Chapter 142
"Understood," Hiruzen Sarutobi responded calmly. He had already received news that Orochimaru had found Jiraiya and Tsunade and that they had escaped danger. However, his mind was still occupied with the news regarding White Fang and the situation at the borders.
After a moment of thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi called out, "Once they enter the village, have Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade come directly to the conference room."
"Yes!" the ninja outside the window acknowledged the command before disappearing.
At midday, under the bright sun, a group of weary travelers arrived at the western gates of Konoha. Orochimaru had successfully led his team to locate and bring back Jiraiya and Tsunade, who had encountered danger in the Land of Rain. This news spread quickly throughout the village.
Of particular note was the revelation that Haruto Saito was still alive. This was significant news for both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans.
The other ninjas dispersed upon entering the village—their mission was complete, and the reporting of it was not their responsibility.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, who carried a wooden barrel on his back, walked side by side. Following closely behind them, clad in a loose black robe, was Haruto Saito. No one could see the black samurai armor hidden beneath his robe. This was a crucial detail. Although the fact that Haruto Saito was the Black Samurai was difficult to keep secret, it was still unwise to parade around openly in the armor—it would attract too much attention.
The bustling streets were lively, filled with merchants, travelers, and villagers going about their daily lives. The air was filled with the familiar scent of home.
Even though Haruto Saito had only been away from Konoha for less than a month, returning gave him a nostalgic feeling. Gone were the hardships of fleeing and traveling. Gone was the constant sense of danger. The best way to describe the feeling was: comfortable.
However, Haruto Saito was in poor spirits—he was exhausted.
He had been plagued by nightmares. For the last three nights before reaching Konoha, he had woken up repeatedly from terrifying dreams, unable to get proper rest.