Dinner at Namikaze Minato's House, News in the Night! The Hyuga Family Has Been Wiped Out!

Ōnoki handed the letter to Kitsuchi, his gaze resolute.

"Send someone to Kumogakure immediately. Ensure they receive this as quickly as possible."

Kitsuchi looked at his father, whose will was unshakeable. Despite his misgivings, he respectfully accepted the order and departed.

Ōnoki stood alone in the night, gazing into the distance.

What would the future hold...

He did not know.

Perhaps.

Even if he gave his all.

Konoha would still be the greatest village.

Konoha's foundation was terrifyingly deep; no matter the crisis, powerful figures would always emerge.

But...

Ōnoki did not regret it.

He opened his palm.

"Particle Style..."

The ninjas of Kumogakure could not sleep.

Following the news of Raikage A's death in battle and the capture of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, the mood among all the ninjas was anxious and conflicted.

Even late into the night, the arguments continued.

"We cannot make peace! We must keep fighting! We must avenge Lord Raikage!"

"We can't keep fighting... Konoha is simply too strong. How are we supposed to win?"

"We could form an alliance with Iwagakure!"

"Lord Raikage was wary of Iwagakure while he was alive. Who knows if this alliance would be a blessing or a curse?"

"Enough! I think you've all just lost your nerve! My suggestion is to keep fighting! We still have Killer B and many other brave and powerful Cloud Village Ninjas!"

"Why speak so harshly? I'll ask you this: on what grounds do you believe we can defeat Konoha? We have suffered heavy losses, while Konoha's morale is at its peak. How do you intend to deal with Namikaze Minato? What about the other Sannin? And that Hyuga Shin!"

The Cloud Village Ninjas were locked in endless debate.

At this moment.

Killer B finally regained his senses late in the night.

Upon waking, the first thing he learned was the news of the Raikage's death.

Overcome with grief, Killer B retreated into himself.

If... if I hadn't been ambushed by Orochimaru and had gone to support Lord Raikage instead, would things have turned out differently?

"Lord Killer B, you must pull yourself together! Right now, you are the only one in Kumogakure who can lead everyone!"

"Right, right... the battle isn't over yet."

Without giving Killer B any time to wallow, he was quickly escorted by his supporters to—

"No matter what, I will avenge the Raikage! Kumogakure must never give up!"

Though Killer B's voice trembled, it was filled with absolute resolve!

Once he emerged, the Cloud Village Ninjas seemed to find their backbone; the arguments subsided, and they ultimately rallied behind Killer B.

"I will personally head to Iwagakure to discuss an alliance!"

"Killer B... that's too dangerous. You are the only Jinchuriki left in Kumogakure! If something were to happen..."

"Rest assured! If I encounter danger, I will go on a rampage—and I'll do it right on Iwagakure soil!"

Killer B declared.

No matter the predicament...

The Cloud Village Ninjas would always offer a hearty laugh and face it head-on!!

Hyuga Shin returned home.

He received various commendations from the Hyuga Family for his actions.

But at the end, there was a warning.

"Do not get too close to the Uchiha Clan... They are a troublesome clan, and it will do you no good."

Upon hearing this, Hyuga Shin's expression darkened: "What do you mean?"

"Exactly as it sounds. The relationship between the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan has always been delicate. In the past, you associated with him because neither of you was well-known, but now that both of you have gained fame to varying degrees... I hope you know what you're doing!"

Hyuga Shin: "..."

Hyuga Shin did not speak, merely standing silently in place.

Thoughts churned within his mind...

The next day.

After sending the peace proposal, Hiruzen Sarutobi waited in full anticipation for a response from Kumogakure.

He had already begun preparing for Konoha's post-war reconstruction.

This war had been forced upon Konoha by Kumogakure.

But the outcome was favorable.

Konoha already possessed formidable military strength.

This war had even allowed figures like Namikaze Minato to emerge.

It could be said that there were successors to carry the torch...

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt very gratified by this.

Next, it was just a matter of waiting for Kumogakure's reply.

Meanwhile.

On the other side.

Uchiha Miya came to find Hyuga Shin.

"Shin, come out and spar with me!"

Hyuga Shin nodded, and together with Uchiha Miya, he headed toward the small grove.

But this time, Hyuga Shin easily beat Uchiha Miya to the ground.

"Trash, you're too weak." Hyuga Shin said coldly.

Uchiha Miya gritted his teeth: "You... how has your physical fitness improved so much!"

"I don't know!" Hyuga Shin said righteously.

Uchiha Miya's mouth twitched. "Don't get cocky. I'll beat you sooner or later!"

The two of them sparred for several rounds until they were both exhausted.

Following the "Hyuga Shin Retrieval Mission," Hyuga Shin was directly promoted to Elite Jonin, and Uchiha Miya's forehead protector was also replaced with that of a Jonin.

Afterward, Hyuga Shin gazed at the sky, lost in thought.

"What are you thinking about? You rarely have that look on your face," Uchiha Miya asked.

"My clan told me to stop associating with people from the Uchiha Clan," Hyuga Shin said.

Hearing this, Uchiha Miya fell silent.

A moment later.

He spoke, "Then... what do you think?"

Hyuga Shin did not speak.

Uchiha Miya felt an inexplicable surge of anger. "Hmph! I don't need you anyway!"

Hyuga Shin, however, spoke up. "Miya, I'll teach you the Lightning Release Chakra Mode and the Lightning Release Armor."

"I already copied them with my Sharingan, I don't need you to teach me!" Uchiha Miya huffed and walked away.

Hyuga Shin took a long, deep look at Uchiha Miya.

Finally, he sighed.

"That's for the best..."

Two days passed.

Hyuga Shin had not met with Uchiha Miya again.

Inside the villa.

Namikaze Minato held his girlfriend Kushina Uzumaki by her slender waist; the two of them were quite affectionate.

With the war currently quiet, although Namikaze Minato felt some unease about the future, he would never speak of such things to Kushina Uzumaki...

"I'm planning to bring my students over for dinner tonight..."

"Mm! I'll definitely make a big feast~"

Kushina rolled up her sleeves, revealing her arms.

"Sounds good~" Namikaze Minato held his beloved, his heart overflowing with happiness.

Afterward, the two planned to practice Fuinjutsu together.

The Uzumaki Clan was proficient in Fuinjutsu, and Namikaze Minato was also a master of the craft.

Namikaze Minato and Kushina practiced Fuinjutsu together, then went to eat.

In truth, Namikaze Minato wanted to practice a new Ninjutsu.

He glanced secretly at his palm.

A swirl of chakra appeared there.

"But... there's no rush."

Because of the countless ninjas fawning over him recently, and the harmonious atmosphere in the village, Namikaze Minato felt the war situation was stable and there was no need to rush the development of a new technique.

But taking care of his beloved Kushina was also very important.

The Nine-Tails was sealed within Kushina.

Ever since then, Kushina had been forced to live within layer upon layer of barriers.

Namikaze Minato hoped to spend more time with Kushina, and bringing his students over for dinner this time was part of that.

"Tomorrow, then~ I'll research that technique with Master Jiraiya..."

Namikaze Minato was in a great mood.

Because of the death of the Younger Raikage and the many battles Namikaze Minato had fought, the progress of developing his new technique had accelerated significantly.

So...

There was no need to rush.

Namikaze Minato walked over to chat with his students.

Kakashi kept his face covered.

Rin was chatting happily with Kushina.

And Namikaze Minato was encouraging Obito, who was eating heartily...

Night fell.

Namikaze Minato fell into a deep sleep, holding Kushina in his arms.

But at this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps instantly jolted Namikaze Minato awake.

"Lord Namikaze Minato! Something has happened!" The arriving Anbu was just about to open the door.

However, he found a person appearing behind him.

Flying Thunder God Technique!

At home, Namikaze Minato had placed Flying Thunder God seals in multiple locations.

He grabbed the Anbu by the shoulder. "Don't wake Kushina... What is it?"

"Hyuga... Hyuga..." The Anbu swallowed hard.

"What exactly happened?"

"The Hyuga Clan, they have been wiped out!!"

"Who is the culprit..."

"Hyuga Shin!"