Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

Time ticked by, and the Konoha grew more lively with each passing moment.

This time, however, the excitement wasn't confined to the streets of the village. No, it was concentrated outside its gates.

A massive crowd had gathered, practically the entire population of the village.

Today was the day Konoha's ninja forces returned victorious.

Today was the day the heroes came home.

Today was the day many families would be reunited with their loved ones.

The anticipation was palpable. Villagers had arrived early in the morning, watching the distant road with eager and anxious hearts, hoping to catch sight of their returning warriors.

"Why aren't they here yet? It's driving me crazy!"

One person stood on tiptoe, scanning the horizon.

"Please, please, keep Yorō safe and bring him back to me," another murmured, clasping their hands in silent prayer.

"They're here! Look, they're coming!"

Suddenly, someone cried out, pointing down the road. Excitement rippled through the crowd as everyone turned to look.

Far in the distance, the outlines of figures appeared, moving quickly toward the village. Their pace suggested their own eagerness to return home and see their families.

Among them, Mochizuki Hui walked at the forefront. 

As he spotted the crowd waiting outside the village, a calm warmth spread through his heart, a small smile tugging at his lips.

The pressure that had weighed on him for so long seemed to dissolve.

I'm home, he thought. With the people that were once brought out of Konoha.

Hui's steps became lighter. Beside him, Tsunade noticed his expression and smiled as well, sharing in his relief and joy.

…

Finally, Konoha's forces reached the village gates.

At the front of the group, Tobirama Senju came to a halt, prompting Hui and the others to stop as well. 

The entire returning force stood still, facing the waiting villagers.

The crowd, though brimming with excitement, restrained themselves, their gazes locked on Tobirama.

"We won!"

Tobirama's voice rang out, loud and clear. The words acted as a spark, igniting the fuse of emotions in the people's hearts.

The crowd erupted, their cries of joy reverberating across the gates.

"Second Hokage! Second Hokage! Second Hokage!"

The villagers chanted his title, their voices filled with gratitude and admiration. Tobirama had once again led the village to victory, protecting both Konoha and its people.

Tobirama smiled faintly at the chants but raised his hand, signalling the crowd. 

The crowd gradually settled down, their eyes focused intently on him.

"This war was a difficult one," he began. "We faced the combined assault of four great ninja villages. Outnumbered three or four to one, we fought on three separate fronts."

His tone grew somber.

"This war demanded great sacrifices from us. But it also gave rise to many heroes.

"On the battlefield, they fought bravely, spilling their blood to hold the line and protect Konoha. Every ninja who participated in this war is a hero—each one of them fought to safeguard this village and everyone in it.

"Today, every ninja standing here before you is a hero of the Konoha!"

The crowd roared again, chanting "Heroes!" with unrestrained fervor. 

The pride on the faces of the returning ninjas was unmistakable, their hearts swelling at the recognition of their efforts. 

"But," Tobirama continued, his voice cutting through the cheers, "there is one hero whose contributions to this victory remain unmatched.

"He led his forces to block the enemy's advance and forced their surrender in record time.

"He launched a daring strike across vast distances, using a single jutsu to decisively end the largest battle of the war.

"And he single-handedly eliminated the last of our enemies, compelling the Kirigakure to surrender of their own accord.

"It is thanks to him that this war ended so quickly, and that we emerged victorious."

The crowd fell silent for a moment as Tobirama's words sank in. Then, as if on cue, they erupted into a single, thunderous chant.

"Mochizuki Hui! Mochizuki Hui! Mochizuki Hui!"

Hui's name filled the air, the sound growing louder and louder until it seemed to shake the heavens.

Even the ninjas standing behind him joined in, shouting his name with pride and excitement.

Tobirama turned to Hui, calling his name;

"Hui!"

Hui took a deep breath to steady himself, suppressing the surge of emotion in his chest. He stepped forward, meeting the adoring gazes of the crowd.

The cheers died down as everyone fell silent, their eyes fixed on Hui with reverence, admiration, and love.

Hui's voice was calm but carried a weight that captivated every listener.

"Before we set out, I said that Konoha would win this war.

"At the time, many must have doubted me.

"To the other villages, to the rest of the world, this war was supposed to spell the end of Konoha. They thought we would disappear from history.

"Countless people waited for news of our destruction, convinced of our defeat.

"But now, we stand here, victorious.

"Konoha has won.

"We defeated not one, but four great ninja villages. We achieved what everyone thought was impossible.

"It didn't matter that our enemies outnumbered us three or four to one.

"It didn't matter that we faced the combined might of the great villages.

"Konoha is unstoppable. We are the miracle.

"This war was a miracle—a miracle for the Konoha and for everyone here.

"Together, we've shown the world what it means to be from Konoha.

"You make me proud. Every single one of you makes me proud.

"Today, we proclaim to the Ninja World:

"If there are miracles in this world, they reside in the Konoha Village.

"I am a hero. But so are you—all of you. Everyone here is a hero.

"Because we share a name. We are all citizens of Konoha.

Celebrate, heroes. Celebrate, Konoha!"

Hui's words got louder and louder as he spoke, and the words he said made every single citizen of Konoha excited.

He didn't tell them about his achievements, nor did he promise any peace.

In this situation, Hui gave up the oppertunity to further his reputation an planted a seed in people's hearts.

A seed of 'sense of belonging.'

This seed will grow in the hearts of the people here, and it will slowly change the hearts of many people.

Because, at this moment, the people of Konoha suddenly felt a sense of pride in their hearts, and the word Konoha was deeply engraved on their bones and entered their blood.

At this moment, the word Konoha was destined to become an inseparable brand in the souls of the people present, and a mark that made their hearts proud!

The crowd roared the name of their village, their voices swelling with pride and joy.

"Konoha! Konoha! Konoha!"

Faces flushed red from shouting, tears streamed down cheeks, and fists pumped in the air as the villagers and ninjas alike celebrated their shared victory.

As the crowd looked at Hui, they didn't just see a sixteen-year-old boy.

They saw a shining light.

A light that would guide Konoha into the future.

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