Naruto Birdcage

Minato and Shikaku returned, accompanied by hundreds of ninjas who had been out on missions.

Villagers gathered in the main street to welcome their triumphant return.

Everyone was present for the occasion, including Orochimaru, who wore the Hokage cloak and the Hokage hat, standing at the front of the crowd.

The scene was grand and festive, with the streets decorated with lanterns and many banners hanging from the sides.

People on both sides cheered enthusiastically.

"Lord Hokage," Minato stood beside Shikaku and Inoichi, greeting Orochimaru with a bow.

Orochimaru smiled, stepped forward to help Minato up, and exchanged some words of comfort.

Shikaku quickly scanned the people behind Orochimaru.

Both Hokage advisors were present, and so was Jiraiya, but there was no sign of the Third Hokage.

Minato also brought the war payment from the Kirigakure, which was very generous and essentially paid for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Orochimaru, after reviewing it, felt very satisfied, thinking that his research lab could now be expanded.

The celebration continued for quite some time, and eventually, the senior officials arrived at the Hokage building.

Orochimaru publicly praised Minato, Shikaku, and the others, offering them generous rewards.

Afterward, he delivered many formal speeches, with Makoto present throughout.

Shikaku occasionally glanced at the unusually young-looking boy among the crowd.

He had heard many things about him—he was the new head of the Hyuga clan and was currently managing the village.

Orochimaru then told everyone that they could head home to rest after their long journey, as a celebration banquet was prepared for the evening.

Minato left the Hokage building, said his farewells to everyone, and as he made his way back to the village, his thoughts became somewhat complicated.

He had once thought the position of Hokage was just a step away, but to his surprise, someone had claimed the position before him.

Rin, Obito, and Kushina, who had been waiting outside, immediately approached him.

After chatting for a while, Minato noticed Obito's new right arm, which surprised him.

Obito mentioned that Lord Hokage had helped him attach it and spoke about the use of Hashirama's cells and Wood Release techniques.

Minato pondered for a moment.

He wasn't familiar with such matters, but he simply said,

"Since Lord Hokage has said so, you should work hard and not let the reputation of Wood Release go to waste."

Obito smiled upon hearing this, "Of course, after all I'm going to become Hokage in the future!"

"..."

Minato only smiled and gently patted his shoulder.

"Where's Kakashi?" he then asked.

"Kakashi..." Rin and Obito exchanged a glance, hesitating to speak.

"What's going on with Kakashi?"

"Kakashi joined the Anbu; he should be on duty right now," Rin said.

Minato was quite surprised and looked at Kushina.

Kushina then said, "Kakashi said it was his decision. He believes he'll get better training in the Anbu."

Minato remained silent for a moment before turning to Obito and Rin with a smile.

"Let's go to my place first."

On the way back, Minato hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should visit the Third Hokage, but after some thought, he realized that the absence of the Third Hokage today had already conveyed a lot of meaning.

The evening banquet wasn't just for the Hokage and the higher-ups; all the ninjas of the village were invited.

The venue was set up on the open ground above the Hokage Rock and had been arranged before the return of those who had been on the front lines.

Makoto arrived a little late.

Every table was already full.

The younger people sat together, and the adults sat together.

There was drinking and chatting, with older generations boasting of their bravery on the battlefield, painting the Kirigakure and Iwagakure as defeated village.

Some, already drunk, were dancing, while others laughed and cried when emotions ran high.

The continuous wars had only brought sadness and suffering to Konoha, and everyone needed an occasion like this to release their inner feelings.

"Makoto!"

Makoto suddenly heard someone calling his name.

Turning around, he saw that it was Anko, who was sitting with Rin, Obito, and other people of his age, and Kakashi was also there.

Scanning the crowd, Makoto recognized people like Might Guy, Iruka, Asuma, Shizune, and Kurenai.

These young people couldn't drink, so they were sitting together, eating and chatting.

"Makoto, would you like to sit here with us?" Obito smiled and invited him.

"No need, you all enjoy yourselves," Makoto replied with a gentle smile, declining the offer.

After Makoto left, someone asked who he was, as he seemed familiar.

Kakashi spoke up, saying, "His name is Hyuga Makoto, the new head of the Hyuga clan, and also an assistant to the Hokage."

A few of the young people were surprised, as he looked about the same age as them.

"Rin, is he the one you saved on the battlefield?" Kurenai suddenly asked Rin.

Rin nodded and confirmed it, mentioning that the seal on her had been removed by Makoto himself.

Makoto went to the table at the far end of the venue where Orochimaru was sitting.

This table was occupied by the heads of various prominent clans and well-known ninjas, such as Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Minato.

"Makoto, why are you so late?" Orochimaru, sitting at the head of the table, asked with a faint smile.

Makoto couldn't help but roll his eyes internally, thinking to himself,

You left all the work to me, and now you're asking why I'm late?

"Sorry, Lord Hokage, something came up," Makoto replied.

"This must be Lord Makoto," Shikaku said with a smile.

"Shikaku-senpai," Makoto greeted.

"Lord Makoto is the Hokage's most capable assistant," Fugaku also said with a smile.

"You're too kind, Fugaku-senpai."

The people at the table were all adults with high status in the village, making Makoto feel somewhat out of place, attracting quite a few curious glances.

Makoto greeted everyone courteously, maintaining the demeanor of a respectful junior.

Unlike elsewhere, there was no real emotional outpouring at this table, but the conversation wasn't about official matters either; it was more about reminiscing past events.

Although some of these people might have different political views within the village, on the battlefield, they were comrades who trusted each other with their lives.

Aside from Makoto, most of them were of similar age, and the atmosphere at the table was quite harmonious.

Jiraiya had a bit too much to drink and suddenly began recounting some of his youthful romantic escapades, which made the only woman present, Tsunade, extremely angry.

She grabbed his collar and was about to punch him.

Seeing this, Minato quickly stepped in to stop the two.

The others couldn't help but chuckle.

Such behavior would be impossible for them, but only people like Tsunade and Jiraiya could be so carefree, or perhaps "unconventional" was the right word.

Makoto didn't have much to contribute to the conversation, so he just listened attentively while eating.

After dealing with the day's work, he was genuinely hungry.

Watching others drink and enjoy their time, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious, though he was still a minor.

In the world of anime, minors can destroy worlds and kill without hesitation, but they can't drink alcohol.

Halfway through the meal, Jiraiya left the table, repeatedly showing signs that he was about to vomit.

Minato, seeing this, quickly dragged him to the edge of the mountain to let him puke.

Tsunade expressed her disdain for Jiraiya, saying that he didn't act at all like a sensei, and remarked that he was truly fortunate to have such a disciple like Minato.

The banquet continued late into the night, until some villagers came to call their families home to rest.

The area was thick with the smell of alcohol, some people had already collapsed onto the tables, fast asleep, while others were rambling incoherently.

The lively atmosphere gradually quieted down, and the area near the Hidden Stone monument became empty, leaving behind a mess.

Makoto didn't leave.

Instead, he sat alone on top of the stone monument of Orochimaru, enjoying the cool evening breeze.

Under the streetlights, the groups of people slowly wandered off, swaying as they walked, humming rhythmic tunes, their laughter and curses fading into the stillness of the night.

The waning moon hung high, kissing the peaceful village below, and from time to time, the sound of distant dogs barking could be heard, as if it were a faint, distant dream.

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