At Kirigakure Hospital, Byakuren lay in a private luxury ward, weakly looking over the subordinates gathered around him.
First was his old friend Genji, tears in his eyes as he tightly held Byakuren's hand.
Perhaps because he no longer had any regrets in life, Byakuren's spirit had faded even sooner. His condition had deteriorated faster than Yura had predicted. He had reached the end of his life, with barely more than a month left to hold on.
"What a pity. I won't get to witness the battle between Senju Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, and Uchiha Madara with my own eyes. I can't help feeling a little unwilling." Old Byakuren smiled openly. "But never mind. For such a rare occasion..." He looked at Yura and the other six. "Go see it in my place."
"Old man..." Gengetsu choked up, his eyes reddening despite being a man.
Saizo stood to one side with his head lowered, his mood heavy.
The two of them had followed Byakuren for far too long. In their hearts, he held the same place as a father.
Leaning against the wall, Shishi Kagura watched her martial uncle Byakuren with a complicated expression. The memory of the old man shamelessly chatting away flashed through her mind, and sorrow flickered in her eyes.
"Genji..." Byakuren looked at Genji.
"I'm here..." Genji said. Ever since Byakuren's body had begun to fail, he had been responsible for overseeing the village's affairs. This experienced and capable administrative ninja had practically supported half of Kirigakure by himself.
"I'll leave the village to you for a while..." Byakuren said with a smile. "According to the rules we established before, every Mizukage must be succeeded by the strongest among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Help me preside over and witness that moment. This is the foundation