After a night of absurdity, when Hikaru Uchiha opened his eyes in the morning sunlight, he still found it hard to believe what had happened.
First Chiri came looking for him last night, then Tsunade and the others showed up—what happened throughout the night had exceeded his wildest imagination.
Inwardly, Hikaru couldn't help but criticize such behavior: The more the better!
As that thought crossed his mind, Tsunade also began to stir.
However, the events of last night made her clamp her eyes shut, pretending to still be asleep.
But then, a strange sensation suddenly made her cry out in surprise, her face turning scarlet as she shyly buried her head.
Turns out, Hikaru was in good health—and morning brought certain natural reactions with it.
Her sudden yelp woke the others.
They opened their eyes, and upon seeing Tsunade's flushed face, immediately understood what had just happened.
Even though this wasn't their first time, witnessing it again was enough to leave them all red-faced with embarrassment.
But Hikaru didn't plan on giving them time to recover—once again, the entire room was enveloped by a barrier.
After that night of madness, the ones who had tasted the forbidden fruit lingered a few extra days in the Land of Hot Water.
The hot springs, gourmet food, and tranquil environment offered them an unforgettable honeymoon-like retreat.
But good times never last long.
One sunny morning, Hikaru received a letter from an Anbu courier.
Opening the envelope, he found an exquisitely crafted invitation inside.
As his gaze landed on the content, his expression instantly turned strange.
Written in golden ink were the words:
"Uchiha Hikaru will officially assume the position of Hokage in three days."
To Hikaru, this news was like a bolt from the blue.
Because it meant that his peaceful days were officially over.
Staring at the invitation, Hikaru felt a storm of black lines filling his mind.
He sighed helplessly and handed the letter to Tsunade beside him.
Tsunade took the invitation, read the contents, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Looks like Lord Hikaru's carefree days are over~"
The teasing in her tone was far too obvious, prompting the other women to laugh as well.
Hearing this, Hikaru tossed the invitation aside and suddenly tackled Tsunade, growling playfully,
"Now who was it that begged me to be rougher, hmm? I seem to have forgotten~"
Though his expression was fierce, his eyes gleamed with mischief and flirtation.
Tsunade blushed but still tried to act tough,
"That was then—what does that have to do with now?"
She said it in an attempt to mask her own embarrassment and shyness.
But Hikaru simply raised a brow and said,
"If that's how you feel, maybe I'll just leave you behind this time?"
The moment those words left his lips, Tsunade panicked.
She knew Hikaru was joking, but when it came to his matters, she wasn't willing to lose to the others.
She immediately admitted defeat,
"Alright, alright! I was wrong!"
Seeing her surrender so quickly made the others burst out in even louder laughter.
Thanks to Tsunade's antics, Hikaru's grumpiness over the interrupted vacation vanished completely.
Soon after, they packed up and prepared to return to Konoha.
When everything was ready, Hikaru teleported them back.
But rather than warping straight to the Hokage Building, he chose to appear just outside Konoha's main gate.
He wanted to experience this place he hadn't seen in years with his own eyes—to witness firsthand what had changed.
They appeared before the gate, and Hikaru furrowed his brows.
The giant doors looked exactly the same—majestic and solemn, standing tall and proud.
He stepped forward and gently ran his fingers over the carved patterns, as if trying to feel the memories hidden within.
"Doesn't seem like much has changed," Tsunade said, stepping beside him and looking around.
"Maybe the changes are inside?" suggested Nonō.
So the group proceeded into the village.
The moment they entered, they were left speechless.
Konoha had transformed beyond recognition.
It felt like they had stepped into an entirely new world.
Skyscrapers towered on every block, seemingly competing to pierce the sky.
These ultra-modern buildings stood in stark contrast to the traditional, single-story homes of old Konoha, creating a surreal blend of time and space.
The streets were bustling with people from all walks of life.
Citizens in trendy clothing wove through the crowd, each flaunting their own unique fashion sense—a testament to the village's diversity and energy.
The once-narrow paths had become wide and smooth, as if welcoming a new era.
Various high-tech transport vehicles cruised the roads.
Some resembled floating skateboards, zipping through the air.
Others looked like compact cars, but soared freely above ground.
All these vehicles were powered by chakra—not only efficient and eco-friendly, but also the perfect fusion of technology and ninjutsu.
"This… is really Konoha?"
Tsunade's eyes widened in disbelief.
The village she once knew had undergone such a monumental transformation, it surpassed anything she could've imagined.
"Looks like we really have been gone too long," Hikaru murmured, deeply moved.
As he gazed upon the futuristic Konoha, an unfamiliar but hopeful feeling swelled in his chest.
They continued forward, discovering something new with each step.
Even the corner shops sold more than just traditional ninja tools—they now offered advanced technology products too.
One device, similar to a mobile phone, caught Hikaru's attention.
He picked it up and curiously asked the shopkeeper about it.
From the explanation, he learned that this was indeed a phone, though its functions were relatively basic—calls and texts only.
Due to certain limitations, it could only be used within the Land of Fire.
Still, compared to the past, it felt like a leap across eras.
These little discoveries only made them more eager to explore what else had changed.
So they picked up the pace, excited to witness more of the new world.
When they finally arrived at the Hokage Building, they were stunned once more.
The old Hokage office had been completely replaced by a towering skyscraper with over a hundred floors.
The building was imposing and magnificent, a clear symbol of Konoha's prosperity and strength.
Outside the structure, a massive digital screen caught everyone's attention.
It displayed real-time information—news, weather, announcements, and more—serving as a convenient communication platform for the entire village.
The constantly updating stream of content drew a crowd, with many villagers stopping to watch.