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. Make sure they receive it as soon as possible."

Kitsuchi looked at his utterly determined father. Though he had his doubts, he still respectfully accepted the order and left.

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

What would the future hold...

He did not know.

Perhaps...

If Konoha gave it everything it had...

It would become the greatest village of all.

Konoha's foundations were terrifyingly strong. No matter what crisis arose, powerful warriors would emerge.

But...

Ōnoki did not regret it.

He spread open his palm.

"Dust Release..."

The Cloud Ninja could not sleep.

With the terrible news of Raikage A's death and the capture of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, every ninja felt uneasy and conflicted.

Even late into the night, they were still arguing.

"We can't negotiate! We have to keep fighting! We must avenge Lord Raikage!"

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

"We can ally ourselves with Iwagakure!"

"Raikage A was always wary of Iwagakure when he was alive. Who knows whether this alliance is a blessing or a curse?"

"Enough! I think you've all been scared witless! I still say we keep fighting! We still have Killer B, as well as countless brave and powerful Cloud Ninja!"

"Why are you putting it so harshly? Let me ask you this: what makes you think you can defeat Konoha? We're severely weakened, while Konoha's morale is soaring. How are you going to deal with Namikaze Minato? What about the other Sannin? And that Hyuga Shin!"

The Cloud Ninja continued arguing among themselves.

At that moment.

Killer B finally regained his senses in the dead of night.

He had only just awakened when he learned of Raikage A's death.

Overcome with grief, Killer B immediately shut himself away.

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

"Lord Killer B, you have to pull yourself together! You're the only one in all of Kumogakure who can lead everyone now!"

"That's right, that's right... The battle isn't over yet."

Killer B was given no time to mope. He was soon surrounded by the others and escorted to

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

Killer B's voice trembled, but his resolve was absolute!

After he came out, the Cloud Ninja seemed to have found their backbone as well. Their arguments subsided, and in the end, they acknowledged Killer B.

"I will personally go to Iwagakure to discuss the alliance!"

"Killer B... that's too dangerous. You're the only Jinchuriki left in Kumogakure! If something..."

"Rest easy! If I run into danger, then even if I go berserk, I'll go berserk in Iwagakure's territory!"

Killer B spoke.

No matter what kind of predicament they faced...

The Cloud Ninja would flash a hearty smile and face it head-on!!

Hyuga Shin returned home.

He received all kinds of praise from the Hyuga Family.

But in the end, there was also a warning.

"Don't get too close to the Uchiha Clan... They're a clan that will only bring trouble. It won't do you any good."

Hyuga Shin's expression darkened. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. The relationship between the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan has always been delicate. Before, you associated with him because neither of you was famous, but now both you and he have made names for yourselves to varying degrees... I hope you'll know what's best for you!"

Hyuga Shin: "..."

Hyuga Shin said nothing, merely standing there in silence.

His thoughts churned...

The next day.

After sending the letter proposing peace negotiations, Hiruzen Sarutobi eagerly awaited Kumogakure's response.

He had already begun preparing for Konoha's postwar reconstruction.

Kumogakure had forcibly dragged Konoha into this war.

But the result had been good.

Konoha had always possessed formidable military strength.

This war had also brought forth a figure like Namikaze Minato.

Konoha now had someone to carry on its legacy...

Hiruzen Sarutobi was deeply gratified.

Next came waiting for Kumogakure's reply.

At the same time.

Elsewhere.

Uchiha Miya came looking for Hyuga Shin.

"Shin, come out and spar with me!"

Hyuga Shin nodded, then went with Uchiha Miya to the woods.

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

"Pathetic. You're far too weak," Hyuga Shin said coldly.

Uchiha Miya gritted his teeth. "Y-Your physical abilities have improved so much!"

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

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

After that.

The two fought several rounds until they were completely exhausted.

After the "Hyuga Shin Retrieval Battle," Hyuga Shin was promoted directly to Elite Jonin, while Uchiha Miya's forehead protector was also changed to a Jonin's.

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

"What are you thinking about? You rarely make that expression," Uchiha Miya asked.

"My family told me to associate less with the Uchiha Clan," Hyuga Shin said.

Upon hearing that, Uchiha Miya fell silent.

After a moment.

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

Hyuga Shin said nothing.

For no reason, Uchiha Miya grew angry. "Hmph! I don't need you either."

Hyuga Shin instead said, "Miya, I'll teach you Lightning Release Chakra Mode and Lightning Release Armor."

"I copied them with my Sharingan long ago. I don't need you to teach me!" Uchiha Miya stormed off.

Hyuga Shin gazed deeply at Uchiha Miya's back.

At last, he sighed.

"That works too..."

Two days passed.

Hyuga Shin did not see Uchiha Miya again.

At the villa.

Namikaze Minato held his girlfriend Kushina Uzumaki around her slender waist, and the two were deeply affectionate.

With the war temporarily calm, Namikaze Minato felt somewhat uneasy about the future, but he would never tell Kushina Uzumaki about it...

"Tonight, I plan to bring my disciples home for dinner..."

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

Kushina rolled up her sleeves, revealing her arms.

"Alright~" Namikaze Minato embraced his beloved, his heart filled with happiness.

Afterward, the two planned to practice Fuinjutsu together.

The Uzumaki Clan excelled at Fuinjutsu, and Namikaze Minato was also an expert in it.

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

Actually, Namikaze Minato wanted to practice a new ninjutsu.

He secretly glanced at his palm.

A vortex of chakra appeared there.

"But... there's no rush, right?"

Because countless ninjas had been worshipping him lately and the village atmosphere was so harmonious, Namikaze Minato also felt that things were going well. There was no need to rush his research into a new technique.

But taking care of his beloved Kushina was important too.

The Nine-Tails was sealed inside Kushina.

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

Namikaze Minato wanted to spend more time with Kushina. Bringing his disciples over for dinner was part of that.

"Tomorrow, then~ I can study that technique with Master Jiraiya..."

Namikaze Minato was in high spirits.

Because of Younger Raikage's death and Namikaze Minato's many battles, the development of his new technique had advanced much faster as well.

So...

There was no need to hurry.

Namikaze Minato walked over and chatted with his disciples.

Kakashi wore a mask over his face.

Rin and Kushina chatted happily.

Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato encouraged Obito as he wolfed down his meal...

Night fell.

Namikaze Minato held Kushina and fell into a deep sleep.

But at that moment, a burst of hurried footsteps instantly woke him.

"Lord Namikaze Minato! Something has happened!" The Anbu who had come over was just about to open the door.

When he discovered someone standing behind him.

Flying Thunder God Technique!

At home, Namikaze Minato had placed Flying Thunder God marks in several locations.

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

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

"What exactly happened?"

"The Hyuga Clan... has been wiped out!!"

"The culprit is..."

"Hyuga Shin!"