Mount Kikyo? Gone

One by one, the Nine-Faced Beasts emerged from the magma. Uchiha Hanazuki silently tucked the scrolls held in the mouths of the Vermilion Bird and Genbu into his ninja tool pouch, his gaze drifting toward the direction of the Land of Wind.

"Is that so? The Land of Wind really can't even keep a hostage secure... Forget it, it has nothing to do with me."

With a flicker of his form, clouds of white mist dissipated, and the Nine-Faced Beasts vanished from the spot, leaving only the crimson magma flowing silently across Mount Kikyo.

On the other side, the scrutiny and whispers, whether overt or subtle, left Uchiha Fugaku speechless.

If he claimed not to know him, as the dignified captain of the Konoha Military Police Force and head of the Uchiha clan, who would believe that he didn't even recognize his own clansman?

But if he guessed wrong, wouldn't it be even more embarrassing if that guy returned?

Fortunately, Fugaku's awkward predicament did not last long. Unconcealed footsteps approached, followed by a pitch-black kunai and a figure that made Yuhi Shinku beam with joy.

"Kurenai! Are you alright? Kurenai..."

"It was just a graze from the shockwave of a Tailed Beast Bomb. Let the Medical Team's ninja treat it in a moment, and she will be fine."

"Also, it is quite rude to say you don't recognize me, Minato-sensei. We clearly met once during the Third Hokage's pre-battle mobilization. Honestly."

As the mask was removed, the various heads of Konoha's prestigious families were slightly stunned. Wasn't this the brat, Uchiha Hanazuki, who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy after publicly performing an indecent act in front of the Third Hokage?

What was going on? How had he suddenly become so strong, and who taught him the Flying Thunder God Technique?

"Hanazuki? So it was you. Did the Third Hokage send you to provide reinforcements?"

"No, Orochimaru-sensei had me accept the Third Hokage's commission. I was only responsible for the battlefield against the Sand Ninja, and after that battle ended, I just came over to take a look."

His smile was bright, and there was no trace of falsehood in his tone. These sincere words left the group silent, immersed in a numbness from which they could not recover for a long time.

"Hanazuki, are you saying that you suppressed the Kazekage's advisor from the Land of Wind, Chiyo?"

Facing Minato's doubt, Hanazuki admitted it frankly.

"That's right. Among my summons, there exists one that specifically counters puppet masters, so that battle went unexpectedly smoothly."

"The Kazekage's advisor! Such a person—is that for real? You aren't joking, are you?"

The continuous shocks made Yuhi Kurenai subconsciously look around, seeking answers from these Chunin, Jonin, and her own father.

"Have they arrived already?"

Tilting his head slightly, a group of Konoha Medical Team members approached rapidly. The petite woman leading them was none other than the current captain of the Konoha Medical Team, the 'Walking Miko', Yakushi Nonou.

"Where are the wounded? You lot, prioritize the critically injured. For the remaining patients, apply emergency bandages and then come to help immediately. Assign priority levels as red, yellow, or green."

"Sister Nonou, the patient here is a bit special. I'll leave her to you."

A flash of pleasant surprise crossed the eyes behind the toad goggles, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her heart. Nonou nodded heavily and began to examine Yuhi Kurenai's injuries.

"My deepest thanks. If it weren't for you, I truly wouldn't know how to explain this to the child's mother."

The Konoha Jonin, who shared the same black hair and red eyes as Yuhi Kurenai, bowed slightly, the worry in his eyes refusing to fade.

"It's nothing. Kurenai and I are friends. She was only injured in the leg; she will be fine after resting for a while."

With a peaceful smile, Nonou nodded to confirm that the injuries were not serious, and only then did Yuhi Shinku set his heart at ease before turning to look at Hanazuki.

"Are you very close with Kurenai? You should have graduated this year, two years younger than Kurenai. There isn't much of an age gap."

At these words, Hanazuki frowned. This father, you seem to be thinking about something dangerous.

"Apologies for interrupting your conversation, but I will be borrowing this child for a while, Shinku."

A steady, capable voice sounded behind the two. Uchiha Hanazuki turned around, and the first thing that met his eyes was the emblem of the Konoha Military Police Force.

"Fugaku-sama... I understand."

Yuhi Shinku walked to Yuhi Kurenai's side, whispering a question.

Lying on the ground, Yuhi Kurenai struggled to turn her head to look at the Flame Fan on the back of that black cloak, feeling her whole body burning, as weak as if she had caught a severe cold.

"Is there something you need, Fugaku-sama?"

"Uchiha Hanazuki, your strength and aptitude qualify you to join the Konoha Military Police Force and formally participate in the clan's meetings..."

Before Fugaku could continue, Hanazuki raised a hand to stop him, his tone indifferent.

"I refuse. I am going to begin formal training with Orochimaru-sensei, and I have no intention of serving in the Konoha Military Police Force for the time being. As for the clan meetings, let's talk about that after my training is finished."

Frowning slightly, Uchiha Fugaku was silent for a moment before nodding gently.

"Orochimaru-sensei, is it? I should congratulate you. To be taken as a disciple by one of the Sannin, perhaps with some tempering, you could become a ninja no less capable than him."

During the conversation, Fugaku looked toward Namikaze Minato, exchanged a glance with him, and nodded slightly, his eyes holding a hint of expectation.

"The Uchiha clan and the village need a bond. Your talent and circumstances dictate that you will become a key figure in connecting the village and the clan in the future."

"Whatever you need, feel free to ask the clan, but you must remember: you are a member of the Uchiha clan, and in your veins flows... no, you are destined to be an Uchiha who can awaken the Sharingan."

Talking to himself and occasionally glancing at the boy beside him, Uchiha Fugaku did not notice the indifference and disdain in Hanazuki's eyes.

"Nonou-sama, Nonou-sama! Please look at this child. His brain seems to have suffered some kind of impact, and he has lost his memory."

The faint voice did not escape Hanazuki's ears. Turning slightly toward the distance, the white-haired boy appeared before Nonou, led by a medical ninja.

"Hanazuki, there are some things I would like to ask you, regarding Mount Kikyo..."

Namikaze Minato and Nara Shikaku walked up to Hanazuki together, wanting to inquire about the specific details of Mount Kikyo, while Uchiha Fugaku also stood his ground, wanting to know the current situation on the mountain.

"Mount Kikyo? There is no Mount Kikyo anymore. As expected of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki's Tailed Beast Bomb; that move leveled the entire mountain and blasted out a massive crater. If one were to take that hit head-on, there would be no saving them."

The tone was one of genuine amazement, completely devoid of pretense, as the blame was neatly shifted onto Killer Bee.

"What about the Fourth Raikage? And what of the Sand Ninja Rasa and that Scorch Style Ninja?"

"They retreated. I redirected the Tailed Beast Bomb when it was fired, so they were hit by their own attack. It must have been quite painful, poor things, hehe..."

After his brain stalled for a moment, Nara Shikamaru, his mental gears spinning frantically, remained silent for a long time before sighing in a low voice.

"In other words, have we won?"