The order to return to the village was like rain on thirsty soil for most front-line shinobi but for Orochimaru and Gen, it wasn't nearly as tempting.
For Orochimaru, it meant leaving behind the peace of uninterrupted research.
For Gen, it meant no more quiet days of steady study and improvement.
Neither of them was eager to have their relatively comfortable lives disrupted.
But personal feelings didn't matter. Orders were orders. Once the announcement came, Orochimaru began preparing for the official handover.
When the first group of returning shinobi reached the border, the appointed officers handled the formalities, and the column officially set out for Konoha.
They were eager to go home. The long-suppressed desire to see familiar streets and loved ones pushed them to travel at unprecedented speed, cutting the usual time by a third.
They moved so quickly, in fact, that they arrived before the welcoming party was even in place.
The previous batches had all been greeted with ceremony; surely, this final group, the ones who had sacrificed the most, wouldn't be left without?
So they waited at the village gate. A chunin on guard dashed off toward the Hokage Building to alert the leadership.
Half an hour later, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself appeared, leading a large entourage: senior officials from various departments, clan heads, jōnin, and a crowd of villagers.
The high-ranking ninja were reserved and formal in their greetings, but the villagers were openly emotional. Those with loved ones among the returnees shouted their names. Others clapped and cheered.
No drums, no firecrackers, no lion dance but it was lively all the same.
Many of the returning shinobi flushed with pride. In that moment, all the life-and-death battles, the sleepless nights on watch, the endless tension at the border felt worth it.
After the welcome, Orochimaru and the other front-line commanders followed the Hokage and senior staff away, while the rest scattered to reunite with their families.
Gen headed for the Uchiha compound alone. Most of his clanmates had already returned in earlier groups.
At the gate, he paused. Three figures were waiting: Uchiha Mikoto, Shisui, and Itachi.
"Mikoto-nee, why are you here?" Gen asked with a smile as he approached.
"Fugaku asked us to welcome you," Mikoto replied warmly, holding Itachi's hand. "Mobilizing too many people would be inconvenient as everyone's busy, so it's just the three of us. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not," Gen said sincerely. "I'm grateful to the clan head for the trouble, and to you for coming."
It was an effective gesture, an open-handed favor he couldn't refuse.
But had Fugaku really thought of it himself? In Gen's impression, the man was serious and rigid, not given to delicate social touches. More likely, this had a woman's touch… probably Mikoto's.
As the daughter of the late hawkish leader Uchiha Setsuna and now the wife of the clan head, Mikoto's gentle, big-sister exterior hid a sharp mind. In the original events, she'd shown awareness of clan affairs far beyond a housewife's role.
"Itachi, greet him," Mikoto prompted.
"Brother Gen," the boy said politely.
"You've grown taller," Gen noted, ruffling his hair. Itachi's slight frown and stillness made Gen wonder if the boy thought himself too mature for such treatment.
Kid… even in two lifetimes, I'm not ready to claim that.
Turning, he greeted Shisui. "Long time no see."
"Great to see you back! The war's over so what's not to be happy about?" Shisui grinned, then added, "Oh, right! Fugaku asked me to tell you he's sorry. He couldn't fully keep his promise. You'll be deputy captain of a police unit, same as me. The elders think we're too young and inexperienced to lead outright. They want us to gain more experience first."
Mikoto bowed slightly, her tone apologetic. "The elders also serve as deputy ministers in the Police Force. They… can be stubborn."
Gen's smile didn't falter, but inside he was grinding his teeth.
'Inexperienced'…? There are only seventeen people in a squad, including me. That's supposed to require 'rich management experience'? Please.
He asked Shisui, "And what do you think?"
"I think they have a point," Shisui said cheerfully.
And there it is, Gen thought sourly. Not afraid of godlike enemies... afraid of piglike allies.
Still, he chose to retreat in order to advance. There was no point clashing head-on over such a small matter, especially when Fugaku himself wasn't backing him. He'd bide his time, build his strength, and repay the slight later and with interest.
Aloud, he said easily, "Fair enough. I'm young, plenty of opportunities ahead. Besides, I'm still studying under Orochimaru, so I might not have much time for police work. I'll just put my name down and leave it at that."
A nominal position meant a salary without the burden of duties; not a bad arrangement for now.
But Mikoto's eyes told her a different story. She sensed the dissatisfaction beneath his calm. And that, she thought, might suit Fugaku's purposes just fine: pushing this gifted young man closer to his own faction by giving him reason to resent the elders.
"I'll tell Fugaku," she said smoothly. "To make up for it, come to our house for dinner tonight and you too, Shisui."
"Gladly," Gen replied. Declining would only fuel speculation.
Mikoto smiled. "Then I'll go cook. Itachi?"
"I'm going to train with Brother Shisui," Itachi said quickly. "Gen, want to come?"
Gen almost laughed.
I just got back from the front, and you want me to train? But it was a good chance to observe Itachi more closely.
"Alright. But I need to stop by my home first."
"We'll wait at the third training ground," Shisui said.
Mikoto watched them go, her smile widening. With Itachi's talent and the guidance of both clan head and two young prodigies, her eldest son's future seemed limitless.
After walking together a while, they split — each toward their own path.