Victory, Yet No Smiling Faces!

The Battle of Kikyo Mountain saw nearly twenty thousand Sand Ninja troops dwindle to a mere few hundred who managed to escape, retreating from the desert of the Land of Rivers back to the Land of Wind.

Konoha, on the other hand, achieved victory with less than two thousand casualties.

From halfway up Kikyo Mountain, dense gray bones covered the entire summit, forming a bone forest filled with deathly silence.

In the cold, deep night, it seemed as if countless souls of the tragically deceased were crying out in agony.

Within ten years, it was unlikely anyone would dare set foot on this great mountain again.

The battlefield in the Land of Wind concluded, and the Konoha encampment.

Thousands of elite Konoha troops were assembled, awaiting the morning to return to Konohagakure.

Only ninjas remained on the border for pre-battle vigilance, constantly monitoring the movements of Sunagakure.

The camp was quiet at night. The joy of victory was hidden in everyone's hearts, as two more fierce battles lay ahead.

Tōka stayed in his tent, pondering a question.

It seemed that even without the Sharingan, he could effortlessly wield Genjutsu.

Often, a single gesture or glance was enough to trap a Jonin in an illusion.

Tōka had once asked Black Zetsu, but that old fellow had merely given a strange, sinister chuckle and told him, "You'll know in the future!"

"It seems my body still harbors deeper secrets," Tōka murmured, then narrowed his eyes and looked up towards the tent flap.

A tall, slender shadow stood there, as if it had been there for a long time, or as if it had just arrived.

Tōka's eyes sharpened, and he stood up, walking outside.

A chilling aura permeated the air, revealing the identity of the visitor.

Among the Sannin, Tsunade was undoubtedly the most visually striking, while the one whose presence could be immediately identified was Orochimaru.

That inescapable coldness, the feeling of being constantly watched by a pair of icy snake eyes.

"Uncle Snake, what brings you here so late?" Tōka asked fearlessly. Truthfully, among the Sannin, he rather liked Orochimaru.

"Tōka-kun doesn't seem afraid of me at all?!" Orochimaru licked his lips and chuckled sinisterly.

"Afraid? I actually find Uncle Snake quite unique!" Tōka said expressionlessly, though his clear, cold black eyes held no trace of falsehood.

Unique? Orochimaru was slightly taken aback. This was the first time anyone had ever described him that way.

"It's late, Uncle Snake, what is it?" Tōka asked directly.

Orochimaru collected himself, staring at Tōka inexplicably as if trying to see through him. After a long silence.

He finally spoke calmly, "Tōka-kun's Kekkei Genkai is a bit complicated..."

Tōka was smart and understood Orochimaru's meaning almost instantly.

Kekkei Genkai? That wasn't Kekkei Genkai, but Kekkei Mōra, which surpassed Kekkei Genkai!

"Why are you smiling, Tōka-kun?" Orochimaru frowned slightly. It was indeed embarrassing that he hadn't understood the gray bones Tōka had given him, but not just anyone could mock him!

A faint, discernible killing intent spread, and the surrounding temperature plummeted.

Tōka's upturned lips stiffened, and he then calmed himself.

"Does Uncle Snake still want to trade?" Tōka didn't explain. In truth, he hadn't meant to mock Orochimaru.

"What does Tōka-kun desire?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his voice filled with endless temptation.

Tōka frowned unhappily. Orochimaru was truly his old self, liking to mix two or three parts Genjutsu into his seductive words.

This way, he wouldn't let the other party see the Genjutsu and would achieve the effect of enticing their mind.

However, Genjutsu was Tōka's specialty, second only to All-Killing Ash Bones.

His thoughts raced as Tōka considered what he lacked the most right now...

If there was one technique of Orochimaru's that Tōka was most interested in, it was Impure World Reincarnation!

However, he guessed Orochimaru hadn't perfected it yet and wouldn't hand it over.

"Then please help me find someone, Uncle Snake." A figure flashed in Tōka's mind; it was quite a useful ability.

"Oh? Someone Tōka-kun cares about? Interesting." Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes showing uncontrollable interest.

In his opinion, a monstrous brat like Tōka, whose thoughts were hard to predict, absolutely couldn't be analyzed with ordinary logic.

Seeing Orochimaru's expression, Tōka frowned slightly, regretting his impulsiveness.

"Don't worry, Tōka-kun. A trade is a trade. I won't act rashly, nor will I let my subordinates be detected by the other party," Orochimaru vowed earnestly.

"It's a woman, perhaps around twenty years old..." Tōka recalled fragments of memories in his mind; he didn't remember many of the side plots accurately.

Finally, Tōka added, "She has an ability called 'healing by biting'."

"By biting her own skin, she can rapidly restore her own or others' chakra and injuries."

"Is that so..." Orochimaru nodded, indicating he had noted it down. It was indeed a peculiar ability.

Seeing this, Tōka didn't delay. He extended his right hand, and chakra gathered in his palm along the meridians.

Crack, crack...

The sound of bones growing echoed as a section of gray bone broke through Tōka's skin and emerged from his palm.

Compared to the three finger bones the first time, Tōka was showing a lot more sincerity this time.

"I will fulfill Tōka-kun's request as soon as possible," Orochimaru promised again, sensing Tōka's sincerity.

It wasn't just for the transaction; Orochimaru seemed to be starting to enjoy spending time with Tōka.

Compared to other brats who were timid or even fearful, Tōka was just too special.

"In that case, thank you very much," Tōka said sincerely, neither humble nor arrogant.

The night wind whistled past, and a fallen leaf was swept up, spinning as it flew by.

It was quiet outside the tent, as if nothing had happened.

This day, Konohagakure welcomed the return of its heroes.

A mighty ninja force surged towards the gates of Konoha. Strangely, the one leading the procession was not any of the Sannin.

Instead, it was...

A giant black coffin!

The black coffin of Konoha's hero, Sakumo Hatake!

Konoha's White Fang, who single-handedly held back thousands of Sand Ninja elites for a night, preventing them from taking a single step further!

The wind felt mournful, kicking up a layer of dust as it blew. The sky was covered by a layer of dark clouds.

The air felt heavy, as if it were filled with lead.

No one's face showed the joy of victory; only a heavy remembrance for the fallen hero.

Everyone watched solemnly as the black coffin entered the gates of Konoha. Amidst the crowd, a silver-haired youth stared intently at the black coffin, a thick mist shimmering in his eyes.

"Kakashi, if you want to cry..." Obito stood beside him, unsure how to comfort him.

"No!" Kakashi suddenly interrupted Obito, his eyes flashing with a sharp light as he gazed resolutely at the giant black coffin. "Father was a hero who made the resolve to protect the village and his comrades!"

"Tears would only be an insult to him!"

Kakashi gritted his teeth, forcing back the moisture welling up in his eyes.

Obito paused slightly, then tightened his small face and looked solemnly at the returning troops.

The names of the dead would be carved on the memorial monument, and their bodies would rest in the heroes' tomb.

Rin, their teammate, stood behind Kakashi, looking at him with worry.

Just then, Jiraiya, with his white hair, walked over from the ranks. He took out a blood-red short sword and offered it to Kakashi with both hands.

"This?!" Kakashi's pupils constricted sharply. The White Fang Blade!

The White Fang Blade, stained red with blood, returned to its rightful owner!

Kakashi trembled as he reached out and grasped the White Fang. The familiar feeling was as if his father were by his side.

The blood on it was all the enemy's blood.

Even unto death, his father had not taken a single step back!

"Thank you!" Kakashi lowered his head, gazing blankly at the White Fang in his hands. The bangs on his forehead obscured his eyes, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

The air was bleak. They should have been rejoicing and celebrating their victory.

At this moment, everyone wore a tight expression, silent.

The troops had returned, and everyone was eager to go home.

The Third Hokage, who personally welcomed everyone back, gave a brief welcome and then announced their dispersal.

At a time like this, no reward could compare to letting everyone return home to their families.

The Sannin and Shikaku Nara, along with others, followed the Third Hokage to the Hokage Building to report on the battle.

Tōka was not among them. He walked alone towards the back mountain of Konoha.

Tōka still had a mission to complete...

"About Uncle Duy's news, Kai should know by now, right?" Tōka's small face was etched with conflict, unsure how to begin the conversation.

Might Duy's remains had been transported back to Konoha along with the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure earlier.

Tōka needed to deliver Might Duy's last words to Kai.

Weaving through the dense forest, Tōka felt that the forest was unusually dim today.

Before long, he arrived at a familiar path but found no familiar figure.

Standing on the hillside, looking down from above.

Tōka gazed into the distance; the familiar small house still stood quietly there.

He wondered what Kai was doing at this moment...

Tōka stood silently, motionless.

His legs felt rooted to the ground, making it impossible to take a single step forward.

Suddenly, a green blur approached rapidly, but Tōka remained completely oblivious.

"Tōka, you're back?" A familiar voice sounded behind him, startling the lost in thought Tōka.

"Kai?" Tōka turned around, just in time to see Kai returning from a mission.

"It's so good you're back!" Kai's voice trembled slightly; he was afraid Tōka would end up like his father.

"Mhm." Tōka pursed his lips.

Silence. The woods were quiet.

Even the birds and insects dwelling within the forest had stopped chirping.

"Let's go, let's eat!" Tōka suddenly smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Okay!" Kai nodded slightly, seeming to sense that something was off with Tōka.

The thick-skinned Kai didn't know what to say.

He simply followed Tōka silently, walking in the direction of the village.

Ichiraku Ramen.

Tōka and Kai walked in, only to see two familiar figures already there.

"Kakashi, Obito!" As classmates from the same year, Kai didn't remember many people.

Kakashi, who was first, and Obito, who was the dead last.

Tōka gave a slight nod to the two and sat down beside Kakashi.

"I saw that battle," Tōka said inexplicably, looking at the table in front of him.

"Mhm." Kakashi paused his eating, emitting a sound from his nose before continuing his meal.

"He's strong," Tōka said expressionlessly, his tone unusually sincere.

"I know," Kakashi replied mechanically, continuing to eat.

"No, you don't," Tōka turned to look at Kakashi, his expression extremely serious.

"Hm?" Kakashi didn't understand, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

Tōka raised his left hand into a fist, extending his thumb to press against his chest.

He repeated his earlier words, "He's strong."

"This place is strong!"

A strong person isn't someone who is simply powerful in strength, but someone who possesses the heart of a strong person is the true strong person!

The pupils of the three men constricted slightly as they stared at Tōka in shock.

"Fallen leaves don't just wither; they become nourishment for new green leaves," Tōka stated Might Duy's words, partly to relay them to Kai and partly in the hope that Kakashi would recover quickly.

"When green leaves sprout and spring arrives, that is the peak of youth, the moment it burns the brightest red!"

Silence. The atmosphere became deathly still.

Time seemed to freeze as Tōka's words sank deeply into everyone's minds.

A short while later, Teuchi brought over two bowls of ramen.

It wasn't Tōka and Kai's first time here. Kai had a large Miso Ramen, and Tōka had a regular Soy Sauce Ramen.

"Kai, eat first," Tōka nudged Kai with his elbow and said.

"Mhm." Kai loosened his clenched hands and responded.

Slurp, slurp...

Kai ate heartily, shoveling noodles into his mouth, tears and snot dripping into the bowl.

Although he was thick-skinned, he wasn't stupid.

Kai could tell that Tōka's words were meant to encourage Kakashi, and they were also what his father wanted to convey to him.

"I will inherit my father's will and carry out the ninja way of youth!"

Green leaves sprout, and in the new spring, new leaves will dance again.

The Hokage's office was filled with smoke.

Tsunade unhappily pushed open the window, and the smoke drifted out.

The Third Hokage awkwardly flicked the ash from his cigarette and extinguished it, placing it aside.

"The Land of Water battlefield will still be handled by Orochimaru."

Everyone remained silent regarding this appointment; it was within expectations. Orochimaru had already been secretly dispatched to the Land of Wind battlefield to assist in the decisive battle plan.

Then, the Third Hokage looked at Jiraiya, then at Tsunade.

She seemed to be hesitating about who to send to the Land of Earth's battlefield.

Just then, Tsunade noticed the Third Hokage's gaze. He waved his hand impatiently and said, "I'm not dealing with what happens after this. The only reason I went to the Land of Wind battlefield was to deal with Chiyo."

Seeing this, the Third Hokage swallowed the words he was about to say.

"It seems only Jiraiya can go."

Looking at the Third Hokage's pleading eyes, Jiraiya wanted to refuse but couldn't bring himself to say it, so he could only nod silently.

"Haa... Next, we need to discuss signing a peace treaty with Sunagakure..." The Third Hokage breathed a sigh of relief and looked towards Shikaku Nara.

"I'm leaving!" Tsunade pushed the door open expressionlessly, having already decided to depart.

Her original plan was just to leave after Shizune graduated, but now Tsunade didn't want to stay in Konoha for another moment.

She... hated war!