Although Itachi and Shisui didn't exchange many words with Rengoku, in their hearts he had always been like the pillar that steadies the sea, the core support of the entire clan.
As long as Rengoku returned, they felt completely at ease.
At this moment, Fugaku's expression looked a little strange. He murmured to himself thoughtfully, "It's already been five years. Those kids have all grown up, but Rengoku still seems exactly the same."
Makumi confirmed it as well, "The clan leader looks exactly the same as he did during that battle five years ago. He hasn't even changed his clothes."
Fugaku frowned slightly, falling into thought.
After a moment, he spoke, "From what we know so far, the clan leader probably didn't experience a very long period of time over there."
After Rengoku disappeared, Orochimaru had spent quite a long time trying every possible way to bring him back to Konoha.
During that time, Orochimaru searched through a large number of ancient texts and documents and did extensive research.
Taking advantage of this, Fugaku and the others in the clan also learned quite a bit from Orochimaru's research about space-time travel and the differences in the flow of time between different dimensions.
At this moment, Shisui gently rubbed his distinctive garlic-shaped nose and cut in.
"If that's the case, then by normal time calculations, wouldn't Itachi be the same age as the clan leader now?"
Hearing that, Itachi quickly waved his hands and shook his head.
"Senior gives off a much more mature impression than his actual age."
In fact, when it came to Rengoku himself, both his intelligence and his emotional awareness far surpassed most members of the Uchiha clan.
Because of that, people often forgot his real age.
Thinking about it, Fugaku could not help but sigh with emotion.
"For the Uchiha clan to produce a genius like Rengoku is truly the clan's fortune."
"As for the future development of the Uchiha, I don't feel worried at all. It's just a pity that I can't really help anymore."
There was a faint trace of regret and helplessness in his words.
Deep down, he still wished he could fight side by side with Rengoku, but his physical condition had already become an obstacle he couldn't overcome.
In order to keep the secret that the Mangekyō Sharingan could cause blindness, even if he replaced his eyes in the future, he would no longer be able to fight on the front lines.
For Fugaku, this was undoubtedly a regret.
"Father…", Itachi wanted to comfort him, but before he could say anything, Fugaku raised his hand to stop him.
Fugaku lowered his hand, "I'm just sighing a little. Rengoku just came back, so he's probably busy lately. Let's talk again after he's figured things out."
———
At the training ground in the Uchiha clan district, the atmosphere was unusually lively.
Karin, Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, Ajisai, Hotaru, Kurama Yakumo, and Shion were all gathered here, quietly waiting for something.
Meanwhile, Gaara, Kimimaro, and Haku were still far away in the desert. They had no idea that Rengoku had returned, so they would have to wait until the next reunion to be told.
Sasuke stared straight at Karin, his eyes shining with excitement and anticipation that he couldn't hide.
Now Sasuke had grown to the same height as Karin, though visually Karin seemed slightly taller.
But if their exact heights were carefully measured, Sasuke would actually be the one who was a little taller.
Sasuke had been teased as the junior for far too long.
He wanted to be the senior brother now.
Thinking back five years ago, ever since Sasuke successfully evolved his three-tomoe Sharingan, his strength had skyrocketed.
Whether it was the amount of chakra in his body, or the essential ninja skills such as physical ability, genjutsu, and ninjutsu, every aspect had grown rapidly and comprehensively.
Especially in the field of genjutsu, he had top masters like his brother Itachi and Shisui personally teaching him.
For Fire Release techniques, his father Fugaku had instructed him personally.
As for swordsmanship, the Uchiha clan had plenty of talented experts, all of whom taught him everything they knew.
With a good teacher in every area, Sasuke could only say there was too much to learn. He simply couldn't finish learning it all.
Deep inside, Sasuke longed to show his master the results of all his hard work over the years.
Calling it "eagerly looking forward to it" would not be an exaggeration at all.
The meeting on Rengoku's side did not take very long.
After waiting a short while, Sasuke and the others saw Rengoku slowly walking toward them.
The moment they saw him appear, every face lit up with genuine joy.
"Shishou!"
"Principal!"
"Lord Rengoku!"
Greetings overlapped one after another, echoing through the air.
Everyone present was roughly the same age as Naruto. In other words, every single one of them was about sixteen years old.
At sixteen, they had already shed some of their childishness and were beginning to understand things more clearly.
Girls like Ajisai and Kurama Yakumo had a deeper understanding of how rare and fortunate it was to have the opportunity to enter the Uchiha clan.
As for Hotaru, she finally understood the intentions Rengoku had when he saved her back then.
Even the usually shy and reserved Hinata now knew very well that if Rengoku had not stepped in to help, she and her younger sister Hanabi would probably have already died and become sacrifices in the internal conflict between the branches of their clan.
As Rengoku walked closer and closer, everyone rushed forward impatiently and quickly surrounded him.
Naruto in particular could barely contain his excitement and kept talking nonstop.
"Principal, where did you go? We missed you so much."
"Alright, alright. You're all this grown up already, and you're still acting like kids."
Rengoku's lips curved into a gentle smile. At the same time, he reached out and lightly rubbed Naruto's golden hair, teasing him a little.
Although after traveling through time Rengoku had already met two different versions of Naruto, his interactions with those two were not particularly many.
The Naruto in front of him was completely different.
This Naruto had been personally rescued by Rengoku from a terrible situation after tremendous effort.
Because of that, the bond between them was far from ordinary.
Rengoku went down the line, patting each of their heads one by one.
(´･ω･)ﾉ(._.`)
Ever since they had come here, Rengoku had often made gestures like this filled with care.
These actions had long been deeply engraved in everyone's memories.
Whenever Rengoku did this again, that familiar warmth instantly rose in their hearts, filling them with an unprecedented sense of security.
But when it came to Sasuke, things changed slightly.
Sasuke muttered softly, "Shishou, you were gone for so long. Every step of my growth happened without you seeing it."
Hearing that, Rengoku smiled faintly.
Then he brought his hands together and gently tapped Sasuke's forehead with two fingers as he said softly, "Forgive me, Sasuke. This is the last time."
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