After parting ways with Sasuke, the next step in Kanon's plan was to head toward Konoha.
"Aren't you going to destroy the village this time?" Konin asked from within her inner world.
"No. This time, I'm going to see a friend. As much as I loathe Konoha, I want to take one last look at it before I tear it down."
"As long as you have a plan," Konin replied, falling silent.
Over the next few days, Kanon traveled through various regions. She had to admit, the scenery outside of Konoha was quite beautiful. Eventually, her trek brought her to the vicinity of the Valley of the End, the place where she had once witnessed the monumental clash between Naruto and her brother.
"I wonder what Naruto is like now," Kanon murmured to herself as she continued toward the Hidden Leaf Village.
…
Konoha.
Life in the village carried on as usual.
"Forehead Girl! Don't think for a second that just because you're Tsunade-sama's apprentice, you're suddenly better than me!"
"You're so annoying, Ino-Pig!"
Watching the two girls bicker, Kakashi could only sigh. The members of Team 7 had scattered two years ago; now, only Sakura remained in the village.
"Kakashi-sensei, Ichiraku Ramen is having a promotion today." Sakura looked back at him. "Since Naruto is out training, why don't we go grab a bowl?"
"Sure," Kakashi nodded. It had been two years since Naruto left to train with Jiraiya. In that time, everyone had been working hard to grow stronger.
As Ino and Sakura headed toward the shop, Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi came running up from a distance.
"Um... has Naruto-niichan come back yet?"
"There's probably one more year to go," Kakashi answered thoughtfully.
"I see..." Konohamaru looked dejected as he led his team away.
Watching them leave, Ino shook her head helplessly. "I wonder if that idiot Naruto will actually get stronger training under Jiraiya-sama."
"He will. I believe in him," Sakura said firmly, staring into the distance. She chose to trust in Naruto's growth, just as Kanon once had.
…
Outside Konoha.
Kanon donned her fox mask. As she looked upon the familiar village, her expression grew cold. Seeing Konoha brought back bitter memories: the pursuit after the Chunin Exams, Danzo's hateful face, and the sight of her parents' warm blood pooling in her arms.
"One day, I will level this entire place." Within her eyes, the rose-shaped patterns of her Sharingan emerged. Her heart bled with a mixture of hatred and grief. Though her mask hid her features, a stray tear escaped the corner of her eye.
She began to walk toward the gates.
"Hey, kid! Who are you?"
From the guard station, Izumo Kamizuki called out, sounding suspicious. Kotetsu Hagane walked over to join him.
"What's going on?"
"An unrecognized girl trying to enter the village."
As the two moved to intercept her, Kanon's Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun slowly.
"No way! The Sharingan? Are you an Uchiha—?!"
Before they could finish, three tomoe mirrored themselves in the pupils of Kotetsu and Izumo. They slumped to the ground, unconscious. Kanon didn't kill them; she simply stepped over them and walked into the village.
"Things have changed quite a bit over the last few years." Kanon looked around before leaping onto a utility pole. With her arms outstretched for balance, she stood atop the wires, surveying the entirety of Konoha.
"The scale has grown, but the core remains the same," she whispered. She pulled the mask up, resting it on the left side of her forehead to reveal her refined features.
Then, she noticed a new addition to the Great Stone Faces: Tsunade's visage.
"So that hemophobic Sannin woman became the Fifth Hokage?" Kanon's thoughts drifted back to the day she had encountered Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade together. Back then, she had been arrogant, claiming the Uchiha stood above the Sannin, though, in truth, she had been bluffing quite a bit.
A breeze blew past, and a green leaf drifted into her palm. She stared at it for a few seconds before the leaf suddenly split into two perfect halves.
"Hmph." She hopped down from the pole and walked openly through the streets. She no longer hid her identity, keeping her mask pulled aside. The streets were bustling; the disappearance of the Uchiha had seemingly left no void in the daily lives of the villagers.
"Everyone seems to be doing well," Kanon noted. Just then, a girl with pale eyes and a headband around her neck walked past.
"It's Hinata. She's grown so much... especially there." Kanon glanced at Hinata's developing figure and then looked down at herself.
"Why is the gap between people so large...?" She hung her head. The competition hadn't even started, yet Kanon felt like she'd already lost.
"Um... excuse me, were you calling for me?" Hinata asked shyly, approaching Kanon. Looking at this girl who was roughly her height, Hinata felt a strange sense of familiarity.
"No... it's nothing." Kanon coughed and hurried away. Despite Hinata's puzzled look, Kanon didn't look back, heading deeper into the village.
"What a strange girl," Hinata murmured. Just then, Neji Hyuga walked up to her.
Hinata smiled. "Neji-niisan! Thanks for training with me again today."
"Hinata-sama... that girl you were just talking to. Did you feel a strange sense of familiarity from her?"
"Yeah, I did. I feel like I know her... Wait, Neji-niisan, you felt it too?"
"Should we follow her?"
"Should we? I don't know... tailing someone feels a bit wrong..." Hinata fidgeted.
"Hinata-sama, are you coming? That person is suspicious."
"Okay... let's go. If you say so, I'm curious too."
And so, Kanon walked ahead while Neji and Hinata trailed behind. Of course, Kanon had detected them instantly; she simply didn't care.
Eventually, Kanon led them to a specific storefront.
"Eh?!" Hinata was shocked. The place Kanon had stopped at was Ichiraku Ramen!
"Hey, what are you guys doing?" Shikamaru, Kiba, and Choji called out, spotting the two Hyuga.
"Where's Shino?" Choji asked.
"I don't know," Hinata shook her head.
"Why is everyone at Ichiraku?" Tenten and Rock Lee joined the group. They had been on their way to train when they saw the crowd gathering.
"Neji-niisan saw a familiar-looking person, so he told us to follow her."
"Ichiraku? Isn't that Naruto's favorite spot?" Tenten muttered.
"Naruto? Is he back?!" Kiba asked, as Akamaru barked in confusion.
"I don't think so..." Hinata said, getting nervous as the crowd grew.
"Should we wait here? It might be rude to interrupt her meal," Hinata suggested.
"Fine, let's wait a moment," Neji nodded.