struggling family of three, enduring hardships during the war. Everything had changed since then, and it was all thanks to their leader.
As they walked home, with Kojou listening to his daughter's stories, he glanced at his wife and daughter and couldn't help but smile. He whispered to himself, "It's truly wonderful."