After dinner, Akihiko presented the gifts to the two kids. The sight left them momentarily speechless. Their eyes widened with disbelief, and then, unable to contain their 'excitement', they began to tremble with 'joy'. They looked up at Uncle Akihiko with expressions brimming with 'gratitude'.
Kushina, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter. She clutched her stomach in delight, thoroughly enjoying her son's thrilled reaction to the gifts. Even as a mother, Kushina's cheerful spirit shone brightly.
Seeing his mother's happiness, Naruto's eyes glistened with 'tears of joy'. He turned to both his mother and Uncle Akihiko and expressed his heartfelt thanks. "Thank you!"
The entire house was filled with laughter and warmth, creating a truly 'heartwarming' atmosphere.
...
The next day, excited from the night before, Naruto and Sasuke were up early, backpacks slung over their shoulders, ready to head to school. Their eyes were ringed with dark circles from a sleepless night, but their enthusiasm remained undiminished.
"Ah, to be young again," Akihiko mused. "Just a few gifts and they're over the moon. But this is only the beginning. How can they be so thrilled already?"
Sasuke, in contrast, managed the situation with more composure. Driven by the prospect of becoming stronger through the new books, he threw himself into his studies with great focus. Despite the distractions and the company of Naruto, he hadn't lost sight of his original goals. This dedication warmed Akihiko's heart. He hoped Sasuke would keep up this determination, even when faced with the inevitable pile of homework.
As for Gaara, with Pakura keeping a watchful eye on him, Akihiko felt assured that everything would be fine. Moreover, Given the personalities of Gaara and Naruto, it was only a matter of time before they would become good friends in Grass Village. Naruto, in particular, had been deeply moved upon hearing about Gaara's tragic past. He had clenched his fists in silence, realizing Gaara's hardships were even greater than his own.
After all, Naruto still had his mother by his side, but Gaara was left with only his siblings. And the memories of a father whose actions were, frankly, unforgivable. Rasa's legacy of ordering an assassination against his own son, especially with his brother-in-law as the perpetrator, was something even Pakura couldn't fathom. She had remarked, "If Rasa had ever attended a single grade in Grass Village, he might have learned not to be so foolish."
Later that evening, Naruto, with a look of determination etched on his face, clenched his fists once more. It was clear that little Naruto was resolved to help Gaara. What a kind-hearted kid, thought Akihiko.
Akihiko however was puzzled by Black Zetsu's behavior. With Naruto and Sasuke—two of the 'children of destiny'—and Gaara, a Jinchuriki, now as his classmates, one would expect Black Zetsu to focus on building positive relationships with them. Given their connections and potential influence, wouldn't it make more sense for him to seek their support, especially if they learned about his mother's plight?
Naruto and Sasuke, despite their young age, had the potential to be allies. If they were unaware of the full truth, they might even extend their help. Yet, Black Zetsu seemed intent on asserting himself as their boss rather than seeking cooperation or support.
It was perplexing. Shouldn't Black Zetsu be accustomed to taking orders rather than trying to lead? Why, upon starting school, did he choose to position himself as a leader instead of a 'team player'?
Akihiko couldn't help but shake his head in frustration. Did Black Zetsu not realize the dire situation of his mother? She was trapped in a sealed space, vulnerable and helpless. It seemed he had lost sight of his true goal amidst his misguided ambitions.
...
Time flew by swiftly since the relocation event for Sand Village concluded. The ninja world settled back into its usual rhythm, with no major events making headlines. However, Mist Village experienced an unexpected development. After the recent incident, the Fourth Mizukage returned with his ninjas and declared that Mist Village would continue its isolationist policy.
Akihiko was genuinely baffled by this decision. He had anticipated that the outing would lead to Mist Village opening up, but instead, they had retreated further into seclusion. Didn't they understand that openness was crucial for progress? This shift in policy forced Akihiko to abandon his original plan to introduce Grass products into Mist Village.
On the other hand, the new Sand Village was completed and had become a beacon of excitement and celebration. The Sand ninjas rejoiced for three full days, reveling in their new surroundings, which boasted modern facilities and a stark contrast to their previous hardships. Their gratitude towards their new leader, Akihiko, was immense.
Akihiko made a special visit to boost their morale, and his presence was well-received. Energized by the support, the Sand ninjas quickly resumed their duties, taking on missions and earning a steady income. The new Sand Village, now officially part of the Land of Grass, meant that the Land of Wind would have to commission and pay for the Sand ninjas' services. This change still left Chiyo and Ebizō with a sense of wistful disbelief, as the reality of the situation slowly sank in.
In the Land of Wind, despite the recommissioning of Sand Village, the village now operated with a newfound autonomy. Sand Village managed its tasks solely based on payment, offering only minimal discounts to its former patrons.
This shift in policy led to unrest within the Land of Wind. An influx of wandering ninjas and ninjas from other villages soon arrived, initially cautious but becoming increasingly bold as they realized Sand Village would only intervene if formally commissioned. The Land of Wind, without its own active ninja village, became a prime target for opportunistic individuals.
Fortunately, the overall peace prevailing in the ninja world helped prevent complete chaos in the Land of Wind. However, without a strong local ninja presence, the region remained vulnerable, a tempting target for those looking to exploit its weakness.
Observing the shifts in the Land of Wind, other daimyōs with similar inclinations began to reconsider their ambitions, gradually working to repair relations with their own ninja villages. Even Konoha, it seemed, hadn't anticipated such a turn of events.
Despite some localized disturbances, the ninja world remained predominantly peaceful. The aftermath of numerous conflicts since the Third Great Ninja War had led the four great ninja villages to adopt a more restrained approach, allowing Grass Village to rise without significant opposition. In a tacit agreement, everyone chose to focus on quiet development rather than further conflict.
Though the inevitability of future conflict loomed, Grass Village's newfound strength and the collective emphasis on development signaled a period of cautious optimism. Each village, while preparing for potential challenges, now prioritized growth and progress.
Speaking of which, with the rise of the Shinobi Times and its dominance in the ninja world, no other news outlet could rival its reach. The newspaper had firmly established itself as the primary source of news, reporting on major events across the ninja world.
However, today brought an unexpected twist. Akihiko gazed at the newspaper on his desk, not the usual Shinobi Times but rather a publication from Konoha—"Root Daily."
Just seeing the name of the paper caused a shift in Akihiko's expression. He knew immediately who was behind it. He couldn't help but wonder why Danzo, who was supposed to be focused on the safety of Konoha and his own aspirations of becoming Hokage, was diverting his attention to the newspaper business.
Akihiko sighed, shaking his head with a hint of exasperation. "Yet another case of someone not sticking to their proper role."