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[Congratulations, Master! You have completed the mission to help Konoha secure victory in the Second Shinobi World War! Reward: Divine Replication Card x1.]
"Finally! That mission took ages," Shin muttered to himself.
It had been three years since Shin left Konoha. He was now fifteen years old.
Even after Kumo and Iwa withdrew from the conflict, Konoha still needed three more years to subdue Suna and Ame, thereby ending the war.
Sometimes, Shin felt so impatient that he nearly intervened himself to speed things up.
The war had dragged on mostly because of a stalemate with Suna.
Hiruzen had led Konoha's forces deep into the Land of Wind to force Sunagakure's surrender.
However, the Third Kazekage refused to back down, and fighting in the scorching deserts proved challenging for Konoha Shinobi.
Had Suna not been running out of resources, they would have fought on. They were experts at desert warfare, making Konoha's job exceptionally difficult.
On the Amegakure side, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade led the assault, ultimately defeating Hanzō of the Salamander.
Unlike in the original story, where the Sannin lost to Hanzō, the presence of Shin had shifted many things—especially Tsunade's strength.
Shin had taught Tsunade powerful Jutsu like Rasengan and Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, and he also shared a copy of the Forbidden Scroll.
She mastered multiple advanced techniques from it, transforming her from a pure brawler-medic into an 'all-round' powerhouse.
During these three years, Shin himself finally succeeded in mastering Wood Release—not the incomplete version, but the real deal.
He even learned Sage Art: Wood Release, marking a crowning achievement in his training.
With the war concluded, Shin now lived in the Land of Whirlpools. After traveling all over the Shinobi World, he and his companions had settled here for about half a year, enjoying a cozy life.
"You're back at last. Another hour and I would've dragged you home," Kushina said when she spotted Shin returning.
"Dinner's about to start. Of course I'm back," Shin replied casually. Then he added in a wary tone, "Oh, by the way, you didn't cook today, right?"
Kushina folded her arms. "If I said I did, would you refuse to eat?"
Shin quickly shook his head, pretending seriousness.
"Never. Even if you made it, I'd finish every bite with a straight face." But in truth, he was relieved to smell delicious aromas that almost certainly did not come from Kushina's cooking.
Shin took his seat at the table.
"After dinner," he announced, "We're heading back to Konoha."
"Why?" Mikoto asked, blinking curiously.
"The war is over. Tsunade's going back. She told us to visit her in Konoha after the war ended."
"Shin-nii, how did you know the war ended? Did you sneak off to see Tsunade-neechan?" Konan asked timidly
"Ow…" Konan clutched her head, teary-eyed.
Shin flicked her forehead again and huffed.
"What do you mean 'sneak'? As if I need to hide?"
"Sooo… you went openly?" Kushina interjected, eyeing him. Even Mikoto laid down her chopsticks and watched.
"No, I have—special sources," Shin said, clearing his throat. In truth, the System had simply confirmed the mission's completion, letting him know that the war had officially ended.
After dinner, they packed essential items and set off.
As they walked, Mikoto couldn't help voicing a concern.
"Can we really just return to Konoha after all that's happened? It feels a bit…awkward."
They were not classified as missing-nin, yet their relationship with Konoha was tense.
"Why overthink it? Does that old man, Sarutobi Hiruzen, dare chase us out? Besides, We're not planning on staying anyway."
"Shin, why not just teleport us there with your Space-Time Ninjutsu?" Kushina suggested.
"Because for all we know, Tsunade might not be back in Konoha yet," Shin said.
"No point rushing. Let's enjoy the journey."
He had another reason for visiting Konoha—he intended to speak with the Hyūga Clan.
Specifically, Shin sought any clue to the rumored portal leading to the moon. His travels hadn't yielded results, and the Hyūga's unique Byakugan lore might hold a hint.
After all, Shin still had a mission involving the Ōtsutsuki Clan on the moon—a quest tied to a Divine Replication Card reward.
That meant the ill-fated moon-dwelling Ōtsutsuki were next on his list. In the end, perhaps only Toneri Ōtsutsuki would remain. Then again, Toneri wasn't even born yet—and might never be.
Traveling leisurely for several days, they arrived at Konoha. Upon entering the village, Shin sensed multiple Anbu eyes trailing him.
But these watchers soon darted away, presumably to inform Hiruzen that Shin had returned.
Considering Shin's power, it was no surprise they deemed him more hazardous than an average S-rank missing-nin.
Shin ignored it all and headed straight for the old Senju compound. Rumor had it that the Konoha forces were back, meaning Tsunade was certainly home.
Inside the modest courtyard where Shin and the others once stayed, they found Tsunade.
Kushina rolled her eyes. "Look at her expression, Shin—zero surprise or welcome. Let's go if she doesn't want us here."
"I've been back for days. You're only just showing up?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
"We've been in the Land of Whirlpools—news travels slow." Shin said, making an excuse.
"Shin-nii, Weren't you the one who said there was no rush? We took a week on the road because—" Konan said.
"My dear Konan, Why so serious?" Shin ruffled her hair, a strained smile on his face.
"So you never gave me a second thought, huh?" Tsunade scowled.
"Hmph! Why should Shin care about you anyway?" Kushina interjected, glaring.
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