A Year of War and Flames, Companionship Remains

The border of the Land of Fire was a scorched wasteland.

The air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder, nauseating.

Haotian tightly gripped his kunai, sweat soaking his forehead protector.

From the distant woods, enemy roars occasionally echoed, like the low growls of beasts, chilling to the bone.

"Kakashi, to your left!" Haotian roared, quickly forming hand seals. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball whistled out, illuminating the forest in a fiery red.

The explosion was deafening, the heatwave washing over him, stinging Haotian's cheeks.

Kakashi's figure flickered like a phantom, the lightning-infused Chidori in his hand emitting a piercing shriek.

"Sharingan!" Killing intent blazed in his crimson eyes.

"Underground!" Haotian sensed a faint chakra fluctuation and immediately warned Kakashi.

Kakashi didn't hesitate, thrusting the Raikiri in his hand fiercely into the ground. "Raikiri!"

A scream came from beneath the earth, followed by the ground cracking open. A scorched figure flew out, crashing heavily to the ground, lifeless.

Haotian carefully sensed the chakra fluctuations around them. Once he confirmed there were no more enemies, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"It's over."

Kakashi sheathed his Chidori, his expression cold.

The air around them seemed to freeze, the tense atmosphere gradually dissipating.

"Lin..." Obito's voice broke the silence.

Lin quickly walked up to Haotian, forming hand seals. Green chakra light gathered in her palms.

"Haotian, let me heal you. You have many abrasions."

Haotian looked at Lin's concerned gaze, his heart warming. But he still shook his head.

"No need, Lin."

He smiled slightly, quickly forming hand seals. A gentle chakra flowed from his body, covering him.

Visibly, his abrasions healed rapidly. His skin, previously bloody, returned to smooth, as if he had never been injured.

Lin's eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "What... what Ninjutsu is this? It has such powerful self-healing abilities!"

She involuntarily looked at her own hands. Hers was also Medical Ninjutsu, but compared to Haotian's near-miraculous self-healing, it was like a drop in the ocean.

"So amazing, Haotian!" Lin exclaimed.

Obito, who had been lost in the exhaustion after the battle, saw Lin's gaze completely drawn to Haotian, and a strange sourness rose in his heart.

He pulled Lin behind him and said with dissatisfaction, "Lin, don't just look at him. I'm injured too. Treat me first!"

Kakashi glanced at Obito, a hint of mockery on his lips.

"Obito, since when did you become so clingy? Can't you just bandage this minor injury yourself?"

"Kakashi! You're making fun of me again!" Obito's face turned red with anger. He clenched his fists, looking like he was about to duel Kakashi.

Lin watched the two bickering in front of her and sighed helplessly.

Comrades who had fought side-by-side on the battlefield had instantly turned into childish brats.

Just then, Haotian suddenly drew a kunai from his ninja pouch. The cold metallic sheen reflected a dangerous glint in the sunlight.

He flicked his wrist, and the kunai flew with a whistling sound, heading straight for Obito.

Obito jumped in surprise and instinctively took a step back, but the kunai stopped a few millimeters from his cheek.

Only then did he notice a strange pattern carved on the hilt of the kunai.

"Password." Haotian's tone was cold, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping over everyone present.

The atmosphere instantly turned serious. The previous playful banter ceased abruptly.

"Password: Where the leaves of Konohagakure dance, a fire will continue to burn." Haotian's voice was low, his gaze steady.

Obito's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe tomato.

He stammered, fidgeting for a long time, before finally whispering, almost inaudibly, the second half: "...the flame will illuminate the village and make new leaves sprout." A strong sense of shame washed over him, making him wish he could find a hole to crawl into.

This damned password, why did it feel so awkward every time he said it!

"Good lad, it's great that you're alright!" Guy suddenly slapped Obito's shoulder with such force that Obito nearly stumbled.

"I thought I'd never see you again!"

"Guy! Go easy!" Obito clutched his shoulder and roared, "I'm not made of paper! Are you trying to smash me to pieces?!" He felt like the bones in his shoulder were about to shatter, and anger surged to his head.

"Ah, sorry, sorry!" Guy scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. "I was too excited and didn't control my strength. But it's good that you're alright, good that you're alright!"

"Excited my foot! It hurts!" Obito rubbed his shoulder and glared at Guy.

Meihui watched them argue quietly, a faint smile on her lips.

The cruelty of war had long accustomed her to death and separation. Now, seeing her companions safe and sound, bickering with each other, this vibrant feeling made her feel incredibly precious.

She felt as if she had returned to her carefree childhood, back to the Academy filled with laughter.