Tsunade stood where she was, looking at the door to the treatment room, and let out a soft sigh. There was still a hurdle in Kawaki Aoba's heart, one that would take a long time to overcome. Yuhi Shinku's death had also dealt the village a considerable loss. But she believed that Kawaki Aoba would pull himself together soon enough, become a pillar of the village, and grow into a truly powerful ninja.
Three days later, the village held Yuhi Shinku's funeral. Every ninja in the village attended, dressed in black with sorrowful expressions as they came to see Yuhi Shinku off.
Kawaki Aoba, dressed all in black, stood before Yuhi Shinku's gravestone. His gaze was sorrowful, yet still resolute.
He held a bouquet of white flowers in his hands and gently placed it before the grave. In a low voice, he said, "Shinku, rest in peace.
"I'll live on properly. I'll carry on your wishes and continue protecting the village, protecting the people we want to protect.
"I'll work hard to become stronger. I won't let anyone get hurt again, and I won't make you worry about me again."
Tsunade stood beside Kawaki Aoba, watching him. She gently patted his shoulder without saying a word, offering him encouragement and support through her eyes alone.
The other ninjas also laid flowers for Yuhi Shinku, silently praying for her and wishing that she could rest in peace and find happiness in the next world.
After the funeral ended, everyone gradually left. Only Kawaki Aoba remained before Yuhi Shinku's gravestone, lingering there for a long time.
"Shinku, I know you've always been by my side, haven't you?"
Kawaki Aoba spoke softly, his tone gentle. "I'll come see you often. I'll tell you about the village, about everything I encounter, so you'll know