As night fell, Yahiko and the others could no longer hold back.
Stepping outside, the four of them gathered together.
Without a word, just a glance was enough to understand each other's intentions.
"Where are you all headed?"
"Konoha isn't our Akatsukigakure, so it's best to be cautious."
The sound of the door opening startled two senior members of Akatsukigakure. They stepped out to find Yahiko's group preparing to leave.
"It's getting a bit dull, and it's just about mealtime."
"We're going for a walk and grabbing some food."
Yahiko flashed a bright smile. It wasn't exactly a lie—wherever they went, they did plan to eat.
"I see."
"Then we'll come along."
Loyal as ever, the two Akatsuki shinobi immediately prepared to close the door and follow.
In an unfamiliar place like Konoha, they couldn't be at ease letting Yahiko and the others wander alone.
If Konoha tried anything underhanded, they were ready to risk their lives to protect them.
"No, no need."
"You two should rest."
Konan waved her hands, practically writing "don't follow us" on her face.
"We're just taking a stroll. Nothing's going to happen."
Nonō also spoke up, thinking, How could I bring these two along when I'm going to see Lady Tsunade?
"We promise not to disturb you."
"We'll just stay close."
Still insistent, the two Akatsuki shinobi kept their hands on the doorknob, unwilling to let go.
"If something really happens, you'll just slow us down."
"Stay put."
"If you want to go out, go explore on your own."
Nagato, ever decisive, finished speaking and immediately took Nonō by the hand, striding forward.
The two Akatsuki shinobi stood frozen. Seeing this, Yahiko and Konan quickly hurried after them.
"That was brutal. Why does Nagato always have to be so blunt?"
"It just shows he cares about us."
Once Yahiko's group had disappeared into the distance, the two shinobi exchanged glances and quickly came to terms with the situation.
"Sigh, fine. If we're not going, we're not going."
"Let's just sleep."
Frustrated, they lost even the appetite for dinner. Two heavy door slams echoed down the hallway.
...
"Wasn't that a little harsh?"
Outside the inn, Yahiko started to feel uneasy. Those two had been with them since before Akatsukigakure was even founded.
"You still don't understand people."
"You know they're loyal, but you don't know their personalities."
"When we come back, we'll bring some good sake. That'll cheer them up in no time."
Nagato wasn't truly cold-hearted; it was just the simplest way to resolve the situation.
As they walked through the familiar streets of Konoha, a small smile played at his lips.
"Alright, alright."
"Our Nagato sure knows how to read people."
Yahiko scoffed, feeling like he was the one lacking as the Akatsukikage.
"Haha~"
Konan and Nonō laughed openly as they watched the two bicker, clearly enjoying the show.
"Hurry up."
"We'll miss dinner if we're late."
Picking up the pace, Nagato led the way. The four of them followed, walking down roads they hadn't traveled in a long time.
Before they even reached their destination, their hands were already full of snacks, each bite tasting even better than they remembered.
The nostalgic flavors spread across their tongues, and they all savored the moment, eyes half-closed in contentment.
With light steps, they finally arrived near the Hatake residence.
"Why is the door open?"
Konan's sharp eyes immediately noticed that the front door was left wide open.
"Maybe they're expecting guests."
Yahiko didn't think much of it. Anyone visiting the Hatake household would likely be someone they knew.
"Or maybe... they're waiting for you?"
Nonō hit the nail on the head. Even if guests were expected, there was no need to leave the door open the whole time.
Besides, there were no servants standing outside to greet anyone, which didn't quite fit the etiquette of a prestigious clan.
"Waiting for us?"
"But we never said we were coming."
Yahiko still found it hard to believe. They hadn't informed anyone of their visit.
"What's the point of guessing?"
"We'll know once we step inside."
Nagato spoke indifferently, but he had already accepted Nonō's reasoning.
Did they really need someone to welcome them back to their own home?
The open door was clearly meant for them.
"You're right. Let's go."
Hearing Nagato's words, Yahiko saw no need to dwell on it.
With such a short distance left, there was no point wasting any more thought.
As they stepped through the Hatake Clan's gates, they noticed the courtyard was empty.
Only a few samurai stood hidden in the shadows, silently keeping watch.
Even as they entered, the guards remained motionless, acting as if they hadn't seen them at all.
"They must be eating."
Yahiko was certain—he could almost catch the faint scent of food lingering in the air.
"Then what are we waiting for? Charge!"
Konan shook off Yahiko's hand and sprinted toward the dining hall.
"That greedy girl."
Nagato chuckled, shaking his head as he pulled Nonō along at a brisk pace.
"Wait for me!"
Realizing he was falling behind, Yahiko hurriedly ran after them.
As they disappeared into the courtyard, the door behind them quietly shut.
...
Konan was the first to burst into the dining hall, only to find more people inside than she expected.
Kushina, Nawaki, and his family—everyone was staring at her.
Before she could say anything, a voice spoke up.
"You're back."
"Sit down, dinner is about to start."
Kawakaze smiled faintly, his tone casual.
But Konan's eyes reddened.
It was such a simple phrase, yet one she had heard countless times before.
Nagato and Nonō followed right after, with Yahiko arriving last.
"What are you all standing around for?"
"Do I have to invite you to sit?"
"You really think you're guests now?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, feigning a stern expression.
"We're sitting, we're sitting!"
Feeling like children who had been caught misbehaving, the four quickly took their seats, slightly uneasy.
Everything was just as they remembered—except now, Nonō and Karin were here too.
Little Karin sat in Misaki's arms, her big, bright eyes blinking as she curiously observed the unfamiliar faces of her new uncles and aunts.
"Today's meal is full of your favorites."
"Eat as much as you like."
Naoyuki gestured for the servants to place some dishes closer to them, showing her usual thoughtfulness.
"Mom, that's unfair!"
"I like this food too, you know!"
Kakashi's voice carried a hint of playful complaint, though he didn't seem truly upset.
"Food is food, what does it matter what you eat?"
"Stop whining."
Sakumo shot him a glare, making Kakashi look genuinely aggrieved this time.
"Just put it down."
"You can't spoil children too much."
But the moment he turned away, Sakumo's face lit up with a cheerful grin—a clear case of double standards.
"Alright, Uncle."
Yahiko and the others immediately set down their plates, not daring to object.
They exchanged glances, silently conveying their helplessness to Kakashi.
Watching the scene unfold, Minato chuckled softly. It had been a long time since he'd seen such a sight.
They had always doted on Kakashi.
Ginji's gaze lingered on Yahiko and the others, as if trying to piece together the faces from his memories.
When they had left Konoha, he had been too young to remember them well.
But now, looking at them closely, they felt more familiar than ever.
"The food's all here. Let's eat."
Kawakaze, as always, paid no mind to formalities in front of his family and dug in first.
This place was steeped in time, with every corner carrying echoes of the past.
The familiar flavors unlocked old memories, as if opening a long-sealed door.
Familiar faces sat together, their smiles warm and genuine—bonds that even the passing years could not erase.
With just a few bites, Yahiko and the others found themselves slipping back into their old selves.
Konan chatted happily with Kushina, their laughter ringing through the air.
They shared snippets of their lives, small yet precious moments that carried a special weight in times like these.
Meanwhile, Yahiko, Nagato, Nawaki, and Minato were deep in conversation.
They reminisced about past adventures, their words tinged with nostalgia.
For now, there was no talk of war, no tension of the shinobi world—just the warmth of home and simple, everyday joys.
The older generation mostly listened, watching over them with gentle smiles.
Every now and then, they chimed in with wisdom and experience, adding their voices to the conversation.
Laughter filled the room, as if time had rewound itself.
For Yahiko and the others, it felt like they had never left this place at all.