Under the Moonlight...

Phantom Branch Village.

The base, once bustling and restless, was now shrouded in a heavy, oppressive silence. The distortions of Kamui faded, and Obito, Haku, Fu, and the critically injured Tie Xin and Zhua—who were on the verge of death—appeared in the central plaza alongside the unconscious Sakuya.

The survivors looked upon the tragic scene: their leader, unconscious and still shedding tears of blood; the members of the "Ten Branches," nearly all wounded and drained of spirit. Especially after learning of the tragic sacrifice of Uchiha Ren of the "Mirror" branch, everyone fell into a heavy silence.

Victory? No, this felt more like a survival bought with the blood of their dearest kin, a survival so harrowing it left one unable to breathe.

The medical team rushed forward to take charge of the wounded. Haku, forcing her weak body to stand, refused immediate treatment; her gaze never left Sakuya, who had been gently placed on a stretcher, his eyes tightly shut and his face as pale as paper.

In the days that followed, Phantom Branch Village operated under a pall of depression. Obito temporarily took command to stabilize the situation, treat the wounded, and reinforce defenses. Orochimaru buried himself in the laboratory, attempting to use his techniques to save the lives of Tie Xin and Zhua.

Everyone knew that after this battle, the main force of the Allied Shinobi Forces had been crippled, and the loss of high-end combat power was devastating. In particular, the death of Shikamaru Nara and the horrific treatment of his corpse had dealt a fatal blow to the morale of the Alliance. It would be impossible for the Alliance to organize an effective offensive for at least three to five years.

Yet, there was no joy to be felt in the village. An intangible, sorrowful, and lost atmosphere permeated the air. The source of it all was the man who had completely sealed himself away—Uchiha Sakuya.

Since waking up, he had locked himself deep within his room. He neither ate nor drank, and he would see no one. The room was filled day and night with a chilling, heart-wrenching chakra and a deathly silence. Occasionally, there would be sounds of suppressed, beast-like growls and the shattering of objects.

He was no longer the cold, powerful leader; he was more like a lone wolf trapped in a cage of despair, licking its fatal wounds.

The core members of the "Branches" were deeply worried. They were concerned for Sakuya's state, but even more so for the village losing its direction.

During an informal meeting held in a somber atmosphere, everyone looked at one another, yet no one dared to approach that tightly shut door.

"...This cannot go on." Finally, it was Fu, still wrapped in bandages, who broke the silence in a low voice. "Someone has to go... and check on him."

"Who goes?" Obito's voice, muffled by his mask, carried a hint of exhaustion and helplessness. "He's like a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest touch; whoever goes might..."

The eyes of the group drifted subconsciously, and in the end, they all slowly and unanimously focused on one person.

Nadeshiko Haku.

She sat quietly in the corner, her face still pale, her ice-blue eyes filled with an unshakeable worry and sorrow. She had lost the Three-Tails and her body was weak, but her gaze remained fixed on the direction of Sakuya's room.

Sensing the eyes of the others, Haku froze slightly, then lowered her head, her hands gripping her hem tightly. She knew why everyone was looking at her. In the entire "Branch" organization, if there was anyone who could make Sakuya lower his guard even slightly, perhaps... it was only her. Not because of strength, but because of those subtle, indescribable bonds.

She did not speak, only remaining silent for a moment before slowly, firmly nodding her head.

Deep in the night, moonlight spilled like quicksilver across the silent corridor.

Haku carried a bowl of thin porridge and some water, took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and gently pushed open Sakuya's door.

It was unlocked. Or perhaps, the man inside was subconsciously waiting for something.

The room was in shambles; fragments of furniture were scattered everywhere, and deep claw marks marred the walls. The suffocating scent of strong alcohol (from where he had obtained it, no one knew) mixed with the smell of blood.

Sakuya was curled up in the darkest corner of the room, his back to the door, his body trembling slightly. He wore only thin undergarments, his long hair disheveled, his entire form huddled into a ball as if trying to hide himself away. The cold, powerful aura he usually projected had vanished without a trace, replaced by a dense, suffocating sorrow and despair.

Hearing the door open, his body stiffened violently, and he let out a hoarse, low roar: "Get out!"

His voice lacked its usual cold authority, leaving only the fragility and resistance of a wounded beast.

Haku's heart twisted, pain spreading through her. She did not leave; instead, she gently closed the door, placed the tray aside, and cautiously stepped toward him, one step at a time.

"It's me, Sakuya." Her voice was as soft as moonlight.

Sakuya's body trembled even more violently, but he did not roar again, only burying his face deeper into his knees.

Haku walked to his side and slowly crouched down. The moonlight through the window illuminated his curled figure and the empty wine jars beside him.

She saw the back of his neck, the skin pale, marked with dried blood and tear stains. She heard his broken, desperately suppressed sobs.

In this moment, the cold leader, the vengeful demon, the Eternal Mangekyo... all of it vanished.

Before her was only a man, utterly shattered by the loss of his only kin, consumed by immense grief and pain.

Haku's eyes turned red instantly. Without hesitation, she reached out and, with extreme gentleness and hesitation, wrapped her arms around his trembling body from behind.

Sakuya shuddered violently, instinctively trying to break free, but Haku held him firmly, not with force, but with a gentle, undeniable embrace.

"It's okay... Sakuya... it's okay..." She pressed her cheek gently against his cold back, her voice choked with sobs as she clumsily comforted him over and over. "Cry it out... don't hold it in... I am here..."

Her embrace and her gentle voice seemed to finally shatter the last of Sakuya's icy defenses.

His tense body suddenly went limp, and the suppressed whimpering finally turned into an uncontrollable, heart-wrenching wail!

Like a lost child, he wept in her arms, his body shaking, tears and snot streaming down his face. His scalding tears quickly soaked through Haku's sleeves.

"Ren... Ren... ahhh... it was me... it was my fault... I was useless..." He cried incoherently, his voice filled with endless self-reproach, pain, and despair.

Haku said nothing, only holding him tighter, gently patting his back, letting his tears soak her clothes, letting his pain flow into her through his trembling frame. She knew that any words were pale; he needed an outlet, a pair of arms that would not mock his fragility and could contain all of his sorrow.

The moonlight fell silently upon the two, stretching their shadows long, as if they were merging into one.

It was unknown how much time had passed before Sakuya's crying gradually faded into intermittent sobs, finally falling into a complete silence. Utter exhaustion and grief swept over him, and he fell into a deep sleep in Haku's warm embrace, his brows still furrowed, yet his breathing had steadied.

Haku carefully supported him, letting him lean against her so he could sleep more comfortably. She looked down at the man in her arms, his pale, fragile face still bearing tear stains even in sleep, her ice-blue eyes filled with an indescribable tenderness and heartache.

She gently brushed aside the messy hair stuck to his forehead by his tears, her fingertips softly grazing his closed eyelids—where the eyes his brother had traded his life for were embedded.

After a moment of hesitation, she slowly lowered her head and pressed an incredibly soft, salt-tinged kiss to his cold lips.

It lasted only a second.

As pure as moonlight, carrying endless comfort and a hint of quiet, budding love that had no place in this cruel world.

She did not leave, remaining there holding him, leaning against the cold wall, warming his chilled body with her own. Under the moonlight, the two slept in each other's arms, like two small beasts huddled together in a blizzard, licking their wounds.

Outside the window, the world was silent, with only the cold moonlight keeping watch over the brief, fragile peace amidst the ruins.

But perhaps, only the moonlight saw the girl's heart so clearly...