One by one, the Nine Masked Beasts emerged from the lava. Hua Yue quietly slipped the scrolls held in the Vermilion Bird's and Genbu's mouths into her ninja tool pouch, then turned her gaze toward the Land of Wind.
"So the Land of Wind couldn't even keep track of a hostage... Never mind. It has nothing to do with me."
With a flicker, clouds of white smoke dispersed, and the Nine Masked Beasts vanished. Only the crimson lava flowed quietly through Mount Kikyo.
Elsewhere, the scrutiny and whispers, both open and covert, left Uchiha Fugaku at a loss for words.
He couldn't claim he didn't recognize him. He was the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force and the head of the Uchiha Clan—who would believe he didn't know one of his own clansmen?
But if he guessed wrong and that guy came back, wouldn't that be even more embarrassing?
Fortunately, Fugaku's awkward predicament didn't last long. The sound of unrestrained footsteps approached, followed by a black kunai and a familiar figure. Yuhi Shinku was overjoyed.
"Kurenai! Are you all right? Kurenai..."
"My leg was only grazed by the shockwave from the Tailed Beast Bomb. I just need one of the Medical Team's ninja to treat it."
"And it's really rude to say you don't recognize me, Minato-sensei. We met at the Third Hokage's prewar address, remember?"
The mask came off. The leaders of Konoha's great clans stared in surprise. Wasn't this the Uchiha Hanazuki who'd made an indecent gesture in front of the Third Hokage and only just graduated from the Ninja Academy?
What was going on? How had he suddenly become so strong? Who had taught him the Flying Thunder God Technique?
"Hanazuki? So it was you. Did the Third send you to reinforce us?"
"No. Orochimaru-sensei asked me to take on the Third Hokage's assignment. I was only responsible for the battlefield against Sunagakure, and after that fight ended, I came over to take a look."
His smile was open, his tone utterly sincere. The earnestness of his words left everyone speechless, numbed into silence for a long time.
"Hanazuki, does this mean you held off Chiyo, the Land of Wind's Kazekage Advisor?"
At Minato's questioning look, Hanazuki admitted it without hesitation.
"That's right. One of my summoned beasts is specifically suited to counter puppet users, so the battle went surprisingly smoothly."
"The Kazekage Advisor? Someone of her stature? Seriously? You're not joking?"
The succession of shocks made Yuhi Kurenai glance around in a daze, searching for answers among the Chunin and Jonin—and her father.
"They're already here?"
She tilted her head slightly. Members of Konoha's Medical Team hurried over. At their head was a petite woman, the current captain of the Medical Team: Yakushi Nonō, the "Wandering Miko."
"Where are the injured? You, treat the critically wounded first. After you've bandaged the other casualties, come help us immediately. Prioritize them by red, yellow, and green."
"Big Sister Nonō, the casualty over here is in a rather special condition. I'll leave her to you."
A flicker of delight passed behind Nonō's goggles, as if a great burden had finally been lifted. She nodded firmly and examined Kurenai's injuries.
"Thank you so much. If not for you, I wouldn't have known how to face her mother."
Yuhi Shinku, a Konoha Jonin with black hair and red eyes, and features somewhat similar to Kurenai's, gave a slight bow. The worry in his eyes remained.
"It's all right. Kurenai and I are friends. She only hurt her leg; she'll recover after some rest."
Nonō smiled gently and nodded, confirming the injury wasn't serious. Only then did Shinku relax. He turned to Hanazuki.
"You and Kurenai know each other well? You only graduated this year, and you're two years younger than her. You're not far apart in age."
Hanazuki frowned. What dangerous thoughts are you having, Father?
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation. I'm going to borrow this child for a while, Shinku."
A steady, brisk voice rang out behind them. Uchiha Hanazuki turned around, and the first thing she saw was the emblem of the Konoha Military Police Force.
"Lord Fugaku... Understood."
Yuhi Shinku went to Kurenai's side and quietly asked her something.
Lying flat on the ground, Kurenai struggled to turn her head. She looked at the Flame Fan on the back of the black cloak and felt feverish and weak all over, as if she'd come down with a severe cold.
"Is there something you need, Lord Fugaku?"
"Uchiha Hanazuki, your strength and talent qualify you to join the Konoha Military Police Force and formally attend the clan council..."
Before Fugaku could continue, Hanazuki raised a hand to stop him, her tone calm.
"I refuse. I'm about to begin formal training with Orochimaru-sensei, and I have no plans to join the Konoha Military Police Force for now. As for the clan council, we can discuss it after I finish training."
Fugaku's brow furrowed slightly. He fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Orochimaru-sensei? I should congratulate you. Being taken on as a student by one of the Sannin is no small thing. With a little experience, you might become a ninja who's every bit his equal."
As they spoke, Fugaku glanced at Namikaze Minato. Their eyes met, and after a slight nod, Fugaku's gaze turned expectant.
"The Uchiha Clan and the village need a bond between them. Your talent and circumstances mean you're destined to become a key link between the village and the clan."
"Whatever you need, just ask the clan. But you must remember that you're one of the Uchiha. The blood of the Uchiha flows through you... No, you're destined to be an Uchiha who awakens the Sharingan."
Fugaku rambled on, occasionally glancing at the boy beside him, completely unaware of the indifference and disdain in Hanazuki's eyes.
"Lord Nonō! Lord Nonō! Please look at this child. It seems his brain suffered some kind of shock, and he's lost his memory."
The soft voice didn't escape Hanazuki's ears. She turned slightly toward the distance. The white-haired boy was being led before Nonō by a medical ninja.
"Hanazuki, I have a few things I'd like to ask you about. Regarding Mount Kikyo..."
Namikaze Minato and Nara Shikaku came up to Hanazuki to ask for details about Mount Kikyo. Uchiha Fugaku remained where he was, also eager to learn what had happened there.
"Mount Kikyo? There's no Mount Kikyo anymore. That Tailed Beast Bomb from the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki really lived up to its reputation. It leveled the entire mountain and left a massive crater. Anyone hit directly by that attack would've been done for."
Her tone was full of astonishment, utterly convincing. Just like that, all the blame landed on Killer B.
"What about the Fourth Raikage? And what happened to Rasa and that Scorch Style Ninja from Sunagakure?"
"They retreated. When the Tailed Beast Bomb was fired, I changed its direction. He got hit by his own attack. It must've hurt. Poor thing. Heh."
Nara Shikamaru's brain stalled for a moment, then his mind raced. After a long silence, he murmured, "So... we won?"
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