It was strange being home.
The village buzzed as always—market stalls shouting out deals, jonin darting across rooftops, and kids playing ninja with cardboard kunai.
But something was different.
Not with the village.
With us.
We walked through the gates a little straighter.
A little quieter.
Even Naruto.
---
Our first day back was a blur.
The Hokage had us file reports. Official ones.
Naruto nearly lit his on fire trying to draw a picture of Haku on the margin.
Sasuke finished his in two minutes and spent the next five scoffing at mine.
I wrote a full five-page breakdown of the mission.
Kakashi skimmed it, nodded, and gave me a thumbs-up.
"Very thorough," he said. "You even included the exact temperature of the mist?"
"It affects mobility," I mumbled.
He patted my shoulder like a proud teacher. Or a tired one.
Maybe both.
---
The Next Day Was Calm.
No missions.
Just us.
Back in the village.
---
Naruto dragged us to Ichiraku.
We ordered enough ramen to terrify the owner.
"I've been dreaming of this," Naruto groaned between bites. "Bridge ramen is NOT real ramen."
"Is that a thing?" Sasuke asked.
"It is now," I said, slurping mine.
Naruto gave us both a thumbs-up with chopsticks in his mouth.
---
Later, we wandered by the training grounds.
The sun was warm, the grass overgrown.
I did a light set of squats—my system chimed approvingly.
> System Update:
Recovery Mode Complete.
All Physical Stats +2
New Routine Unlocked: "Focus Flow" — Enhance chakra circulation through breath-timed movement.
Neat.
I made a mental note to test that later.
Naruto and Sasuke argued about kunai throwing until Kakashi made them do it blindfolded.
Naruto hit himself in the foot.
Sasuke hit the bullseye.
Kakashi read his book and said, "Good hustle, team."
---
That Evening—
We all went our separate ways.
Sasuke walked home alone, hands in pockets, shoulders loose.
Naruto skipped toward the Uzumaki apartment, humming a song off-key.
Kakashi disappeared in a puff of smoke.
I stayed at the field a while longer.
Just breathing.
---
The village felt safe again.
But there was a tension in the air.
A quiet sort of pressure.
Everyone was training harder.
Eyes sharper.
Whispers of something coming.
---
Journal Entry 6:
> Peace doesn't last.
But maybe that's why it feels so good.
We smiled today.
That counts.
(Also Naruto owes me another 7 dumplings. This is getting ridiculous.)