Konoha's main gate.
Kakashi let out a deep breath.
This exercise ended inexplicably.
He originally thought there would be some conflict with the Kumo ninjas, but he didn't expect to just be a bystander.
Throughout the entire exercise, only Guy and Shinji truly engaged in combat. After all, they were fighting the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
Recalling the scene outside Moon Ring Gorge, even Kakashi, who had experienced many storms, couldn't help but be moved by the memory. That level of destructive power was comparable to a Tailed Beast.
No longer dwelling on it, Kakashi straightened his body slightly. They were now ready to enter Konoha's main gate.
As the gate slowly opened, Kakashi and Shinji, who stood at the forefront, were both stunned.
Beyond the gate, countless villagers stood on both sides of the street, cheering enthusiastically, clapping, and waving Konoha's flags.
Shinji, seeing such a scene for the first time, asked, "What's going on?"
Kakashi replied nonchalantly, returning to his usual demeanor, "They're probably here to welcome us."
It had been a long time since he had seen such a scene.
Welcome?
Shinji was momentarily stunned, then realized it was likely due to this exercise. After all, Kumogakure had paid a heavy price.
Shinji and Kakashi, leading the Moon Ring Gorge exercise unit, slowly walked through Konoha's main gate.
As soon as they entered the street, Shinji more directly felt the joy radiating from the villagers' faces. The atmosphere was even more vibrant than during a typical festival.
After all, how long had it been since Konoha had such a moment?
Since the Sannin left the village and the Fourth Hokage died, even the ordinary Konoha citizens knew that Konoha was no longer the Konoha of the Third Great Ninja War, the one supported by countless geniuses and heroes.
However, with the Konoha Council stepping down, and the Uchiha clan and Konoha mending their relationship, things were getting better. Now, Konoha had won against Kumogakure in the exercise. This was great news.
"Kakashi-sama! Shinji-sama! You're so handsome!"
From the crowd, one or two bold girls occasionally shouted.
Shinji glanced sideways at Kakashi, noticing a slight blush under the mask.
Shinji, meanwhile, occasionally accepted flowers handed to him by some bolder girls.
The exercise unit, especially Kakashi and Shinji, were surrounded by the villagers as they slowly advanced along the village's main road. Only when they approached the area in front of the Hokage Building were the villagers orderly moved back.
Shinji then looked up at the top of the Hokage Building, where Hiruzen, along with Shikaku and Fugaku, and the clan heads of various major clans, watched the unit in front of the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen was all smiles. In this exercise, Shikaku's plan was achieved. Additionally, his disciple made a grand appearance in this event.
As Hiruzen extended his hands and pressed them downwards, the area in front of the Hokage Building instantly quieted down.
'Sensei truly lives up to the title of Hokage now, look at that prestige.' Shinji shook his head and sighed with emotion.
However, as Hiruzen's speech began, Shinji's face twitched uncontrollably.
'No, sensei?'
'I'm not as grand as you're making me out to be, am I?'
'What do you mean I single-handedly defeated the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki? And confronted several Kumogakure Jonin?'
'Where did you put Guy, that fierce man?'
Shinji looked back at Guy, who gave him a thumbs-up and a smile showing his bright white teeth.
So dazzling...
He forgot that with Guy's personality, he genuinely wouldn't care about such things. He might even think Hiruzen was right.
Just spare me.
Shinji felt utterly embarrassed, especially when he noticed the occasional glances from Shikaku and a group of familiar Jonin.
The Jonin on the Hokage Building all turned their gaze towards Shinji.
Shinji...
Another genius after Minato.
Even younger than Minato.
And he was a genius who had already grown.
Fugaku couldn't help but thank Hiruzen. Fortunately, Sasuke had already become his disciple
As long as Shinji could become Hokage, the Uchiha clan would be able to survive well for at least several decades. And even if Shinji were to be gone for some reason by then, the Uchiha clan would have already coexisted with Konoha, not being as passive as before.
Thinking of this, Fugaku felt it was necessary to cooperate with Hiruzen in the upcoming actions. After all, any clear-sighted person could see that Hiruzen was building momentum for Shinji.
—
Shinji had completely become famous.
As for why, even his few disciples, who had been training in the training ground, already knew that he had defeated Kumogakure's Jinchuriki.
Shinji couldn't help but look up at the sky.
When he went out of the village for missions later, he wouldn't be able to develop in such a low-key manner anymore.
"Alright, Naruto, you should rest now."
Shinji patted Naruto's head, telling the over-energetic little kid to rest.
"Yeah, even though training is exhausting, Naruto, you're still so full of energy." Shikamaru stretched beside him and said.
"I feel full of energy now, because sensei is just too cool." Naruto smiled brightly and said.
"Then how about I give you a research topic?" Shinji covered his forehead, saying helplessly.
"Uh, never mind, sensei, I'd better rest first."
Upon hearing this, Naruto immediately turned and sat beside Shinji. No matter how much training, he wouldn't panic.
But a research topic? It was better to use less brainpower.
"Hahahahaha—"
Seeing Naruto like this, Shikamaru and the others burst into laughter.
Shinji shook his head.
Why did Minato fall in love with Kushina back then? Perhaps it was that appealing personality.
No longer thinking about it, he closed his eyes and immersed himself.
Before leaving the village, Neji's discipleship reward was still in the process of being claimed.
Moreover, the perfect-level reward made him even more eager to know what it was.
First, he checked the Caged Bird Cursed Seal Cracking.
Shinji couldn't help but sigh, never expecting the Hyuga clan's Main Family to be so perverse. This was completely treating the Branch Family as slaves, deciding their life and death with a single thought.
Caged Bird, the name of this jutsu truly fit. The Branch Family, marked with the cursed seal, were indeed like birds in a cage. Their absolute life and death controlled by the Main Family.
However...
Shinji temporarily didn't want to use it on Neji, at least there was no need before Neji graduated.
Although the Hyuga Main Family wouldn't know if it was undone, Shinji wanted to use this to train Neji well and unleash his talent first.
Moreover, Neji, before becoming a ninja, would very likely be discovered if the Caged Bird was removed. At that time, there might be some troublesome issues.
Considering everything, Shinji put it aside for now and turned to the 'Perfect Reward'.
Hamura's Blessing.