Rumors

Chiya's eyes still hurt when he woke up, especially his right eye. It felt like needles were pricking it, and if he looked at something for too long, his vision became a little blurry.

Chiya covered his eyes and sat up.

He tried closing his eyes to contact Kaguya and ask how she was. That dream just now had been far too real.

But Kaguya never responded.

Chiya sat on the bed, staring blankly out the window for a long time.

This time, she was probably even weaker.

By the time Chiya left the hospital, Konoha's streets had begun to regain some order. The collapsed walls had not yet been repaired. Ninjas and villagers worked together to carry planks by the roadside, and the occasional charred roof could still be seen in the distance.

Konoha after the great battle carried an indescribable stillness.

Everyone kept their heads down and went about their work. Few spoke to one another.

The former bustle had vanished, and it would probably be difficult to restore anytime soon.

Chiya wandered the streets without any particular destination. Before he knew it, he had reached the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

The clan grounds looked the same as ever—empty, with weeds already growing in many places.

The setting sun fell across the rooftops, stretching the shadows on the ground long.

Chiya walked along the riverbank. Before he had gone far, he saw Sasuke sitting on the shore.

Sasuke hugged his knees, his head lowered as he watched the river.

Chiya paused, then walked over and sat beside him.

Neither of them spoke.

They simply sat there, watching the river slowly flow onward. The wind blew in from the water, carrying a faint chill. The sun sank lower and lower, the light on the river gradually dimming, while the shadows along the bank stretched farther and farther.

After a long while, Chiya looked at the river and suddenly spoke.

"Sasuke."

"Yeah?"

"Why do you think we live?"

Sasuke froze for a moment, then turned to look at him.

His expression was a little strange, as though he were looking at a patient whose fever had yet to break.

Chiya also felt that his question had been a little too abstract. He lowered his head and smiled.

"Forget it. Pretend I didn't ask."

Sasuke fell silent for a few seconds, then looked back at the river.

"Of course it's for revenge."

His voice was quiet, but firm.

"And to restore the Uchiha Clan."

Chiya said nothing.

The river continued flowing. Rings of ripples were pushed apart by the wind, only to quickly scatter again.

It was completely dark now. The streetlights by the river lit up, and the two of their shadows fell across the water, swaying back and forth.

Sasuke stood up and dusted off his pants.

"I'm leaving."

"Yeah."

With both hands in his pockets, Sasuke walked away along the riverbank.

Chiya remained where he was and watched the river for a while longer. Only after the moon seemed to sink into the water did he slowly rise.

The next morning, Chiya went to the hospital.

This time, Ino was awake.

When he pushed open the door, Inoichi Yamanaka and Ino's mother were both in the room. Ino leaned against her pillow, her face still pale, her chest wrapped in thick bandages. Her normally tied-up blond hair had come loose as well.

When she saw Chiya, she first froze, then quickly looked away.

Inoichi Yamanaka glanced at Chiya without saying anything. Ino's mother gently patted Ino's hand, rose to her feet, and said, "We'll step outside for a moment."

Once the door closed, the room fell quiet.

Chiya walked over, pulled up a chair, and sat beside her.

Ino looked at him.

Chiya glanced at the bandages around her chest, his fingers slowly curling into a fist.

"I'm sorry."

Ino frowned.

"That's the first thing you say when you come in?"

Chiya did not look up.

Ino tried to sit up straighter. The moment she moved, pain made her suck in a breath. Chiya instinctively tried to support her, but his hand stopped halfway.

Ino gave a soft huff.

"It's not like I can't move."

She leaned back against the pillow and took a long while to recover before continuing, "I'm still alive, you know. Don't make that face."

Chiya nodded.

She looked down at her fingers. After a few seconds, she said quietly, "In a situation like that, I couldn't just watch someone kill you."

Chiya looked up at her.

"Don't do that again."

Ino's lips moved, as if she wanted to snap back at him, but she truly did not have the strength right now. In the end, she only muttered sullenly.

"So annoying."

Chiya did not say anything else.

He knew that nothing he said now would help.

After a while, he stood up.

"Get well soon."

Ino looked at him.

"And stop coming to the hospital all the time."

"Okay."

Chiya turned and walked toward the door.

Just as he was about to leave, Ino suddenly called out to him.

"Chiya."

He stopped.

Ino leaned against the bed. Her face was still pale, but her eyes were serious.

"You... take care of yourself."

Chiya did not turn back. He merely answered softly.

"I know."

He pushed the door open and left.

In the hallway, Inoichi Yamanaka had been waiting for him.

Chiya stopped.

Inoichi looked at him, his expression calm.

"She almost died."

Chiya lowered his head.

"I know."

"You saved her. I should thank you."

Inoichi paused, seeming somewhat shaken by the thought.

"But she was also injured because of you."

Chiya did not argue.

Inoichi looked at him for a long time before saying, "It's too dangerous around you right now. Ino is just a child. She shouldn't be dragged into this."

"I understand."

"I'll keep my distance."

Inoichi raised a hand and patted his shoulder.

"You're a good kid."

"But I'm her father."

Chiya nodded and turned to leave the hospital.

The sunlight outside was a little harsh. Chiya raised a hand to shield his eyes, and they began to hurt again.

Just then, a familiar shout came from across the street.

"Chiya!"

Chiya looked toward the voice.

Naruto, covered in bandages and carrying a bag of dango, was waving at him. Sakura stood beside him with a bouquet of get-well flowers in her arms, obvious displeasure on her face.

Sasuke was there too.

He leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets, his expression as cold as ever.

Naruto ran up to Chiya and looked him over from head to toe.

"You're okay! That's great! I thought you'd be stuck in bed for ages!"

Sakura frowned.

"Naruto, stop saying such unlucky things."

Sakura looked toward the hospital and asked,

"Is Ino awake?"

"She is."

Sakura visibly let out a sigh of relief.

"That's good."

Naruto immediately cut in.

"Since everyone's out of the hospital, let's go eat at Ichiraku Ramen!"

Sakura punched him on the head.

"Is ramen the only thing in that brain of yours?"

Naruto crouched down, clutching his head.

"Ow, ow, ow! But ramen is delicious!"

Sasuke gave a cold snort. "Idiot."

Naruto immediately sprang back up.

"Sasuke! Who are you calling an idiot?!"

Chiya could not help smiling.

The group walked down the street. Repairs were underway all over Konoha. Some people carried roof tiles by the roadside, while others cleared away rubble.

When they reached an intersection, several villagers ahead spoke in hushed voices.

"Did you hear? That Uchiha kid killed more than a dozen Konoha ninjas."

Chiya stopped short.

Naruto stopped too.

Another person whispered, "Weren't they supposed to be Sound Ninja?"

"Who knows? I heard he was controlled by Orochimaru. The killings were terrible."

"The Uchiha Clan... they've always been scary."

At those words, Sasuke's face immediately darkened.

Naruto's face flushed with anger as well. Rolling up his sleeves, he was about to charge over.

"What nonsense are you talking about?!"

Chiya reached out and pressed a hand to his shoulder.

"Naruto, don't be impulsive."

Naruto turned to him. "They're slandering you!"

Sakura also frowned deeply, her expression ugly.

Chiya looked in the direction the villagers had gone.

"It's useless. They only heard it from someone else."

Naruto gritted his teeth.

"Then we'll find the person spreading the rumor!"

Chiya did not answer.

Of course, he knew who it was.

The wind blew in from the street corner, sweeping dust across the ground.

In the distance, white cloth had been hung in the direction of the Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage's funeral was tomorrow.