Mount Kikyo? Gone

The Nine-Faced Beasts emerged one by one from the magma. 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? To think they couldn't even keep a hostage secure in the Land of Wind... Oh well, it has nothing to do with me."

With a flicker of his figure, the beasts vanished amidst dissipating white mist, leaving only the crimson magma flowing silently across Mount Kikyo.

On the other side, the scrutinizing gazes and whispered murmurs—some overt, some subtle—left Uchiha Fugaku at a loss for words.

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

But if he guessed wrong, wouldn't it be even more embarrassing when the real person returned?

Fortunately, Fugaku's awkward predicament did not last long. Unconcealed footsteps approached, followed by a dark kunai and a familiar figure that made Yuhi Shinku beam with relief.

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

"Her leg was just slightly grazed by the shockwave of a Tailed Beast Bomb. Let the Medical Team's ninja treat her in a moment, and she'll be fine."

"Also, it's quite rude to say you don't recognize me, Minato-sensei. We met during the Third Hokage's pre-war mobilization, honestly."

As the mask was removed, the various heads of Konoha's noble families were slightly stunned. Wasn't this the boy, Uchiha Hanazuki, who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy after causing a public scene in front of the Third Hokage?

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

"Hanazuki? It really is 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 Sunagakure, and since that fight ended, I just stopped by to take a look."

His smile was bright, and his tone held no trace of falsehood. This sincerity left the group silent, lost in a daze from which they could not easily recover.

"Hanazuki, are you saying you suppressed the Sunagakure advisor, 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 Sunagakure advisor! Is that for real? You aren't joking, are you?"

The relentless shocks made Yuhi Kurenai instinctively look around, seeking answers from the surrounding chunin, jonin, and her own father.

"Have they arrived already?"

Tilting her head slightly, a group of Konoha Medical Team members approached rapidly. The petite woman leading them was the current head of the Konoha Medical Team, the "Walking Miko," Yakushi Nonō.

"Where are the wounded? You lot, prioritize the critically injured. Once the others are bandaged, come help immediately. Use the red, yellow, and green triage system."

"Sister Nonō, this patient here is a bit special. I'll leave her in your care."

A flash of relief crossed Nonō's eyes behind her toad-shaped glasses, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. She nodded firmly and began checking Kurenai's injuries.

"My deepest thanks. If it weren't for you, I truly wouldn't know how to answer her mother."

Yuhi Shinku, a Konoha jonin with black hair and red eyes similar to his daughter's, bowed slightly, the worry in his eyes lingering.

"It's nothing. Kurenai and I are friends. She only suffered a leg injury; she'll be fine after some rest."

With a peaceful smile, Nonō nodded to confirm the injuries weren't critical. Only then did Shinku set his mind at ease and turn to Hanazuki.

"Are you close with Kurenai? You should have graduated this year; you're only two years younger than her. Not much of a gap."

Hanazuki frowned at the remark. Father, you seem to be thinking of something dangerous.

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

A steady, professional voice sounded behind them. 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."

Shinku walked over to Kurenai's side, whispering a few questions.

Kurenai, lying flat on the ground, struggled to turn her head toward the Flame Fan on the back of the black cloak. She felt feverish, 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 attend the clan meetings..."

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

"I refuse. I am about to begin formal training with Orochimaru-sensei, so I have no plans to serve in the Military Police Force for the time being. As for the clan meetings, let's discuss that after my training is complete."

Fugaku's brows furrowed slightly. He remained silent for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Orochimaru-sensei, you say? I must congratulate you. To be taken as a disciple by one of the Sannin is no small feat. With some tempering, you might become a ninja who rivals him."

During the conversation, Fugaku glanced at Namikaze Minato. They exchanged a look and a slight nod, a hint of expectation hidden in Fugaku's eyes.

"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 remember well: you are a member of the Uchiha clan. In your veins flows... no, you are destined to be an Uchiha capable of awakening the Sharingan."

As he spoke to himself, Uchiha Fugaku, who kept glancing at the boy beside him, failed to notice the indifference and disdain in Hanazuki's eyes.

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

The faint words did not escape Hanazuki's ears. He shifted his gaze toward the distance, where a white-haired boy was being led by medical ninjas toward Nonō.

"Hanazuki, there are some things I'd like to ask you regarding the situation at Mount Kikyo..."

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

"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 squarely pinned on Killer Bee.

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

"They retreated. When that Tailed Beast Bomb was fired, I diverted its trajectory. Being struck by one's own attack must have been quite painful. How pitiful, 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?"