The flash of blue-indigo light dissipated as Tobirama, Kūga, Reifū, and Kenta materialized at the entrance of Konoha.
The air around them hummed with residual energy, leaving a faint crackle in the wind.
As the brilliance faded, the towering gates of Konoha stood before them, looming large with their imposing wood and iron reinforcements, a symbol of protection and the strength of the village within.
Reifū and Kenta both froze in awe, their wide eyes locked on the massive structure before them.
Beyond the gates, the village was a noisy, busy place. People were hurrying through the streets, merchants were shouting to sell their things, and shinobi were moving quickly everywhere. The scent of food, metal, and earth mixed in the air, filling their senses.
Kūga smirked, watching the wonder on their faces with an amused glint in his eye.
It was rare to see Reifū's composed demeanor slip, but even she couldn't hide her surprise.
Kenta, on the other hand, looked like a kid in a candy store, his red hair catching the sunlight as he craned his neck to take in the towering buildings.
"Welcome to Konoha," Kūga said with a teasing tone, his arms crossed as he leaned back slightly.
Tobirama glanced at them, his usual stoic expression unchanged, though his eyes flickered with faint amusement. In his usual dry tone, he turned to Kūga. "I'll be going ahead. Feel free to explore if you wish."
Without waiting for a response, Tobirama vanished, leaving behind a faint bluish-indigo shimmer in the air.
Kūga let out a low whistle. "What a show-off," he muttered under his breath.
Reifū, now regaining her composure, shot him a playful smirk. "I bet you can't do that."
Kūga raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her challenge. "Oh? You mean..." Without another word, Kūga vanished in an instant, reappearing just behind Reifū with barely a whisper of movement.
He leaned close to her, his voice soft but teasing. "Like this?"
Reifū's entire body jolted in shock, her cheeks burning as she stumbled forward, quickly spinning around to face him.
"W-Wait!" she stammered, covering her face with her hands to hide the growing flush. "T-That doesn't count! You were just being fast, not teleporting!"
Kūga chuckled, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief as he stepped back, hands raised in a mock surrender.
"Believe what you want," he said with a grin, already turning to walk toward the village entrance.
Still flustered, Reifū lowered her hands, her face a bright shade of red. She glared after him, but her eyes softened as she caught the playful lilt in his step.
Her heart raced. How did he always manage to fluster her like this?
Kenta, standing nearby and watching the entire exchange, let out an exasperated sigh.
'Why can't they just find a room already?' he thought with a sweatdrop, shaking his head as he followed after them.
.
As they walked through the gates and into the village, the sheer scale of Konoha hit Reifū and Kenta even harder. Buildings lined the streets, some towering high with intricate designs, others more modest but bustling with life.
The air was filled with the chatter of civilians, the distant clang of metal as blacksmiths worked, and the unmistakable presence of shinobi moving with purpose through the village.
Kenta couldn't contain his awe. His head swiveled left and right, his eyes wide as he tried to take everything in at once. "This place is... amazing," he breathed, practically vibrating with excitement.
Reifū, though more composed, was equally impressed. The village had a unique energy to it—a sense of unity and strength that pulsed through its streets.
"It's certainly... larger than I expected," she said softly, her eyes scanning the horizon, where the Hokage Rock stood proudly in the distance.
Kūga, walking slightly ahead of them, glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "This is just the outskirts," he teased. "You haven't seen anything yet. Wait until you see the heart of Konoha. This will feel like a small outpost in comparison."
Kenta's eyes lit up, practically bouncing on his feet. "There's even more to see?"
Kūga chuckled, patting the boy's head. "Yeah, you can roam around anytime."
Reifū smiled faintly at Kenta's childlike wonder, though her attention soon shifted back to Kūga.
Despite his casual demeanor, there was something about him being in Konoha that felt... different.
He wasn't the same Kūga she had traveled with. Here, in this village, he seemed more at ease, like this place held memories and connections that ran deeper than she could understand.
It made her wonder—how many people here knew him? How many stories did these streets hold of his past?
Before she could dwell on it too long, Kūga's pace slowed as they neared a busy street lined with shops and restaurants.
He turned back to face them, eyes glinting with a playful challenge. "Hungry? Or are you two too awestruck to eat?"
Kenta, as if on cue, grinned widely. "I could eat!"
Reifū crossed her arms, her blush finally fading. "I wouldn't mind a break. Exploring this place on an empty stomach doesn't sound smart."
Kūga nodded. "Good call. There's a place I know that's known for some of the best food in Konoha." He glanced over his shoulder, motioning for them to follow. "Come on."
Despite still being away from the center of the village, Kūga's familiarity with the streets were apparent.
He navigated the alleys and side paths with ease, occasionally nodding to passing villagers or shinobi who seemed to recognize him, though they kept their distance.
Kenta noticed this and, with a furrowed brow, leaned toward Reifū.
"Does it feel like... Kūga's kind of famous here?" he whispered, his voice filled with curiosity.
Reifū nodded slightly, her gaze still fixed on Kūga's back. "It seems that way. He's... more connected to this place than I thought."
Kenta's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Maybe we'll hear some of his old stories!"
Reifū smirked, glancing down at the eager boy. "You're as curious as a cat, Kenta."
Kenta shrugged, unbothered. "Aren't you?"
Reifū didn't answer, but her silence spoke volumes.
After a few more turns, Kūga finally stopped in front of a cozy-looking restaurant nestled between two larger buildings. The sign above the entrance was simple, but the aroma wafting from inside was enough to make anyone's mouth water.
"Here we are," Kūga announced, pushing the door open.
The warmth of the interior hit them immediately—a welcome contrast to the bustling streets outside. Tables were filled with patrons, mostly shinobi, and the low murmur of conversation filled the air.
The owner, a gruff man with a salt-and-pepper beard, looked up as they entered. His eyes widened slightly in recognition when he saw Kūga, but he quickly returned to his work, giving them a nod of acknowledgment.
"Take a seat," Kūga said, gesturing to a table near the window.
As they settled in, Reifū couldn't help but notice how relaxed Kūga seemed in this environment. For someone who was always on the move, always looking ahead, Konoha had a way of grounding him in the present.
She wondered what memories this place held for him—what stories from his past were hidden behind those blue eyes. "This village... have you been here all your life?"
Kūga who was looking at the window turned to Reifū, "What made you ask?"
"I don't know..." The black-haired lady murmured, "When I look at you, it just feels like you're right where you belong."
Kenta who was looking are the restaurant heard this and looked at Reifū, but continued to listen while turning to Kūga, also curious.
The white-haired man just chuckles in amusement as he shakes his head, "Nah... Since I was young, I've always lived through camping. I only got to live in this place less than a week."
Both Reifū and Kenta's eyes widen in surprise. The red-haired scratches head in confusion, "I thought this was your home or something, that's why you brought us here?"
Nodding in agreement, Reifū then continues, "You know Tobirama-san as well, you also talk about your best friends coming from this village."
"Well, it's kind of a long story," Hearing these points from them, Kūga couldn't help but chuckle and fold his arms, "I'm one of the pioneers in this village, alongside Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Before two years ago, this place wasn't even here. This place was a battleground between the clans of Senju and Uchiha. Both heirs of the rival families and I became friends almost a decade ago, we would train almost everyday. To make the long story short, we came up with a plan to stop the biggest clan war in the Land of Fire, it worked... then tada~"
Both Kenta and Reifū listened but sweatdropped at the end, but were still surprised. Reifū knew about how Kūga having friends from rival clans but never said he was a pioneer of a village, and Kenta? Well, Kenta is always surprised by Kūga, that's why he looks up to the white-haired.
After the long explanation from Kūga, as if on cue, a female waiter then arrives at their side to take their order.
.
As the three of them made their way deeper into Konoha, Kūga led with his usual relaxed confidence, while Reifū and Kenta trailed behind, their eyes wide as they continued to absorb the vibrant life of the village.
The roads were bustling, not just in the market areas but throughout the streets, with villagers and shinobi alike moving about with purpose.
The sheer energy of the place was infectious. Kenta's head swiveled back and forth, his red hair catching the light as he struggled to keep up with everything happening around him. Reifū, though more composed, couldn't help but feel a quiet amazement as well.
"This place is... alive," Reifū murmured, half to herself, watching the crowds move with surprising harmony.
The air was filled with laughter, conversations, the sounds of merchants calling out, and the occasional clanging of metal from distant smithies.
Kenta nodded eagerly, his eyes darting from one shop to the next, then to the passing shinobi who seemed to recognize Kūga. "It's huge! And look, people, even in these parts... they're looking at Kūga with respect."
Reifū noticed it too. Not everyone, of course, but there were quite a few heads that turned as Kūga passed. Some people nodded in acknowledgment, others gave him brief looks of recognition, and a few even bowed subtly as they walked by.
Kūga nods to them, but still his usual calm demeanor unchanged, but it was clear he had earned the respect of many in this village.
Before long, they arrived at a quieter part of Konoha, where Kūga stopped in front of a house that stood apart from the rest. It wasn't grand or overly large, but there was something unique about it—a kind of understated elegance.
Kūga paused at the gate, grinning over his shoulder at his companions. "Welcome to my humble abode," he said with a playful tone.
Reifū and Kenta both blinked as they took in the house, their eyes then wandering to the compound nearby. The house was certainly distinct compared to the others they had seen during their walk, it had a different style, a little more... modern, with sharp edges and a cleaner design.
The grounds around it were vast, with a small garden and large open areas, giving it a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
"This looks... entirely different from the other houses we've seen," Reifū commented, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and surprise.
Kenta nodded, agreeing with her as he glanced at the nearby compound. "Yeah, it's... well, it's not what I expected."
Kūga scratched the back of his head, looking mildly embarrassed but still grinning. "That's the way I wanted it to look. You don't like it?"
Both Reifū and Kenta quickly shook their heads, laughing softly at his question.
"No, no, it's just... unique," Reifū said, her eyes still scanning the surroundings.
Kūga chuckled, his grin widening as he gestured for them to follow. "Well, good! Come in, come in—no need to be shy. It's just a house, after all."
He placed a hand on the gate and, with a slight gathering of Aether, he unlocked the barrier he had placed around the property before leaving for his journey. A faint shimmer of energy rippled through the air before dissipating, allowing them to pass through the gate.
As they stepped inside, Reifū's eyes widened again. The land behind the house was even more expansive than she had initially thought, a large open area stretching out, perfect for training or just enjoying the quiet.
The house, while large, seemed dwarfed by the surrounding land.
"You have such a huge piece of land," Reifū remarked, clearly impressed. "Although your house is considerably big, it feels small compared to the space around it."
Kūga smiled, his eyes glinting with a hint of pride. "Yeah, I've been meaning to rebuild it. Maybe turn it into a mansion—something more fitting for someone as handsome as me."
Reifū snorted, rolling her eyes in response, but her smile gave away her amusement. "Right... a mansion. For someone as 'humble' as you, no doubt."
Kenta burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "A mansion! I could totally see you building something ridiculously huge!"
Kūga chuckled, shrugging as they walked closer to the house. "Why not? If you're going to live in a village like this, might as well live large, right?"
Reifū shook her head, her smile lingering as they approached the entrance of the house. There was something about this place... about Konoha and Kūga's connection to it, that felt both strange and comforting.
She could sense the history here, the deep ties that Kūga had with this village, even if he played it off with his usual carefree attitude. This house, this land, it wasn't just a home. It was a reflection of Kūga himself, maybe because he's a pioneer?.
"Well," Kūga said, opening the door and stepping inside. "Make yourselves at home. We'll be here for a while."
Reifū and Kenta exchanged glances before following him inside, both curious and excited to see what lay ahead.
As Kūga led Reifū and Kenta inside, he motioned for them to explore freely. "Go ahead, take your pick," he said, smiling at their wide-eyed expressions. "Any room you see, it's yours. I have more than enough space."
The moment they stepped inside, Reifū and Kenta couldn't help but gasp in amazement. The house was bright, filled with natural light streaming through large windows that gave a sense of openness.
The interiors were sleek yet warm, blending elegance with comfort in a way they had never seen before. Reifū's blue eyes darted across the room, taking in the high ceilings, the polished wooden floors, and the subtle, artistic decorations that adorned the walls.
"This is... incredible," Reifū breathed out, clearly astonished. "I've never been in a house this nice before."
Kenta, equally amazed, nodded as he wandered farther inside, his eyes fixated on everything. "It's so big!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder. "And everything's so... shiny!"
They both stopped in the center of the living room, staring up at the ceiling, where a strange contraption hung. There was a soft, glowing light coming from it, but they couldn't understand how it worked.
"What is that?" Kenta asked, his red hair glowing softly under the light as he pointed upwards.
Reifū tilted her head, equally perplexed. "I don't know... some kind of... device?"
Kūga chuckled at their reaction, folding his arms. "Ah, that? It's just a ceiling light. There's a switch on the wall that turns it on and off. Like this." He walked over to the side of the room and flicked the switch, causing the light to turn off and then back on with a soft click.
Both Reifū and Kenta stared, eyes wide, as if witnessing a minor miracle.
"How... how does it do that?" Kenta asked, his tone full of awe.
Kūga just shrugged, amused by their fascination. "It's not magic, just something a bit advanced for most people. It's convenient, though, right?"
Reifū walked over to the switch, gingerly reaching out and flicking it herself. The light turned off, and then on again.
She blinked, glancing back at Kūga with a grin. "Convenient doesn't even begin to describe it," she said, clearly impressed.
Kūga smiled and gestured for them to continue exploring. "The house has plenty of space for both of you. There's a master bedroom, six more bedrooms—each with their own bathroom, by the way—and a dining room if you feel like sitting down for a proper meal. The living room here is where I mostly hang out, and if you're ever in the mood to cook, there's a kitchen right over there."
Kenta was practically bouncing with excitement now. "We each get our own room? With our own bathroom?"
Kūga nodded. "That's right. Pick whichever one you like. There's plenty of room to spread out."
Reifū wandered toward the bedrooms, her fingers trailing along the walls. She peeked into each room, amazed at how cozy yet spacious they were.
Each bedroom had its own charm, soft bedding, wide windows, and the modern touch of having a private bathroom.
"This is... incredible," she repeated, looking back at Kūga with a smile that was half disbelief, half gratitude. "I never imagined I'd stay in a place like this."
Kenta ran ahead and chose the room closest to the garden, eagerly pushing the door open and nearly tripping over himself in his excitement. He looked at Kūga with wide eyes. "This one's mine!"
Kūga laughed, shaking his head. "Good choice, Kenta. Now, settle in. Make yourselves at home."
The two of them exchanged excited glances, and for a moment, they both forgot the seriousness of their journey and allowed themselves to feel a pure, simple happiness.
Kūga's house, was unlike anything they had ever experienced before. It felt like a new beginning, a place where they could finally rest—and dream.
Kūga watched them, his arms folded across his chest, a quiet smile playing on his lips. "Take your time," he said softly, walking to the center of the living room. "You've earned it."
.
After Reifū and Kenta settled into Kūga's home, the trio decided to head toward the Hokage Tower. As they roamed the bustling streets of Konoha once more, Kenta, lagging a little behind, suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. His jaw dropped as he stared at the towering structure ahead.
"Wait! How did I not notice such a huge tower earlier?!" Kenta shouted, clearly flabbergasted as he pointed up at the Hokage Tower, which seemed to scrape the clouds compared to the other buildings.
Kūga chuckled, "Hashirama is something else."
As they approached the entrance, a shinobi standing guard at the Hokage Tower immediately recognized Kūga. Bowing slightly, the shinobi greeted him with a respectful, "Lord Seiryu."
Kūga nodded in acknowledgment, continuing to walk without missing a beat. However, Reifū smirked mischievously and teased, "Lord Seiryu, huh?"
Kūga shot her a playful glance, grinning. "Yeah," he said, his tone dripping with mock arrogance, "Worship me."
Reifū snorted, shaking her head, and Kenta let out a chuckle, amused by their banter.
They made their way up the stairs, the towering structure impressing even Kūga's well-traveled companions. As they reached the top floor, they found themselves in front of the large, imposing door that led to the Hokage's office.
An attendant stationed outside looked up and, recognizing Kūga, stood up quickly.
"You'll need an appointment if you want to see the Hokage," she stated, professional and firm.
Kūga scratched the back of his head, as if he'd been caught off guard. He looked up at the ceiling, as if he was staring at something very specific.
"What are you looking at?" Reifū asked, arching a brow.
Kūga ignored her and, still looking upwards, called out, "Are you going to make me stand out here or what?"
Reifū, Kenta, and the attendant exchanged glances, clearly thinking Kūga had lost it. But just as the attendant was about to speak, a loud, booming laugh erupted from the other side of the door.
"Come in, Kūga!" Hashirama's voice carried through the heavy wooden door, still muffled but perfectly audible.
The attendant sighed, shaking her head with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. Kūga just grinned and cast her a knowing look before striding toward the door.
With his hands on his pockets, aether gathered and pushed the door open without him needing to lift even a finger.
Reifū and Kenta followed closely behind him, both of them momentarily stunned by the by the automatic door. The Hokage's office was spacious and filled with warmth, sunlight streaming in through the large windows.
At the desk sat Hashirama, his welcoming smile as wide as ever. Meanwhile, Madara stood by the window, his back straight and his gaze sharp as he turned to watch them enter.
"Lord Kūga, huh?" Madara mused with a slight smirk, clearly having overheard the earlier comment.
Kūga grinned at him, but before he could respond, he turned to introduce his companions. "Ah... Hashirama, Madara, this is Reifū Genpū, and Kenta." He motioned toward the two, who bowed respectfully. "They're traveling with me for now."
Hashirama beamed, his large, welcoming presence filling the room. "I heard from Tobirama you were back in the village," he said, rising from his desk to greet them. "Welcome back, Kūga. And welcome to Konoha, both of you."
Madara, still by the window, inclined his head slightly, his sharp gaze assessing Kūga's companions with a quiet but unmistakable intensity. "I wasn't told," he muttered, casting a quick side-eye at Hashirama. "I assume that was intentional?"
Hashirama chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. "I wanted to surprise you."
Kūga laughed at the exchange. "Hashirama, always playing the trickster, huh?"
As they exchanged pleasantries, Kūga's eyes flicked to Hashirama's hand and immediately caught the glint of a ring on his finger. He raised a brow and smirked. "So... I hear you're a married man now?"
Hashirama's grin widened, and Madara, standing in the background, let out a low, almost inaudible cough.
Kūga's eyes narrowed playfully, and his gaze shifted to Madara. "Wait... no way—Madara? You too?"
There was a rare flicker of emotion on Madara's face, but he quickly suppressed it, standing stoic as ever. However, the ring on his own hand was plain as day.
Kūga burst into laughter. "Look at you two! Settling down and everything!" He clapped his hands, clearly enjoying this newfound revelation. "Hashirama's always been the family type, but you, Madara? I didn't think you'd ever be the one to—"
Madara's sharp glare cut him off, though there was a faint flush on his cheeks. Hashirama, on the other hand, looked all too pleased with the situation.
Kūga then glanced back at Reifū, a teasing grin curling on his lips. "Now, when am I supposed to follow suit? Any suggestions?"
Reifū's face flushed instantly, her eyes widening in surprise. She looked away, flustered, trying to compose herself.
Kenta, always the one to enjoy a bit of chaos, couldn't help but chuckle, enjoying the playful tension between his two traveling companions.
Hashirama, as always, laughed heartily, clapping Kūga on the back. "Maybe sooner than you think!" he said with a wink, causing Madara to shake his head in amusement.
The room filled with laughter and light-hearted banter as the trio settled in, the warmth of the Hokage's office offering a brief respite from the challenges of the outside world.